By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council met on Monday, April 15, 2024. Councilors Jim Kozumplik, Stephen Alspaugh, Richard Hupe, John Betts, and Council President Mary Leatherman first moved to approve the minutes from their April 1, 2024 meeting before approving Clerk / Treasurer Lehner’s report.
He shared that before RITA, this date would be important in the finance world, but that next month should see an increase in revenues.
An ordinance was then approved after a declaration of emergency for appropriations, which are to cover an insurance reimbursement and the acceptance of three donations.
A first reading was then given to an amendment to the ordinances to add a chapter concerning the operation of golf carts and underspeed vehicles.
Solicitor Marc Fischel was present to answer questions, with it being shared that there will be enforceable requirements, and annual inspection, and registration.
Mayor Schlade shared that this would prohibit the underspeed vehicles from traveling on High, Main, Wilson, and Center streets, so that they do not disrupt commercial traffic.
Underspeed vehicles would not be able to cross streets that have speeds of 35 miles per hour or greater unless at a stoplight, not a stop sign.
A question was raised into whether these inspections would negatively impact the Bryan City Police Department, with Chief Mendez sharing that while they don’t know how many inspections will need to be completed, they do know the process they would use for inspections, with a state regulated checklist and process requiring residents to call the non-emergency line to arrange an inspection, which will only be available through appointment.
It was then shared that another ordinance is currently in the works to regulate the use of electric scooters, as they seem to present distinct safety and traffic issues.
Question was then raised into what qualified as an underspeed vehicle, with it being shared that it is determined by weight.
The value of Bryan going ahead with this ordinance was then questioned, with it being shared that the residents would benefit from saving gas and providing alternative transportation for residents to attend city events.
Fischel was asked to look over the ordinance language before they moved on to share that agricultural use of underspeed vehicles has, and will continue, to be allowed unrestricted.
It was then asked that the public share their opinions on the regulations of underspeed vehicles in the city versus the proposed ordinance. It was also discussed how much they want to regulate their use, especially as the police department is understaffed.
An 82-year-old long term Bryan resident shared he “couldn’t see any positives coming out of this, and it’s just risky,” and continued to note how people don’t pay attention to full-size vehicles, and so he can’t see people paying close enough attention to avoid colliding with the smaller underspeed vehicles.
Ordinance 15-2024 was then approved, awarding the bid for the 2024 Pavement Marking Program to Griffin Pavement after a suspension of the rules.
Resolution 20-2024 was then approved after a suspension of the rules, providing for annual permission to participate in the ODOT road salt program.
Resolution 21-2024 authorized Chief Mendez to apply for a number of grants for the department, which was granted after a suspension of the rules.
Permission was then granted for the police department to give a civil servant test to hire a dispatcher.
John Lehner, the City Clerk – Treasurer, was then removed from probationary status effective May 1st.
The details of the opening ceremony for the bicentennial celebration were shared, with Mayor Schlade sharing the news of Governor DeWine’s participation.
She then thanked Mr. Lehner for his contributions to the department, and he shared how it is “unbelievable that it’s been a year.”
Council then entered into executive session, set to meet next May 6, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.