City moves forward on street project

DAVE MOSIER/Van Wert independent

Van Wert City Council approved legislation, including a resolution needed to begin the bid process for reconstructing a portion of West Main Street this year, while also hearing a report from Mayor Don Farmer and Councilman At-Large Stan Agler on a state legislative meeting they and other City Council members attended recently in Columbus.

During its regular meeting Monday evening, City Council approved a resolution allowing Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming to move forward with the street reconstruction project. The city’s share of the project would be approximately $1 million, Fleming said. A second portion of the project extending reconstruction past Fisher Avenue to the city limits would be accomplished in 2014.

The safety-service director also noted that two tornado sirens have been installed at the Van Wert Early Childhood Center (former Jefferson School) and Smiley Park to replace those formerly operated from the Washington and Franklin elementary schools. Because those buildings are scheduled for demolition, sirens needed to be moved to other areas where power was available. The new sirens are not yet operational, Fleming said.

The safety-service director also reported that the city received $42,216 as reimbursement for expenses incurred by the city during the June 2012 derecho storm that knocked down thousands of trees and utility poles in the county. Fleming said he would like to use the money to cut down trees that are too tall for city workers to fell using available equipment. “We have a huge tree problem,” the safety-service director said, adding that he hoped the reimbursement money could help in that area.

Council also approved legislation allowing the city to continue its policy of selling outdated and obsolete equipment on an online auction website. Two other measures aimed at improving the city’s nuisance building problem were introduced at Monday’s meeting, while a resolution was also introduced to allow the mayor to apply for funds through the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), which provides money to rehab houses in the community.

Council members also unanimously approved rescinding a Community Reinvestment Area agreement with the former Butler’s Bakery, since the business is no longer operating.