Committees meet, move ordinances ahead in Athens City Council

by Camden Easterling
Staff Writer

Athens firefighters might receive new equipment if ordinances discussed at last night's Athens City Council committee meeting pass.

Jim Sands, D-at-large, introduced an ordinance for an additional $2,000 to help purchase new personal equipment for firefighters.

The city received the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program for Personal Protective Equipment. The city currently has $47,500 to use toward the purchase of new equipment. Of the money, 90 percent is from the federal grant and the remaining 10 percent is from the city.

Mayor Richard Abel asked the council to approve the additional $2,000 to buy up to 25 individual sets.

A personal protection set includes equipment such as a helmet and fire coat. Sands said the fire department needs the new equipment because the current sets need to be replaced due to typical wear and tear.

"It's such a generous (request)," Sands said. "There's no way we wouldn't say yes."

The council also heard a proposal for a dog park.

Director of Athens Parks and Recreation Kevin Schwartzhoff told council members a dog park would help take care of the nuisance of owners not cleaning up after their dogs in public areas. The park would not require dogs to be leashed, as required in other city parks.

"We need to provide a space for (dog owners) to exercise their dogs," Schwartzhoff said.

He suggested fencing in an area of West State Street Park slightly larger than a football field.

"To go to that park is most logical because that's where they go already," Schwartzhoff said.

The council also heard Abel's ideas for a new salt storage bin – a project estimated to cost at least $106,000.

The current bin is leaking salt and has wood damage. The new bin will be made of concrete and have a vinyl roof. Salt will not erode concrete, which would make the bin's life-span approximately 40 years, Abel said. The roof will last about 15 years and will be relatively inexpensive to replace, he said.

The new bin will hold 910 tons of salt, which is more than the average 580 tons per year Athens normally uses, Abel said.

"It just seems like one of those things we have to do," Gary Van Meter, R-4^th Ward, said.

Council will decide on these issues in the next few weeks.