By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council met for the first time in 2024 on the 2nd of January at 5:30, at the council chambers on the second floor of 1399 East High Street.
Present were Mayor Carrie Schlade, City Clerk – Treasurer John Lehner, Council President Mary Leatherman, and Councilors John Betts, Jim Kozumpliik, Richard Hupe, and new Ward Four Representative Stephen Alspaugh.
Their first order of business was the approval of the minutes from their December 18, 2023 meeting. Committee suggestions for 2024 were then made and approved, with the following councilors assigned to the following committees:
Budget Committee: Mary Leatherman and John Betts; Finance and Audit Committee: Jim Kozumplik and Stephen Alspaugh; Wage Committee: John Betts and Richard Hupe; Tax Incentive and Review Committee: Stephen Alspaugh, Jim Kozumplik and Mayor Schlade.
Assigned to the Negotiations Team: John Betts and Mary Leatherman; the Revolving Loan Fund: Mary Leatherman; BIPAC: Mary Leatherman; Prevailing Wage Coordinators: Brian Wieland and Tiana Traxler; ADA: Patrick Thorp.
There was discussion held on councilor Leatherman and councilor Betts availability for the Negotiations Team, and Mayor Schlade assured them that they would be worked with to ensure that a councilor is present at key decision making times, whether this be in person or virtually.
An ordinance establishing the pay rate scale for seasonal workers in the Parks and Recreation Department was established for 2024, with news being shared that this will be the first step in getting the department activated after a COVID spurred hiatus.
The new Planning and Zoning Code was given its second reading, and then council approved appointments for the Mayor’s Office and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Council then spoke on the city’s recent events, and the essential support that has been provided to pull it all together.
Councilor Alspaugh thanked his predecessor, Judy Yahraus, for her help in getting familiarized with his new position, and shared his excitement for the upcoming year.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was then accepted, with the Bryan City Council set to meet next Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.