By Eamon Baird

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PIQUA — Retiring Deputy Police Chief Marty Grove was honored during the City of Piqua Commission Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Grove, who served the city of Piqua for 33 years was presented with a proclamation from Commissioner Jim Vetter.

“In recognition and appreciation of the public service of Martin S. Grove with the city of Piqua, this Commission tenders its unanimous and respectful tribute by this resolution, which shall be a matter of public and permanent record,” Vetter read.

Mayor Kris Lee also recognized Grove for his contributions to the Piqua community.

“Marty thank you for your service,” Lee said. “Enjoy your retirement, you deserve it.”

In old business, the commission heard the third and final readings for two ordinances.

The first ordinance sought to increase the appropriations budget by $165,000. This will include $20,000 to purchase a software program for compiling the annual financial report; and $45,000 to hire a temporary accountant through a temp agency. This amount assumes a contracted accountant through the remainder of the year; to increase operations and maintenance for continued street and alley repair.

Before passing the ordinance Commissioner Tom Hohman requested an amendment to include funds for the Commissioners’ Committee on the Fire Training Facility for $5,500 for attorney fees.

“The Fire Training Committee has been trying to get an unbiased attorney,” Hohman said. Were we to pass that ordinance the money would be available to them as soon as possible.”

After approving the amendment to the ordinance it passed with a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Paul Simmons absent from the meeting.

Next, the commission heard the third reading for a proposed ordinance authorizing to issue of notes in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purchase of financing the construction of the Lock 9 Park.

The note is for internal borrowing of funds in which the Lock 9 Capital Improvement Fund borrowed $5.8 million from the Wastewater Fund. According to the city, the plan is to pay the Wastewater Fund $2,2266,728.44 including $226,728.44 interest. Issuance costs are $12,000 which will be paid to the bond council. The new note will have an outstanding balance of $3.8 million. The funds for the 2024 payment will come from the Lock 9 Fund.

The commission approved the ordinance 4-0.

In new business, the commission unanimously passed the following resolutions:

To authorize a purchase order from Cargill Inc., for road salt for the 2024-25 winter season at $64.48 per ton, and the 2025-26 winter season at $74.48 per ton. The city of Piqua budgeted $161,200 for this winter season, and $186,200 for next winter season.

For the city of Piqua to support the 250-Ohio plan. Established in 2018, this is a resolution in preparation for the 250th anniversary celebration of the United States in 2026.

At the end of the meeting Commissioner Frank DeBrosse thanked Piqua Police Chief Rick Byron and the rest of the police department for their response to a potential online threat that at Piqua Schools on Sept. 12., which was determined to be a hoax.

“Chief, I want to thank you and the Piqua City Schools,” DeBrosse said. “In public service you don’t get thanked as much as you should.”