Michael Christopher Bear

The regular meeting included actions to amend the agenda by adding Ordinance No. 2026-3 and Resolution No. 2026-5. Council authorized the Safety-Service Director to purchase three 2026 Police Interceptor vehicles without competitive bidding, passing Ordinance No. 2026-3. Amended Resolution No. 2026-1 was passed, appointing Anthony Tanner to the Board of Trustees of the Egbert M. Freese Foundation after correcting a name error. Resolution No. 2026-3, approving the re-appointment of Amie Wolf to the Galion City Health Board, and Resolution No. 2026-4, approving the re-appointment of Michael Flick to the same board, were both passed. A motion to suspend rules for Resolution No. 2026-5, appointing Todd Brown to the Galion Design Review Board, failed. In the Mayor's Report, concerns were raised regarding road salt shortages (down to 100 tons) and the estimated $70k cost for a new salt bin.

The meeting included a motion to come back into regular session after an executive session, followed by a roll call vote. With no other business on the agenda, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.

The Finance Committee held a special meeting to discuss several key financial matters. The committee addressed a hip partnership agreement ordinance, focusing on collaborative work with the county and the city of Bucyrus on the chip housing program. Amendments to the 2020 appropriations for fund 201 were discussed, particularly in relation to an urban paving project. The committee also explored funding options for the Harding Way project, considering both borrowing and utilizing existing capital improvement funds. A COVID-19 loan fund was proposed to provide financial assistance to local businesses, with the possibility of transferring funds to the Port Authority for administration.

The committee discussed the Cares Act legislation ordinance, including the acceptance of funds from the state via the federal government and the designation of these funds for eligible uses related to COVID-19 expenses. They also addressed borrowing for the Harding Way project, considering a larger paving program by borrowing funds to supplement the existing budget. Additionally, the committee discussed tree clearing and requests for freeze projects, including pump replacement and chemical controllers.

The meeting centered on a discussion regarding the old wrenchville school property and a potential housing development project. The possibility of the Port Authority assuming an option on the property to facilitate the construction of new homes was explored. Discussions also covered the advantages of Port Authority ownership, zoning considerations, and infrastructure requirements for the development.