Mayor Aaron Montz brought some good news to city council Monday night.
One of the three AFSCME workers laid off last month due to cuts in city funds will return to work because another AFSCME employee plans to retire, Montz said.
The AFSCME union also said it would allow the city to hire seasonal and temporary lifeguards for 2013.
In the past, under the union's contract, the city could not hire seasonal or temporary help if full-time employees were laid off, but the union said in a letter issued to the city that it is "committed to supporting the City of Tiffin and its community residents."
Montz said the city still cannot afford to open the pool because it has no funds, and the only way it would be opened would be if the community donated at least $35,000-$40,000.
American Fine Sinter is expanding and adding 35,000 square feet to its facility and are looking to add 35-45 new jobs, Montz said.
Also at the meeting, council heard the first of three readings of a resolution strongly opposing House Bill 601 by the Ohio General Assembly, which proposes uniformity for municipal income tax collection in the form of unfunded mandates and a substantial loss of revenue to municipalities, and declaring an emergency.
Council President Paul Elchert said the resolution was one of the best the city has ever sent to the state.
Montz said $270,000 is a "very conservative" estimate of what the bill would cost the city.
Councilman Jim Roberts said he spoke with State Rep. Terry Boose last week, and said it's going to be a "tough battle" fighting the bill because the state views it as business-friendly.
Montz said the point of the bill is to make Ohio more business friendly, but he said cutting city government funds could lead to higher crime, which could scare away businesses.
During the meeting, resident Jane Thompson voice concern about the traffic light being removed at Melmore and Glenn streets.
She said the lights getting removed, along with the city losing crossing guards, could pose a danger for children walking to and from school.
Thompson said traffic is so heavy before and after school that she is unable to get out of her driveway.
City Administrator Deb Reamer said it was recommended the city remove the traffic lights. Needed repairs are estimated at $5,000-$8,000.
Montz said unwarranted traffic lights can lead to more speeding in areas because drivers do not want to wait at lights.
Councilman Mark Hayes said he wants to keep the lights at least until the end of the school year because losing the lights in addition to crossing guards could be dangerous.
In other business, council unanimously passed an ordinance changing the name of the northern part of Hedges Street to Rebecca Street, which runs through Heidelberg University.
Council heard the first of three readings of an ordinance amending chapter 1195 titled sign restrictions and section 1143.01 (86), sign definition, of the Tiffin codified ordinances.
Council also heard its first reading of an ordinance amending part of Tiffin's codified ordinances to update requirements for firefighter promotions, and declaring an emergency.
By a vote of 5-2, council passed changes to the proposed legislation, which would allow administration to choose from three candidates for firefighting promotions.
