April 10, 2024
Council President Thad Eikenbary called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Pastor Bill Watson gave the invocation.
On call of the roll: Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, Agler, Dettrow, Moore and Marshall were present.
Kallas made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
MAYOR: The Mayor indicated that one or two people are still needed for seasonal help at the Parks Department. Anyone interested should contact the Parks Department.
Greg Amstutz, Board of Zoning Appeals and Bill Lawson, Van Wert Engineering were present to ask for guidance as far as regulations for tiny homes/cottages within city limits. They are looking to establish rules with a minimum of 600 square feet, meet established basic yard area, must be on a solid foundation, must have separate utilities if two on one lot, must have separate mailing addresses if two on one lot, must provide parking, and pre-built purchased and converted buildings require a house plan or plan set.
SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR: Fleming indicated that the eclipse was a great event and thanked all visitors and people of Van Wert who helped out.
Brush pickup is scheduled for May 6, July 8 and September 9.
Dettrow asked when the reverse parking lines would become permanent and was told they are waiting on consistent warm weather.
AUDITOR: There are three invoices that need approval on the Then and Now: Smart Start of Ohio – Alcohol monitors, house arrest & ignition interlock devices in the amount of $3,856.00; G5 Partners – Annual TIF payment in the amount of $67,210.98 and Sedgwick – Annual contract in the amount of $3,365.00.
Blackmore stated the financials for March are good and all funds are positive.
LAW DIRECTOR: The Law Director requested an ordinance to amend ordinance 23-07-040 regarding the detachment from the city for the property located at 10480 Greenville Road.
COMMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
Bill Clifton who was on the committee for the Eggerss Stadium was present to discuss how a survey was done in regard to the stadium to get ideas for a swimming pool survey. He indicated it was approximately an 11 month process of doing research. He suggested a professional survey agency to assist in preparing a survey. Kallas stated he did not think it should be rushed to put the swimming pool on this year’s ballot.
Kallas stated he received an email on clarification of what is considered city property for the marijuana consumption. It was discussed that a meeting will need to be held.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE: Ringwald made a motion to approve the Then and Now. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce an ordinance setting new water tap fees. Kallas seconded; All concurred.
STREETS AND ALLEYS: No report
JUDICIARY AND ANNEXATION: Bowers asked to have an ordinance prepared for the rezoning of property located at 826 Kear Road. Moore seconded; all concurred.
Bowers asked to have an ordinance prepared to appoint the safety service director to the district 13 Public Works Commission. Moore seconded; all concurred.
Bowers asked to introduce an ordinance accepting the final plat for the Edgewood Place Subdivision. Moore seconded; all concurred.
Bowers asked to have an ordinance prepared to amend ordinance 23-07-040 to detach property located at 10480 Greenville Road from the city limits. Ringwald seconded. Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, Dettrow, Moore and Marshall voted yes. Agler voted no.
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT: Agler asked to prepare an ordinance banning the consumption of marijuana on all city owned property. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
PARKS AND RECREATION: Dettrow asked for a council of the whole meeting to discuss the consumption of marijuana on city property and marijuana dispensaries. A meeting was scheduled for April 22 at 5:45 p.m.
HEALTH, SERVICE AND SAFETY: No report
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: No report
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL AND PUBLIC:
Mark Davis, 402 S. Tyler asked what is considered consumption of marijuana and what is considered city property. The Law Director indicated this would be discussed at the council of the whole meeting scheduled for April 22.
Joe Jared, 113 West Main, asked if an ordinance needs to be passed regarding where speakers are placed in the downtown area and was told it will be taken under consideration.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES
Bowers made a motion to prepare ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-016. Moore seconded; All concurred.
Bowers made a motion to introduce ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-016. Moore seconded; All concurred.
Bowers made a motion to suspend statutory rules for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-016; Marshall seconded; all concurred.
Bowers made a motion to pass as an emergency ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-016; AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY TO CHANGE THE ZONING FROM R-2 RESIDENTIAL TO B-1 LOCAL BUSINESS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 826 KEAR ROAD IN THE CITY OF VAN WERT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moore seconded; all concurred. Ordinance Passed.
Bowers made a motion to prepare ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-017. Moore seconded; All concurred.
Bowers made a motion to introduce ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-017. Moore seconded; All concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to suspend statutory rules for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-017; Moore seconded; all concurred.
Bowers made a motion to pass as an emergency ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-03-017; A RESOLUTION TO APPOINT THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO THE DISTRICT 13
PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION INTEGRATING COMMITTEE FOR A THE YEARS 2024, 2025 AND 2026, APPOINT THE MAYOR AS THE SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR’S
ALTERNATE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moore seconded; all concurred. Ordinance Passed.
First Advisory Reading for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-018; AN ORDINANCE SETTING NEW WATER TAP FEES. All concurred.
Bowers made a motion to introduce ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-019. Moore seconded; All concurred.
Bowers made a motion to suspend statutory rules for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-019; Agler seconded; all concurred.
Bowers made a motion to pass as an emergency ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-019; AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF VAN WERT TO ACCEPT THE FINAL PLAT FOR THE EDGEWOOD PLACE SUBDIVISION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Ringwald seconded; all concurred. Ordinance Passed.
First Advisory Reading for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-020; AN ORDINANCE BANNING THE CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA ON ALL CITY OWNED PROPERTY. All concurred.
Bowers made a motion to prepare ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-022. Ringwald seconded. Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, Dettrow, Moore and Marshall voted yes. Agler voted no.
Bowers made a motion to introduce ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-022. Moore seconded. Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, Dettrow, Moore and Marshall voted yes. Agler voted no.
Bowers made a motion to suspend statutory rules for ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-022; Moore seconded. Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, Dettrow, Moore and Marshall voted yes. Agler voted no.
Bowers made a motion to pass as an emergency ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-04-022; AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 23-07-040 TO DETACH FROM THE CITY OF VAN WERT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 10480 GREENVILLE ROAD IN THE CITY OF VAN WERT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Ringwald seconded. Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, Dettrow, Moore and Marshall voted yes. Agler voted no. Ordinance Passed.
Bowers made a motion to adjourn at 8:16p.m. Agler seconded; all concurred.