Trending
GIRARD -- In order to assist projects that benefit the whole community, city council on Monday decided that 3% of the speed camera fines will be used for the Wellman Theater project on West Liberty Street and 1% will be used for a planned bike trail.
Councilwoman Lily Martuccio requested that 1% of the fines be dedicated to the bike trail fund to promote riding and walking in the community. Martuccio said the funds can be used as the city proceeds with having a bike trail pass through the city, including possibly the former Ohio Leatherworks property.
She said officials will look at a rail line in the city as an alternate location for the bike trail.
The disbursement will be 54% to the general fund, 18% to streets, 14% to recreation, 5% to the safety fund, 5% to capital improvement, 3% to the Wellman Theater and 1% to the bike trail.
Auditor Julie Coggins said as of the end of September, the revenue from the speed cameras is at $1,257,025 and will increase before the end of the year.
Council hosted a moment of silence to remember Don Rex, who served as city councilman for many years and was a Girard school principal and teacher.
Rex died this weekend at age 78.
"Don was always involved in the community. He cared about Girard," Council President Reynald Paolone said.
Second Ward Councilman Mark Standohar said when he was city law director, he remembers working with Rex.
"Don was very active in many programs and events in the community. He always was concerned with any matters that pertained to Girard," he said, noting Rex supported the Mahoning River group that promoted kayaking and canoeing.
Serving as a councilman at-Large starting in the 1980s, Rex was instrumental in creating the canoe launch site in Girard that people who travel the Mahoning River use, officials said.
Council also gave final reading to an anti-nepotism hiring policy that states elected officials and department heads can't hire direct relatives. Standohar said the policy falls in line with general provisions of state standards and Ohio ethics laws.
Standohar, chairman of the employee welfare committee, said the ordinance applies to all elected officials and all department heads.
"We want to have the trust of the public with transparency and showing that we are doing everything by the book," he said.
Fire Chief James Petruzzi reported that as of mid-November, the fire department has responded to 2,201 calls, which is a record, and calls through the end of the year will bring the annual total higher.
Council placed a 3-mill, five-year renewal fire portection levy on the March primary ballot.
Council also scheduled the swearing-in ceremony for new officials and council members for 10 a.m. Jan. 1 in the Girard Municipal Court chambers, the organizational meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 3 and the first regular meeting of the year at 7 p.m. Jan. 8.