PICKAWAY – Most of the last night’s council meeting was routine, with only two housekeeping ordinances to pass, but both had emergency ordinances and Councilwoman Caryn Kock-Esterline took it as an opportunity to express concern by citizens.
The Two Housekeeping ordinances had to do with the purchase of salt for next year’s winter, and a new lawnmower to replace a 30-year-old mower that is currently inoperable. What struck a chord with Esterline was that both ordinances came with “Emergency Clauses.”
During the meeting, Esterline said, “We are declaring emergencies and I know we need to pass these quickly, but my question is why do we wait so long to have ordinances written and presented to us?”
Esterline expressed the concern that citizens had voiced to her about not holding ordinances to three readings fairly often.
Sheri Theis acting council president in Barry Keller’s absence said that the “emergency clause” puts things in effect quicker and had nothing to do with three readings on an ordinance.
“The emergency clause, makes the ordinance go into effect 10 days after the paper publishes it, instead of 30 days. Having it held for three readings is a different thing,”
During the meeting, Councilman Todd Brady explained to Esterline that if she wasn’t it held longer she could make that motion and if other council persons agreed with her and voted to do so that’s how that occurs.
“You don’t have to agree with it, once you vote to suspend the rules you can vote, it simply gives us the ability to move forward faster on housekeeping ordinances, but you have the ability to change that if you want just like all the other councilmembers,” said Todd Brady
Some Ordinances come from committees such as finance, and safety committee with the recommendation from that committee to hold for three readings.
Last night council approved the purchase of 500 tons of road salt for next year’s season, and the purchase of a new law mower for the city to replace the existing non-working one. The finance committee will see another ordinance in the future for the approval of the purchase when the city defines the price.
Michelle Blanton also brought up that discussion on the Levy will occur on April 25th.
“This will be our last meeting before we need to make a decision on how to move forward on this if we are going to get the ordinances passed in time. RITA, The City Auditor, and County Auditor are working on data of the city income tax vs property tax. They are looking at what sort of property tax they’re going to have to put on to make up what we would have to make up in taxes if we are not.”
Councilwoman Theis spoke on the 44 trees that were planted by The Circleville Tree Commission, the Circleville Future Farmers of America, and Alistair Reynolds from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Arbor Day in two parks you can read that below
