Coshocton is Blooming asks council and community for support
COSHOCTON – Coshocton City Council welcomed several guests to its Feb. 9 meeting.
Boy Scouts from Troop 406 were present to observe the meeting in order to help them earn patches and Coshocton is Blooming board members attended to share an update on their organization. The group has participated in the America in Bloom program for five years and every year judges have increased their score for the work volunteers do to beautify the community.
“One of our weaknesses is always community involvement and government involvement,” said Tim France from Coshocton is Blooming. “You guys are community leaders and we need some help from you. As council members you may know of some things and be able to show us things that can help us improve our overall impression score (from American in Bloom judges). If we want to draw people and businesses here we’ve got to look good.”
France also explained to council that Coshocton is Blooming plans to take a year off from being judged by America in Bloom to refocus on public relations. They also specifically would like the council’s help with a city wide beautification recognition program.
“We’d like someone from council to be a liaison and come to a couple of meetings to help us figure out how best to do the program,” France said.
Cindy Davitt, who also is involved with Coshocton is Blooming, said the goal really is to give council ownership of the recognition program.
“We want this to be your plan and we just help you with it,” she said.
Coshocton is Blooming meets every other Friday and its next gathering will be at noon Friday, Feb. 20 at Clary Gardens in the tan house.
Community members also were encouraged to get involved on a committee being formed to promote an upcoming levy which if passed will raise city income tax an additional one half percent for law enforcement, criminal justice operations and general safety and security of the citizens and public areas. Councilman Glenn Mishler of Coshocton said 16 people, including representatives from the sheriff’s office, fire department and local agencies and civic organizations, have agreed to be on the committee and they are working on plans to promote the levy.
During the meeting the sheriff’s office also was commended for its hard work on finding suspects involved in the murders that occurred in Bakersville.
“I’m proud of each of the detectives that worked on this case and everybody in our office,” Sheriff Tim Rogers said. “We came to a conclusion pretty quickly and I’m very confident I have it solved. We are just waiting for the conclusion with the court system.”
He also thanked council for the SUV they purchased for his office.
“It’s a wonderful vehicle and will serve us well,” Rogers said. “We will keep cars in the city, but are changing over to SUVs for the county (deputies) and supervisors. It’s already been a help with the weather we’ve had.”
Council also continued to move forward with Ordinance 4-15, an ordinance establishing trash pickup rates. On Feb. 27, 2012, the City of Coshocton entered into a three year contract with Big “O” Refuse for residential refuse pick up and disposal service. As part of the contract the city also had the right to exercise an optional fourth year, which shall run from April 1, 2015 to March 21, 2016. The city has chosen to exercise that option and the residential trash pick-up fee is established as $12.75 effective April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016. The ordinance also states that the city shall only charge the price of $12.38 per household, per month and shall pay the remaining amount out of the 705 Solid Waste Fund.
“Big O was bought by Waste Management, but this contract will just sign over to them,” said Service Director Jerry Stenner. “When it expires in 2016 we can rebid.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Government
