Haven of Hope issue not going away

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council received notice during its meeting on Monday that the Haven of Hope issue will not be going away any time soon.

Council President Jon Tomlinson first read a letter from Haven of Hope attorney Joshua Nolan stating that Haven of Hope has filed an appeal of Council’s decision to reject the homeless shelter/drop-in center as fitting into the quasi/semi-public use definition under the city’s B-3 (business) zoning category. The appeal will be heard in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Second, Haven of Hope Director Andy McMahon attended the meeting and asked for an update from Council on where the issue currently stands, noting that Council has not yet decided what land use Haven of Hope could use under the B-3 designation. 

Two Council members have stated that the building, in their opinion, fits under a boarding house, bed and breakfast, or clinic usage, or a group home usage — although the Haven of Hope attorney rejected both options — but there has been no consensus on what usage Haven of Hope should consider.

City Law Director John Hatcher said he felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss any potential usage while there is an appeal of Council’s decision pending in Common Pleas Court.

“We’re not going away,” McMahon noted, adding that long-range plans for Haven of Hope is not just a men’s shelter, but a women’s shelter, and a shelter for families. 

Fourth Ward Councilman Andrew Davis said he felt Council needed to get an answer to Haven of Hope, adding his opinion that Council needs to avoid keeping Haven of Hope going around in circles on the issue without a formal answer to its questions.

McMahon also added that, since the group backing Haven of Hope has the necessary building permits needed to work on the building, renovation plans are scheduled to begin, even though the zoning issue has not yet been decided.

Also Monday, Mayor Ken Markward brought up a potential issue related to semi-trailer truck rigs parking in residential areas, although he had no opinion on whether or not that was appropriate. Council will have to further research the issue. 

City Auditor Martha Balyeat noted that revenues appear to be similar to last year, and also submitted three invoices under a then-and-now certificate, which was later approved by Council.

It was noted that Van Wert Municipal Court fines were up from last year, but Balyeat qualified that by adding that last year’s fine amount was lower than normal.

Balyeat also asked that two ordinances allowing the city to issue bonds for an HVAC project at the Municipal Building and one authorizing the mayor and safety-service director to contract for the project be passed on second and final reading, as Honeywell International Inc., the company doing the project, is ready to start work. Council approved later approved both measures, as well as an ordinance creating a new bond fund for the bond issue.

Markward also talked about appropriation efforts for a building at the corner of Crawford and Market streets, that is part of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Market Street Bridge project, noting that legislation was needed in connection with those efforts.

Council members were also requested to each prepare a list of potential members of a Charter Commission, so that a list of potential members can be included with the ballot issues related to that issue planned for November.

Council went into executive session to discuss the firefighter union contract before adjourning later without taking any action on that issue.

The next meeting of Van Wert City Council will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St.