CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 26, 2010 (Leeper, UTVs and Golf Cart Ordinance, Stop Sign Changes)

Deadline for Leeper
Council gives Main Street until Friday to choose engineer
Constitution-Tribune, July 27, 2010

The next continuum in the Leeper Hotel is in Main Street Chillicothe's hands. Council members voted unanimously against participating in the cost of the structural engineer to inspect the Leeper building at last night's city council meeting.

Councilman Tom Douglas made a motion to permit Main Street to pay in full for an engineer of their choosing, specifying that the city would not contribute towards the cost, giving Main Street until this Friday to come up with a decision.

The Main Street Chillicothe office solicited and collected cost estimates/proposals from four engineering firms. Once received, the information was then compiled and distributed to the Main Street Board of Directors. The board voted 5-2 in favor of Trabue, Hansen & Hinshaw, Inc., a firm out of Columbia, Mo., with a cost estimate of $3,100. The firm had completed several other projects that were similar to the evaluation of the Leeper Building.

City council members suggested last night that Main Street's interest might be just as served by going with Shafer, Kline & Warren, receiving two votes from the Main Street board, with an estimated cost of $1,800. Shafer, Kline, and Warren was also the only firm out of the four submitting proposals with cost estimates under the $2,000 contribution from Main Street. The council subsequently noted that Main Street can hire whomever they choose if they want to pay for it. "I don't see where it will benefit payng more," said Douglas. "It's still a problem that's not getting any better."

The 4-story wood and masonry structure located at 702 Washington sits vacant and in a state of disrepair. The council is giving Main Street until Friday to chose an engineer so that the inspection of the building could be finished by the end of August. If the city does not hear by Friday, the city can only assume that Main Street has no interest in obtaining an engineer for the purpose of possibly repairing the aged hotel.

Crystal Narr, Main Street director, said that her office received notice of the council's decision this morning (Tuesday) and had no comment at that time. Main Street Chillicothe is set to discuss the next step at a board meeting Tuesday afternoon. "We don't own the building," said Narr. "We're just trying to help."

Five of Seven Proposed Stop Sign Change Proposals Approved
Constitution-Tribune, July 28, 2010

Four-way stops at five locations in Chillicothe will be changed to two-way stops after city council members approved an ordinance at their regular meeting Monday night. Street Superintendent Hugh Musselman has determined that changing signage at these locations would not create a safety problem and would improve traffic flow. The changes come as a request from a number of residents.

The following four-way stop intersections will be changed:

• Ryan Lane and Mitchell Ave: to become a two-way stop at the northeast and southwest corners of Ryan Lane;

• Madison Street and Henry Street: to become a two-way stop at the northwest and southeast corners of Henry Street;

• Waples Street and Asher Street: to become a two-way stop at the northwest and southeast corners of Asher Street;

• Springhill Street and McNally Street: to become a two-way stop at the northwest and southeast corners of McNally Street;

• Grandview Avenue and Calhoun Street: to become a two-way stop at the southeast and northwest corners of Grandview.

The intersections of Ryan Lane and Brunswick and Hickory Street and First were removed Monday night by the council for safety issues. Council members fielded over two dozen calls from citizens concerned about children at play on Hickory and First. Several calls also came from farmers who were concerned about going to Milbank Mills and having a hard time getting across the intersection of Ryan and Brunswick without the use of the four-way stop.

Ed Milbank was at Monday's meeting and stated that he had received calls about the issue as well and urged the council to consider leaving that intersection as a four-way.

Also Monday night, the council approved increasing the speed limit from 25 to 35MPH on Mitchell Avenue from Business 36 to Third Street; and on Ryan Lane from Mitchell Avenue to South Washington Street.

In other business, the council approved an ordinance for a supplemental agreement with Bucher, Willis, & Ratliff Corporation for a land acquisition at the Chillicothe Municipal Airport. The project calls for expanding the runway from its current length of 3,900 feet to more than 5,000 feet, allowing larger aircraft to utilize the city airport. Harry Wyse, newly-appointed member to the airport board, attending the meeting stating, "This project affects us all personally and is very important and very immediate."

The council also approved a user agreement with the Chillicothe R-2 School District for the utilization of athletic facilities. This year in cooperation with the school district, a one-year renewable contract was drawn up where previously there had been a verbal agreement. The school district will make a $5,200 annual payment for the use of the city facilities for baseball, softball, cross country, golf, soccer, and tennis. The school has paid $24,000 to the city for installing new tennis courts in 2009 and has and will receive a credit of $2,000 per year on the charges for use of the tennis courts.

Mayor Chuck Haney presided over Monday night's meeting with all council members present except for 2nd Ward Councilman Maurice Zion. Robert Cowherd, of the city's contracted legal counsel, was present Monday, filling in for City Attorney Adam Warren, who was absent.

In other business, the council members:

• Were introduced to Curtis Hays, who recently joined the Chillicothe Police Department;

• Joined Hugh Musselman and Josh Norris in presenting Jan Pyrtle with a plaque of recognition for serving eight years on the Parks and Recreation Board;

• Hired a firefighter and paramedic, Eric McKenzie, who will start on Tuesday, August 3;

• Approved invoices in the amount of $193,382.49 and payroll in the amount of $133,323.09.

City OKs Use of Golf Carts, UTVs
Constitution-Tribune, July 28, 2010

Golf carts and UTVs will soon be allowed on city streets after Chillicothe City Council members passed an ordinance at Monday night's meeting. Although the ordinance was passed with a unanimous vote, UTVs and golf carts won't be hitting the streets just yet. The ordinance will first need to be published and permits still need to be ordered. City Clerk Rozanne Frampton stated Tuesday that the ordinance will more than likely be in effect by Sept. 1.

Both utility vehicles and golf carts must be properly insured and proof of insurance must be carried with the vehicle at all times and be registered with the city prior to operation on city streets.

The ordinance outlines several requirements by the drivers, including that the driver is at least 16 years old. Drivers under the age of 18 will be required to wear safety helmets as well as any passengers under the age of 18. Both vehicles are also only allowed to operate between the hours of official sunset and sunrise unless the vehicles are properly equipped with headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals.

Several concerns from the public were addressed by the council in regard to the speed limit. UTVs and golf carts must be operated at a speed of less than 20 miles per hour. Bill Wehrle voiced his concerns of impeding traffic since these vehicles traveling at only 20 mph will be moving at least five more miles per hour less than the rest of traffic. The council and police Chief Rick Knouse stated it will  definitely be an adjustment. Knouse stated, "I think people are responsible, and when they're not, I'll be there." The council approved the ordinance 4-0.