By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com

Galion City Council approved the acquisition of the former HTI building at their final meeting of the year Tuesday night, but it didn’t come without a little opposition.

Susan Bean was vocal in her reservations about the acquisition of the former HTI building, but she was alone in her protest and council ratified the ordinance to approve the acceptance of the property donation.

She elaborated by saying she believed this move was “outside the scope of what we should be doing,” and expressed concern about possible diversion of city dollars and man power hours. She also asked what the carrying cost of the building would be and what funds those would come out of.

“I do have a lot of concerns,” Bean began, “I am fundamentally opposed to the city becoming a realtor.”

Mayor Tom O’Leary countered these concerns by stating that no improvements need to be made immediately, the building had been cleared by the EPA, and can be shopped around as is. Energy improvements would be funded in conjunction with a tenant and that money would be recouped in rent.

Bean began to push the issue, calling the Mayor’s statement, “on its face, not accurate.” She continued to lament how the city has acquired various other properties around the city.

At this point O’Leary pointed out that when HTI closed, Galion lost $62,000 in income tax and one of its biggest electric customers.

“We have an obligation to rebuild our employment and electrical load,” O’Leary said.

Councilman Tom Fellner echoed the mayor by saying, “Taking a proactive stance, while risky, is better than doing nothing.”

“Someone is going to give you a $3 million building, and we’re arguing about it,” O’Leary said, “That’s what I find silly on the face of it.”

Council also voted for a resolution approving the financing to fund the closing costs for the property of approximately $8,000.

Another large property deal received official approval at Tuesday night’s meeting. The approved resolution formalized the Revolving Loan Fund Agreement for the Galion Central Hotel. This project has been in the works for a while, with a great deal of reconstruction work already having been completed, but this was the first formalized loan agreement and transaction paperwork.

Hal Keller of Ohio Corporation for Housing, who is the improvement agency in this arrangement, updated the current progress of construction. Beginning in January, 12 of the affordable housing units will be ready to lease, with the further six ready for lease by the end of April.

The lease arrangement also provides the city a great deal of control about what happens to the building when any of the other entities would like to pull out. Galion has been granted the “Put Option” of an ownership stake should one of those entities wish to withdraw, as well as rights of first refusal should anyone look to sell.

“It’s the final piece of the puzzle,” Councilman Mike Richart said, “We wanted to bring back the Central Hotel.”

“They saved the building,” O’Leary said of the work that has already been done. “If they hadn’t put $2 million in it the last few months it would be gone . . . It’s really a heck of a deal from a financial standpoint.”

As the last meeting of 2015, it meant that there were some goodbyes to say. Councilmen Jon Kleinknecht and Mike Richart were making their last official appearances and praise rained in from all corners. Law Director Thomas Palmer praised their “professionalism” and O’Leary stated, “You’ll both be very missed.”

Richart reciprocated the compliments with, “It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you.”