GREENVILLE — Greenville City Council entered into a lengthy executive session early in its Tuesday night meeting to discuss personnel issues and consult with the city’s attorney.
Councilman Tracy Tryon, acting pro tem in the absence of Council President John Burkett, called for a motion to enter into executive session following the approval of the night’s agenda.
The executive session was entered under two Ohio Revised Code provisions: ORC 121.22 G1 “To consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official,” and ORC 121.22 G3 “Conferences with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.”
The session lasted from 7:33 to 8:25 p.m. Safety/Service Director Curt Garrison was only present for the first 10 minutes of the session before exiting.
In new business, council scheduled a special meeting for Thursday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.
Tryon said the purpose of the special meeting is to consider the hiring of a temporary replacement for Chuck Hapner, superintendent of Greenville’s Wastewater Treatment plant, who suffered severe injuries in an auto accident on Monday. As well, council may enter into another executive session under ORC 121.22 G3.
No members of council commented on what other issues may have been discussed during council’s executive session.
Under Ordinances and Resolutions, council approved the following legislation:
- An ordinance authorizing appropriations to the general fund in the amount of $1,640 to cover additional state audit charges; $2,550 to cover the cost of a light bollard damaged in an auto accident, in which the driver will be billed for the damages; and $8,715 representing donations to the Marling Band Shell project;
- An ordinance allowing transfer to the general fund in the amount of $4,200 from Income Tax Rebate — Whirlpool to Income Tax Rebate — Ramco ($1,700) and Rank ($2,500), to cover rebate requests in excess of budget;
- An ordinance authorizing the city auditor to transfer all unexpended monies still held from the GIP Rail Bond Retirement Fund to the General Bond Retirement Fund;
- An ordinance establishing wages/salaries for Greenville Police Chief Butts, Lieutenant Ross and Lieutenant Strick to include a 2.25 percent cost-of-living increase for 2017;
- A resolution authorizing $5,000 in support of Union Cemetery;
- And a resolution authorizing the safety/service director to enter into a contract with Hull & Associates for the rendering of professional consulting services for landfill monitoring.
Council also accepted two committee reports.
The first, from the Personnel and Public Information Committee, recommended against an increase in wages for the city’s Income Tax administrator, Planning & Zoning manager, Public Transportation director, and Utilities Office manager.
The second, from an Ad Hoc Committee, recommended the city apply for state money to help fund the reconstruction of Ohio Street (from Fourth Street to Main Street).
Safety/Service Director Garrison asked council to consider a partnership with the Darke County Humane Society regarding feral cats in Greenville, a “dollar for dollar” match to reinstate the society’s “trap, neuter, release” program.
“Of the complaints we get in our office, feral cats is one of the top five,” Garrison said. The city’s Finance Committee will consider the proposal.
Greenville City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. A special council meeting will be held Thursday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. The next regular council meeting is February 21. Meetings are open to the public.
