VW Council adopts Franklin Park measure

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council approved a new memorandum of understanding with Van Wert City Schools for the Franklin Park project and also adopted enabling legislation for a pre-annexation agreement with Hoaglin Township for a portion of the 1,500-acre Jobs Ready Site north of the city.

Following a presentation on the Franklin Park project by Mayor Don Farmer and Seth Baker, executive secretary of The Van Wert County Foundation, and some discussion of concerns Council members had about the project, Council unanimously approved a measure allowing for a new memorandum of understanding with the city schools that would include the Foundation, which has pledged to match funds provided by philanthropist Scott Niswonger to complete the Franklin Park project.

Niswonger has said he would pay half the cost of the project, up to a total of $500,000, while the city also has $50,000 set aside to help pay for the project. Earlier this month, Foundation trustees agreed to pay up to $450,000, making a total of $1 million available for the project.

Baker said that, at this point, it’s not clear whether that amount would pay the cost of the entire project. If not, the project could be completed in phases, as money is made available, although Mayor Farmer said he felt the money available could possibly be enough to complete the entire project.

“We’re in the ballgame at a million (dollars),” he noted.

Having the foundation spearhead the project could also speed up the timeline, since bidding procedures would be less stringent if the foundation was the lead entity, rather than the school district or city government.

Councilman At-Large Stan Agler said his main concern was that the city not be stuck with a bill for more money if the project goes over budget, although Third Ward Councilman Jerry Mazur said he was confident the foundation would not let that happen.

It was also noted that, with the foundation, not the city, administering the project, city officials would not be obligated to pay any additional costs of the project.

Baker and the mayor both noted that City Council would be included in further discussions on the project.

Also Monday, Council approved legislation giving the go-ahead for a pre-annexation agreement with Hoaglin Township concerning the megasite. A portion of the 1,500-acre site is located in Hoaglin Township. A similar agreement was also made with Ridge Township, where most of the megasite is located.

Council also approved ‘housekeeping” legislation authorizing a number of year-end fund transfers and supplemental appropriations to balance the books prior to the start of 2015, while also adopting legislation setting salaries for a number of non-elected city employees.

Council members also re-appointed Joan Stripe and Gary Taylor to new three-year terms on the Brumback Library Board of Trustees.

City Council also welcomed back First Ward Councilman John Marshall, who has been absent for several meetings because of serious illness.