St. Marys City Council Honors Retiring Superintendent, Hears Public Requests and Advances Ordinances

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ST. MARYS — St. Marys City Council opened its meeting Tuesday night with a resolution honoring longtime city employee John Menker, followed by public comments, committee updates, and the first readings of two ordinances.

Mayor Joe Hurlburt said council unanimously approved a resolution of appreciation for Menker, who retired last month after 32 years of service as General Services Superintendent.

The meeting also included remarks from Brenda Mitchell, who spoke on behalf of the Convention of States Action organization. Mitchell asked council to support Ohio House Joint Resolution 2 and Senate Joint Resolution 3, which are currently in committee at the state level. The resolutions involve Article V of the U.S. Constitution and would seek to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit federal jurisdiction, and establish term limits for members of Congress and other federal officials.

Mayor Hurlburt said council listened to the presentation and will discuss the matter further before making any recommendations.

Council also heard from Christina Morris, who is running in the Republican primary for Auglaize County Common Pleas Court judge. Morris shared her background and reasons for seeking the office. She is running against St. Marys Law Director Zach Farrell, with the primary scheduled for May 5.

Council-at-Large member Aaron Gilliland, chair of the Solid Waste Committee, provided an update on recent committee discussions. Mayor Hurlburt noted that several questions were raised by council and additional discussion is expected. The Solid Waste Committee will meet again Tuesday, February 17, at 5:45 p.m., with the goal of proposing a rate that could move forward to council in ordinance form.

No ordinances were up for second or third readings during the meeting. However, council conducted first readings on two ordinances.

The first ordinance would authorize the city to enter into an agreement with Polkat Incorporated LLC for lime sludge hauling. The city’s two lime lagoons at the wastewater treatment plant are nearing capacity and require removal of accumulated material. Polkat has provided similar services to the city in the past.

The second ordinance involves repairs at the St. Marys Aquatic Center. Planned work includes sandblasting and repainting portions of the facility, as well as maintenance to play features and water slides in the leisure pool.

Both ordinances will move on to second readings at the next council meeting.

Mayor Hurlburt also announced two upcoming committee meetings scheduled for Tuesday, February 17. The Streets and Sidewalk Committee will meet at 5:15 p.m., followed by the Solid Waste Committee meeting at 5:45 p.m.

That concluded the business before council at Tuesday night’s St. Marys City Council meeting.