By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

The Bucyrus City Council is looking to clean up the streets of Bucyrus, one junk vehicle at a time.

Council approved legislation Tuesday night that would amend the Bucyrus Codified Ordinance to include a penalty for the storage of junk vehicles, a matter that was first brought up at the behest of the police department. The amendment classified storage of a junk vehicle as a public nuisance. According to the legislation, a person could be charged with a minor misdemeanor, “with each 30-day period in which the violation continues being a separate offense.” Individuals who commit the violation could also be assessed the costs of towing and storage of the vehicle.

When questioned by Councilman Bill O’Rourke, Law Director Rob Ratliff said that a junk vehicle could be towed on a first offense at the discretion of the police officer. Those instances would typically occur when the junk vehicle is in a city or public parking lot or parked alongside the road.

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Council also passed legislation that accepted Tax Incentive Review Council recommendations.

Service/Safety Director Jeff Wagner noted in his report that the 2017 Mill and Pave project will start the week of June 12.

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Wagner’s report also updated council on the progress of the East Southern Avenue Storm Improvement Project. According to the Service/Safety Director, the main line is finished and the detention pond is 80 percent complete.

Bucyrus Fire Department Captain Greg Scott and Lt. Chris Schaeffer were congratulated on their recent retirements. Scott, who retired on May 26, worked for the city for 29 years. Schaeffer retired on April 28.

Councilman Mark Makeever, who was recently made chairperson of the Economic Development Committee, was appointed to the Crawford County Improvement Corporation. That board is tasked with bringing and creating jobs, and approving industrial improvement bonds, within the county.