(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
CLEANUP REQUEST … Bryan resident Steve Cox addresses the City of Bryan Council for roadside cleanup assistance.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council convened on Monday, May 5th, at 5:30 p.m., to address a full agenda of ordinances and resolutions aimed at updating local regulations and city infrastructure.
Public concerns included another visit from Steve Cox, who requested once again for the cleaning of gravel debris on the road merge.
The council reiterated their response that sweeping up small rocks and gravel would bring damage to their vehicles and that it is the citizen’s responsibility to keep it clean.
A major focus of the meeting was the second reading of an ordinance proposing Chapter 377, which would regulate the use of low-speed micro-mobility devices, such as e-scooters.
With the increasing popularity of these devices, the ordinance seeks to enhance public safety by establishing clear operational guidelines.
With an established ordinance already underway with its second reading, the Council was surprised to find that the State of Ohio had recently passed its own laws concerning these devices.
The Ohio Revised Code defines what a vehicle is, excluding these low-speed micro-mobility devices. This law will regulate when e-scooters (or the like) can be used throughout roadways. This change will not take place until June 30th of this year.
Mayor Carrie Schlade mentioned, “Some of these may be pretty upsetting with the public, but they are law as far as the Ohio Revised Code goes.”
After hearing this new information, the council opted to table its ordinance until they see how the state law plays out. “It’s important to note that we can’t do less than state law, only more (regulations),” Schlade affirmed.
The Council also reviewed an ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter a prosecutorial services contract with the law firm of Rupp, Hagans & Bohmer, LLP. The agreement would provide legal services for the city at a cost not to exceed $11,000 per month, plus additional expenses.
The City of Bryan has already been in contract with the firm for the last two years, with no additional price increase until now. The increase was already expected and budgeted for, and it was largely due to an increase in cases.
Another ordinance on the docket involved the repeal of Chapter 733, which had previously regulated mechanical amusement devices, such as pinball machines and pull-tabs. This ordinance was originally created in 1957 and has been loosely enforced throughout the years.
Council noted that state-level regulations and taxes already cover these devices, rendering the local ordinance redundant.
Mayor Schlade informed council that the city tax was only $15 per machine, and often, the city struggled with collecting taxes from local bars and gas stations. It was suspended and accepted to longer require an additional tax.
In terms of infrastructure, a resolution was introduced to authorize the Clerk-Treasurer, John Lehner, to advertise for bids for the re-roofing of the Don North Municipal Building.
This measure is part of ongoing efforts to maintain and update Bryan’s municipal facilities. It was last roofed in 2003, and due to recent weather activity, several shingles need to be replaced in full.
Also on the agenda were financial appropriations for the remainder of the fiscal year, a proposed transfer of funds for city operations through May, and an ordinance to increase reimbursement limits for indigent burial expenses under Section 957.07.
Council adjourned after addressing all items at 5:59 p.m.