By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council meeting for April 4th, held at 5:30 p.m., consisted of all council members being present. This also included Mayor Carrie Schlade, Clerk-Treasurer John Lehner, Fire Chief Douglas Pool, Police Chief Gregory Ruskey, and Director of Utilities Derek Schultz.
The meeting started off with a public hearing for the rezoning of 437 and 433 South Main Street. This would be changed from a residential (R-2) to a commercial (C-3) zone.
Hupe, of Ward Two, expressed concerns about losing possible homes for residents. “I understand, needing to grow as a community,” says Hupe, and I certainly don’t want to prevent it though the zoning committee.”
Zoning Administrator Waterson explained that the owner of the property plans on leaving the homes as residences but eventually wants to market it as a commercial premise.
They have gone through all necessary steps to pass this ordinance. Ordinance 12-2025 was passed to amend the Bryan zoning map was approved.
Steven Cox came before the council to present a public concern. He thanked the city for the sweeping of loose gravel done on March 28th. He also thanked the city and its crew for collecting the tree cuttings and debris.
Cox suggested a follow up to finish up cleaning the remaining gravel that has been moved to the front of the residents’ yards.
He wishes this to be done so there are no future accidents, whether that involves lawn mowers, motorcycles, or the like.
He mentioned that a second loose gravel incident has been reported on South Portland Street, and that will need immediate attention like before.
Ordinance 13-2025 was presented by Fire Chief Pool. It would authorize Mayor Schlade to enter into an agreement with the Williams County Board of Commissioners for a pilot program by offering collaborative emergency medical services between the Williams County EMS and the Bryan Fire Department.
This is a six-month trial agreement, with a 30-day out for either party, that would help the County EMS maintain current conditions. Pool says he does not expect their call volume to increase, as they already help with numerous medical emergencies when needed. “We see it as a way to supplement services they’re (Williams EMS) providing, without replacement.”
The Williams County Emergency Service will be providing equipment, office work, and technology with a reimbursement to the city of ten percent. There will be no financial change to the department. All the Bryan Fire Department is supplying is manpower.
Fire care will still come first as a priority, but in the moments where there are no fires, they will provide services as first aid responders.
By housing their own EMS vehicle in the fire department, given by the county, this will help the community with more efficient and faster care in emergency situations.
“The basic intent is to provide quality service and assistance for our residence and district,” mentioned Schlade. The ordinance was approved following a suspension of the rules.
The 2025 Asphalt Program was authorized to enter into contract with Helms & Sons Excavating, Inc. This business has worked with other cities such as Napoleon and Defiance.
The 2025 Street Improvement of Blakeslee Avenue project was approved to contract with M&M Asphalt LTD. This company had worked on Parkview Avenue a few years prior. This is not scheduled to begin until the end of July.
Resolution 20-2025 involves allowing the Director of Utilities, Schultz, to seek competitive bids for the sale of the HFC System that is no longer in use by the city.
Since then, Bryan has discontinued cable modems and television. This includes approximately 67 miles of underground conduit.
The selling of the equipment will not impact the new fiber networks but potentially provide another competitive internet service to be introduced to the area.
Earlier this year, this resolution was passed by the Bryan Board of Public Affairs and therefore presented to the council. Schultz anticipates having the bid opening as soon as late May or early June.
Resolution 21 – 2025 authorizes the mayor to accept a grant of $12,333 from the Ohio Criminal Justice System for body-worn cameras for their officers. This provided 21 cameras for the police department as well as redaction equipment and licensing.
Two building permits were passed by the council. The first being for the water and sewer treatment plant, located on 1521 Evansport Road. Peterson Construction Company will be doing the work, and it is estimated to cost around $11,700,000.
Secondly, the fire department, located 304 West High Street, will be having an interior remodel for the bunk house. This is estimated around $159,000.
With no further issues on the agenda, the Bryan City Council adjourned at 5:57 p.m.