EATON — During the Eaton City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 16, three officers were sworn into the Eaton Police Division.
Sarah Rose, Lucas Gower, and Vanessa Eley were all sworn in as patrol officers.
Assistant City Manager Joe Ferriell gave his report, sharing news on recent projects including the water tower, municipal paving, an ongoing project with Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), new sidewalk on Washington Jackson Rd., and the 2020 Census.
Council also approved three resolutions regarding the purchase of equipment for the police department.
The first was a resolution authorizing the city manager to purchase a new Ford F150 4×4 cab pickup truck for the Police Division from the State Cooperative Purchasing Program, in the total purchase amount of $38,945.
This resolution passed three to one, with Mayor Gary Wagner voting against the motion and council member Matt Venable being absent.
“I have a little problem with pickup trucks [instead of] a cruiser. They’re not very efficient, either,” Wagner said.
Chief Steve Hurd responded, they will be utilized the same as the department’s SUVs.
Wagner added, he has a problem with the timing, as well.
“I’m not sure, visually, how that looks in a small community,” he said.
Council also approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the purchase of a new Ford Utility Interceptor for the Police Division in the total purchase amount of $32,161 and the purchase of mobile data terminals for the police division in the total purchase amount of $26,798.06.
In other business:
•The board approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to purchase two parcels at 517 South Barron Street and declare an emergency. The ordinance authorizes the purchase of two parcels, parts of Out Lot 125 for the total amount of $30,000.
•The board amended an ordinance to increase the area of the Community Reinvestment Area and declare an emergency. City council established a Community Reinvestment Area on Oct. 24, 2016, to assist and establish incentives to encourage housing reinvestment by remodeling and/or new construction. Now, council desires to add additional parcels to the area in the Community Reinvestment Area.
•Council approved a resolution adopting Preliminary Legislation for ODOT Pedestrian Improvements project. This project will include implementation of multiple pedestrian-related improvements associated with the Eaton Community Schools School Travel Plan. Improvements include installation of curb bump-outs, installation of signage, and an application of high visibility crosswalk markings.
•Council amended a resolution designating specific financial institutions as public depositories.
•The Fire and EMS report for August 2019 showed a combined response of 211 calls; 162 EMS responses, including seven second Medic responses; and 49 fire/rescue responses, including six general alarms. They received mutual aid six times and provided mutual aid one time. This is an average of 6.8 calls per day for the month.
Eaton City Council will hold its next meeting on Monday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. in the City Building.
