Greenfield council praises efforts of city

Things are looking up in the city of Greenfield as council members discussed positive comments the city has received regarding recent cleanup efforts, development projects and a general sense of community that is emerging. 

   During her report to council, Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop said,"I want to thank every citizen who has jumped in and helped clean up the properties, streets and alleys of this community. Everything is looking so much better. There are still many concerns and we address them on an individual basis to do as much as we can as quickly as we can. The filling of potholes in the streets is almost finished. Hopefully, by the end of this week or the first of next week, we can start on the alleys."

   Council member William Redenbaugh said that he wanted to commend Bishop on the selection of demolition crews that have torn down more than a dozen houses in the city over the past year. Redenbaugh said though each crew is different they always level the ground and plant grass. 

   Council member Harvey Everhart said he spoke to one Greenfield resident who told him she had lived next door to a dilapidated abandoned structure for more than 12 years. "She told me, 'When they came to tear it down, I jumped up and down,'" Everhart said. 

   Council member Brenda Losey said it was good to see that lots of people had begun to pitch in to help clean up areas of Greenfield.

   Bishop said something that has been particularly encouraging is that when she or another city official approaches a property to tell owners to clean something up they will say, "I don't like you picking on me, but I see that you are picking on everyone else, so that's OK."

   "I'm glad we're putting effort into it," said council member Bob Bergstrom. "It's good to have so many people helping the city look as good as it can."

   Bishop noted that if a resident is approached by the city with a written notice, it is because the city has received a complaint about their property in particular, and "There is an ordinance on the books that initiated the sending of the letter and I am required by law to enforce the laws of the community."

In other business, Bishop said work is progressing on applications for grants through Green Energy Ohio. 

"Peg Beekman, Tim Hester and Brian Smith have helped put together applications for the Green Energy Ohio MET tower applications," Bishop said. "We have already received notification that FAA has approved their part of the application. Now if we can just be successful in getting the money to do the one-year-long study. The Greenfield CIC will be providing the $7,500 match if the grant is awarded."

Everhart questioned Bishop on the grant, and Bishop said it was for approximately $56,000 and they had sent out an application through the Ohio Department of Development, and city employees have volunteers to gather information as part of a turbine study for the grant, which includes measuring and reading wind speeds. 

Bishop noted that with every grant the city is applying for there are typically matching funds. "So every time we apply for a grant, I'm out there begging someone for matching funds."

During committee reports, Redenbaugh noted that the Paint Creek Joint Fire and Ambulance District would be holding an open house at the fire station on Aug. 28 beginning at 11 a.m.

Council heard the first reading of a resolution creating a codified ordinance requiring the city be notified of foreclosure filings and who is responsible for property maintenance. Upon questions from council, council clerk Roberta Karnes said the ordinance came about after a lending institution called to ask if it was a requirement in the city, as several municipalities are passing such ordinances. Council asked how they would enforce the ordinance and make people aware of it, an Karnes said she would contact the local courts to see if they could inform people of the ordinance when foreclosures are filed.