Council turns down wind study 

DELPHOS – A wind study to determine the feasibility of placing a wind turbine at the Delphos Wastewater Treatment Plant was defeated by a 6-1 vote Tuesday at the Delphos City Council meeting.

Councilman Mark Clement cast the lone vote in favor of the measure.
Other council members cited concerns over the study being put to good use and were hesitant at the cost to erect a turbine at a later date. Reports indicate a small wind turbine can cost upwards of $1 million.
The city was set to receive a $75,000 grant through the Ohio Department of Development to conduct the study, which would be done by Green Energy Ohio. In order to put the study in motion, Delphos had to contribute $7,500 and vote to enter into a contract with the company. Safety Service Director Greg Berquist indicated the city had received a $1,000 donation from the local Community Improvement Corporation toward the city’s out-of-pocket expense.
Council also heard on first reading the proposed 2011 $16.3 million budget to be voted on at the next meeting.
The St. John’s Blue Jays football team was honored with a resolution congratulating them on their recent state Division VI title win.
Coach Todd Schulte and several members of the championship team were on hand to receive the proclamation. Schulte thanked the city and the community for their support and said he also appreciated all the work Parks Maintenance Supervisor Craig Mansfield and his staff put on the field.
On emergency reading, council passed an ordinance authorizing the mayor and/or safety service director to initiate foreclosure of tax-delinquent abandoned vacant lands through the Allen County Board of Revision. The city has several properties that fall under this ordinance.
Also passed on emergency reading was an ordinance to contract with Medical Mutual of Ohio for health insurance coverage for all city employees. The policy’s price is $540,215.50 for the Luminary Health Reimbursement Account.
An ordinance to issue payment to city employees who waive health insurance coverage was also passed on emergency measure. It was noted there are possibly three employees who could take advantage of the waiver. Payment would be as follows: Family – $481.70; employee/spouse/1 child – $383.39; employee/spouse – $320.25; and single – $160.63.
Council heard on first reading an ordinance to change the zoning reclassification of property at 416 North State St. from R-1 to B-1. Parcel owners Mark and Linda Miller were present for the public hearing prior to the meeting and there were no objections from adjacent property owners.
Council heard on second reading ordinances to contract with Glen Lause as city solicitor for an amount not to exceed $25,000 a year; payroll for salary employees; and payroll for hourly employees. Once passed, The Herald will publish those amounts.
Council also passed a motion to accept write-offs from the EMS totaling $13,672.92. The amount represents costs above what users’ insurance, Medicaid and Medicare cover and also accounts where payment is not possible.
Councilman Kevin Osting asked if anything could be done to better regulate traffic lights throughout the city. It was recommended an estimate be obtained on the cost to hard-wire the lights.
Mayor Michael Gallmeier advised council the Federal Emergency Management Agency flood plain maps for the Flat Fork Creek area are nearly finished. They have scheduled meetings to explain them to the city in 2011.
December’s second council meeting has been changed from Dec. 28 to 7 p.m. Dec. 27. Legislation was also authorized to change the 2011 regular council meetings from the second and fourth Tuesdays to the first and third Mondays. The time will remain 7 p.m.

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