St. Marys Council Reviews Liquor Permit, Safety Ordinances, and Budget Measures

To hear the recap with Mayor Joe Hurlburt:

Click Here

At Monday night’s St. Marys City Council meeting, members addressed a variety of agenda items ranging from liquor permits and citizen concerns to safety regulations and budget appropriations.

During petitions and communications, council reviewed a liquor permit request from the Dollar General on Indiana Avenue. Police Chief Luke Turpin found no reason the permit should be denied, and the request will move forward for approval.

Council also heard from a resident who raised concerns about how city committees conduct meetings during public sessions. Council President Jim Harris referred the matter to Law Director Zach Farrell for further research and a report at a future meeting.

Committee reports included an update from the Electric Committee regarding the city’s long-running participation in the Efficiency Smart program, which promotes energy savings. The program’s contract expires at the end of the year, and council plans to renew it through legislation before that deadline.

The Finance Committee also presented 30 supplemental budget requests totaling about $900,000. Officials noted that such requests are standard this time of year and are necessary to maintain a balanced budget as required by the Ohio Revised Code.

Council advanced several ordinances and resolutions during the meeting. Among them was an emergency ordinance to adopt a special purpose flood damage reduction plan. The measure allows the city to meet participation requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program while helping protect lives, reduce flood damage, and limit the need for costly rescue or relief efforts.

Another ordinance, now in its second reading, would require anyone under 18 to wear a helmet while operating a bicycle, e-bike, or other low-speed micromobility device. City officials said the move is a proactive effort to improve safety before accidents occur.

Council also approved an emergency resolution updating the city’s participation in the Auglaize County Solid Waste Management District plan and introduced an ordinance setting new zoning and subdivision permit fees to better cover administrative costs.

Additionally, legislation was introduced to renew the Efficiency Smart agreement with American Municipal Power and to clarify the city’s role in providing updated address information for the new countywide 911 system.

All pending ordinances and resolutions will move on to their next readings at the upcoming council meeting.