By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The purchase of a city truck, albeit one already purchased, was nearly tabled at the Galion City Council meeting Tuesday night.
The truck in question, a Vactor Jet truck purchased for $334,224, replaces an older truck in use by the city for cleaning the city’s sewer system and by the line department for pole excavation. The new purchase had already been passed through the Budget and Recovery Plan, but hadn’t been approved to be purchased through a state purchasing agent by City Council.
When asked why the ordinance had been retroactive to Jan. 1, City Auditor Brian Treisch noted that the city had already purchased the truck without council’s approval due to an oversight on his part.
After the oversight was brought into light, council member Susan Bean motioned for the ordinance for the purchase to be tabled in order to review the budget for 2016 to make sure that the truck purchase was budgeted.
After the ordinance failed to be tabled it passed its first reading by a 4-3 vote.
Galion City Council approved a CRA agreement with Rensko Holdings, LLC to expedite the construction of a Tim Hortons restaurant. The CRA agreement is for a 50-percent tax reduction as an incentive for the company to invest within the city limits. The CRA was originally proposed at 70 percent for 10 years. However the tax amount was lowered and the years expanded in order to give tax relief without the Galion City School Board of Education becoming involved which might have pushed back to start time on the project.
Galion City Council approved hiring Teresa Grigsby as co-counsel with Thomas Palmer for impending litigation by a 6-1 vote with Bean being the lone dissenter. The case is filed under Susan Vader Mass et al. v. James Grogg dba Howell’s Septic Service, LLC et al.
In discussion Bean noted that she felt it unnecessary for the city to use co-counsel in this instance as the insurance company that is funding Grigsby is paying for the service.
Ann Heimlich once again took issue with Galion City Council noting that the city needs to fix their rules involving the Design Review Board. Heimlich, who is in the process of attempting to install windows in her business, claimed that the current rules make it difficult for her to install windows at her establishment, Grandma Ann’s Attic. Heimlich accused the Design Review Board of changing their minutes of their meeting in which she attended.
The Galion City Council did approve an ordinance which would allow for non-citizens of the city who own, or operate a business in the Uptowne District to serve on the Design Review Board.
Councilman Dr. Thomas Fellner commented on the ordinance during discussion.
“The owners should have some say in their buildings. I hope this is the first step to help Mrs. Heimlich and her situation,” Fellner said.
Galion City Council approved three items on the agenda Galion City Council approved asking for a Freese Grant Recommendation to help with the construction of the Amann Reservoir shelter for the amount of $21,759. Council also approved appropriating $30,000 from unappropriated funds in recreation to Capital Outlay for the shelter project. Council also approved the authorizing for the shelter bid.
The city will be able to put the shelter up for bid if the Freese Grant Advisory Board approves funds for the project.
Galion Cross Country Coach Ken Jarvis spoke in favor of the shelter noting that it would help out with the school’s Cross Country Festival that takes place at Amann Reservoir Park, as well as benefit the community.
A FEMA Grant for the total of $158,650 for the city’s fire department was approved by Galion City Council. The grant will go towards the purchase of cardiac monitors as well as other health and wellness items including exercise equipment, and vaccines for the firefighters.
Galion City council approved authorizing bidding for various paving projects. The projects which are expected to cost $280,000 will finish up the year’s paving projects.