SIDNEY — The Sidney City Council began discussions, Monday, for the next steps to continue revenue after the 0.25 percent income tax street repairs levy expires at the end of 2019.
City Manager Mark Cundiff said, as was outlined in city’s five-year 2018-2022 plan, the city will be unable to maintain the current level of street maintenance, or staff and equip the future north fire station, without revenue created from the levy. Another five-year increase, he said, would be for street repairs, but revenue for the new fire station would need to be from a permanent source.
Cundiff and city staff worked to identify six options for after the current levy expires for council to consider over the next couple of months, and they are:
• A permanent income tax levy of 0.25 percent, with 0.10 percent dedicated to street maintenance and 0.15 percent dedicated to north end fire station operations.
• Two levies: 1) a five-year income tax levy of 0.10 percent for street maintenance and 2) a permanent income tax levy of 0.15 percent for north end fire station operations.
• Two levies: 1) a permanent income tax levy of 0.10 percent for street maintenance and 2) a permanent income tax levy of 0.15 percent for north end fire station operations.
• Two levies: 1) a five-year income tax levy of 0.10 percent for street maintenance and 2) a property tax fire levy of approximately 5 mills for north end fire station operations.
• A property tax operating levy of approximately 3.3 mills for street repair and north end fire operations.
• Let the current 0.25 percent additional income tax levy expire on Dec. 31, 2019.
After some discussion, Cundiff agreed to gather additional information and reschedule another discussion on the topic for the end of the year or at the beginning of 2018.
In other business at the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Mike Barhorst surprised Council member Joe Ratermann with the proclamation of Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, as National Park Ranger Joesph Ratermann Day in Sidney. Barhorst said the proclamation is in recognition of Ratermann bringing honor to Sidney and for appreciation of his service to the city and country.
Ratermann, who is also a National Park Service Ranger, was awarded the National Parks Travelers Club Flat Hat Award at the Dayton Aviation National Park on Saturday. The Flat Hat Award is annually presented to any National Park Service (NPS) employee or volunteer that made the visit of a member or members of the National Parks Travelers Club to one of the nation’s 417 sites managed by the NPS particularly memorable.
Council also adopted two ordinances to enact the codification of ordinances in the City Code Book and to amend the traffic control map establishing handicap parking spaces at Holy Angels Catholic Church on South Main Avenue and Water Street.
Due to the handicap ramp being on the west side of the building, Holy Angels requested to relocate four of the six handicap spaces on South Main Avenue to Water Street. They also requested a 20-foot open space in the center of the four spots on Water Street, with two handicap parking spots on each side. These spaces will be designated as handicap parking on Saturday between 5 to 7 p.m., and Sunday through Friday between 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Council also adopted three resolutions, and they are:
• To authorize Cundiff to enter into fire and EMS contracts with various townships. During the Oct. 12 council meeting, Sidney Fire Chief Brad Jones told council contract amounts to be paid by the township are Clinton: EMS, $26,369, and fire, $36,176; Orange: EMS, $7,198, and fire, $9,993; Franklin: fire, $9,417; Washington, EMS, $1. Jones said the amounts reflect a 3 percent increase over 2017 contracts (except for Washington Township). In Washington Township, Sidney covers a section of Interstate 75 that is less than a mile long.
• To authorize and direct Law Director Jeffrey Amick to initiate litigation against Miller Pipeline Company to collect a debt of $1,212.50. Amick said the amount represents costs Sidney’s incurred for repairs to the city’s water distribution system as the result of “damages negligently and proximately “caused by representatives of Miller Pipeline Company on Feb. 27, 2017, at or near 520 Campbell Road.
Amick was asked if the city tried to collect and have been ignored, and if it was certain the damage was caused by Miller Pipeline Company. Amick said invoices and a letter have been sent to the business, with the only response a couple of weeks ago being that they would check into it and get back to him. He said they may still pay before litigation is initiated, and there is no question Miller Pipeline Company caused the damage.
• To authorize the submittal of an application with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for 2018 funding from the Rural Transit Operating and Capital grant program and to execute the contract upon proposal acceptance. ODOT approved a federal operating grant for Shelby Public Transit for 2018 for $331,000 and a state operating grant $99,000. In capital spending, the total grant is $160,053. This is for vehicle maintenance and replacement of two buses and other equipment. Gary Clough, assistant city manager/public works director, said 2018 capital projects and capitalized maintenance expenses will be 90 percent reimbursed from federal grant funds.
Council member Ed Hamaker asked Clough what will happen to the two buses that will be replaced. Clough said they will likely be sold on www.GovDeals.com, a website that auctions off government property.
In other business, council also:
• Scheduled council’s biennial retreat for April 9, 2018, at 8:45 a.m.
• Voted to cancel council’s Dec. 4 workshop session and second regular meeting, on Dec. 25.
• Scheduled a special meeting on for Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. to elect Sidney’s mayor and vice mayor and also to swear-in City Council members.
Sidney Financial Officer Ginger Adams announced they will begin discussing the proposed 2018 budget at the next meeting in two weeks.
