For a summary of the June 9th meeting of the St Marys City with Mayor Joe Hurlburt:

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AI generated summary:

1. 1. Fire Department Staffing

      Jake Pence was sworn in as the newest firefighter at the St. Marys City Council meeting, officially joining the St. Marys Fire Department. With his addition, the department is now fully staffed in terms of personnel, which was noted as a significant achievement and a point of excitement for the city.

      Jake Pence welcomed; department now fully staffed.

   2. West Ohio Rail Authority Property Sale

   Mike Burkholder, president of the West Ohio Rail Authority, presented to council the intention to sell a portion of property to the village of New Bremen for a substation project requiring additional land acquisition. The West Ohio Rail Authority is comprised of the village of Minster, the village of New Bremen, and the city of St. Marys. The council was updated on this property sale to keep all parties informed; no objections or formal decisions were recorded during the meeting.

   Council updated on the property sale; no objections or decisions recorded.

2. Waiver Request Application for Revolving Loan Funds

   The council passed a resolution, on its third reading, authorizing the submission of a waiver request application to the Ohio Department of Development Office of Community Development for the use of economic development revolving loan funds. The requested amount is approximately $300,000. If the waiver is approved and funds are received, the city plans to use the money to demolish the former city building.

   Resolution passed; application to be submitted for $300,000.

3. Emergency Ordinance on Additional Income Tax

   An emergency ordinance was passed under suspension of the rules to levy an additional one-half percent income tax, which continues the voted half percent income tax that was passed in May for a new 10-year period. This ordinance is a required formality to allow employers to continue withholding and remitting the half percent income tax via payroll to the city of St. Marys, as has been the practice for the past 40 years.

   Ordinance passed; employers to continue withholding and remitting the half percent income tax.

4. Issuance of Sale Level Bonds for East Spring Street Reconstruction

   The council passed, under suspension of the rules, an emergency ordinance providing for the issuance of sale level bonds with a maximum principal amount of $2,200. This is to pay the remaining balance owed to the contractor for phase three of the East Spring Street reconstruction project, which included curbs, gutters, sidewalks, drive approaches, asphalt pavement, and repairs. The city will pay the $2,200 balance, and for residents who have not paid their portion, the amount will be sent to the county and added to their property tax over five years.

   Ordinance passed; city will pay $2,200 balance, unpaid resident portions to be added to property tax over five years.

5. Fort Barbie Hotel Development Update

   Craig Noble provided an update on the Fort Barbie Hotel situation at the end of the meeting, sharing encouraging news that the matter is moving toward resolution. There is optimism that the property will soon be ready to be listed with realtors in the area, and a few interested parties have already been identified. The city, along with the CIC, will offer a 3% commission to any realtor who brings a buyer for the Fort Barbie Hotel.

   Situation improving; property to be listed with realtors and CIC, 3% commission offered.

Next Arrangements

• Submit waiver request application for $300,000 revolving loan funds to Ohio Department of Development.

• Continue collection of half percent income tax for the next 10 years, as authorized by the new ordinance.

• Pay $2,200 balance for East Spring Street phase three project; unpaid portions to be added to property tax over five years.

• List Fort Barbie Hotel with realtors and CIC, offering 3% commission to buyer's agent; continue outreach to interested parties and prepare for marketing the property.