Galion City Council endorses criminal justice levy

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

By MISSY HARRIS
Inquirer Reporter
mharris@galioninquirer.com

Galion City Council met yesterday evening at 7 p.m. in the City Building, 301 Harding Way E. In addition to unanimously approving a motion by Councilwoman Cathy George that council endorse the criminal justice services levy (on the Aug. 3 special election ballot), three emergency ordinances were passed and the vacating of an alley that runs off of Cherry Street had its second reading approved.

Councilman Walt Keib, who underwent open-heart surgery weeks ago, was again absent from the meeting; his absence was unanimously approved by the remaining members of council. Council president Gail Baldinger said he had spoken with Keib and thought Keib would attend the meeting. “At this point, I’m concerned,” Baldinger expressed.

Ordinance No. 2010-39, “Amending Zoning Code to Allow Churches in GI District” was slated to receive its first reading at last night’s council meeting, but it was stricken from the agenda by Baldinger because it did not follow protocol by first going through the Planning, Zoning and Utilities Committee — nor did it yet receive a public hearing. “It hit the floor too early,” Baldinger stated.

Council approved the minutes of the July 13 meeting, as revised to correct a description of grant-funded equipment at East Park as “physical fitness equipment” rather than “play equipment,” as the equipment was described in the typed minutes. The also-revised agenda, with the zoning code ordinance’s reading stricken, was also approved.

In legislation, council voted in unanimous support of the following ordinances:

Ordinance No. 2010-29, “Alley Vacation off of Cherry Street,” was approved as a second reading.

Ordinance No. 2010-36, “Establishing Funds 409, 412 and 902,” was passed as an emergency. City Manager Gene Toy asked Finance Director Audrey Brodzinski to describe the legislation. “It’s good internal house-keeping,” Brodzinski said, going on to state that the establishment of two of the funds must be approved by council for grants that have been received for an urban paving project (new grant Fund 409) and Issue 1 (new grant Fund 412). New agency Fund 902 will be a health care deduction fund for the 15 percent of city employees’ salaries that is deducted for health care.

Toy pointed out that the projects for which the first two funds are being established have already been approved by council.

Ordinance No. 2010-37, “Addendum to Financial Recovery Plan,” was also passed as an emergency. Toy explained to council that this ordinance is related to the water and sewer rate changes — the “decrease of the increase” in those utility charges.

Council vice-president Roberta Wade called this ordinance “a companion to the rate reduction,” stating that although the state auditor’s office gave permission for the rate changes, those rate changes are based on changes to the budget and the financial recovery plan that must also be approved by council.

George voiced that she didn’t think all Galionites are clear on the fact that the changes in water and sewer rates are a reduction of the Dec. 2009 council-approved rate increases. George emphasized that these utility rates are still higher than they were in 2009, but the increase has now been diminished (from 20 percent over the 2009 cost, to a 12 percent increase on sewer rates and a 6.25 percent increase on water rates over the 2009 cost).

Ordinance No. 2010-38, “Authorizing Letter of Arrangement for 2009 Audit,” was the final piece of legislation to pass as an emergency at last night’s meeting. Toy stated that this ordinance will permit a state-performed audit, which is something that “we have to do” as a city. A nine-page list of the services that will be performed as part of the audit — at a fee not to exceed $35,300 — was presented by Toy to council.

The criminal justice services levy was then discussed under “other business.” After a motion to endorse the levy was made by George, Galion Police Chief Brian Saterfield commented on the state of affairs at the county jail. Saterfield discussed the release of over half the inmates at the jail and said, “The sheriff is trying to maintain things the best he can” with staff a minimum.

Saterfield said the levy “does affect Galion.”

Baldinger echoed, “It affects all of Crawford County.”

The county’s various law enforcement agencies have been monitoring crime since the release of inmates from the county jail, Saterfield added. “So far, so good,” he reported.

All members of council who were present voted in favor of endorsing the levy.

In City Manager comments, Toy stated that the Atwood Manor demolition project had its asbestos abatement completed on July 2 as scheduled, but that the contractor who was supposed to start the demolition on July 19 has been held up on another project. The demolition is now expected to begin on Aug. 2 and will take an estimated five days to complete.

Toy also announced that Galion’s annual Oktoberfest event is scheduled for Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.

Finally, Toy told council of a tax incentive review council meeting scheduled for this morning.

For Council President comments, Baldinger noted that the Maple Heights sewer project is underway. George, who has taken an interest in the project as a citizen who resides in the vicinity of the project, expressed her pleasure that the project is advancing.

There were no citizens desiring to address council at last night’s meeting.