(PHOTO BY INDIA KENNER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
EXTENDING DORA … At their August 5, 2024 meeting, the Bryan City Council ok’d extending DORA to include Zazarac’s Bar & Eatery.
By: India Kenner
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
india@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council met on Monday, August 5th, 2024 with all members present Mary Leatherman from Ward 1, Richard Hupe from Ward 2, John Betts from Ward 3, Stephen Alspaugh from Ward 4, Jim Kozumplik At Large. Mayor Carrie Schlade, Clerk/Treasurer John Lehner, Police Chief Greg Ruskey, Fire Chief Douglas Pool, City Engineer Brian Wieland, city employees from various departments, and a few members from the community.
The meeting was called to order by Mary Leatherman at 5:30 pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Council approved the minutes from the July 15th, 2024 meeting.
Next on the agenda was a hearing of public concerns for DORA. Mayor Schlade asked if anyone from the public wanted to speak on the addition of Zazarac’s into the DORA. No public misgivings about the DORA were expressed.
Leatherman announced that public concerns were next on the agenda and Larry Hutton approached the podium.
Hutton explained that he is not from Bryan originally but moved to the area in 2022, lived in Montpelier for a short time, and moved to Archbold. Hutton explained that he is a single father to a young son and that his fiancé had issues with a protective order that was violated, and the police were called.
Hutton explained that the officer took a report, but he and his fiancé never heard anything back from the department, so he requested the report and had issues with it.
Hutton then explained that his fiancé Veronica Zuber passed away by suicide and he blames the police department.
Hutton claims that the Bryan Police Department failed to charge James Thomas (Hutton’s fiancé’s ex) with violating a protective order and that the department lied to close the case and about looking through Veronica’s phone which Hutton claims never existed and that the department put her under investigation but they had proof via his Blink home security cameras to prove that his fiancé was home and not in violation of any protective order and he attempted multiple times over four months to obtain bodycam footage from the department that the responding officer took.
Hutton claims that the fear of being under investigation, losing custody of both children, and losing freedom caused his fiancé to commit suicide.
Hutton vocalized that he has bogus charges filed against him for trespassing and resisting arrest for an incident in the Walmart parking lot.
Hutton stated he was exercising his right to freedom of speech but didn’t realize he was on private property.
Mayor Schlade stated that the Bryan Police Department is working with the city attorney on this incident and that from her understanding Walmart asked the Bryan Police to ask Hutton to leave the property and was met with a refusal to vacate the premises.
Hutton explained that it was going to be handled in court. Schlade informed Hutton that the council is aware of the court proceedings, and they are not the judge or jury. Hutton thanked the council members for their time and exited the meeting.
Leatherman asked Clerk/Treasurer John Lehner to read Ordinance 262024. An ordinance authorizing the clerk-treasurer to issue change order #1 and final for the project known as “2023 South Lynn Street Storm Sewer Improvements.”
City Engineer Brian Weiland approached the podium to explain that the project was from last year and they kept it open and are asking the council to suspend the rules and approve the change order. Council approved.
Leatherman asked Lehner to read the next item on the agenda ordinance number 272024, an ordinance expanding the current designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) in downtown Bryan and declaring an emergency.
Schlade explained that Zazarac’s has obtained a liquor permit and would like to be added to DORA and sell DORA cups. The council moved to approve.
Leatherman asked Lehner to read ordinance number 282024 an emergency ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into the participation agreement from the OneOhio Memorandum of Understanding pursuit and use of potential Opioid Litigation settlement funds and consistent with the material terms of the agreement dated November 22, 2022, proposed National Opioid Distributor Settlement Agreement.
Mayor Schlade explained to the council that she has been engaged with litigation processes from OneOhio and OneOhio had added Kroger pharmacy and that is why the council is required to pass another emergency ordinance to add this pharmacy. The council approved this ordinance.
Next up, Lehner read Ordinance 302024 a resolution authorizing the mayor to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or local Transportation Improvement Program and to execute contracts as required.
Weiland explained that the city applied for grant funds for a sewer/alley project around Perry Street and is asking the council to suspend the rules and approve the resolution so the grant applications may be submitted in September. Council moved to approve the resolution.
Next on the agenda was Ordinance number 312024 a resolution adopting revised stormwater regulations for the development and redevelopment of sites within the city limits.
Weiland explained that this project was for East Mulberry Street water line repairs and patching the road. The council moved to approve this resolution.
Lehner read Resolution 322024 adopting revised stormwater regulations for the development and redevelopment of sites within the city limits. Wieland explained that in 1995, the city passed an ordinance that modified a few items and never really adopted a new policy, so this resolution is for that purpose.
He stated that the city engineer’s office is just trying to comply with what the EPA requires. The council approved the resolution.
Police Chief Greg Ruskey then discussed the Buckle Up with Brutus program. This free voluntary program offered by the Ohio Department of Traffic Safety Office for SROs to teach 2nd and 3rd graders about seat belt safety.
The office sends all the materials for the class and there is a $20 reimbursement per student, so if all students in that age bracket complete the course the Department would receive roughly $6,000.
Fire Chief Douglas Pool joined Ruskey at the podium to ask for the possibility of a discussion by council for a city-wide firework ban. They explained the calls they responded to in July were illegal fireworks set off on private property.
The departments would like to propose an ordinance or resolution for a city-wide ban. This would not include the Day in the Park firework show or other organizations that have the proper permits.
Leatherman asked for additional comments from around the room. Schlade reminded the council to RSVP if they planned on attending the Annual Day of Prayer on September 28th and that she is planning on attending.
Pool commented that the fire department got the Tower Aerial back in service after 13 months. He explained that it is hard to find parts for older trucks.
No further comments so Leatherman motioned to go into executive session with legal counsel to discuss pending litigations. The council meeting adjourned at 5:55 pm. The next Bryan City Council meeting will be August 19th at 5:30 pm.