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WILLIAMSTOWN -- The Williamstown City Council will be moving its meetings forward by 30 minutes beginning in August.
At council's Tuesday meeting, the ordinance to change the meeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. -- to take effect at the first meeting in August -- was passed unanimously on second reading.
Council discussed proposing a higher amount for the use of property for a cell tower that has been proposed for construction in Williamstown. Previous City Attorney C. Blaine Myers had proposed a $15,000 flat rate fee, but council member Marty Seufer briefly discussed with council the idea of setting a higher number.
Council voted 5-1, with council member Barbara Lewis opposed, to accept a bid from Metro Recreation's Miracle Playground Equipment for $18,461 for the three-slide piece set to be introduced into Tomlinson Park. Davis Athletics had additionally bid for $18,776.
"Both of them meet the specs," said Norm Harris, Parks Director and animal control officer for the city.
A representative from Davis Athletics was present to provide a letter through Harris to council as to why their company should be chosen despite the price difference. Per protocol and precedent, council accepted the lower bid.
A motion to replace landscape structures that were damaged in Tomlinson Park was passed unanimously.
Council discussed the need to hold committee meetings to begin to formulate a plan for the American Rescue Plan Act funding.
"I have started the application process for us to obtain our $1.19 million," said City Recorder Stephanie Stengel.
The city of Williamstown will receive the funds in two deposits, with one later this summer and the other next summer. Council unanimously passed a motion to allow Stengel to submit paperwork for the funding.
Council unanimously passed a motion to make the intersection of Henderson Avenue and West Fifth Street a three-way stop.
"With the new elementary school being where it's going to be, people need to get in the habit of stopping there," Police Chief Shawn Graham said.
The Director of Planning and Director of Community Development for Sixmo City Services in Marietta, Sam Tuten and Brett Allphin respectively, were present to offer the city of Williamstown their services.
"We believe in the value of planning, planning is why we are here today..we would just be excited to learn more about you (Williamstown)," Tuten said.
Sixmo offered 100 pro-bono hours of baseline planning for improvements to work alongside council and the planning commission to create goals and recommendations for projects and growth. Mayor Paul Jordan expressed his interest in this potential partnership and council agreed they would revisit this as a motion at the next meeting.
"This would allow you guys to build a resume for your company … it's a win-win," Seufer said.
Council member Pat Peters asked council for and received its blessing to allow Fenton Park to be used for farmers markets on weekends in the future.
Seufer proposed a motion that was passed unanimously to create a 3 percent pay raise for all city employees.