By Aimee Hancock

Miami Valley Today

PIQUA — A joint meeting of the Piqua City Commission and Washington Township Trustees was held Tuesday for the purpose of approving two resolutions.

The first resolution was to authorize the sale of real property from Forest Hill Cemetery.

According to Law Director Frank Patrizio, the property in question is a residential house on the south side of the cemetery.

“The cemetery is looking at selling that asset to help build a storage facility on the cemetery site,” Patrizio said.

The second resolution was to appoint Cindy Pearson to the Board of Trustees of Forest Hill Union Cemetery. Pearson has filled this role as a representative of Piqua for several years.

Following adjournment of the joint meeting, Piqua City Commission met in regular session.

The commission voted to authorize the following:

• A resolution to levy assessments to pay for the cost of nuisance abatements. According to Health and Sanitation Director Amy Welker, this is done three to four times per year to give property owners and potential buyers notice that there is going to be a lien on a potential property due to unpaid abatement fees. Many of the properties on the list are often vacant.

• A resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into the economic development revolving loan fund (RLF) agreement with the state of Ohio Development Services Agency for the period of Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2023. This is a routine item voted on every three years.

• A resolutions authorizing a purchase order to Barrett Paving Materials Inc. as the primary supplier, and Valley Asphalt Corp. as the secondary supplier, of asphalt for the 2021 Street and Alley Maintenance Program.

Mayor Kris Lee gave two proclamations, including one to recognize Jan. 31 through Feb 6 as Catholic Schools Week in the city of Piqua; as well as one to recognize the first Thursday of every February as Optimist Day.

The next meeting of Piqua City Commissioners will be a 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16.