Fostoria council passes financial measures

FOSTORIA — Fostoria City Council waived the three-reading rule in order to pass four finance-related measures during Tuesday night's meeting.One ordinance authorizes Safety Service Director Eric Keckler to negotiate and contract with the Bascom Joint Fire District and Bascom Joint Ambulance District for the provision of emergency medical services.Another ordinance allows for the redistribution of approximately $1.18 million among various funds.A resolution was passed that grants the approval of eight "then and now" purchases made prior to a purchase order being issued or when an open purchase order has been accidentally closed prematurely. The total cost of the purchases was $86,757.34.Another passed resolution amended a 2020 resolution that created a $200 petty-cash fund for the Fostoria Police Division. The amendment states that the police division does not need a petty cash fund and sets a limit of $75 to be kept in the cash drawer.Mayor Don Mennel said during the meeting that members of the street department have "performed wonderfully" during the recent period of heavy snowfall and sub-freezing temperatures.Finance Director Steve Dandurand said the city plans to lease a street sweeper that it has had on loan since the previous sweeper burned in a fire. The previous sweeper had earlier been planned for replacement after having been in use for 10 years.Dandurand plans to retire after his contract with the city expires in October. Council member Sue Lehmann, who chairs council's finance committee, said initial interviews with candidates to succeed Dandurand are planned for March 9 and, if necessary, the next day, with a second round of interviews planned for March 12.Council member Amy Mendoza issued a reminder that health screenings hosted by the Ohio and Seneca County departments of health are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Feb. 9 at the Fostoria Learning Center, 342 Perry St. She said North Central Area Transit will provide free transportation between 10 a.m., and 2 p.m.Dana Clark, business development/Property Assessed Clean Energy administrator for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, introduced council to the PACE program, which, she said, provides "global-market, long-term, fixed-rate financing for energy-efficient improvements to commercial projects."Clark told council she has been contacted about PACE in regard to the purchase and on-going upgrade to the Foster Block in downtown Fostoria by Fostoria High School graduate and former NFL defensive back Micah Hyde.