City to purchase land for new fire station

0

SIDNEY — Sidney City Council approved supplemental appropriations including a line item that provides for the purchase of land for a future fire station located in the north portion of the city Monday evening.

The capital improvements fund will increase in the amount of $710,000 for the land.

“I’m very excited,” said Fire Chief Brad Jones, after a meeting two weeks ago, when asked about the future fire station, but admitted he was uncertain when it will be built.

“It could be as early as the next couple of weeks … or as late as August” to finalize the purchase of land,” said City Manager Mark Cundiff Tuesday morning.

“We have some due diligence that we have to do first. We have a process we must follow,” said Cundiff, speaking of the phase I environmental study of the land and other routine procedures conducted prior to purchase.

Construction of the station will be “several years out,” said Cundiff. “We are only at step one — the purchase of land.”

The city has yet to tackle a funding plan for construction, staffing or equipment costs, said Cundiff.

In other business associated with the fire department, Jones introduced council to Sidney’s two new firefighters, Kyle Meyer and Collin Habel, who started on Monday.

Meyer, who currently resides in Circleville, graduated from Sidney High School, completed his firefighting level I and II certifications at Sinclair Community College and obtained his Paramedic certificate from Grant Medical Center. He has previously worked for Washington Township, and recently left the Circleville Fire Department.

Habel, who currently lives in New Madison, graduated from Arcanum High School and obtained his associate degree in fire science engineering and Technology from Sinclair Community College. He also holds a firefighting level I and II and EMT-basic certifications. In the past he worked part-time for the Arcanum Volunteer Fire Department, and is currently pursuing a paramedic certificate.

Also at the meeting, council adopted several ordinances, and they include:

• An assessment for the cost of $923.47 for the removal of litter or junk to the owners of eight properties. After certain property owners did not comply with city code, the city paid to have the work performed. Unless payments are received by July 11, the bill for the actual cost of the work plus 2o percent will be collected with other property tax obligations.

Outstanding invoices included in this ordinance are from Feb. 14, 2016 through May 13, 2016.

• A supplement to the code of ordinances for the city to place ordinances in proper sequence in the City Code Book. “As a cost-saving measure,” council limits statutory updates to every two of more years due to the number of annual changes at the state level, and will only update the City Code Book with local legislation this year (and last year).

• An amendment to a codified ordinance pertaining to “parking permits.” Council granted a request by the assistant Shelby County Prosecuting Attorney by allowing one parking permit adjacent to the courthouse during grand jury sessions.

• An amendment to the 2016 pay table III, relating to part-time employees by adding a special projects coordinator, and to amend schedule C of the 2016 pay schedule by adding a newly created community control action (CCA) program coordinator position, and declaring an emergency.

The special projects coordinator position will have 75 percent of the position funded by the Office of Criminal Justice Services with the other 25 percent by the Law Enforcement Trust Fund. The CCA program coordinator will be fully funded from a grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.

This ordinance was brought forth as an emergency so positions may be filled as quickly as possible. It was unanimously adopted.

• To increase supplemental appropriations by $2,693,120 for 2016.

An ordinance was introduced to amend the codified ordinances pertaining to “weeds.” The amendment proposed a maximum grass height of eight-inches, and for penalty fees to be changed to $75 for a first offense, $150 for a second offense within the same calender year of the same area, and $250 for “each additional remedial action” between March 1 and Dec. 31, starting in 2017.

Three resolutions were adopted at Monday’s meeting:

• The reappointment of Tom Ehler to a new five-year term with the Zoning Board of Appeals.

• The reappointment of Susan Kaser and Tom Burns to a new three-year term with the Revolving Loan Committee.

• An agreement with Clinton Township for road maintenance. Because of their limited snow plowing equipment, Clinton Township will now mow the side ditches of several roads co-located within the city and township limits and Sidney will perform the snow plowing of these roads.

A discussion ensued after Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director Gary Clough presented council with regulation recommendations for garbage can placement.

Clough recommended cans must be set out by 7 a.m. on pick up days, not be put out earlier than noon the day before, and they must be removed by noon the following day. Except during pick-up periods, cans may not be visible from the street and must be stored in an enclosed structure or behind the front building line of the house; exceptions may be made for homes with topographical hardships. Solid waste contractors and/or code enforcement will be responsible for enforcement. Penalty of a minor misdemeanor and fine will be applied for each day in non-compliance.

Council had mixed feelings on the recommendations. Law Director/Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey Amick said it is easier to work from a draft of legislation to craft from and he will have one provided for council at the next meeting on July 11.

Two of Sidney Fire Department’s newest firefighters, Kyle Meyer (from left) and Collin Habel, were introduced by Fire Chief Brad Jones at Monday evening’s city council meeting. Meyer and Habel started with the fire department on Monday.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2016/06/web1_new-firefighters.jpgTwo of Sidney Fire Department’s newest firefighters, Kyle Meyer (from left) and Collin Habel, were introduced by Fire Chief Brad Jones at Monday evening’s city council meeting. Meyer and Habel started with the fire department on Monday.

By Sheryl Roadcap

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4823.

No posts to display