STREET EXTENSION … Shown is the current end of South Portland Street. Where the current dirt path is, is where construction will begin. South Portland Street will be extended to Fountain Grove Drive. When construction is complete, the “No Motor Vehicles sign will be removed. (PHOTO BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
The Bryan City Council meeting on May 1 began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call. All five council members, Richard Hupe, Judy Yahraus, John Betts, Mary Leatherman, and Jim Kozumplik were in attendance.
In the first order of business, council approved both the meeting minutes from the April 17 meeting and the joint special meeting on April 18.
Next, Bryan resident Steve Cox spoke briefly. He thanked the city, because the very day he last spoke and complained about the gravel that had spilled into yards on Huntington Drive, was cleaned up by the street department.
He also mentioned that there are cracks that are coming through the repair work, so that may eventually need attention.
Next, council approved Ordinance 20-2023, for the extension of South Portland Street, from Cardinal Drive to Fountain Grove Drive.
A sidewalk has been planned for the east side of the Portland Extension. The city is waiting to hear if the proposed development on the east side of the Portland Extension goes through. If it does, the planned sidewalk will be delayed a bit.
There will be a preconstruction meeting this week, so that a proposed date for the Portland project can begin. It will be a summer project and the project could start as early as June.
Council then approved Ordinance 21-2023. This Ordinance involves annual appropriations for the city of Bryan, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
That was followed by council approving Resolution 33-2023, a $2,500 donation from Ann and Howard Vreeland.
The donation is to the Parks and Recreation Department, for Jonas Playground Improvements.
Next, council approved Resolution 33-2023. This is for a $2,500 grant from the West Unity Area Foundation to the Parks and Recreation Department, for the Lincoln Park Inclusive Playground.
The Parks and Recreation Department said that the Lincoln Park Playground is to be for all of Williams County and not just for the City of Bryan, making it inclusive. Getting a grant from West Unity is a step in that direction.
Council then approved Resolution 35-2023, for Mayor Carrie Schlade to enter into a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) agreement on behalf of Bryan, for planning, design and construction of Wastewater Facilities and designating a repayment source for the loan. The project is administered through the Ohio EPA.
In comments, Schlade welcomed in new Clerk-Treasurer John Lehner and thanked Pat Buda for filling the role on an interim basis, while they looked for someone.
Lehner said that he is excited to join the team and will do his best for them.
Yahraus thanked the Vreelands, West Unity and welcomed the new clerk-treasurer. She was also grateful for the kind words from Mr. Cox.
Hupe reminded everyone that as the weather warms up and everyone gets outside, to be courteous to your neighbors.
Council then moved into executive session.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
