By Kimberly Pistone
For the Sidney Daily News
SIDNEY — Sidney City Council discussed ordinances, resolutions, and the fire/EMS contracts at a meeting on Monday.
The meeting began with the unanimous adoption of the new noise ordinance. The new ordinance removes the decibel level, making enforcement easier.
Two new ordinances were introduced. One ordinance assesses the cost of weed cutting and removal of junk from properties; the other is regarding the assessment of property inspections.
There was a public hearing and introduction of an ordinance regarding the zoning of the new commercial property around Interstate 75 and the Burr Oak subdivision. The current zoning requires multiple variances for each new business, because the current zoning is not conducive to automotive based businesses. The new zoning will lessen the workload for the zoning board, will save both time and money, and will make it easier for new businesses.
The council also discussed three resolutions, all of which passed unanimously. The first resolution was regarding splitting five current lots in Mill Creek into 11 new lots. The second resolution was regarding reappointing Erik Edwards to the Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council; the third resolution was to appoint Fort Loramie Mayor Randy Ahlers as the municipal representative to the Shelby County 911 Program Review Committee.
Sidney Fire Chief Chad Hollinger discussed the renewal of township contracts. The current contracts originated in the 1970s and the incremental increases since then do not cover Sidney’s costs to provide services to the townships. This relates to Clinton, Orange and Franklin Townships, along with a one mile stretch along the I75 in Washington Township. Hollinger provided graphs and statistics showing the increase in costs over the last five years. He then recommended that all contracts increase 7% each year until they cover the actual costs.
Councilmember Scott Roddy asked about the township levies. City Manager Andrew Bowsher said the goal was to eventually align with the levy cycles of the townships. Bowsher further said this was not just a Sidney problem, but one that is being experienced state-wide.
They also discussed mutual aid, and it was discussed that most of the townships are able to provide help for exterior fires, but most are not able to provide aid for interior fires safely. Mutual aid for EMS has decreased.
The floor was opened for public comments. The first comment was from John Adams, who thanked the council for answering his questions from the Sept. 23 meeting and had further questions regarding the upcoming levy, which is on the ballot for Nov. 5. He asked for the costs to build a north end fire station along with the annual operating costs. He also had questions about the 5 year financial plan regarding building a third fire station. Finally, he said, “The voters have spoken many times…why does city council insist on ignoring the will of the people? I ask knowing the Piqua, with a central fire station, as in Sidney, the same population and similar demographics are servicing the community with one fire station, while Sidney has two and seeking a third…what am I missing?”
Finally, Reverend James King thanked the council for their help regarding the noise in his neighborhood and said the community will be better off now and he believes the new noise ordinance will improve the city. Mayor Mike Barhorst thanked him for his perseverance in this issue.
The 2025 budget will be discussed at the Oct. 28 meeting.
Council member Joe Moniaci was absent.
