Council votes to prepare trash legislation

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council voted to prepare legislation that would set a limit on when trash can be placed at the curb and also heard an update on the Shannon Street reconstruction project during a series of meetings held Monday in Council Chambers.

Council members again discussed the trash issue with local haulers, with city officials noting that they were not displeased with the work being done by the trash hauling companies, but merely asking for their input in how to avoid the problems of trash being left out for several days before being collected.

The discussion, a follow-up to an earlier discussion of the subject, at least came to a consensus on a maximum time trash can be placed outside for collection. An ordinance that Council voted to prepare during its regular meeting sets a limit of 9 p.m. the day prior to trash collection day as the maximum amount of time trash can be left out. If given final approval by Council, the legislation would make leaving trash out too long a minor misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $150.

Also Monday, City Council adopted legislation on first and final reading to approve a supplemental appropriation and increase the city’s life support EMS fees from $400 to $515 per run and the mileage charge from $12.50 to $14.

Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming talked about what became controversial efforts by local law enforcement to control traffic problems in the area of Murphy Drive while the intersection of Ervin Road and Shannon Street is closed for reconstruction.

Although he began with an apology for any inconvenience related to the closing down of Murphy Drive, Fleming did say the actions taken there were the result of complaints received from both local residents and merchants in the area about problems created by motorists who were creating a dangerous situation while cutting through the parking lots.

He did also note that some people didn’t handle the situation very well when told they couldn’t use Murphy Drive.

“It was very pleasant to be out there with the officers,” the safety-service director said, adding that he was embarrassed by the way some people reacted and treated police officers just trying to do their job to maintain traffic safety.

“I don’t think they deserved to be sworn at and gestures that were made to them for an effort to protect people,” Fleming noted. He also commended the large number of people who did cooperate with officers.

The safety-service director said closing the street was about the only option the city had, since the parking lot is private property.

Fleming also had a problem with people driving across the yard of Cashland to access Shannon Street, “as if it were their God-given right.”

He did note that traffic was smooth on the first day of school, with the school’s decision to make all traffic heading north from the high school-middle school complex turn right onto Fox Road instead of proceeding on Shannon Street.

Fleming also predicted that the inconveniences in the area around Shannon and Ervin would end sooner than anticipated. “We are very much ahead of schedule,” the safety-service director said, noting he gave contracting crews an “ultimatum” to be finished by this coming Monday, which he said was achievable.

If that happens, the intersection would be open prior to the expected date of September 9, Fleming said.

But he also noted Center Street would be closed in the vicinity of the railroad crossing for several days, beginning today, to repair broken track there.

During his report, Mayor Louis Ehmer said the city would be receiving another in a round of Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) grants in 2012. The money is used to help low- and moderate-income city residents pay for housing improvement projects.

Council also voted 5-2, with Council members Kirby Kelly and Joi Mergy opposed, to a change to the codified ordinances allowing city vehicles to be used for private purposes within limits.