By Kimberly Gasuras
The Bucyrus City Council Joint Regular Committees had several items on their agendas Thursday evening with two topics garnering the most discussion.
Kurt Fankhauser and his Wavelinc Internet customers remain in limbo as the Public Lands and Buildings Committee waits for city administration to check out a proposal from another company that may want to use the city’s two water towers.
Fankhauser’s 10-year agreement with the city expires on April 18 and includes a mutual exchange of services.
“I would be agreeable to a five-year extension and will continue to provide Internet service to three city-owned businesses and free Wi-Fi for the city parks,” Fankhauser said.
Fankhauser said at that point if Wavelinc does not get the contract, he and his customers will have time to make other arrangements.
Mayor Jeff Reser sent a letter to Fankhauser on Dec. 21, 2016, that in 2017 the city would solicit bids for either the management or lease of the city-owned tower space. Fankhauser sent a proposal to the city’s administration in October 2017.
Council member Andrew Schoch pointed out that no bids were solicited in 2017 as the mayor’s letter stated would happen.
He said that as a fellow business owner, he understands that Fankhauser and his customers need a resolution.
Committee chair Dan Wirebaugh said he will wait for the city’s administration to inform him if there is any other company interested in the use of the towers.
Another issue being heavily debated is the fate of the Pines Reservoir.
City service safety director Jeff Wagner said since the Pines and Neff reservoirs are ground-water type reservoirs, water will not be used from them in the future.
“We only use water from Outhwaite and Riley,” Wagner said.
Local attorney Patrick Murphy has offered the city a building he owns on West Mansfield Street in exchange for the Pines Reservoir property.
“The Crawford County Park District is also interested,” Wagner said.
Wirebaugh will have both parties present their ideas for the property in a presentation in the near future.
The economic development committee will hold interviews for three potential appointees to the Board of Zoning Appeals which include Katherine Volk, Tom Rarick and William Stuckert.
The committee approved legislation to go before council for vote that will allow the mayor to enter into an agreement with the city of Galion and the county to participate in the Community Housing Impact and Preservation program.
The platting committee approved legislation for bridge repairs on U.S. 30 over Plymouth Street (Route 98) in 2023 at no cost to the city, railroad track repair on Plymouth Street and the 2018 milling and paving projects.
The finance committee then approved the railroad track repair and the milling and paving project along with the Whetstone and East Mansfield Street drain project for legislation.
Council will vote on these issues at the next council meeting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 at Bucyrus City Hall.