By Kimberly Gasuras
Bucyrus City Council said goodbye to three members and welcomed three newcomers.
Council president Garnet “Sis” Love presented plaques to outgoing council members Dan Ross and Steve Pifer. Bill O’Rourke will also be given a plaque, but was absent from the meeting, as well as Wanda Sharrock, who served on the council for several years before resigning a few months ago due to family health issues.
Mayor Jeff Reser thanked the outgoing council members for their years of service and dedication to the city and welcomed new members Kevin Myers, Andrew Schoch and Doug Foght.
“To our new council members: First of all, welcome and thank you very much for serving. I like the 2018 council make-up. If your class was ranked like college football recruits, I would give your class the top ranking,” Reser said. “You have already shown your ability to lead with your involvement with the transition to full council membership.”
The outgoing council passed a resolution to continue the employment of city council clerk Todd Hill in a sine die session of council.
After the three new council members were seated, council approved a resolution to allow the milling and paving of State Route 98 from State Route 4 to the north corporation line. The project will include curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement.
The new council also approved new rules regarding council meetings after debate on whether or not to limit the time citizens who wish to speak during a council meeting receive to three minutes.
Councilmember Bruce Truka, who will be the council’s president pro-temp in the new year if Love is absent, proposed a motion to allow citizens to speak for five minutes instead of three, but his motion was voted down by a vote of four to three.
Those voting to allow five minutes included Foght, Myers and Truka.
Council member Dan Wirebaugh pointed out that the three minutes may be extended if needed, but when there is a large number of people wishing to speak, the three-minute rule will be needed.
After new council rules were approved, a letter from retired city employee Vicki Dishon was read regarding the issue that citizens should have the right to speak longer than three minutes if needed.
Bucyrus resident Kurt Fankhauser addressed council after Love presented the breakdown of council members and the council committees they are appointed to for 2018.
“I could see it becoming an issue with Andy Schoch and Kevin Myers both being appointed to the finance committee when they work in the same building,” Fankhauser said.
Both men work as insurance agents at Schoch’s agency, the Andrew Schoch Agency, LLC -Nationwide Insurance.
Love said she has confidence the pair will not discuss council business during work hours.
The next council meeting is Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in council chambers at Bucyrus City Hall.