|
Tuesday, 24 February 2009 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — A bit of history was made Monday during the St. Marys City Council meeting.
St. Marys City Council President Dan Hoelscher voted for the first time in his eight years presiding over meetings to break a tie on an ordinance authorizing the city to purchase a piece of property tied to its origins. Council presidents typically only cast votes in the event of a tie. Councilors Jim Harris, Dennis Vossler and Michael Bernard voted in favor of the measure, while Robin Willoughby, Bill Slemmons and Ron Ginter opposed it. 1st Ward Councilor Michael Kleinhenz was absent.
“I agree with Mr. Harris in obtaining the property now,” Hoelscher said of the $12,000 purchase. “At least we’ve got the property. If we don’t (buy it) someone will and they will develop it.”
Councilors OK’d the purchase of a tract of land believed to be near the settlement of Simon Girty.
However before approving the measure, councilors voted to strike the name Girty from the ordinance since it could not be determined if Girty ever lived on the site being purchased.
Slemmons questioned buying the property because of maintenance concerns.
However City Law Director Kraig Noble said maintenance on the property would be minimal.
“There will be little mowing, if any,” Noble said. “I think the interest is to keep it natural. It hasn’t been mowed in year and I don’t see that changing.”
Harris said the opportunity to preserve a piece of the city’s history was one he could not pass up. The councilor-at-large also said members of the St. Marys Rotary Club plan to be involved in the preservation of the property.
“I see this as a good opportunity to get this property,” Harris said. “There are a lot of groups out there looking for projects. For $12,000 (buy it), once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”
Councilors also heard a brief presentation from Laura Walker, coordinator for the Grand Lake St. Marys/Wabash River Watershed Alliance (GLWWA).
Walker briefed councilors on the goals and objectives of the GLWWA as well as her duties as its coordinator.
“As of Jan. 1, I’m on the implementation grant,” Walker said, noting she recently put the finishing touches on the group’s action plan. “I’m coordinator for three more years. At the end, the position will either be eliminated or become self-sufficient.”
Walker’s position is funded through a slew of grants and local matches. While the city’s limits may only encompass a fraction of the watershed, Walker said she hopes city councilors would support the group.
“You may not have any city limits in there,” Walker said. “It could all be townships.”
Noble said he believes the city’s involvement in the watershed could yield positive results for the area.
“Although we are not technically in the watershed, economic help for the lake is critical,” Noble said. “It attracts a lot of people and we do serve some of it through our water system.”
In other business, councilors:
• Passed the third and final reading of a resolution authorizing the K.C. Geiger Park Improvement Committee to obtain a liquor permit for beer sales during Riverside Bluesfest.
• Passed the second reading of a resolution pertaining to the 2009 street project.
• Passed, on emergency, an appropriation ordinance.
Councilors also set water/wastewater and solid waste committee meetings for 5:15 p.m. and 5:25 p.m. March 2. The next meeting of the St. Marys City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 9 at the city building located along East Spring Street.
|
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 27 February 2009 )
|
