By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

Sent back to committee after three previous readings, the ordinance that would allow alcohol sales and consumption on public property was approved by Galion City Council Tuesday night.

The measure suspended the rules of three readings and passed 6-1 with Susan Bean being the lone dissenter. With the approval of the ordinance it allows for the sale and consumption of alcohol in certain trade areas under the stipulations of Ohio Revised Code (ORC) in the Uptowne Business District from Union Street to the Depot.

Originally, the main point of contention in this ordinance was the possibility of alcohol sales on all of the city’s public lands, including parks, under ORC rules and regulations.

Approving the second part of the original ordinance means that dining establishments in Galion will now be able to have permanent outdoor dining-related structures. Under the original ordinance, Galion eating establishments would have to take all outdoor dining-related structures, such as tables, umbrellas, and seating, indoors at the end of business hours. An amendment was added to the ordinance which called for all permanent outdoor structures to be securely fastened in the event of high winds.

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Galion City Council hosted a public hearing on Ordinance 2016-50 Tuesday night prior to voting on legislation. The ordinance would rezone Lot 1940 on Portland Way South from Residential Office to Commercial zoning. During the public hearing, Mark Zelnik announced that Tim Hortons intends to use the proposed site to build a future Tim Hortons.

“This is the first step,” Galion Mayor Tom O’Leary explained. “We had kept quiet as we had a couple hurdles to jump to get to this point. The first step is rezoning, next we will work with a site developer. I anticipate a request for tax relief as part of the project.”

The ordinance to rezone the lot was approved 7-0.

Galion City Council approved ordinances Tuesday evening that will authorize the City’s Safety/Service Director to authorize bids for various paving projects, the Depot Pavilion Project, and the purchase of road salt for the winter.

Construction on the Depot Pavilion Project is expected to begin as soon as the bid is awarded, with hopes to have an autumn grand opening for the Depot Pavilion.

During his report to Council, Mayor O’Leary updated the group on the potential plan to defer $120,000 in Community Block Grants into the next fiscal year for rural water in the county.

“We need to stay vigilant in the Community Block Grant. The county plans to defer $120,000 in the next year for rural water,” O’Leary said. “The city would be without CDBG funds for the next two years. The proposal would move money away from the cities. We counted on CDBG funds for the demolishing of dilapidated homes.”

“The County Commissioners requested to move money into the county for the fiscal year,” O’Leary continued. “It is difficult for us to be taken seriously by the commissioners. I am extending an invitation to them to come to a council meeting and answer questions.”

O’Leary also spoke on the county’s public transportation.

“We must be mindful of people who need public transportation. It is real complicated and I just gave the high points for discussion,” O’Leary said. “There is a lot going on at the Courthouse that is not mindful of Galion.”