Sandusky city council members learned Tuesday evening Treasurer Penny Tubbs resigned her position with the City, effective January 5th. City Manager Dave Faber said the resignation was due to personal reasons, and as a result of the vacancy, he recommended council approve Deputy Treasurer Laurie Burns taking over the duties.
Faber said with the end of the fiscal year approaching, and changes being made with the city’s banking institutions, he felt it was best to not take the time to train a new person during the busier months. Council agreed to have Burns take on the additional duties, being compensated at the same rate Tubbs was.
In other council news, Police Chief Bret Lester told council new specialized armor has been purchased for the city’s six police officers, thanks to a donation from a private citizen. Chief Lester said the citizen had given $10,000 to the department to use as they saw fit.
Specialized safety equipment, including plated ballistic vests and a body shield were purchased. Each officer was issued the new equipment that would be used in police situations involving suspects with weapons or other threats.
City Manager Dave Faber said during the extended cold snap that has brought dangerous, biter cold to the area, residents who let their water run to avoid freezing pipes are able to get a break on their water bill. Faber said if residents leave their water running at a slow, steady drip and call city hall to notify officials, they will only charge a rate based on last year’s useage.
Only a handful of residents have taken advantage of the offer so far, but Faber expects as the cold lingers, more residents will be calling city hall. If you do not call and let city hall know, you will not receive the special rate.
In a report prepared by Townley Engineering, Sandusky officials have received a Water System Asset Management Plan that helps them plan for future water system projects. The city currently has nearly 135,000 feet of water mains and City Manager Dave Faber said repairs to those lines are an on-going task.
The city also has 186 fire hydrants with 21 of those scheduled to be replaced due to the manufacturer no longer being in business. Faber said long range plans call for the city to switch to two or three manufacturers of the hydrants to allow for easier access to replacement parts.
