Fostoria building access measure dies

FOSTORIA — A proposed ordinance regarding control of access to city property and conduct within was pronounced dead at Tuesday night's Fostoria City Council meeting. And, on Wednesday, Mayor Don Mennel said he and Safety Service Director Eric Keckler have decided not to attempt another such measure with council. But the proposed legislation, which would have designated purposes and rules for particular areas of the municipal building, did not go quietly. Immediately after the measure received its third and final reading, council member Greg Cassidy commented on the issue and said he would vote in favor of it. He cited certain videos that have been posted on the internet — "Things were misspoken, things were misrepresented," he said — after being recorded in the municipal building, that have falsely cast Fostoria in an unfavorable light. He also said it would give those in the building a greater sense of safety. Other council members cited a lack of specifics in the document, a desire to avoid revisitations of ordinances and a general lack of necessity. Outsiders have questioned the proposal's constitutionality, but council member Amy Mendoza said: "It's not about the constitution. It's about the necessity. I trust our city leadership to be able to deal with whatever's thrown at them without having to implement a law." Council President Brian Shaver declared the measure dead after no motion was made for a vote. And, in an email on Wednesday, Mennel said in an email, "We agree with Council members who said it was not necessary." A measure to put a five-year 1% municipal income-tax renewal levy on the November ballot was passed. Voters have approved the measure each time it has been on the ballot since 2011. Council also approved: an ordinance removing two-hour parking limitations on the 600 and 700 blocks of West Tiffin Street; an ordinance establishing a city Mechanic Division and the full-time position of a working foreman; and, after waiving the three-readings rule, a resolution approving and ratifying prior acts of department heads and the safety service director.