By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
After a public hearing that lasted almost an hour, and lengthy discussion when the subject came up in legislation, the Galion City Council decided to table ordinances 2016-31 and 2016-32.
These two ordinances would have allowed for alcohol consumption on public property and allowed for the permanent placement of outside dining facilities in the uptown area. Galion currently allows for outside dining in the uptown area, but businesses have to take down tables and chairs each night. Ordinance 2016-32 would have allowed for fencing and tables and chairs that would not have had to be taken down each night.
It quickly became evident during the public hearing that this was not going to be an easy road for those in favor of the legislation. Don Faulds immediately asked if the public hearing had been advertised properly. City Council Clerk Julie Bell confirmed that indeed had been, but the message from the opposition was clear.
One of the key involved businesses is the Eighteen-O-Three Taproom, and proprietor Chris Stone. He would like to have a seating area outside his front door, as well as a patio off of the back of his establishment. As his establishment serves only alcohol, although it does allow for food to be brought in, Stone would have needed both ordinances to pass to fulfill his wishes of serving outside his front door.
The real bone of contention in all this was ordinance 2016-31. The problem with this ordinance is that, while it was pretty well supported for allowing outdoor consumption on the sidewalks of uptown properties, it contained a provision that would allow for consumption at the city parks. Several members of the public who voiced against the parks provision were not opposed to the outside provision for the uptown district. Roberta Wade was one who expressed this opinion. Councilman Tom Fellner was of a similar mind.
“Parks, for me, is a deal breaker,” Fellner said.
Shirley Clark clarified the position of consumption in public parks, trying to dispel what she called, “a lot of misconceptions.”
The ordinance did not allow open consumption and/or open container. Rather it outlined very restrained sale and consumption by non-profits with a permit. But her interjection was too late in proceedings to have much impact. Both ordinances were sent back to committee, with the ostensible purpose of separating the two issues. The idea being to put consumption in public places, limited to sidewalk consumption in the appropriate delineated areas, and consumption in public parks on separate ordinances.
Related content: Differences still brew at Galion City Council over ordinance | Differences brewing in Galion over alcohol issues
Ordinance 2016-44 was approved by council, allowing Auditor Brian Treisch and Treasurer Rodney Sparks to move ahead with recommendations from the investment committee. This ordinance will allow the finance department to invest in some very safe CD’s and similar type investments. They will invest $15,000,000 in this fashion, and the money will generate about $125,000 per year in interest, rather than the approximately $55,000 per year it is making now.
Also during the council meeting Todd Eagle was sworn in as a lieutenant for the Galion Fire Department.
“This is how small towns are supposed to work,” Mayor Tom O’Leary said, before administering the oath of office.
O’Leary was referring to Eagle’s climb up the ranks at the fire department, actually starting in the EMS, to reach this distinguished rank. The swearing in kicked off the meeting, but was a nice moment of affirmation for Eagle and his family for all of the hard work and service he has provided to the city.