Minutes-03/09/1983 (3)

The Tiffin City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, March 9, 1983 at the Tiffin Methodist Church. Mayor pro-tem Cox called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. Council-members present were Brown, Spivey and Rohret. Councilman Stevens and Mayor Potter were absent. Also present were Judy Aspelmeier, Barbara Bechtoldt, Ralph Stoffer and John W. Grace. No one spoke during the community forum. Motion Rohret second Spivey to approve agenda. Carried unanimously. Motion Rohret second Brown to approve minutes of special and regular meeting February 9, 1983 as amended to show Rohret opposed to motion to tentatively approve fringe area study map. Carried unanimously. Spivey introduced citizen's complaints about abandoned vehicles. Spivey asked council who should get notification to remove vehicles. Attorney stated that ordinance does not exempt business and ordinance could be changed if it is not getting at the problem. Rohret stated that it was not a good practice for businesses to allow abandoned vehicles to sit around either. Cox suggested sending a polite letter to Bill Verry asking him to remove his vehicles since those are the ones the city received complaints about. Motion Rohret second Spivey to instruct Attorney Hoefer to write letter to William Verry and ask him to remove several abandoned vehicles from his College Street property enclosing ordinance but not notifying enforcement at this time. Carried unanimously. AN ORDINANCE PRESCRIBING THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES was introduced by Rohret and seconded by Brown. Clerk read ordinance and it was duly considered by council. Motion Spivey second Brown to adopt Ordinance No. 1983-110. Roll call vote: Rohret, aye; Cox, aye; Brown, aye; Spivey, aye. Carried unanimously. Motion Rohret second Spivey to waive the rule or law requiring three readings of this ordinance on three different dates. Roll call vote: Cox, aye; Brown, aye; Spivey, aye; Rohret, aye. Carried unanimously. Ordinance No. 1983-110 duly passed and adopted. Cox reported on railroad property which is for sale. Council had expressed interest in buying some of the property in order to move the town shed and allow for a bigger park. Cox reported that the Greg Downes represented the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company in selling property located in other communities and that the railroad was asking 60¢ per square foot. Cox also reported that Downes had stated that the railroad was interested in selling the middle portion to Bill Bream since he already leases it for his business. This would leave the swampy area on the west side of town and the area on the east side of town without access to a road for sale. Council consensus to drop further inquiry into buying railroad property because it is too costly. Cox introduced A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING TEMPORARY WEIGHT LIMITS ON SOME CITY STREETS IN TIFFIN. Council discussed problems with enforcement and allowing certain vehicles, such as garbage trucks and service trucks to businesses to use streets without penalty. Spivey suggested that the council talk to businessmen and ask them to direct their service vehicles to use Grant Street. Resolution not approved.