St. Marys council authorizes 2 agreements for pedestrian bridge

ST. MARYS - City council members on Monday passed emergency legislation authorizing an agreement to build the long-sought pedestrian bridge on State Route 66 over U.S. 33.

The resolution executes agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for construction and with the consulting firm of Kohl & Kaliher Associates for consulting work on the bridge layout. The bridge will provide a safe path for students walking between the city and the middle/high school campus north of U.S. 33. The city has been awarded a $2.375 million grant through the state Transportation Alternative Program. The city will pay the remainder of the estimated $3.2 million project.

Council members also welcomed new police chief Jake Sutton, who was sworn in by mayor Pat McGowan. Sutton was hired in 1997 as a patrolman with the department. He was promoted to sergeant in 2007. He replaces retiring chief Mark Ernst.

Also promoted on Monday was Thomas Kennedy II who will replace Sutton as a sergeant. Kennedy joined the department as a patrolman in April 2007.

Safety service director Greg Foxhoven said officials were notified that the city's ordinance for vicious dogs has been declared unconstitutional again after an appeal. Law Director Kraig Noble acknowledged receipt of the ruling from the Third District Court of Appeals in Lima. Foxhoven said council members may need to draw up a new dog ordinance that more closely resembles the state's dog law.

Noble also said he had checked into enacting a panhandling ordinance but found the U.S. Supreme Court has been ruling those as unconstitutional as well. Most Ohio cities are dropping their own panhandling ordinances. Noble noted the city's loitering ordinance could be applied if any panhandler becomes too aggressive.

Members approved second reading of a resolution authorizing changes to the city's classification plan for police sergeants through the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and a resolution authorizing the city to dispose of used city property through internet bidding.

Passing on an emergency basis was a resolution authorizing the city to assess the cost of improvements for repair, replacement or construction of curbing, gutters, sidewalks, combination sidewalks and curbs, asphalt pavement and drive approaches for the 2017 project along Spring Street.

Council also approved supplemental appropriations including $80,000 for well 6. The funds will be pulled from three accounts.

Meetings to finalize the 2018 budget are scheduled for Dec. 27, Dec. 28 and Jan. 8.