Council won’t up Walnut St. speed limit

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council will not be raising the speed limit on South Walnut Street, although speed limits on two other city streets still have enough support for passage in June.

Council members voted unanimously to rescind an ordinance that would have raised the speed limit on a portion of South Walnut, from Ervin Road to the curve near Willow Lane, from 25 mph to 35 mph. After receiving a number of emails, calls, and in-person testimony from local residents, Council members decided not to change the current 25 mph speed limit.

Dave Myers, a retired educator, and Gary Taylor of Taylor’s Auto Sales, who both live along South Walnut Street, attended Monday’s City Council meeting to state their opposition to raising the speed limit. Myers cited the unique nature of South Walnut Street, which draws a number of walkers, joggers, and bike riders during warm weather, and suggested that, along with maintaining the current speed limit, additional safety measures, such as signs warning of joggers and bicyclists and LED speed limit indicators, be used to increase safety on the street.

He and Taylor both noted that motorists often exceed the posted speed limit when they drive that portion of South Walnut Street.

Advisory votes still show narrow support for raising the speed limit on Westwood Drive, from Ervin Road to Fox Road, from 25 mph to 35 mph, as well as increasing the speed limit on a portion of the city side of North Franklin Street/Marsh Road, from the Towne Center retail development to the U.S. 30 overpass, from 35 mph to 45 mph, to conform with speed limits on the county side of the road.

During his report, Mayor Jerry Mazur noted that the Van Wert Area Economic Development Council has received 501(c)(3) status, and noted that an election would be held for three additional members of the VWAEDC during a meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 20, in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

Those wanting to vote need to become members of the group at a cost of $1.

Legislation scheduled for passage on Monday that would allow the city to contract with the VWAEDC was tabled until the next Council meeting on June 13 to allow the city time to explore having Ohio State University Extension end its current economic development contract on July 1, instead of later in the year. OSU Extension provided notice to the city that it was ending the contract, but the contract is supposed to remain in force for a year from the date of notification.

The mayor also noted in his report that a delegation from Van Wert’s Sister City, Sumoto, Japan, would be in Van Wert from July 28 through August 1.

City Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming provided information on a summer street painting project, with Council later adopting legislation approving that project, while he also noted that work is planned on Woodland Avenue, with repaving also being looked at for South Washington Street, from Ervin Road to the railroad tracks in downtown Van Wert, in 2017.

Fleming also noted that materials for the Franklin Park street improvement project have been delivered, while also reminding city residents that the intersection of Washington Street and Ervin Road is now closed for utility line work.

Council and administration officials also addressed a media report that city officials were contemplating an income tax increase. The mayor and Council members noted that is not the case at this time, although cost control measures are being looked at because of a possible budget shortfall this year.

City Law Director John Hatcher did note a problem with income tax payments, noting that the city is currently owed approximately $600,000 in unpaid income taxes.

“I’m doing my part in enforcing the tax code,” Hatcher said, while noting that delinquent tax collection has improved substantially during his tenure as law director. He added, though, that any possible shortfall in revenues could be eliminated if delinquent taxpayers would just pay their taxes.

Also Monday, City Council introduced a measure that would transfer ownership of the former Van Wert Municipal Court building on South Market Street to the Community Improvement Corporation. Doing so would allow the building to be sold in the future without having to auction off the property.

Council members also adopted legislation authorizing a salt purchase contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation and an ordinance to modify the traffic signal at the intersection of Washington and Main streets to better control traffic when a train is moving through the downtown area.

Council also heard a presentation from local resident Ron Larry, who provided information on a Bible-based drug treatment program entitled Turn Right and Go Straight. Hatcher commended Larry, who also brought a group of young people with him, on efforts to help decrease drug use in the community, noting that he should contact the Van Wert County Adult Probation Department or County Common Pleas Court, which could use the religious treatment program in conjunction with the current drug court program.