By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
Canal Winchester City Council is considering a request by the local historical society to provide the organization with an annual $20,000 grant for three years for preservation and educational endeavors.
The legislation, which also provides financial support for operational costs including utilities, was discussed during a work session before it was moved to the full council during its Dec. 5 regular meeting.
However, Councilwoman Laurie Amick took exception with a lack of paperwork accompanying the request. Law Director Thaddeus Boggs said the request was presented orally to council.
“I’m voting on something for which I have no documentation,” said Amick, who asked for more information from the Canal Winchester Area Historical Society. Councilman Bob Clark requested that a historical society representative attend a future meeting to continue the discussion.
The Canal Winchester Area Historical Society operates a complex that includes the Queen of the Line Depot, Prentiss School House and Chaney Elevator, along with the National Barber Museum, which is housed in a wing of Canal Winchester Schools’ education center.
Other CW news
•Council approved the creation of three new positions within the city, including a utilities assistant public service director; a streets, lands, buildings and parks assistant public service director; and a technology technician position for the IT department.
Two public service department superintendent positions will be reclassified for the new assistant public service director positions and filled with existing staff.
The technology technician is the only position for which an employee will be added to the city workforce.
•Council held the first reading of an ordinance amending the city’s contract with Columbus Pool Management due to increased costs for personnel to staff and manage the community pool.
“It is simply a labor issue,” said Public Service Director Matt Peoples, who added that Canal Winchester started working with Columbus Pool Management in 2011.
The company is entering into the final year of a three-year contract and, according to the ordinance, acknowledges the volatility of material/supply costs and is proposing a contract amendment that provides for refunds to the city in case of differences to the estimated costs and the actual costs of wages and/or chlorine.
Columbus Pool Management experienced operational difficulties due to extreme inflationary pressures for material/supply, labor costs and disruptions and is requesting a second contract amendment to account for the unexpected cost increases and an extension of the contract to 2026.
