By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

Bucyrus City Council members rolled up their sleeves Tuesday night and went to work in committees on several items from the airport to beer gardens, and employee raises to parking bans.

There will be two roads in Bucyrus that will no longer allow parking after the Health and Safety Committee approved the measures Tuesday evening.

Lane Street between Plymouth Street and Mary Street, as well as Wallace Avenue between Martha and Charlotte streets will have a parking ban on the street effectively immediately after the Health and Safety Committee unanimously passed the measure.

A repeal of Ordinance 529.2 was also passed unanimously. The ordinance established a family entertainment venue for the city of Bucyrus. Following that action, alcohol will be allowed to be served during the Bratwurst Festival. Private property owners can set up beer gardens for the festival, but they must adhere to guidelines from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control.

The ban of having an open container on all public areas including sidewalks, public parking lots, and streets is still in effect.

Prior to the Health and Safety Committee meeting, the Service Committee listened to a presentation about improvements to the Bucyrus Airport to be voted on by council.

The Service Committee approved an airport improvement project after Kevin DeTray told members FAA grants could fund 90 percent of improvements to small airports.

DeTray explained to the committee that the taxiway which goes to five hangers is starting to break up and that he would like to have proper drainage installed when it is repaved at a total estimated cost of $143,000. The city would be reimbursed for all but $14,300.

DeTray also explained to the council that due to FAA safety regulations the airport needs a runway protection zone which needs to be 250 feet outward from the runway. To complete the zone the city would need to own 2.534 acres of the land from south of Beal Street east of the railroad tracks and west of Isaac-Beal Road which has been appraised at $36,000.

DeTray said that Duane Hord agreed to donate the land to Bucyrus, and that the FAA would reimburse Bucyrus 90 percent which would be $32,400 of the appraisal even if donated.

DeTray then told the committee that with the $32,400 it could cover the $14,300 needed for the project, and leave $18,100 for future projects.

The Service Committee forwarded the taxiway drainage project to the Finance Committee which was approved during their meeting.

The land donation to the airport was sent to the Public Lands and Buildings Committee for approval before going to council.

The Bucyrus Finance Committee approved some give and take affecting non-elected, non-union workers for the city Tuesday evening.

While reviewing the manpower ordinance, the committee approved giving non-elected, non-union workers for the city Veterans’ Day as a paid holiday. However those workers will be losing a few hours of sick leave with the committee also approving changing the maximum hours from 1,320 per year to 960. The number of personal days was tabled.

Also reviewed in the manpower ordinance the Finance Committee adjusted the salaries of many of the non-elected, non-union workers. Many will receive a 2-percent raise each year for the next three years beginning retroactively from Jan. 1 of this year.

Civil service, the pool supervisor and head life guard for the pool will remain the same for the 2014 year, but will receive 2-percent raises in 2015 and 2016.

Victim’s Advocate pay will be determined by grant monies received by the state.

Lifeguards, parks and play grounds, casual pool secretary, and lawn maintenance will remain unchanged.

Prior to reviewing the manpower ordinance the Finance Committee approved allocating funds for the airport taxiway project.