(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
UNDER BUDGET … Council members Stephen Alspaugh, and President Mary Leatherman review decreases explained by City Engineer Brian Wieland (standing).
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Bryan City Council meeting was called to order by President Mary Leatherman at 5:30pm. Starting off with the pledge of allegiance followed by roll call.
In attendance were members Jim Kozumplik, F. John Betts, Richard Hupe, and Stephen Alspaugh, Mayor Carrie Schlade, and Clerk-treasurer John Lehner. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved, motioned by Hupe.
The floor was open for public comment, where Huntington drive resident Steve Cox stepped up to speak.
Cox complimented board member John Betts on his suggestion to hold a separate meeting with residents and explain all the options and associated cost to repair Huntington Drive.
He suggested holding the meeting in a neutral location, but Mayor Schlade explained that could cause some problems with the required recording and documenting minutes for the meeting.
Cox also shared that he received a letter from the city engineer addressing several questions raised in the prior meeting, explaining some of the costs.
Cox stated he would prepare a letter outlining his questions. Council also addressed Mr. Cox questions on exact figures for the council member pay increase and the mayoral salary increase, both to take place on 1/1/2026.
Both figures were provided, city council per meeting rate would increase from $250 to $300 and the mayoral salary would start around $76,250 increasing at 2% per year over the four-year term.
With no other public comments, the agenda moved on to ordinances. Starting with 48-2024, which authorizes the hire of a city attorney as well as declaring it as an emergency.
Mayor Schlade explained the desired rehire of council Marc Fishel as city attorney, starting on 1/1/2025 which was originally incorrect on the agenda. An amendment to fix the date on the agenda as well as all members passed approval of the ordinance.
Second ordinance, 49-2024 authorizing transfer of several funds to finish out the 2024 year. All transfers were included in the 2024 budget.
Transfers from the 1% income tax fund to both the general fund and street improvement fund, transfers from the 0.5% income tax fund to the capital improvements fund, and from the electric fund to the electric capital reserve fund were approved by all members.
The next three ordinances all revolved around street and paving projects. City Engineer Brian Wieland approached the podium to provide recommendations.
Ordinance 50-2024 for 2024 street improvements of the East Village addition, clarified by Wieland as being Palmer Lane and part of Colonial Lane, decreased from the original amount by $17,367.30.
The biggest driver being the aggregate base decreasing by over $15,000. Next was ordinance 51-2024 the 2024 Asphalt Program. This project came in significantly under the projected amount by $63,605.55.
Around $35,000 of that was catch basins that did not need to be replaced. Ordinance 52-2024 for 2024 Pavement Marking Program also decreased by $3900. All ordinances were approved.
Business moved along with Mayor Schlade presenting to the council a letter of support for the proposed new construction of Fountain Creek Senior Villas.
Schlade explained the collaboration with Frontier Community Services and the Williams County Port Authority to develop more affordable senior housing within the community.
This letter is being sent to the Ohio Housing Finance Authority to support the application for a $1 million dollar tax credit, which has been applied for in the past. It will be filed again in February.
All members approved. Hupe correctly remembered that when applied for in the past it was only missed by a small margin. Schlade confirmed that two years ago it was missed by one point.
The final item on the agenda was the approval to waive two hearings for a liquor permit. The permit in question is not a new permit, only a transfer.
The hearings are automatically triggered because it is a transfer, and the establishment is within close proximity to a park.
As stated by Lehner, the hearing is usually scheduled if within 500ft and this is approximately 330ft. All members approved the waiving of both hearings.
Mayor Schlade closed out the meeting by thanking everyone who was involved with the Santa parade on Saturday evening, stating that is her favorite day of the year and most anxious.
She thanked all the department heads present as well as council members Kozumplik and President Leatherman. The meeting was adjourned at 5:49pm.