Athens City Council rushed to approve payment of an already late, unexpected $7,800 bill tonight.
The ARTS/West property at 132 W. State St. is made up of two plots, said Mayor Ric Abel, but city officials were only aware of the property tax bills for one of the plots.
Councilman Jim Sands, D-at large, said the bills were sent to the former owners of the property, affiliates of the Church of the Nazarene, but were not passed on to the city.
We paid the bills we got
City Auditor Kathy Hecht said.
For ARTS/West to apply for a $25,000 grant, Athens officials must have the title to the land, which they cannot do without first paying the taxes.
Because the tax will be paid late, a 10 percent fee will be added, Abel said. He added that he hopes the fee will be waived.
The ordinance allotting an appropriation from the general fund for the bill was passed unanimously.
In other council news, council members also unanimously passed a resolution agreeing to provide water, sewer, fire and police department services to about 45 acres on East State Street for Holzer Clinic's outpatient facility if the property is annexed into the city. The development agreement is in the beginning stages between Holzer representatives and city officials, said Nancy Bain, D-3rd Ward.
Council members also raised the time limit for handicapped parking meter spots from two hours to four hours.
Paige Alost, executive director of the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau, presented several Halloween options to council tonight.
Based on Ohio University student projects and conversations with Jonathan Holmberg of the Clean and Safe Halloween Committee, Athens can actually make some changes this year Alost said. If city officials decide to take responsibility for Halloween, they must allow for a paid event manager and set up a task force and an advisory council. The key to gaining revenue is to increase sponsorship, Alost said.
City Council likely will address Halloween concerns next week.
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Dianne Selden
