By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
There are a myriad of local opportunities for community service and the Bucyrus City Council committees approved appointments Thursday to a number of them.
The Health and Safety Committee approve three appointments: Steve Pifer as the city’s representative on the Central Joint Ambulance District board and Bill O’Rourke and Mark Makeever to the Volunteer Firefighters Fund for two-year terms.
The Economic Development Committee approved appointing Victoria Carmean, Debbie Gifford and Casie Grau to the Library Board. Those are four-year terms with the exception of Grau who will complete the term originally held by Tom Holtshouse.
Finally, the Platting Committee appointed Harry Lipscomb and Mark Makeever to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
In other committee news from Thursday evening, The Finance Committee also approved sending legislation to Council that would authorize the mayor or safety service director to sign the agreement for the CDBG Revolving Loan Fund administrative agreement.
The Health and Safety Committee also discussed changing the city’s marijuana and paraphernalia ordinance for possession from a minor misdemeanor to a broader ban as an unclassified misdemeanor punishable up to a $1,000 fine. Currently the city follows State Code in which it is a minor misdemeanor punishable of a $150 fine and a six-month license suspension.
Law Director Rob Ratliff noted that by moving the ordinance to an unclassified misdemeanor it could generate money for the police department and allows for a “teethier” way to enforce the city marijuana law. Ratliff projected that if introduced and passed by legislation it could generate $40,000 to $50,000 per year.
The item was tabled for further discussion.
Bed bugs were also on the minds of the Health and Safety Committee. While current law makes the homeowner responsible for eradication of bed bug infestations currently the only way the city can enforce the issue would fall under property maintenance violations. The Health and Safety Committee agreed to table further discussion until a meeting with health officials and exterminators can be done.
The Service Committee approved sending the county’s proposal of an increase in the water supply contract to vote by the full City Council. Under the current 10-year contract the city sells 130,000 gallons of water per day to the county at a 50-percent surcharge to the city’s water rate. The new contract would increase the amount to 250,000 gallons of water per day for the same 50-percent surcharge and rate with a three-month opt out notice.
The Service Committee approved the Stormwater Utilities Appeals Procedure Manual for approval by City Council. Council member Bruce Truka brought up that while the manual has been in use for at least 10 years there was no approval for the manual in the city’s minutes.