Three items emerged from Shelby City Council’s most recent meeting. Council member Steven Schag addressed council with committee news on Monday night. Mayor Marilyn John proposed a motion to confirm the appointment of Beth Terman to the Zoning Appeals Board and Councilman Garland John Gates inquired about sidewalk projects through the city.
Schag provided an update on the Utilities and Street Committee. “As usual, Mr. John Ensman presented a well prepared report covering a broad range of municipal service activities. Mr. Ensman presented some background material and strategic plans of the Richland County Regional Solid Waste Management Authority a resolution of ratification of the plan update for the period 2014-2028 and will be forthcoming to council in the future,” said Schag.
“We are pleased to learn of some Reservoir 3 revitalization projects that have been completed recently. The buildings have been repainted and the signs have been updated. The administration is reviewing and finalizing some figures in regard to electric rates study conducted by Utility Financial Solutions and leaf pick up is also under way in our city,” said Schag.
John asked for a motion to confirm the appointment of Beth Terman to the Zoning Appeals Board. The motion passed.
Councilman Gates inquired about recent general sidewalk projects throughout the city. Certain sidewalks through Shelby are in need of repair. The cost of repair is about $18,000.
“There was some discussion on the legislation and it stated that if residents could not pay for the repairs, then the city would repair and recoup those costs, but there was no timeline when that would happen. We are hoping and praying that the levy will pass in November and perhaps that will give us some room to work with,” said Schag.
Residents were given a deadline of 30 days to have their sidewalks repaired or the city would make them.
“We could have a situation here where we notify property owners that they need to remedy a dangerous situation on the property and they aren’t doing it. A trip and fall will cost much more than the repairs that we are talking about. I thought we had set that as a priority of this city,” said Gates.
John agreed that the repairs are a priority of the city. However she noted that the source of funding was limited to the capital improvements fund. “Right now, we have enough to satisfy any emergencies. We can take a chance and pay for the repairs out of capital improvements fund and hope there won’t be an emergency that could potentially happen,” she stated.
“We will look at this concern further. I agree there are no teeth in our letters if we do no act. The problem is funding the projects. The only place to take the money from is capital improvements and I want council to understand where the funds will be coming from,” said John.
