It was the first official council meeting with Steve Jennings as the Chairperson of Council leading the agenda that consists of a few items.
The Washington City Council meet Wednesday night with a few items on the agenda to kick off city business for the new year.
City Manager Joe Denen shared with council a thank you note from Whitney Gentry of the Fayette County United Way of the city employees support through payroll deductions & direct giving this past year. She reported that overall United Way was over $25.000 of their goal set by the organization.
A report from the Service, Safety & Recreation Committee was read & approved. The report stated that twice recently higher than normal, but still low level "hits" of mercury was recorded at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Municipal Industrial Pretreatment Program would investigate potential sources of mercury in the wastewater system. The committee noted that the two recorded events for higher mercury levels had coincided with high flow events.
Council also heard first reading on two resolutions. The first would allow the city to investigate if better rates on the bonds that were issued in 2003 of Wastewater System Revenue Refunding Bonds could be done. This is not a new debt or would extend the current payments on the bonds, but an attempt to see if better rates can be secured.
If none is found then everything remains the same.
Also a resolution authorizing City Manager Joe Denen to apply for funding through a Natureworks Grant received it's first reading.
Finally a permit request by Dollar General Store to the Ohio Liquor Control for carry out alcohol sales was read with City Councilman Ted Hawk voicing opposition.
