ROSSFORD

Pay raises approved for 4 city employees

Police to receive 2 new vehicles

9/2/2013

Rossford’s public-works employees will get raises this week and city police will get two new sport utility vehicles in the near future, both approved last week by city council.

Council ratified a three-year public works contract that includes 3 percent raises each year. The new hourly pay rates, effective today, will be $20.91 this year, $21.54 in 2014, and $22.19 in 2015. The workers also will receive $287.50 signing bonuses, City Administrator Ed Ciecka said.

The four employees covered by the contract are represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, which had agreed to the pact.

Mayor Neil MacKinnon said the raises were appropriate. He described the employees as hard workers who performed their jobs with dignity and without complaint. Their duties included working on the water and sewer systems, buildings and grounds, and snow plowing.

The new police vehicles are Chevrolet Tahoes to be purchased from Byers Chevrolet of Columbus for a combined $52,559. That price does not include stenciling and auxiliary equipment such as light bars, which are expected to add $7,000 to each vehicle’s cost.

The purchase was exempt from competitive bidding because the price was less than that stipulated by the state price schedule, and council decided buying the SUVs at that price was in Rossford’s best interest.

The council meeting became a little emotional during farewells to Councilman Mike Scott, who attended his final session before resigning Saturday to take a seat on the board of the Northwestern Water and Sewer District. Council is not expected to fill the vacant seat before the November election.

In his valedictory statement, Mr. Scott called for more voluntarism and urged the public to be involved in civic affairs. He also praised Mr. Ciecka, describing him as “a treasure to the community.”

Council members presented him with a plaque of appreciation and said he would be an able representative of Rossford and the other municipalities in the regional water and sewer agency.

Council President Larry Oberdorf lauded Mr. Scott’s work as chairman of council’s ad hoc committee tasked with studying the city’s participation in the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority.

“You’ve certainly increased the productivity and efficiency of council, and I’ll miss you,” Mr. Oberdorf said.

Mr. MacKinnon said Mr. Scott’s presence on council has given him “great comfort and security. It’s no secret that I call on you a lot.”

Council member Caroline Eckel said Mr. Scott “went above and beyond to get things done for this community.”

In other business, council hired Mannick and Smith for $21,200 in engineering work related to the Hillside Drive and Colony Road sewer project planned by the water and sewer district. Mr. Ciecka said the storm sewer in the area was inadequate and illegally connected to a sanitary sewer.

In another contract, the firm will be paid $20,900 for design services on the storm sewer system and to prepare applications to the Ohio Public Works Commission for funding assistance for the project. The firm will plan the reconstruction of Hillside in conjunction with the sewer work.

Contact Carl Ryan at: carlryan@theblade.com or 419-724-6095.