Jobs, pool addressed at council meeting

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

A pending addition to Vision Industrial Park will bring more jobs to Van Wert.

During Monday night’s meeting of Van Wert City Council, Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Brent Stevens said Melhorn Sales Service & Trucking Company, based in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania will bring 37 new jobs to town with hopes of 50 total jobs within a year or two.

“It’s a farming trucking company and they have workers that work out on different farms, they do chickens and all types of other stuff, so farm workers will be the ones working and paid through this trucking company,” Stevens explained.

He added the average hourly rate will be approximately $20 per hour, and he added the company will start off with Phase I, a $1.8 million building that will serve as truck wash.

Stevens went on to request the transfer of property at Vision Park to the Community Improvement Corporation for the new structure.

He also told council he’s received inquiries about the Mega Site and has received about 35 RFI’s (request for information) for Van Wert. He said he’s working on several undisclosed retail possibilities and he praised former Executive Director Stacy Adam for making the transition seamless.

A possible public pool was a brief topic Monday night. At-Large Councilwoman Judy Bowers said she thought a recent Parks and Recreation Committee meeting to discuss a possible city pool went well. The meeting was held last Thursday.

“I thought people participated well,” Bowers said. “There’s still a lot to be done…all aspects of this project should not be taken lightly, so it’s going to (need) a little more research and contacting people that know more about things that I do so I can be more informed.”

She added she’s working closely with Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Klinker. Funding and location of a pool remain unknown.

Fourth Ward Councilman Andrew Davis noted that during the committee meeting, a comment was made that the pool discussion had been an ongoing discussion with the committee, but no meetings were publicized. Bowers said no committee meetings were held prior to last Thursday and said calls were made between her and the other two committee members, Second Ward Councilman David Stinnett and Third Ward Councilwoman Julie Moore to research other pools around the area.

That prompted a brief discussion about the need for those types of conservations to take place in a public forum and be publicized, a notion seconded by City Auditor Martha Balyeat and Law Director John Hatcher.

In other business, Mayor Ken Markward issued a reminder that the city’s annual trick-or-treat will be held from 4-6 p.m. this Saturday and he said leaf pickup will begin on Monday, November 6.

Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming informed council that he’s working on rules and regulations for the water department.

“We’ll have copies at the next council meeting to explain all the changes we’re going to implement to match up with the monthly actual billing and shutoffs and those kind of things,” Fleming stated.

He also said changes have been made at the Ervin Road/Westwood Drive intersection and said a radar detection system has been installed, which should help traffic flow there.

During her report to council, Balyeat said she’s working on the 2024 budget and should have a report at the next meeting.

Davis, who serves as council’s representative to the airport board said there has been interest in a couple of new corporate style hangers and said there’s been some movement with the runway extension to 5,000 feet. Work could begin in the spring of 2024.

The next meeting of Van Wert City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 13, in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building.