By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Bryan City Council met on Monday October 16, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. with Councilors John Betts, Richard Hupe, Jim Kozumplik, Mary Leatherman, and Judy Yahraus present, as were Mayor Carrie Schlade and Clerk Treasurer John Lehner.
The first action was approving the minutes of the October 3, 2023 regular meeting as presented before it was announced that the administrative team at BMU recommends that the audio equipment be updated at both BMU and council chambers, providing for the change of video access no longer being available as of November.
To compensate, the city and BMU will see audio links available for the meetings. Mayor Schlade asked for a motion to approve this change in coverage for the meetings, which was accepted.
Clerk Treasurer John Lehner then gave his report, wherein the financial statements were approved as presented.
An ordinance was approved after a suspension of the rules appropriating funds left from grants, as was an ordinance allowing a MOU (memorandum of understanding) for security within the schools.
An ordinance was then passed after a suspension of the rules that approved a change order and final proposition for the Safe Routes to School Project to close the project out.
ARPA grant funds were then accepted for the Bryan Police Department, the City of Bryan Dispatchers, and the Bryan Fire Department through an ordinance on its first reading after a suspension of the rules.
Police Chief Ruskey then asked for permission to apply for body armor grants through the State of Ohio, and permission was granted through a resolution passed on its first reading after a suspension of the rules.
The particulars of two building permits were then discussed; the first being for the Bryan Alliance Church on West Fountain Grove Drive to repair their roof, and the second for a South Main Street building to be split into two separate tenant spaces.
The permits were approved before Mayor Schlade shared that the city budget is currently underway, with the Clerk / Treasurer’s office hard at work.
Mayor Schlade shared how remarkable the Bryan Area Foundation’s open house was at their newly renovated building downtown.
Lehner then shared that a new human resources employee has started before details on senior engineering projects in partnership with Trine University were shared.
Tracy Williamson was congratulated on her retirement, Tricia Lyons was congratulated on her new position, and Spangler Candy Co. was congratulated on their recent win for the People’s Choice Awards best tank of the year before the Bryan City Council voted to adjourn the meeting.
Anna can be reached at anna@thevillagereporter.com