SEEKING APPROVAL … Bryan City Engineer Brian Wieland asks council to approve the Williams County purchase of the 903 South Main Street property, including a Community Reinvestment Area tax exemption application. (PHOTO BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
The Bryan City Council’s April 3 meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call. All five council members, Richard Hupe, Judy Yahraus, Mary Leatherman, John Betts and Jim Kozumplik, were in attendance.
In the first order of business, council approved both the meeting minutes from the March 6 regular meeting and the March 10 special meeting.
The topic of agriculture parcels came up. It was discussed that every five years, parcels have to be renewed.
In the hearing of public concerns, Mr. Cox talked about his concern for how Huntington Drive, where he is a resident, has been plowed out during snowfall.
Cox stated that there is still gravel on the road and there are cracks that have made their way through the stone and there are small deposits of gravel in the front yards.
Cox stated that it is dangerous to mow when there is loose gravel in the yards and that something has to be done. Hupe thanked Mr. Cox for speaking out.
Next, council approved the clerk-treasurer’s financial report, which covered through February 28.
Council then approved Ordinance 14, authorizing Mayor Carrie Schlade to enter into a contract with Smith Paving & Excavating Inc., for the Safe Routes to Schools project.
Plans have been approved to start construction, most likely in the summer. The project is then projected to finish in the early fall.
That was followed by council approving Ordinance 15. This Ordinance authorizes Mayor Schlade to enter into a contract with Fenson Contracting, for 2023 South Lynn Street Storm Sewer Improvements.
The improvements will start at the South Street intersection and head north on South Lynn Street.
Next, council approved Ordinance 16, Here, this Ordinance authorizes Mayor Schlade to enter into a contract with Dangler Excavating, for the 2023 South Portland Extension. The extension starts at the Bryan Senior Center and extends to Fountain Grove Drive.
That was followed by council approving Resolution 26, for the establishment of a new fund, for the Safe Routes to School project.
Council then approved Resolution 27, for an inter-fund cash advance, for capital improvement for the Safe Routes to School project.
Next, council approved Ordinance 18, for Annual Appropriations for the City of Bryan, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
Council then approved Resolution 28, for participation in the ODOT Road Salt Contracts that are awarded in 2023.
That was followed by council approving Resolution 29. This resolution approves the Community Reinvestment Area tax exemption application, submitted by the Williams County Port Authority. The application is for the 903 South Main Street property.
Next, council approved Resolution 30, approving the Community Reinvestment Area tax exemption, as submitted by PMA, LLC.
This is a remodeling of the old grain elevator building, near North Walnut Street.
Council then approved Resolution 31, the request to approve a property as an agriculture district, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 929.02.
That was followed by council approving the appointment of Dave Schumm, to the Tree Commission.
Next, council approved the appointment of A.J. Nowaczyk to the board of zoning appeals. Council then waived the hearing for a liquor permit for Blueberry Hills.
Also, it was announced that trash drop-off at the street department, will take place from April 27-29.
In council comments, Betts thanked BMU for their outstanding work on the recent water situation. He congratulated Schumm for his tree commission appointment and Nowaczyk to the board of zoning appeals. Betts also thanked the Port Authority and PMA, for investing in Bryan.
Yahraus thanked former clerk-treasurer Laura Rode for her years of service to the city of Bryan and to Pat Buda, for stepping up in taking her place.
Council then moved into executive session.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com