May 8, 2023
President Jerry Mazur called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Bowers gave the invocation.
On call of the roll: Marshall, Kallas, Bowers, Agler, Stinnett, Moore and Davis were present.
Davis made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda for the May 8, 2023 Council meeting and the minutes for the April 24, 2023 Council meeting. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
MAYOR: The Mayor requested that the Van Wert National Bank Clock be donated to the Van Wert County Foundation for repairs and maintenance.
Joan Stripe is retiring from the Brumback Library Board of Trustees. The Mayor recommended Leslie Wilkin as her replacement. Agler made a motion to approve Leslie Wilkin to the Brumback Library Board of Trustees. Stinnett seconded; all concurred.
SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR: The city’s water meters will begin being replaced on June 20, 2023 with a goal that by October 1, 2023 everyone in the city will be on a 30-day monthly billing.
Fleming also gave an update on levels of the TTHM that have been slightly above drinking water standards and it appears the higher levels are coming from the city’s water towers. A consulting firm hired by the city suggested putting mixers in the water towers to help correct the problem which costs $750,000 paid over three years. In order to get a better handle on the issue, a clarifier will be built to reverse the flow before the TTHM leaves the plant.
Fleming also stated that the paving will start next week on the Vision Drive extension.
AUDITOR: No report
LAW DIRECTOR: No report
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL and PUBLIC:
Council has received the statistics report for the Van Wert Fire Department for the month of April, 2023.
Jennifer Adams, City Tax Administrator has sent a mandatory report for credit cards and also an income tax report for motel/hotel.
Martha Balyeat shared the Van Wert reconciliation statement which is available to the public.
Joe Jared, 113 W. Main discussed a nutritional supplement.
Mark Davis, 402 S. Tyler St., discussed a concern of the angled parking on Jefferson being so close to the Methodist preschool and children running across the street.
Ray Ridenour,, North Walnut, expressed concerns of land being donated to the City not being used for the benefit of the City and should not be leased out.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
HEALTH, SERVICE AND SAFETY: Approximately ten properties have been identified as Blighted Properties with five currently being worked on and one to be completed by the end of 2023. Progress is continuing for all the properties.
Mayor added that paperwork has started on Blighted Properties #3 and #5 and the owners have been notified on Blighted Properties #1, #2 and #4
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: No reports.
PARKS AND RECREATION: No reports.
FINANCE: No reports.
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT: Stinnett made a motion to have the ordinance for the Safety Service Director to advertise bids and award contracts for a new roof for the Water Treatment Plant be passed as an emergency. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Seth Baker of the Van Wert County Foundation was present and thanked Main Street Van Wert Executive Director Joe Dray for the fundraising efforts for the renovations and upkeep of the Van Wert National Bank Clock on E. Main Street. Estimates for the renovations are $61,000. Van Wert County Foundation is requesting a long term lease to keep the clock in its current location on Main Street. The Law Director will need to check to see if an easement is needed. The renovations would include the mechanism being largely underground but will run via the internet and will be more accurate than ever.
Stinnett requested that an ordinance be prepared authorizing the Mayor to donate the Van Wert National Bank Clock to the Van Wert County Foundation.
STREETS AND ALLEYS: Moore asked for a discussion on the angled parking on Jefferson Street as forward angled parking or reverse angled parking. Kallas suggested that it be tabled to review the pros and the cons. A public meeting was scheduled for May 22, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the parking. Kallas made a motion to table Ordinance 23-04-023. Moore seconded with Marshall, Bowers, Stinnett and Davis voting yes and Agler voting no. Motion to table ordinance passed.
JUDICIARY AND ANNEXATION: Davis made a motion to have an ordinance prepared to allow business signs from 100 feet to 200 feet in B-3 and I-2 as this would allow larger signs to be placed without a permit and would require less paperwork. Kallas seconded, all concurred.
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL AND PUBLIC: None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
CONSENT AGENDA: None
RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES
Moore made a motion to pass on its Third and Final Reading ORDINANCE NUMBER 23-04-024; AN ORDINANCE MAKING THE FIRST PARKING SPOT ON THE WEST SIDE OF SOUTH JEFFERSON STREET NORTH OF CENTRAL AVENUE A HANDICAP SPOT AND THE FIRST PARKING SPOT ON THE WEST SIDE OF NORTH JEFFERSON STREET NORTH OF MAIN STREET A HANDICAP SPOT. Bowers seconded; all concurred. Ordinance passed.
Stinnett made a motion to introduce ORDINANCE NUMBER 23-05-028; Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Stinnett made a motion to suspend statutory rules for ORDINANCE NUMBER 23-05-028; Agler seconded; all concurred.
Stinnett made a motion to pass as an emergency ORDINANCE NUMBER 23-05-028; AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR ADVERTISE, BID AND AWARD CONTRACTS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ROOF TO THE WATER PLANT AND DECLARING THE SAME AS AN EMERGENCY. Bowers seconded; all concurred. Ordinance Passed.
Stinnett made a motion to prepare ORDINANCE NUMBER 23-05-029. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Stinnett made a motion to introduce ORDINANCE NUMBER 23-05-029; Agler seconded; all concurred.
Agler made a motion to adjourn at 7:21 p.m. Bowers seconded; all concurred.