ST. MARYS – St. Marys City Council voted to purchase three new
police cars, a new truck, truck bed and street roller, as well as
take out a $1 million loan for the airport, but chose not to take a
grant to receive a recycling truck.

Council also awarded bids for manhole risers, covers and frames
for the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Council awarded the bid to
East Jordan Ironworks in Monroeville. Upon review, it was found
that East Jordan was the low bidder on the majority of line items
for which pricing was asked for.

In regards to the police cruisers, council said the vehicles
would be 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors.

A three-year loan amounting to $92,488 will be taken with
National City Bank, with a 4.55 percent interest rate. Deputy Mayor
Denny Nero said the cars were included in this year’s budget.

Council also approved the purchase of a truck, truck bed and a
street roller for the Department of Public Works.

All the aforementioned items were discussed at budget time. To
purchase the equipment, a five-year loan with an interest rate of
4.55 percent will be granted by National City Bank.

Approximately $159,495 was allocated in the 2007 budget for the
equipment, and the loan will be for approximately $124,000. The
tandem box will cost approximately $13,495, and the truck
$66,884.

Negotiations are still being held on the roller as Public Works
Director Mike Mullaney believes there is a route in which $10,000
can be saved on it. The resolution was also passed unanimously with
the stipulation that the roller be put out for bid or be
renegotiated.

Meanwhile, council approved the publication of an airport
industrial park project.

The ordinance increases the city’s indebtedness by the issue of
a general purpose obligation note in the amount of $1.06 million,
with a two percent annual interest rate from National City Bank.
The debt will be incurred for the development of the airport
industrial park project site, including such development as
building the road into the project, excavation and grading,
sanitary and sewer lines and other general projects to develop the
site.

Mullaney said the project has a total list price of
approximately $2.2 million. The loan will match a grant for the
same amount which will also go toward the project.

In other news, the St. Marys Police Department wanted approval
to change its policy about pursuit and emergency driving
procedure.

The policy change was sent to solicitor Steve French who
reviewed and approved it. The original ordinance was enacted in
1986 or 1987, according to Councilman Mark Kopp.

The policy change updated the driving procedure, and much of the
updates are taken from standards sent by the state or by law.
Council voted to approve the policy change.

Councilman Dick Dornisch opposed it.

“I stand opposed to high speed chases except in cases of murder,
kidnapping, grand larceny or terrorism,” Dornisch said. “This
policy is excellent in my opinion, but I am extremely opposed to
high speed chases. It is too detailed, but at the same time it
doesn’t go far enough.”

Dornisch added he wasn’t even sure about grand larceny.

Officials also said an executive session was held on March 19.
Mayor Sally Geyer reported the session was on personnel matters and
no decisions were made.

Spring Cleanup Day is slated from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19.

The next council meeting is slated for 7 p.m. April 16 in
council chambers.