By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Winter may be on its way but the city administration in Bucyrus is already counting down the days to summer.
As Mayor Jeff Reser gave his report during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, he produced a stack of gift cards with a flourished and handed them out to councilmembers.
“You can’t use them until the summer,” Reser informed council before announcing that the $5 gift cards could be used at the new Tim Horton’s/Donatos combination restaurant that will be constructed in the empty lot across the street from Bucyrus City Hall.
“We’re happy to report tonight (the paperwork is) signed, sealed, and delivered,” Reser said.
The ground will be broken for the new restaurant sometime next year with the opening expected in June.
Council passed emergency legislation concerning the new Income Tax Code passed by the Ohio Legislature. Changes to the Municipal Tax Reform include municipal corporations being required to amend their existing income tax ordinances to include the bill’s limitations, establishing a uniform tax base and tax structures, businesses being allowed to deduct new operating losses and allowing a five-year carry forward, and increases to penalties.
The city’s legislation, which needed to be passed to be in accord with the Revised Code, included a paragraph that demonstrated the council’s hesitancy in being involved with the new income tax legislation. The legislation stated the provisions needed to be included and “thus reluctantly are adopted by this Council but are disclaimed to the extent they are unlawful or unconstitutional.”
Council President Sis Love, who is also president of the Ohio Municipal League (OML), said the OML fought the passage of the legislation. The organization expects bigger cities to sue the state after Jan. 1 due to Ohio being a Home-Rule state.
Councilman John Walker was the lone nay vote for the legislation.
Two other ordinances pertaining to appropriation reductions and transfers were also passed. A fourth ordinance that would have amended a land lease at the site of the new water treatment plant was removed and remanded back into committee in order to deal with some discrepancies in the legislation.
After a reading of the Sept. 11 Traffic Commission meeting, councilmember Bill O’Rourke questioned Reser on the timing adjustment for the Sandusky Avenue traffic lights.
“It seems to move pretty well now,” Reser commented. “If we can do something to shorten the cycle east-west on Rensselaer and Warren, I think that’d be sufficient.”
Reser added that the current cycle has been in place for roughly a year now with time for pedestrian crossing sitting at 15 seconds. Reser asked O’Rourke what he would suggest, to which O’Rourke jokingly stated not to have the trains run through town to avoid any backup.
“When you get a train, you’re just blown out of the water,” Reser conceded.
Suggestions have been made in Traffic Commission to put up “Stop for Pedestrians in the crosswalk markers or to add collapsible, polyurethane plastic devices in the middle of the road.
Law Director Rob Ratliff announced representatives from the Bucyrus Fire Department will be at the next City Council meeting (scheduled for Dec. 15) to report on the Eckleberry Poultry fire this past weekend.
“It’s private property,” Ratliff reminded residents. “It’s very dangerous. Stay out of there.”
City Council approved the appointment of Rodney Streib to the Board of Zoning Appeals to replace Jan Herman, who moved out of state.