Council addresses trash, graffiti

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GREENVILLE — Garbage and graffiti were topics of discussion at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Greenville City Council.

A group of young people, led by Kelly Harrison of the Darke County chapter of the Recovery and Wellness Center, spoke to council regarding graffiti on a local bridge.

The group sought a donation of $450 from the city to cover the cost of painting over the graffiti and adding a plywood cover bearing the logo of the “We Are The Majority” organization, which works to prevent alcohol and drug use by teens.

After hearing the proposal, council voted unanimously to provide the funds needed.

Council member Todd Oliver said he was “deeply impressed” by the group and added, “We would be spending some money to fix this anyway.”

Safety/Service Director Curt Garrison agreed, saying he felt the use of the logo would present a “positive message to the community.”

Garrison also addressed two recent arson incidents that occurred the previous Friday, and particularly one instance in which a mattress leaning against a garage was set alight.

“We need to clean up our alleys,” he said, directing his comments to citizens. “We need your help. If you see an illicit act, if you see trash, call the police, call the mayor’s department. We will address it.”

“When we see something happening, and don’t call, we are enabling that,” Garrison added.

Council member and acting president John Baumgardner echoed those thoughts, saying, “The resources are here. As neighbors, we need to clean this city up.”

He further encouraged landlords to “go by their properties once or twice a week.”

In other business, council accepted a report from the Personnel & Public Relations Committee regarding technology upgrades and three reports from the Utilities Committee involving water issues.

The Utilities Committee recommended a 4 percent increase in water rates, but did not recommend a proposal to change the rate structure involving tap-in fees or for changing water billing from quarterly to monthly payments. Further, the committee recommended no additional action to be taken regarding the construction of a new water tower.

Any recommendations by committees would need to be voted upon and approved by council before being enacted.

Garrison announced during his administrative report that the city’s application for an Ohio Department of Transportation grant to fund construction on Ohio and Martin Streets had been denied.

He also reported that the commencement of construction on Gardenwood Drive and Rhoades Avenue had fallen a few days behind but would begin Monday.

Resolutions and ordinances were read, but were not voted upon as only five council members were present. To suspend second and third readings and move directly to a vote, at least six council members must be present.

The Greenville City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 100 Public Square. Citizens are welcome to attend and address council during the public hearing portion of the sessions.

Harley Fisher, Mikayla Kutter and Kayli Duncan, joined by Kelly Harrison (right), address the Greenville City Council Tuesday evening regarding a proposal to combat graffiti.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_IMG_2646-RGB.jpgHarley Fisher, Mikayla Kutter and Kayli Duncan, joined by Kelly Harrison (right), address the Greenville City Council Tuesday evening regarding a proposal to combat graffiti. Erik Martin | The Daily Advocate

By Erik Martin

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Erik Martin may be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 937-569-4314.

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