Bellefontaine council unanimously adopts emergency ordinances to fund elevator repairs, wastewater rehab and new fire pumper

Bellefontaine City Council on its regular meeting voted to adopt a package of emergency ordinances authorizing immediate contracts and funding moves for city infrastructure and equipment.

The council voted to authorize Schindler Elevator Corporation to perform elevator repairs after an incident in which someone was reportedly stuck for about 10 minutes; the finance committee asked to waive three readings and adopt the ordinance first-and-final to expedite repairs. "We don't want to wait," the finance representative said, noting the need to get repairs started quickly.

Council also approved an ordinance to seek proposals, advertise for bids and enter into contract for a belt-filter press rehabilitation at the wastewater treatment plant, at an approximate cost of $610,000 with funds to come from the Wastewater Department. The finance report explained the long lead time for equipment as reason to approve first-and-final.

Separately, council authorized a promissory note from Capital Improvement Fund 410 to Wastewater Fund 610 and made supplemental appropriations and transfers to finalize financing tied to a new heavy-duty custom pumper purchase (vendor listed as "Stein" in the transcript). Council members repeatedly cited long lead times for fire apparatus as a justification for moving the appropriations and contract authorization now.

Votes recorded in the legislative section show the same set of members voting yes on motions to waive readings and to adopt: members recorded as Mr Aor (vote recorded frequently), Mrs Baker, Mr Davis, Mrs Fitzpatrick, Mrs James and Mr Springs. All recorded votes on the emergency ordinances in the transcript were affirmative.

An ordinance to dispose of a 1995 ladder truck via online auction was moved on second reading; separate ordinances on zoning accessory buildings and other budget transfers were also considered and adopted where noted.

Those ordinances take effect immediately as declared emergencies; council did not withhold approval or schedule additional readings for the emergency items adopted during the meeting.