City Council welcomes new members

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council looked significantly different during its first meeting of the new year with the addition of four new members, including new Council President Ken Mengerink.

First, two Council At-Large members who could not make it to a formal swearing-in ceremony last month — newly elected Jon Tomlinson and Brent Crone, who was re-elected in November 2013 — were sworn into office by Mayor Don Farmer.

The other members of Council include John Marshall, First Ward, who was absent because of illness; Joi Mergy, Second Ward; Jerry Mazur, Third Ward; Steve Trittschuh, Fourth Ward; and Councilman At-Large Stan Agler.

City Auditor Martha Balyeat had good financial news for incoming council members, noting that the city generated $470,000 more in revenues than was spent, while the General Fund showed an increase of approximately $680,000 over last year, although she also noted that most of the increase was from “windfall” revenues, such as the Atrazine legal settlement, unexpected inheritance taxes and a settlement from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation.

The only legislation passed on Monday was an emergency ordinance approving a zoning change to properties at 817 N. Washington St. and 103 Bonnewitz Ave. from R-2 (medium density residential), to B-3 (highway business). The legislation was adopted on first and final reading following a public hearing in December.

The mayor noted that an agreement has been entered into with Van Wert City Schools that would have the school district providing snow removal at both the former Washington and Franklin school sites in exchange for bus stops at the sites.

Mayor Farmer also noted that he had received an amended memorandum of understanding from the school district concerning the former Washington School site, and would be signing that agreement after Law Director John Hatcher reviews the document.

The mayor and Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming also praised city workers for their snow removal efforts during last week’s snowstorm, and Fleming also noted that work on the Smiley Park concession stand is moving forward, with dry walling of the interior underway at this point.

The safety-service director also noted that the new traffic light at the intersection of Fox Road and Shannon Street is working very well now following some tweaks.

Agler requested during his Judiciary and Annexation Committee report that all City Council members review Chapter 30 of the city’s codified ordinances, which deals with Council rules, and be ready to make suggestions for any changes when the committee meets on the subject.