By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Galion City Council had three ordinances up for their third readings Tuesday night, of those three readings council made it a hat trick in passing each one without a dissenting vote.
The first passed measure was the third reading for the lease and option to purchase the South Street Commerce Center, which was at one time the HTI building. Currently owned by the city of Galion, the wording of the lease was modified to entertain a minimum bid of $10,500 with the option to purchase the property for the cost of four times the total sum of all monthly lease payments during the lease term. The tenant would also be responsible for all utility and insurance payments.
The third reading to authorize the Safety-Service Director to advertise for bid of the farm land owned by the city by the Galion Municipal Airport was also approved. The total acreage that will be up for bid is 70.7 acres, and would carry a term of a three-year lease.
Also passed on third reading by Galion City Council Tuesday night was the approval of adopting a financial policy manual for the city of Galion.
Two second readings were passed by council, however, one didn’t have the five present council members in complete agreement.
The second reading of amending the rules and criteria for the Freese Foundation Funds was passed with a 4 to 1 vote. The lone dissenting vote came from Councilwoman Susan Bean. Bean expressed her opinion on the only change within the rules and criteria.
“The only change is the city’s requirement for a match,” Bean said. “I think a match is a good form of checks and balance, and don’t think it should be removed.”
If the ordinance passes the third reading the City of Galion would not be subject to the 75/25 percent match, while all other applying entities would still be subject to the match.
The second reading of the Heise Park Pool lease agreement with the Galion YMCA passed without a dissenting vote.
First readings on amending 2017 appropriations, and a then and now certificate were both approved unanimously. The appropriations are for a reimbursement from the state on police officer training and upgrading the computer and billing system at the airport.
In Mayor Tom O’Leary’s report to council he spoke about the Portland Way North project which will take place from Carter Drive to Heise Park Lane. O’Leary noted that north from there the traffic issue becomes complicated and doesn’t need as much work to the road. As a result the project will be shortened and will save $100,000 in pavement.