Tue Feb 09 2010
By TODD HELBERG
Hamstrung to action by the absence of two members, Defiance City Council could only let lie its two legislative items Tuesday night.
But one ordinance -- appropriating funds for a nearing sewer project -- is important enough to make passage a necessity in the next week or so.
Council also met in executive session to discuss appointment of a
public employee and pending litigation.
One ordinance let lie would appropriate an additional $5,095,329.50 in the 2009 budget for an upcoming combined sewer overflow (CSO) elimination project in the Holgate Avenue/Baltimore Road area.
A significant share of the money ($2.25 million) represents funds awarded to the city through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The remainder will come from a recent water pollution control loan fund provided to the city by the Environmental Protection Agency.
According to city officials, the project must be started by July 1, so the appropriations ordinance must be approved by then. However, with At-large Councilmen Steve Hubbard and Joe Eureste absent, council did not have the votes necessary to proceed with a final vote on the ordinance. Therefore, a motion to let lie was approved, returning the legislation for a second reading next week.
Council President Tim Holtsberry said at least Hubbard was expected to attend council's meeting next week when enough votes would be available to move the legislation to a final vote and passage.
Underground Utilities of Monroeville -- the same firm working on another CSO elimination job near the downtown area -- will be the project contractor.
Also let lie was an ordinance amending section 139.06 of the city's codified ordinances concerning a law enforcement trust fund.
Law director David Williams said this fund was established some years ago to collect proceeds from property seized during drug interdiction efforts.
Williams said an amendment will simply reflect changes in state and federal laws concerning property forfeitures to the fund through court orders.
In other business:
-- Ward IV Councilman Chris Engel urged members and others to attend a 14 and under girls fast-pitch softball tournament Friday and Saturday at Defiance High School and Diehl Park.
-- Mayor Bob Armstrong announced that 17 city employees will participate in the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life fund-raiser that will be held from 6 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday at Ayersville High School. He said employees are selling tickets for a "Tree of Life" Amish-made quilt donated by Mike and Ricki Slattery Starrett. Tickets cost $1 each or six for $5 and are available at the city's utility billing office, city annex or at the Relay for Life.
-- Ward II Councilman Larry Bryant asked the administration about high weeds on a property at Deatrick Street and Jackson Avenue.
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