Council hears storm, algae bloom info

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council heard updates on city efforts during the recent storm, learned about an early algae bloom at the city reservoirs and also heard a report on the Wall Street bridge project during a fairly uneventful meeting Monday evening.

Mayor Don Farmer gave a report to City Council on the challenges faced by the city following the June 29 storm that knocked out power and downed trees and power poles and lines throughout the city and surrounding area.

One of the problems, the mayor noted, was that widespread damage done by the storm, which limited the amount of help the city could call on from surrounding communities.

“Generally during a windstorm we rely on counties around us that did not experience the same kind of damage,” the mayor said, “but all the counties around us throughout the state were without power and without communication, leaving each county on its own.”

The mayor did thank electric utility and city workers for the great job they did in getting the city back up and running after such a devastating storm, but said more work needs to be done in getting the word out about the disaster shelter that was set up in the Van Wert Middle School gymnasium.

“We have a nice shelter system with everything people would be in need of,” the mayor said, noting that, with communications down for some time, many people who could have used the shelter were unaware of its existence.

“It’s so important that we continue to get that information out there,” Mayor Farmer said, noting that he wants to increase public relations efforts to make city residents aware of the shelter and its amenities.

During his report, Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming also talked about storm debris removal efforts, noting that two crews are being tasked with debris removal every day. Fleming also predicted that debris removal crews would make a complete traverse of the city by this coming Friday, and would then go back and look for areas where more debris has been deposited, or that were missed the first time around.

Fleming also talked about an algae bloom that hit the Van Wert reservoirs early this year, before city workers had a chance to apply copper sulfate to the water. The safety-service director stressed that, even with the blooms, which are now being eradicated, the water is safe to drink, noting that the algae blooms are an “esthetic” issue only.

Water and Sewer Committee Chair Brent Crone noted during his report to Council that reservoir water levels remain at 16 feet — the same as he reported a couple of weeks ago — and added that the city has no shortage of water. Fleming also gave a brief update on painting of the Glenn Street water tower, noting that delays were caused when a subcontractor walked off the job.

The safety-service director also reported on the Wall Street bridge project, which began this week, noting that work should continue for approximately 90 days.

The mayor and Fleming also took a tour of the city’s 29 railroad crossings with a railroad official, with Mayor Farmer noting that he and the safety-service director are working with the railroad to get several crossings repaired, but adding that nothing will happen overnight.

During legislative action, City Council approved the city tax budget and also read amendments to the city’s junk/junk vehicle legislation for the second time. Those measures will be up for passage at Council’s July 23 meeting.

City Auditor Martha Balyeat provided an update on city finances, noting that, while income tax revenues are up, state Local Government Fund cuts have essentially flat-lined city revenues. That situation will get even worse next year when the inheritance tax ends.

One positive, though, is the fact the city has spent approximately $44,000 less than it has taken in this year so far.