Council OKs retire-rehire pact for Fleming

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council unanimously approved a retire-rehire agreement with City Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming and also heard good news from Fleming on railroad crossing projects that began a couple of weeks ago and the West Main Street reconstruction project.

City Council, which discussed a rehire-retire agreement with Fleming during an executive session held during its September 28 meeting.

Under the agreement, Fleming’s salary would be frozen at its current $90,000 level for the remainder of his tenure with the city. The safety-service director, who performs a wide range of duties within the city, would also not be compensated for accrued sick leave and vacation time until he terminated his employment with the city.

Fleming’s salary changes will be amended for the 2016 salary ordinance, while City Council noted that the policy changes apply only to Fleming and not to future safety-service directors.

Fleming, who was hired by former mayor Stephen Gehres and took over as safety-service director January 1, 2000, has provided the city with a vast array of knowledge and experience in several areas, and has been instrumental in a number of projects, including street and utility improvements, and the recently completed Van Wert Municipal Court construction/renovation project (see story below).

Fleming said this morning he was pleased that Council approved the retire-rehire agreement.

The safety-service director noted during his report that all railroad crossing work has been completed, except for crossings on Walnut and Cherry streets. Those crossings should be completed sometime today or Wednesday, he added.

Fleming also had good news for West Main Street businesses and residents, noting that paving of the final stretch of West Main began on Monday and the street should be reopened to traffic on Friday, if everything goes as scheduled.

The safety-service director also noted that leaf collection will start in the near future and stressed that city residents need to put leaves in biodegradable bags to help make the collection process less time consuming and more environmentally friendly.

City Council also heard positive financial news from City Auditor Martha Balyeat, who noted that the city is approximately $511,000 ahead of last year’s budget; however, she noted that city revenues would be pretty much even with last year without repayment this year of a $500,000 advance made by the city to the Jobs Ready Site project.

Just breaking even is a positive, though, since the city was expected to have to dip into its reserve funds this year because expenses for the year were projected to exceed revenues.

During his report, Mayor Don Farmer promoted the city’s Community Reinvestment Area program, noting that anyone starting a new business or industry, or building or renovating a residence, should look into the program, since it can provide a maximum of 100 percent tax abatement for up to 15 years for approved projects.

Those interested can contact the mayor’s office at 419.238.0308.

City Law Director John Hatcher provided a brief update on litigation filed against the city and others related to property at the corner of Washington Street and West Ervin Road that was rezoned for business use several years ago when Walgreens was looking at building a store in Van Wert.

Hatcher said he has filed an answer to the lawsuit, which includes the city, since it rezoned the area, and the Community Investment Corporation, which owns land adjacent to the property in question that is also zoned for business.