(PHOTO BY BREANA RELIFORD / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
DON NORTH RE-ROOF APPROVED … The council has approved the lowest bid by Richland & Company to begin the re-roofing project of the Don North Municipal Building.
By: Breana Reliford
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan City Council met on Monday, June 16 at 5:30 p.m. with the following 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, Treasurer John Lehner, city employees from various departments, as well as a few members from the community.
The meeting was called to order with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance to follow.
At the start of the meeting, the council unanimously approved the minutes from the meeting that took place on June 2, 2025.
Next, the council opened the floor for a hearing of public concerns. The council invited anyone in attendance to take the podium to communicate any comments, concerns, or questions.
Bryan resident Steve Cox addressed the council and gave a commendation to two City of Bryan police officers for the way they handled an issue on Huntington Drive.
Cox described the officers as “professional, courteous, and caring” for the way they took care of the incident.
After the hearing of public concerns, the Clerk Treasurer’s Report was shared by Treasurer Lehner. He noted that all was in order as of May 31, 2025, and asked the council if they had any questions.
President Leatherman then moved down the agenda to Ordinance No. 29, 2025, an ordinance establishing a committee of the whole structure for Bryan City Council committees. This was the ordinance’s second reading and pertained to the distribution of council members across various departments.
Following a brief discussion initiated by Betts about how the committees would be divided, Mayor Schlade explained that certain departments required overlapping council members to ensure more effective communication.
Ultimately, the council proceeded with suspending the rules and approving the ordinance.
Next on the agenda was Resolution No. 23, 2025, which was a resolution to accept a $35,000 donation from the Bryan Area Foundation to the Parks and Recreation Department for East End Pathway.
The funds of this donation are going to be used to build a pedestrian path to East End Park, as other parks have them. The rules were suspended, and the legislation was approved by all council members.
Ordinance No. 32, 2025, was also brought before the council, an ordinance to provide for annual appropriations for the City of Bryan, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, and declaring an emergency.
This request appropriates the money from the $35,000 donation received for the East End Pathway Project as well as “a few housekeeping items” regarding an upcoming item on the agenda, the project known as the “Don North Municipal Building Re-Roof”.
Once again, the rules were suspended, and the ordinance was approved by all members of the council.
Lehner read the next ordinance, which was Ordinance No. 33, 2025, providing for the transfer of funds for the City of Bryan, for the month ending June 30, 2025. This ordinance facilitates the quarterly transfers that were built into the budget to support operations, including the General Fund and Streets Fund. The rules were suspended, and the ordinance was approved by the council.
Ordinance No. 34, 2025, was proposed to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with Richland Co. & Associates, Inc. for the project known as “Don North Municipal Building Re-Roof”, which was briefly discussed earlier in the meeting.
The building has seen many minor repairs involving shingle replacement each year since the building was constructed in the 1990s.
A switch to a standing seam metal roof was recommended due to high winds frequently blowing off shingles and the ongoing cost of thousands of dollars each year to replace them.
The city received two bids, and Richland & Company was the lowest at $248,607. The estimated date of completion is looking into the fall on November 1. The council unanimously suspended the rules and approved this ordinance.
The final ordinance on the agenda, Ordinance No. 35, 2025, requires the director of utilities to reject all bids for the sale of the HFC System.
At the previous Bryan Board of Public Affairs meeting, a resolution was passed recommending that the City Council reject all bids for the HFC system, as they came in significantly lower than the city’s expected sale value.
Council members unanimously voted to suspend the rules and approve the resolution, opting for the city to retain and maintain the system.
Toward the end of the meeting, Mayor Schlade shared some upcoming and exciting events coming to Bryan. First, Mayor Schlade wanted to wish all fathers a belated Happy Father’s Day from yesterday.
She then mentioned coming up soon is the Bryan Jubilee. Each year, the Jubilee takes place on the square around the courthouse with carnival rides, food, games, and more for all ages to enjoy.
This annual event is always a success among citizens of Bryan and the surrounding areas, but Mayor Schlade took the opportunity to remind attendees to also support local businesses, restaurants, shops, and other establishments in and around the square, both during the Jubilee and throughout the year.
Mayor Schlade also gave special thanks to Bryan Municipal Utilities (BMU), for providing and setting up power to the ride companies. The setup for the Jubilee is planned to begin Tuesday night into Wednesday.
The parade will take place on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., with the line-up beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Parkview parking lot.
The annual “Day in the Park,” held by the Bryan Area Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Saturday, June 28, at Bryan Recreation Park, and will include events such as rides, food, fireworks, and a special show at the Fountain City Amphitheater sponsored by Spangler Candy Company.
The city will also be accepting an award for being named one of the “Top 5 Best Hometowns” from Ohio Magazine.
The rides and food stands will be set up all day, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with the amphitheater concert taking place from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., featuring the Sharpe Family Singers, as seen on America’s Got Talent, American Idol, and other national television commercials for brands like JCPenney, Glad Bags, and Ricola. The fireworks will take place soon after.
The council then moved into executive session at 5:52 p.m.