By: Jeremy Scott
The Bryan City Council met on February 15th in regular session via teleconference. All members of the Board were present.
During the meeting council approved an ordinance providing Mayor Carrie Schlade to enter into a 20-year ground lease renewal with National Railroad Passenger Corporation for the Bryan Amtrak Station.
Previous agreements had been for 5 years each, and this new agreement was welcomed news since the station was in danger of closing all together.
Council also approved an ordinance approving the preliminary plot for Greystone Subdivision first addition and replot of Lot 24. This will be an extension of Stonehenge Drive ending in a cul-desac. I will provide seven new plots in the addition. Council Member John Betts abstained from the vote due to a potential conflict of interest.
Another ordinance passed authorizing Mayor Schlade to enter into a contract with Gerken Paving for what is classified as “2021 Asphalt Program.” Gerken was the only bidder, and came in under estimate at $478,894.05.
This will be used for repaving Townline Road, catch basin and manhole repairs, and work on parts of Beech, Lynn, Maple, and Walnut Streets between High and Wilson Streets.
Another ordinance passed which was a repayment of an inter-fund cash advance that was utilized for the Bryan Industrial North Project. $137,677.02 was repaid to the ½% Income Tax Fund and $62,322.98 to the 502 Water Fund. This closes out the project.
A resolution was passed to adopt the Revolving Loan Fund Administration Agreement with the Ohio Department of Development through December 31st, 2023. This is administered through Maumee Valley Planning.
A Building Permit was approved for a new Dollar General Store which will be built at 1420 W High Street, which is the site of the old Custom Cleaners building. Cost of the project is $375,569 for a 9,100 sq. ft. building.
Council also approved a change in status for engineering employee Cliff Weigel. Cliff has been an employee for the past year and was taken off his probationary status.
In addition, Part-Time Dispatcher Ross Butler was promoted to Full-Time Patrol Officer for the City. The Council also approved the resignation of Probationary Firefighter Nicholas Cooper.
Council also received annual reports from both the Bryan Police Department as well as the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Finally, Council discussed the newly enacted DORA and whether or not is should be suspended during the Jubilee.
Concerns are the need for added security, the family aspect of the Jubilee, and keeping people off the Courthouse area, which is not part of the DORA Program. Further discussion will be needed, and a vote will be made at a future meeting.
The Next meeting of the Bryan City Council will be Monday, March 1st.
Jeremy can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com