By Kerry Rahm
krahm@wbcowqel.com

When Galion City Council members met Tuesday night, their list of responsibilities grew as they voted to add eight pieces of legislation to the night’s tasks, resulting in almost a dozen pieces on the agenda.

As far as the purchase of the Vactor Jet Truck, which was done so retroactively due to an oversight and without council approval, the vote was not unanimous.

After Auditor Brian Treisch verified that the purchase order had been placed, council members Gail Baldinger and Susan Bean voted to oppose the ordinance.

Regardless, Ordinance 2016-70 passed with a 5-2 vote.

Council unanimously voted to pass the Design Review amendment under emergency, as well as the first reading of the stormwater credit policy Ordinance 2016-75 (which applies to commercial areas).

Two Ordinances, 2016-76 and 2016-77 concerned the development of Tim Hortons. The first, as Law Director Thomas Palmer explained, had to do with a different LLC name, but he stated that the plans involved the “same project, same agreement” for the restaurant. The latter ordinance involved an egress for Tim Hortons that included the east-west alley extending from Portland Way South. Both passed unanimously.

Three resolutions passed which concerned the “acceptance of a donation of real property” which will become part of the “hotel project public infrastructure,” according to Palmer, and were donated by the Niss and Kocher families.

“Getting this property access is a linchpin (to moving forward),” remarked Mayor Tom O’Leary.

The rest of the legislation passed involved transferring unallocated funds for the purchase of equipment for law enforcement training and monies for the Street C M & R fund. Ordinance 2016-80 passed its first reading and which concerned progressing with a design and contract for the Cummings Road bridge replacement project.

Clerk Julie Bell explained the process for a Public Hearing R1-C Zoning Conditional use amendment on the night’s agenda. The conditional use would apply to the recently purchased 232 North Market Street home where the resident would like to work from the home as a mental health counselor and also employ a small staff.

The proposal went through planning commission on July 27 to make a recommendation to council to add a conditional use for the home, but then will go to a committee meeting before preparing legislation.

The public hearing appeared on the agenda, Bell stated, for “public input before the committee meeting” is held.