Crescent-News.com - Amended spending threshold approved by city council

By JACK PALMER

palmer@crescent-news.com

An amended ordinance regarding the amount the administration may spend without council approval was approved without debate Tuesday by Defiance City Council.

The measure, which incorporates language suggested last week by Councilman Steve Hubbard, increases the threshold amount from $7,500 to $10,000, but only for appropriated funds for the purchase of motor fuel, ice-control salt and chemicals.

The new legislation also raises the amount of expenditure required for competitive bidding from $15,000 to $25,000 for architectural and engineering services related to project designs, as well as professional and technical services for non-design expenses. In both cases,

however, council approval is still required.

Following a short discussion, a resolution approving the use of city personnel and equipment to build a gazebo at the Defiance Area In-Patient Hospice Center off Ohio 66 north of town was amended to eliminate work done on city time.

Hubbard said he was OK with the project if the actual labor by city workers was performed during off-duty hours. A motion to amend the resolution to reflect that clarification was quickly approved.

City administrator Jeff Leonard said the impetus for the city's involvement in the project came from its three labor unions with support from department heads. He said the employees are raising funds on their own for the cost of the materials, but wanted to use city equipment to build the gazebo.

Council members and the administration also indicated they would personally support the effort as well.

"The intent is to provide a good project (among city employees) for team building and goodwill," said Leonard.

The amended resolution will come back for another second reading next week.

Councilman Darrell Handy raised a concern regarding debris at a North Clinton Street property where a house was recently demolished following a fire.

"We've been getting many calls on this," acknowledged Leonard. "There was a nuisance complaint even before the fire for insects inside the home. We've been in contact with the insurance company on numerous occasions over the past week. I'm confident something will be done very soon."

Added Leonard: "There's another fire property across from Dairy Queen (on South Clinton Street) which needs attention as well."

City resident Becky Miles, 660 Perry St., voiced concerns about her son's car being towed Monday from the municipal building parking lot. She said she recently had surgery and relatives were visiting to help during her recuperation. Complicating matters, she said she was unable to get in and out of her driveway due to the ongoing Perry Street project.

"I figured with all the parking spots (in the city lot) it wouldn't hurt anyone," said Miles.

Mayor Bob Armstrong said permission to park in the city lot had been granted except for during business hours on weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. He also said the family was told that there was additional space in the Leever Glass lot (Armstrong said the city has an understanding with Leever Glass that its lot can be used by city employees and for city business).

The apparent misunderstanding led to a 45-minute verbal confrontation between Miles and the mayor in his office after the car was towed Monday.

"This whole issue lacks common sense," said Hubbard. "If the city wants to make a policy, adopt it correctly and post signs (against parking in the lot for non-business purposes during business hours), fine."

Another resident, Russell Wichman, 1241 S. Jefferson Ave., inquired about recent discussion allowing bus traffic on East Rosewood Avenue to and from the new Defiance Elementary School when it opens in January.

"My concern is the weight limit on that street," he stated.

Leonard said allowing bus traffic only via a gate monitored on school property was under discussion, but no final decisions have been made. The issue will be discussed further at a traffic commission meeting on Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the council room.

In other business:

-- Council suspended the rules following first reading and approved a $16,100 contract with Lingvai Excavating to restore highway drainage and prevent soil erosion on the east side of South Clinton Street near the Victor Apartments. Leonard said if the water problem is not fixed in the near future, the city may be looking at a larger project costing $200,000-$300,000.

-- Council suspended the rules following first reading and approved a supplemental appropriations ordinance in the total amount of $41,743.55. The measure includes the Lingvai Excavating contract ($16,100) and escrowed insurance money received for three fires which will be returned to the property owners once the damage has been cleaned up and/or repairs are complete ($23,400).

-- Armstrong reported that Chris Cuomo from the ABC News television show, "Good Morning America," will visit the Defiance County Fair in Hicksville on Thursday as part of the show's series of hometown gatherings across America. He also congratulated former city resident Chad Reineke for garnering his first major league win, first major league hit and first major league run batted in Saturday as a member of the San Diego Padres.