St. Marys commission backs parks projects, downtown beautification and monthly community events

The St. Marys City Commission advanced several community and parks items across meetings held Jan. 6–Mar. 3, 2026, endorsing downtown beautification, monthly community events and the WWI Arch refurbishment.

Nick Novelly and Bill Drew updated the commission on the WWI Memorial Arch refurbishment and distributed an updated donor list for Save The Arch. The commission took no formal action but received the update for further fundraising and planning.

Greg Hochderffer of St. Mary’s Garden Club requested the city purchase and install hanging plant brackets downtown at an estimated cost of $4,000; the commission reached consensus that City Administrator Maurice Cordell should coordinate with Hochderffer on the project. Sarah Seiter presented plans for monthly First Saturday events at Riverside Park; the commission granted primary gazebo access to the organizer and waived the $50 fee.

The commission also voted to extend the existing concession-stand agreement with Catherine and John Isermann for the 2026 season with no changes to contract terms; the agreement provides a $400 stipend to the operators while the license fee of $250 remains payable by them.

Commissioners discussed parks priorities and directed staff to continue refining the parks plan and related spreadsheets. Staff will return with detailed cost estimates and scheduling for forthcoming projects.