With a rare lack of unanimity, Athens City Council voted 6-1 last night to pass an amendment to a proposed ordinance through which council would take control of Strouds Run State Park from the state.
Councilman Paul Wiehl, D- 1st Ward, said he voted against the amendment because the transfer is a major undertaking and it would be up to the city to pay for the park's operation costs ' which city officials estimate at $99,000 for the first year ' after a one-time $49,500 payment from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The decision about the transfer should be put on a ballot, possibly along with some form of alternate funding, for voters to consider, he added.
Ohio University has committed to support the park with a payment of $50,000 per year for three years, said Councilwoman Carol Patterson, D- at large.
A possible source of lasting funding could be the creation of an endowment for the park, she said.
Although Councilwoman Nancy Bain, D- 3rd Ward, voted for the amendment, she said she is concerned that council does not have updated ODNR reports about how much money the park generates and she worries about how Athens will pay for the park.
I don't know how many candy bars we'd have to sell to create an endowment that would successfully fund the park, Bain said.
Several months ago, council tabled the transfer agreement with ODNR because some members were concerned the transfer would give Athens full financial responsibility for the park without full ownership and control of it.
The new agreement also clarifies that Athens will continue to work with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, which provides hunting permits and hunting signage for the park.
Athens will be required to maintain free park admission, Patterson said, but would be permitted to charge fees related to any improvements made to the park, such as providing lifeguards.
The proposed ordinance will have a second reading at a special meeting at 9 p.m. Monday in the council chambers, and then likely would be considered for passage the following week.
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Dianne Selden
