GALION— Once again, the city council had another productive meeting on Tuesday night.
Ordinance 2021-6 authorizes the safety-service director to accept certain easements and acquisitions of property relating to two parcels adjacent to the St. Rte. 598 widening project and paying the owners for those parcels out of the Street Fund/Infrastructure & Capital Outlay fund.
Ordinances 2021-7 and 2021-8 both authorize the fire chief and/or the safety-service director to apply for a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Ordinance 2021-7 pertains to the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant program for 25,000 dollars for fire extinguisher training and fire and life safety educational materials. Ordinance 2021-8 pertains to the assistance to firefighters program for 48,432 dollars for the purchase of hoses for the department.
The Big Four Depot was the subject of Ordinance 2021-9, which allows the safety service director to apply for and accept a Save America’s Treasures Program. The grant, should it be received, would be for 150,000 dollars to be put towards the depot, and the city would match that 150,000 in order to put 300,000 dollars into the restoration of the depot. The Big Four Depot is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Resolution 2021-5, which approves the appointment of Candace Yocum to the Galion City Health Board, was the last piece of legislation passed for the night.
“We had the opportunity to interview two persons, both qualified, and I think the selection was based on Candace’s previous experience as a public official, her long term interest in the public health needs, and working with the senior community,” Mayor Tom O’Leary said. “We feel pretty good about her willingness to serve.”
Three other ordinances were passed at the meeting, transferring funds around accounts, and amending prior ordinances.