New law director sworn in

ST. MARYS - Zach Ferrall was sworn in Monday as the new St. Marys city law director, replacing Kraig Noble, who is retiring after 40 years of service.

Before Ferrall took his oath of office, city council members and administrators thanked and congratulated Noble for his many years of service.

"What he does for this community is tremendous, I really do believe that," mayor Patrick McGowan said. "For those who don't see it, behind the scenes, Kraig's down (at the city offices) every day."

Noble said his time as law director had been enjoyable with only a few exceptions. It gave him great pleasure to swear in Ferrall as his successor, he continued. After Ferrall took his oath, the new law director administered the oath of office to city council members for the new year.

In other business, council members passed under rule suspension several ordinances setting pay rates and benefits for city employees. City safety service director Greg Foxhoven said the changes in pay and benefits were already reflected in the city's 2020 budget, which is pending approval. He requested the ordinances be approved under rule suspension to make the changes effective as soon as possible for the new year.

A contract affecting 12 fire department and emergency medical services employees will provide a 3% pay raise effective in January, a 2.75% pay raise in 2021 and a 2.5% pay raise in 2022. Employees also will be allowed to take smaller amounts of vacation time at once, as approved by the fire chief.

The chief was also given a raise in a separate ordinance. The chief's weekly minimum pay was raised from $1,203.51 to $1,239.62, and the maximum weekly pay was raised from $1,540.05 to $1,586.25.

The police chief and administrative assistant to the chief also received raises. The administrative assistance's weekly minimum pay was raised from $749.98 to $772.48, and the maximum weekly pay was raised from $959.69 to $988.48. The police chief's weekly minimum pay was raised from $1,203.51 to $1,239.62, and the maximum weekly pay was raised from $1,540.05 to $1,586.25.

City supervisory personnel across all pay scales also will receive a 3% pay raise effective in January.

In other business, council members,

• passed an ordinance amending the city's zoning to set new standards for the storage of newly produced vehicles, recreational vehicles and trailers, boats and similar products after a public hearing before the council meeting.

• approved about $2.1 million of end-of-year appropriations from various city departments. Foxhoven said these included 17 funding increases and four decreases. The largest request was $1.8 million for the new water plant, which Foxhoven said would pay for work that had not been budgeted earlier in the year.

• heard second reading of an amended ordinance laying out the city's 2020 budget. Foxhoven said it includes an overall increase of $193,490 due to increases in expected health and property insurance costs. Total appropriations outlined in the ordinance are roughly $52 million.

• approved a $20,000 transfer of from the general fund to the swimming pool fund.

• approved an emergency resolution authorizing a demolition assessment. A garage in the 300 block of Jay Street was razed at a cost of $3,192.68, according to the resolution.