SIDNEY — A rezoning request for 12 parcels of land was tabled, and the amendment of financial policies and 2019 supplemental appropriations were considered at Monday’s Sidney City Council meeting.
An ordinance for the request of Brian Winemiller to rezone the 12 parcels of land near the intersection of Main Avenue and Jefferson Street from a B-1, local business, to B-2, community business district was tabled Monday, at the request of the business owners.
Winemiller intends to purchase the property at 624 N. Main Ave. and open an auto repair shop, including towing and recovery services.
A public hearing was coupled with the introduction of the ordinance was held at the Feb. 11 meeting. The request was not tabled at the Feb. 11 meeting, but was set to be revisited at the Feb. 25 council meeting.
At the Feb. 11 meeting, Molly Winemiller spoke on behalf of herself and Brian Winemiller to ask council to table the item until they ensure they have a signed deal to purchase the property before moving forward. She explained her business contacted affected neighboring property owners and the owner of 624 N. Main Ave. indicated they want to “somewhat renegotiate the deal.”
The item will return to council for further consideration at a future date once the business owners are ready to proceed.
Council was also introduced to an ordinance for making supplemental appropriations for 2019.
Financial Officer Ginger Adams was directed to move forward after she sought direction from council to amend the city’s statement of financial policies. They are reviewed and amended periodically.
Adams said the document outlines significant financial policies related to matters such as budgeting, capital improvements, financial reporting, auditing, asset management, debt management and financial performance targets. A comprehensive set of written financial policies is an important element in carrying out the city’s responsibilities as stewards of public funds, she noted.
The more substantive changes she presented to council include the following:
• Section VII – Minimum cash fund balance reserves: Adds a minimum cash fund balance reserve requirement of 15 percent of annual expenditures for the self-insurance fund and 10 percent of the five-year moving average of expenditures for the stormwater improvement fund. Adams said minimum cash fund balances provide a reserve for unforeseen emergencies or revenue shortfalls permitting time to increase premiums (for the self-insurance fund) and determine additional funding sources (for the stormwater improvement fund).
• Section XI – Debt management: Formalized the policies for post-issuance compliance. In practice, she said, these policies and procedures are already being followed. It is recommended by the city’s bond counsel, the city’s bond financial advisor and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to document these practices and policies as part of our debt management policy, Adams explained.
• Section XIIB – Investments and deposit of funds – interest distribution: Adds the stormwater and stormwater improvement fund to the funds eligible to receive a portion of investment income distributed, since both are now self-supporting funds, similar to Water and Sewer Funds.
• Section XVC – Special revenue financial performance policy: Formalizes the policy of how the 27th pay fund is funded.
Section XVI – Enterprise Funds:
— Reflects the target the stormwater and stormwater improvement funds are to be 100 percent self-supporting.
— Reflects the target that concession stand revenues are to support 100 percent of its operating and maintenance costs, while the general fund or capital improvement fund will subsidize 100 percent of its administrative overhead charges and capital replacement.
— Reduces the self-support percentage from 60 to 40 percent for the Sidney Water Park fund, reflecting the changing nature of pool attendance.
A resolution containing the above changes will be scheduled for council’s consideration at a future meeting.
During the end of the City Council meeting, Council member Janet Born shared that Rachel Hale, the new executive director of the Senior Center of Sidney and Shelby County, said Hale was impressed with the council meeting she attended on Feb. 11 when she introduced herself to council.
Mayor Mike Barhorst invited council members to Senior Center of Sidney and Shelby County Executive Director Eileen Wiseman’s retirement party on Friday, March 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the center, 304 S. West Ave.
City Manager Mark Cundiff reminded council members the Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet will be Thursday evening, March 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Palazzo in Botkins.
Cundiff also spoke about damage in the city caused from the previous day’s wind storm. He said two traffic signals in town came off their wires. One of the signals was located at Fair Road at the Sidney Middle School entrance, and the other was at state Route 47 at Sixth Street. He said that in both cases, only one of the two traffic light heads, at each location, was affected. Traffic was still able to be directed by the remaining lights. The lights were fixed early Monday morning. He said trees came down at the well field, in city parks and on Russell Road. Also, the city lost a flag in front of City Hall as a result of the high winds.
