New buses, parking changes and a potential ending for the vacation time accrual discussion on the docket for the weekly Athens City Council meeting.
With the start of November comes Christmas music and some last minute legislation from Athens City Council.
As discussed at last week's city council committee meeting, Councilwoman Michele Papai, D-3rd Ward, has proposed an ordinance to allocate money for a replacement bus for Athens Public Transit.
Because the buses are often purchased through the Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, Papai said the money sometimes takes a while to make it through the proper channels before the bus is able to be purchased – sometimes up to six months.
"We purchased some buses awhile ago that are just now getting on the road," Papai said.
Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl brought up the need for a new bus at last week's committee meeting because it will most likely need to hit the road by mid-2016.
Papai has also put forth an ordinance cementing discussed changes for holiday parking for the Christmas shopping season. During the committee meeting, Papai suggested Dec. 3, 10 and 17 for free two hour parking and then free parking all day on Dec. 5, 12 and 19.
Councilman Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward, said city council will be moving forward with changes for accrued vacation time for non-union city employees during Monday's meeting as well.
"All people on all sides seem to agree they want to move forward," Risner said.
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Council members will vote to make a few amendments and then again to declare an emergency, which will allow the ordinance to take effect immediately.
Usually after a ordinance passes, Wiehl has 30 days to sign it into law. However, Risner said the change in the normal path an ordinance takes is because of the impending start of 2016 pay periods for the employees affected by the legislation.
"We need it in effect before a certain point in November," Risner said.
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