SIDNEY — The first step in proceeding with the city of Sidney’s 2021 sidewalk program was approved by the Sidney City Council during its Monday night teleconference meeting.
City Council adopted a resolution to declare the necessity of the construction and repair of certain sidewalks in Sidney and requiring for abutting property owners to repair the same.
Randy Magoto, engineering manager, told council members a “resolution of necessity” is the first step in the program requiring property owners to make the repairs. He said courtesy letters have been sent to each of these property owners of the properties in need of repair to alert them of the pending sidewalk repairs.
Council member Darryl Thurber shared a resident in his district expressed concern questioning the property owner’s responsibly. Law director Jeff Amick explained details comes from a state statute in the Ohio Revised Code the ORC which was originated in 2001. Thurber said he would relay the information back to the resident.
City Council also adopted five other resolutions, and they are:
• To adopt an amended zero tolerance drug and alcohol testing policy and associated addendum for use in connection with the operations of the Shelby County Transit program. Transit Manager Ron Schalow said the amendment is needed for transit policy to come up to date. Council first adopted a drug and alcohol policy for Shelby Public Transit in 1996 and this makes the 10th amendment to the policy.
The major changes include additions to the type of confirmatory drug tests, clarifications to the post-accident and return-to-duty testing processes, revisions to the information disclosure policy, and revised definitions.
• Two separate resolutions authorizing City Manager Mark Cundiff to enter into an agreement for the purchase of natural gas for Sidney’s natural gas aggregation program and an agreement for the purchase of electricity for the city of Sidney’s electricity aggregation program.
• To accept the request of Britt Havenar on behalf of Brent and Helen Goins for the vacation of utility easements on a lot on the south side of Erie Court.
Cundiff said the property was the subject of a replat in February 2020, but at that time, the existing 10-foot utility easement was not vacated along with the lot line. The owner recently applied for a building permit to build a single family dwelling, but the proposed structure is over the utility easement so the building permit cannot be approved. He said the city does not have plans, or a need, to install utilities in the easement. All other public utility companies, including electric, natural gas, phone and cable signified approval of the vacation by signing their acknowledgement on the vacation plat.
Mayor Mike Barhorst asked why there was an easement there to begin with. Cundiff basically explained it is there just in case the city was to need access to the area.
• To confirm the appointment of Amy Klingler to the Shelby Metropolitan Housing Authority to expire June 10, 2022. Klingler will fulfill the unexpired term of Beth Ann Hull.
At the end of the meeting, Cundiff reminded the public city offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15, in observation of President’s Day. Trash pickup will not be delayed. He also again thanked city crews for their good work removing snow from city streets.
Barhorst invited members to join in toasting the city of Sidney to its 201st birthday at The Bridge restaurant on the evening of Feb 12.
