BUCYRUS — The 2019 council conducted the beginning of the Bucyrus City Council meeting Tuesday evening to finish old business before adjourning sine die.
The new council members then took their seats with Kurt Fankhauser as the new council president. First-time members of council are Lisa Alsept, Candy Yocum and James Mee. Returning council members are Kevin Myers, Mark Makeever, Doug Foght and long-time council member Bruce Truka.
Garnet “Sis” Love was presented with a plaque by Mayor Jeff Reser to commemorate her 14 years of service as a council member, council president and for a short time, the acting mayor of the city.
“Sis served the city well and she will not be slowing down in her service as she continues her leadership in our Census 2020,” Reser said of Love, who did not seek re-election to her position as council president.
Love said she will be spending time with family and friends while doing some traveling and enjoying her retirement.
Love presented plaques to outgoing council members Andrew Schoch and Dan Wirebaugh for their years of service. Monica Sack, who, like Love, did not run for re-election, was absent from the meeting.
Reser welcomed the three new council members.
“Welcome and Godspeed,” Reser said. “As we manage the day-to-day operation of the city, like keeping streets clean and safe and providing utilities, we also need to look ahead to the next generation of Bucyrus residents and make sure that our workforce has the education and skills that match up with our jobs, our neighborhoods are attractive, clean and safe, and we have affordable housing.”
During the meeting, Bucyrus resident Jenny Vermillion came to the meeting to voice her concerns about the number of times legislation is passed as an emergency.
“Many of you ran for office on the promise of transparency and there is nothing more transparent than allowing citizens time to learn about proposed legislation and to voice their concerns,” Vermillion said.
Carolyn Shireman, the founder of the Positive Seekers, presented a gift to Fankhauser to congratulate him on his new position as council president.
“You are worthy of the seat you are filling,” Shireman said.
She also congratulated the three other new council members and said the citizens are confident they will listen and speak for local residents.
“Bucyrus has needed a change in council seats for a long time and now you are here to speak for us, the community,” Shireman said.
Fankhauser released the list of council committees and which members are on each committee.
Council passed a resolution appointing Todd Hill to his position as council clerk for 2020 through 2021.
A proposed ordinance to extend the distance the city’s service-safety director may reside outside the city limits was kept to a second reading. Council’s vote on the issue will occur at its meeting Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at Bucyrus City Hall.
The joint committee meeting is Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.