SIDNEY — Sidney City Council Clerk Kari Egbert was presented her Certified Municipal Clerk Certification during Monday night’s council meeting. Council also adopted a special assessments ordinance and two resolutions for the city manager to enter into two contracts.
The Ohio Municipal Clerks Association Membership Committee Chair Janice Bates presented Egbert with her Certified Municipal Clerk Certification on Monday night. Egbert earned the certification as of Oct. 14, 2016. The purpose of the program is to “enhance the job performance of the clerk in small and large municipalities.”
In other business, council adopted an ordinance for special assessments for the construction and replacement of certain curbs and gutters. Several property owners were notified about necessary repairs, and was given time to do the work themselves and also object to the amount of proposed assessments. The city’s staff did not receive any objections on the assessment amounts, but received two objections concerning necessity for the work. However, upon further review, it was determined the work was warranted and so the work was completed by the city.
Within two weeks after the ordinance is passed, the city will bill property owners for amounts due to be paid within 60 days, or it may be placed on their property taxes over a five-year period.
Council was also introduced to three ordinances for the amendment of sections of the codified water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste collection rates; an ordinance to assess the cost of repair of a dangerous building; and for supplemental appropriations for 2016 and declaring an emergency.
If council approves the ordinance on utility and refuse rates, utility and sanitation rates will increase by 3 percent for water flow and sewer flow, increase by 2 percent for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliance fees, 1 percent for the stormwater fee and 3.5 percent for refuse collections.
For low volume users, the water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste collection rates changes will increase their monthly bill by $1.43; an average family of four’s bill will increase by $3 per month. Water and sewer rate changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2017. Refuse and stormwater rates will become effective on April 1, 2017.
The dangerous building ordinance is being used for the securing of a duplex on West North Street that has been declared a dangerous building. After the city received a report was on Aug. 30, an inspection was conducted at 504-506 W. North St. and broken windows, a broken door lock and piles of accumulated combustible debris was found. The property owner was notified but he said he was unaware he was still the owner and had no intention of taking any action. Sidney then took the steps to hire a contractor to boarded-up and secure the duplex, costing the city $350. The work was completed on Sept. 12.
These ordinances will be revisited by council on Nov. 28.
Council also adopted two resolutions for the authorization of the city manager to enter into a purchase option regarding approximately 14.453 acres of land adjacent to the recently acquired property for the future fire station on Wapakoneta Avenue. The resolution gives the city the first option to pursue the property.
The second resolution was to authorize the city manager to accept a conveyance of real property from ETT Investments and dedicating the use as park lands. The land is green-land that includes a retention basin for when water is high, and otherwise may be used as an area young people could play a pick-up football or soccer game. When added to the existing adjacent parkland, this property could potentially be used in the future for additional soccer fields, if the need arises down the road.
During public comments, concerned residents presented council with a petition entitled “protect our kids” over issues with speeding near their home on Highland Avenue. The petition collected signatures of almost all their neighbors who are also concerned. The representative said that her 3-year-old grandchild was nearly hit by one of the cars that frequently “jumps the road.” She said the area of road between Michigan and Campbell Road is narrow with “no room for error” and suggested installing a stop sign. She said she has been working with Police Chief Will Balling regarding the matter and a traffic study was currently being conducted. Mayor Mike Barhorst thanked her for bringing it to council’s attention and assured her if she was already working with the Balling, he would handle the matter effectively.
Vice Mayor Mardie Milligan inquired about the elderly resident, Marie Icenogle, who had petitioned council for help regarding her trash bill last month. Icenogle had said she was charged every month for trash yet does not put trash out for collection. After some investigation, it was reported Icenogle was satisfied with the outcome, as the city was able to discern which system (bag or trash receptacle) she should be on and credited her bill.
City Manager Mark Cundiff told council he will be going to Columbus on Wednesday, Nov. 16, to testify in opposition to Amended Substitute Senate Bill 235. Cundiff described the bill in his letter to Rep. Nino Vitale, R-Urbana, 85th District, as a bill that would “exempt from property taxes the increased value of property on which the industrial or commercial development is planned until completion of the new or redeveloped facilities.” Near closing he said it ” provides commercial and industrial property owners with an open-ended property tax exemption for up to 10 years at the expense of the respective treasuries of counties, schools, municipal corporations, and townships … “
In addition, council held an executive session for the preparation for negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees, and for a court action. Council took no official action when they emerged.
