PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS … Council member John Betts (left) commends City Engineer Bryan Wieland and his staff for all the hard work going into the planning and execution of several key sewer and sanitary improvements.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council meeting on October 20 began at 5:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. After everyone was seated, roll call was taken.
All members were present, including Mary Leatherman, Jim Kozumplik, F. John Betts, Richard Hupe, and Stephen Alspaugh. Mayor Carrie Schlade, Clerk-Treasurer John Lehner, and several department heads were also in attendance.
The first order of business was the approval of the meeting minutes from October 6, which passed.
The lack of public commentary allowed the agenda to move rapidly to the Treasurer’s report, which simply acknowledged the prior distribution of materials.
The Council then moved on to several resolutions and ordinances, beginning with Ordinance 48-2025, which provides for annual appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and also declares an emergency.
The total appropriation for all established funds was $74,486,757.24, with total additions of $19,259.25. The resolution was passed by all members.
Resolution 42-2025 accepted a $4,000 donation from the Bryan Municipal Utilities to the Parks and Recreation Department for continued support of Bryan’s urban forest development.
Resolution 43-2025 accepted $6,300 in donations from various sponsors for the Fountain City Amphitheater.
Individual donors who contributed $250 each included: Dave and Jen Batt, Marie Campbell and Jim Watkins, Bill and Donna Martin, Dr. Stan and Carol Rowan, Georgia and J.T. Stelzer, and Michael and Debra Stuller.
Individual business donations came from: Bryan Dental Group ($500), Bryan Eagles ($3,000), Fountain City Veterinary Hospital ($500), Potter Inc. ($250), Remax Realty of Defiance – Matt Joost ($50), and Eventbrite ($500). Both donation resolutions were passed by all council members.
Ordinance 49-2025 amended sections 549.09 of the Bryan Codified Ordinances regarding firearms within city limits. Police Chief Greg Ruskey explained that this was clarifying language within the original ordinance that failed to mention rifle or firearm discharge within city limits.
Betts asked for clarification because he had recently heard of an incident involving a crossbow and a domestic animal, which occurred nearby but outside of Bryan.
Schlade clarified that yes, a crossbow can be used in town for target practice as long as the arrow does not leave the property. The rules were suspended, and the ordinance was passed by all members.
Ordinance 50-2025 authorized the Clerk-Treasurer to issue change order 1 and final for the project known as “Autumn Chase Phase IV Improvements.”
Net changes totaling $3,726.37 increased the contract total to $436,670.42, including previous change orders.
City Engineer Bryan Wieland addressed the council, stating they are wrapping up projects for the year and that this project was, unfortunately, a small increase.
The costs will be assessed to the properties following certification next September and will appear on the property records in 2027. Alspaugh asked for clarification on tap fees.
Wieland explained that some extra sanitary and storm taps were added in the field, as the plans were not originally drawn by his department. The request to suspend the rules and approve the change order was unanimously approved.
Ordinance 51-2025 authorized the clerk-treasurer to issue change order #2 and final for the project “WIL-CR502-0.37 W South Sidewalk.” The original amount was $252,214.50. The contract price decreased by $5,524.40. The contract total, including this and previous change orders, is $246,690.10.
Wieland again addressed the council, noting that 95% of these funds will be reimbursed through the Ohio Safe Routes to School grant.
There were a few items not covered by the grant, for example, the fast-set concrete used at F&M Bank to get them up and running as quickly as possible. Most non-covered items are minor.
Alspaugh asked if his answer was correct regarding a question about the east side of South Street, specifically, if a sidewalk would be installed there. Wieland clarified that there was a study done through ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) to assess transportation needs. The study was performed over a year.
Wieland reiterated that the area would not be covered by the grant because it falls outside of the predetermined radius set by the ODOT study. Kozumplik commented that it is a great addition. Both requests to suspend the rules and approve the change order were passed.
Ordinance 52-2025 authorized the clerk-treasurer to issue Change Order #1 and Final for the project “2024 South Myers Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement.” The contract price will decrease by $9,655.
The contract total, including this and previous changes, will be $810,760. The contract completion date will be extended from June 1, 2025, to September 1, 2025.
Wieland explained several key items in the ordinance, notably a $275,000 reimbursement from the Ohio Public Works.
The related grant was applied for two years ago, and the project is finally close to completion. Suspension of the rules and approval passed unanimously.
Ordinance 53-2025 authorized the Mayor to enter into a contract with Vernon Nagel Inc. for the project “2025 South Walnut Area Sanitary Sewer Improvements.” Three bids were received after opening on October 8. The contract price from Vernon Nagel Inc totaled $408,283.
This project will replace the sanitary sewer in the alleys, running from Circle K north almost to E Wilson St. The alleys will also be repaved.
Again, an Ohio Public Works grant was approved for this project, and the city will receive almost $175,000 back.
Betts took the opportunity to commend the sewer and sanitation work, stating he did not believe people realize the importance of this work and how many cities are in trouble for failing to prioritize such projects.
He especially commended Wieland and his staff for keeping the city on top of things before they cost millions of dollars to repair, falling heavily onto the taxpayers.
The request to suspend the rules and approve the ordinance was passed by all members.
Resolution 44-2025 authorized the clerk-treasurer to advertise for bids for the “2025 Lincoln Park Sanitary Sewer Improvements” project.
The estimated cost for this project is $530,000. The project will include the repavement of the alley after the sewer improvement.
Wieland explained he had been anticipating the project for next year, but had enough remaining funds to undertake the work this year. The rules were suspended, and the resolution was approved.
The final agenda item was a liquor licensing permit for CVS located at 341 W High Street. A C2 permit was requested, which allows the retail carryout of wine and pre-packaged mixed beverages in sealed containers, but it does not permit on-premise consumption. This is a new liquor permit.
The requested action was to either waive the hearing and allow the permit to proceed or hold a hearing. Betts asked for clarification on the permit since there is a certain number of permits allowed.
Schlade agreed it was slightly confusing because the permit did not come in as a TREX (Economic Development Transfer), which is customary for new permits.
So in her view, a business must have relinquished its permit, but she did state to “Proceed with caution.” They received a permit request that day for Bryan, but upon investigation, the business was actually located in Columbus. With the new system having one portal for everything, it seems there may be some inconsistencies occurring.
The motion to waive the hearing was made by Kozumplik and seconded by Alspaugh. The motion to waive was approved by all.
Before adjournment, Mayor Schlade highlighted the recent “Zoey Kelley Heroism Day” and thanked Fire Chief Douglas Pool and Council Member Hupe. Again, she wanted to thank Zoe for her bravery.
Parks and Recreation Department Head Ben Dominique informed Council of the upcoming Trick-or-Treat on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Parks and Recreation department will host the community Halloween party from 2 to 4 p.m. at the ice rink.
Chief Pool shared recognition for four local high school students who were instrumental in a recent fire call. Schlade explained to the council that one of the students, who has insomnia, had woken up the other three to go for a morning run. They noticed smoke coming from a house and tried to wake the residents.
Luckily, the homeowners were out of town and were simultaneously calling the police department to report a potential break-in. While property damage was extensive, no lives were in danger.
Schlade recognized three of the students at soccer practice and did something a little less formal but, in her opinion, more meaningful for them.
Schlade also reminded that the next council meeting will be on Tuesday, Nov. 4, instead of Monday. The council will honor the school’s “Ready, Set, Relax” day. Schlade also shared that she and several others would be visiting the school this coming week.
With no other comments or discussion, Alspaugh motioned to adjourn, and Kozumplik seconded. All members voted unanimously to adjourn at 5:59 p.m.