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Open agenda questions: city manager property, ambulance sale and new water turn‑off billing policy drawn out in Union meeting
Summary
During open agenda, Council member Mrs. Black raised questions about transparency in packet distribution, whether city equipment or personnel were used at a privately owned property (219 W. Martindale), the sale of a 2011 ambulance to Phillipsburg for $20,000, and a change in the city's policy on water turn-off billing; City Manager John Applegate responded to each item and Law Director Joseph Moore advised on legal context.
Several items raised under open agenda at the Feb. 23 Union City Council meeting highlighted transparency and operational questions for city administration.
Packet materials and charter work group: Mrs. Black asked whether council packet materials could be shared with the public before meetings and inquired about forming a work group to review possible charter amendments. Applegate said staff would review the request and provide guidance on which documents can be publicly released; some materials (for example, cybersecurity details) may be confidential.
Property and use of city resources: Mrs. Black raised a citizen concern that city personnel or equipment had been used at 219 W. Martindale Road. Applegate responded that he owns the property, purchased it to clean it up, and said contractors — not city equipment — performed the work. He said he had informed the concerned resident and denied that city resources were used.
Ambulance sale: Mrs. Black asked why a 2011 ambulance had been kept in storage for several years and why it was sold to the Village of Phillipsburg for $20,000. Applegate said the 2011 ambulance required repairs, other collaborative partners had newer vehicles that were used, and Phillipsburg expressed interest in purchasing the unit; the sale price recorded was $20,000.
Water turn-off billing policy: Mrs. Black asked whether the City ever allowed a resident to have service turned off and not pay for the months the water was off. Applegate said the policy had changed about three-and-a-half years earlier and that he had implemented the current approach, explaining the city must maintain system capacity and that the cost of reserving service is treated as a cost of service similar to trash or gas. Applegate argued failing to charge could shift costs to other ratepayers.
Legal context: Law Director Joseph Moore reiterated that municipal decisions are guided by multiple sources — the Ohio Constitution, the Ohio Revised Code, municipal charters, local ordinances and case law — and he referenced a recent Montgomery County decision about emergency ordinances and PUD planning that council members should review.
What happens next: Staff said they will research how packet materials can be shared and will provide guidance on charter amendment procedures. No formal votes were recorded on these open-agenda items.
