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City commission approves compact loader purchase, adopts yard ordinance and OKs Jersey Avenue design amendment
Summary
At a city commission meeting, commissioners approved a $109,660.67 purchase of a compact wheel loader for the solid-waste department, adopted a second-reading ordinance adjusting yard requirements and fence rules for churches, and authorized a design amendment for the Jersey Avenue drainage crossing not to exceed $27,905.
At a city commission meeting, commissioners voted to approve a $109,660.67 purchase of a compact wheel loader for the solid-waste department, adopt a second-reading ordinance revising yard requirements for residential properties and requiring a six-foot opaque fence for churches, and authorize a design amendment for the Jersey Avenue drainage crossing not to exceed $27,905.
The votes followed routine consent business that included approval of meeting minutes, fuel quotes, a raffle filed by Holy Trinity Catholic School with prizes listed as “Huron Bucks,” an application for abatement or refund of property taxes for 1581 Simmons Avenue SE purchased by Bethesda Church, several personnel actions in the finance and police departments, and payment of the city’s bills. The commission approved the consent agenda by roll call.
Dale Forten, the city’s solid waste superintendent, explained the wheel loader will be used in the new solid-waste facility to move material onto a conveyor belt, saying, “This is gonna be used in the new facility to help us push the material onto the conveyor belt.” The commission authorized the mayor to sign the quote from Butler Machinery Company for $109,660.67.
Barry Cranston, the city planner, summarized the ordinance on second reading as addressing two primary items: the maximum height of the primary residential structure within residential districts and a new requirement for churches to install a six‑foot opaque fence. Cranston said the ordinance has not generated pushback and staff recommended approval; the commission approved the second reading by roll call.
Dennis Bennett, the city assistant engineer, described the Jersey Avenue drainage crossing amendment. He said the project team had planned to reuse existing culverts but found they “are not in good shape,” and the amendment covers additional design work and material changes for the trestle crossing in the river. The commission authorized a design amendment with additional fees not to exceed $27,905 and authorized the mayor to sign.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the agenda — approved by roll call (recorded as “Aye”). - Consent agenda (minutes; fuel quotes; Holy Trinity Catholic School raffle with Huron Bucks; tax abatement/refund application for 1581 Simmons Ave SE; personnel hires/transfers/promotions; payment of bills) — approved by roll call. - Purchase and authorization to sign quote from Butler Machinery Company for a 2025 compact wheel loader for the solid‑waste department, $109,660.67 — approved by roll call. - Second reading and approval of Ordinance No. (as read at meeting) pertaining to yard requirements, including residential structure height and a six‑foot opaque fence requirement for churches — approved by roll call. - Jersey Avenue drainage crossing design amendment (Infrastructure Design Group), additional fees not to exceed $27,905 — approved by roll call.
Announcements at the end of the meeting noted the solid‑waste transfer site and city offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 17, in observance of Presidents Day; Monday garbage and recycling will be collected Wednesday, Feb. 19, and residents were asked to have containers out Tuesday evening. The commission adjourned after the announcements.
