City Council OKs financial legislation

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council had a fairly uneventful meeting on Monday, passing boilerplate financial legislation that included a then-and-now certificate and supplemental appropriations, while also approving a measure that would increase fines for downtown parking violations to $40.

Mayor Don Farmer also answered a question some Council members had about court costs, related to downtown parking violations, noting that court costs would only come into play if fines weren’t paid, or someone challenged a ticket. As is the current policy, parking ticket fines would be paid at the Van Wert Police Department, not Van Wert Municipal Court.

First Ward Councilman John Marshall also noted that junk/trash ordinance changes adopted recently are now in effect throughout the city. Marshall also announced that city residents who see possible violations should contact the city engineering department.

Main Street Van Wert Interim Program Manager Adam Ries also reported that Heritage Ohio is planning a “Main Street 101” presentation on Wednesday, September 12, at the Black Swamp Bistro, and invited Council and city officials to attend the presentation. Ries will return to Council at 7 p.m. Monday, October 22, to present the agency’s annual report.

Second Ward Councilman Joi Mergy also brought up a problem with manholes on North Washington Street, noting that traffic running over the manholes is creating excessive noise in the area. Mayor Farmer said the problem with manhole cover noise is not unique to North Washington Street, adding that his administration is working on the problem. He noted that fixing the problem could be expensive, though, noting that one possible fix would cost approximately $600 per manhole, and might not even take care of the problem.

The mayor also noted that state officials would be visiting the 1,600-acre Jobs Ready Site north of the city this Wednesday.

Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming noted that the deck has been installed on the Wall Street bridge during his report to Council. He also requested a Property and Equipment Committee meeting to discuss an upgrade to radio and computer equipment in the police dispatch station.

Council President Gary Corcoran also announced that he had received a request for a liquor license to serve wine and wine-related beverages. No problems were seen with the permit request.

Council also placed a resolution calling for increases to the city’s EMS fees on second reading.