Council halts grass law, reverses course

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Enforcement of Van Wert’s grass cutting law was suspended for a brief time on Monday – very brief.

After Second Ward Councilman David Stinnett made a motion to suspend enforcement of city ordinance 98.02, which says grass at residences and businesses must be kept at six inches or lower, council members unanimously voted in favor of it. However, after about 25 minutes of spirited discussion, the decision was rescinded.

Stinnett’s original motion was in response to complaints about high weeds in the rocks at the reservoir.

“I’m asking the voting members (of council) to freeze 98.02, the grass ordinance, until the city comes back into compliance at the reservoir,” Stinnett said. “Until the city comes under it’s own ordinance, until the administration comes what we are telling these people to do, I want it frozen until then. I’m just doing what my ward is asking me to do.”

After the vote, Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming spoke out against the decision.

“I understand what you want done but it’s 3 1/2 miles…it’s not like mowing around the fence in a backyard,” Fleming said. “This is not something that just happened this summer. The reason it’s a big issue is because we started enforcing grass (mowing) so now the retribution is it’s coming back on us because we have some weeds at the reservoir.”

After more discussion, Stinnett backtracked and called for a vote to rescind the decision. The issue will be revisited in two weeks and if progress is being made, no action will be taken to suspend the grass cutting ordinance.

In other business, Law Director John Hatcher said there’s been discussion into banning semi-trucks from turning right from Washington St. onto Main St., but he added the Ohio Department of Transportation will have the final say, since both roads are state highways.

City Auditor Martha Balyeat said revenues are about $500,000 ahead of this time last year.

Early on in the meeting, Council President Jerry Mazur said the city’s code of ordinances will be better enforced when it comes to speaking at council meetings. He cited several parts of Chapter 30 of the code and said it’s meant to keep order during meetings.

Health, Service and Safety Committee Chairman Bill Marshall reminded those in attendance that a Council of the Whole meeting will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, to discuss waste management.

The next regular meeting of Van Wert City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 25, in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St.