By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Two Bucyrus City Council committees approved the purchase of a new utility truck for the Water Department.
The need to purchase a new truck came after a 2003 truck was totaled in February. A crew had been working late in the evening on a water main break on the east side of town on Feb. 21 when the truck caught on fire. An electrical fuse panel was believed to have been the cause of the fire.
The Service and Finance committees approved the purchase of a new utility truck for $38,000. The cab and chassis will be purchased from a local Chevy dealer while the bed will be purchased from the Dexter Company.
Portions of the funds for the truck come from $8,473.33 from the settlement. The Finance Committee approved the purchase of the truck and the transfer of $20,000, which includes the insurance, to purchase the new vehicle.
Public Lands and Buildings Committee voted to amend the two-year lease for the old downtown theatre. The city had previously approved a land lease of the downtown theatre for $1 for two years to comply with an art park grant. However, due to the amount granted for the project, the entity overseeing the grant requested the lease be extended to 2032 should Bucyrus Theatre, Inc. not take over the property immediately after demolition of the building.
The Service Committee will be seeking legislation to increase the costs of replacement parts for residents’ water meters. The increase in costs reflects the cost for the city to purchase the parts as well as shipping. Complete water meter units with tails are expected to be increased to $97.50, radio units to $121, and meter bottoms to $56.50.
The Health and Safety Committee approved to fund $1,000 for the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
The Crawford County Health Partners are attempting to raise $50,000 for the county health assessment. Currently, the CCHP has gathered $42,500. Avita Health Systems had contributed $12,500, the Crawford County Public Health has contributed $10,000, the Galion City Health Department has added $10,000, the ADAMH Board is contributing $7,000, and the Crawford County Partnership for Education and Economic Development $3,000.
Council President Sis Love stated that there is money in a fund that was available for use. The Health and Safety Committee approved to fund $1,000 for the CHA and CHIP upon approval from the Finance Committee.
The Finance Committee approved the transfer of $25,000 to pay for hiring outside counsel for the city’s recent civil lawsuit with City Law Clerk Vicki Dishon. The committee also approved to increase of costs to the residents for water meter replacement parts.