Proposed ordinance regulating feral animals tabled

Over 60 people attended the Jan. 2 council meeting held in Strasburg Village Hall. Most were there about a proposed ordinance regulating nuisance feral animals. The ordinance had a first reading at the Dec. 19 meeting. The ordinance stated neighborhoods are being impacted by people harboring or encouraging the presence of feral animals to the detriment of others living in the neighborhoods. The ordinance was later tabled.

Council also held a public hearing to rehire retired Ron Lambert, village administrator and water and sewer department superintendent. Lambert has been employed in the village for 30 years and will need to reapply for the positions.

The employees from the water and sewer plant asked to keep Lambert as superintendent. Employees Nathan Kanouff and Ken Edie are licensed to fill out reports as Lambert would need to be off for at least 60 days. Smith said Lambert helped develop the Joint Economic Development District. Applications will be available for the two positions and needed qualifications.

A lease agreement was drawn up by Law Director Terry Seeberger for returning the bus/village garage back to the school. Council members Kathy Burrier, Jeff Smith and Dustin Briggs were not privy to study the agreement prior to the meeting and all voted no. Burrier wanted to postpone a decision until residents could give input to the agreement.

Council members Liz Dreher, Marty Zehnder and Wes Hostetler voted yes. Mayor Bruce Metzger broke the 3-3 tie, and the garage will return to the school district. The garage was constructed with eight bays on village property from a grant received by the late Superintendent Richard Gummere.

Each entity paid $5,000 over the grant. About 2013, a committee met with Schlumberger, a new company, about constructing a bus garage. The committee was under the impression the company would pay to construct a bus garage. In August 2013 the school board voted to move the buses from the garage to Himes Trailer Sales north of the village. The village officials accepted the garage for equipment.

Councilman Dustin Briggs wanted to know where the overflow equipment can be stored. Zehnder said there is room at other areas or a lean-to could be installed. Briggs is concerned if the village constructs a new garage that residents will not be happy. Strasburg Superintendent Vince Lindsey said he inherited this issue. He agreed to move on and resolve it.

Public speaks

Metzger thanked the voters and said he is here to serve.

Sarah Keplinger and Marilyn Graef from TNR, a group that traps, neuters and spays cats that are then released back into the community, attended a meeting last September about the matter and were told to return in the spring. Once the temperature stays above freezing until October, the cats will be helped. Graef said if a nonfeeding ban is adopted, they will not help. Many spoke about feeding and caring for cats that are abandoned and dropped off. They will not stop feeding them and will not allow the animals to starve to death. Donations are accepted.

Randy Zehnder, a resident, asked why those people don’t take the cats into their houses. He said they do their business in his wife’s flower gardens. He said a farmer told him if they are on your property, shoot them.

Other information

Council also did the following:

—Heard Seeberger administered the oath of office to Mayor Bruce Metzger and council members Kathy Burrier and Wes Hostetler.

—By a 3-3 vote with Metzger breaking the tie, Marty Zehnder was named council president pro-tem. Burrier nominated Jeff Smith, and Liz Dreher nominated Zehnder.

—Agreed to give the festival committee $7,000 of Corn Fest funds to help with organizing a festival this summer. Fiscal officer Jennifer Mahoney will pay the bills as they are submitted.

The next meeting will be held Jan. 24 at 7 p.m., changed from Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.