A possible rezoning of property on the city’s north side prompted discussion at the Chillicothe City Council’s Monday night meeting.

Jerry Steenbergen spoke on behalf of his mother, Isabel, who lives at 1727 Logan St.

The family is questioning the rezoning of 654 Matthews from residential to commercial.

The plans are for the property, which is located across the street from Allied Welding, to be used as a parking lot for workers.

Steenbergen said their concerns are the loss of property values, safety concerns and increase of noise, dirt and trash.

He asked about the fencing and lighting for the parking lot, which would be at the side of her house.

With lot sizes smaller in that area of town, the parking lot would be near her home.

Questions also were raised if there were other alternatives.

“Is this just one lot, or is this the trend that’s going to take place in that neighborhood?” Steenbergen asked.

The Chillicothe Plan Commission held a public hearing, but the Steenbergen said they were not aware of the meeting. The commission recommended the rezoning 6-0, with two abstaining.

Alderman Jim Thornton said the attorney for the matter could not attend Monday night’s meeting, but could the next council meeting.

He asked the motion for city attorney Seghetti to draft an ordinance to rezone the property be tabled until then, which the council did.

In other items, the council:

• concurred with the mayoral appointment of Thornton, Carl Spencer and Rich Underwood to a temporary committee to review elected officials’ salaries. Fyke said the salaries had not increased in 12 years, and whatever change is made would not begin until the new officials take office.

• referred to the Chillicothe Plan Commission to look at all the special uses in industrial zoning.

• had a first reading of an intergovernmental agreement that would allow the Chillicothe Park District to own Santa Fe Park in order to install a splash pad, a water playground structure. Aldermen also discussed the need for some sort of the bathrooms, which have not been at the park since the port-a-potties were lit on fire.

• received a letter from Diantha Sarver of the Chillicothe Historical Society thanking the city for letting the group use Chillicothe City Cemetery for its cemetery walk. She also commended the job supervisor Art Jackson did in the mowing and trimming of the cemetery.

• heard Underwood say that the city needed to look at the area around the public works building on Santa Fe, as it needs weeding

• heard alderman Troy Childers say that residents have asked about the boat docked at the city’s day marina for the last couple of weeks. The boat had a mechanical breakdown, officials said. Childers asked about the time limit of docking. Officials said they were not aware of a time limit, but some said there used to be a sign for no overnight docking. Electrical cords also were laid but now removed. He also asked again about the underwater drop off at the boat launches. City engineer Ken Coulter said they looked at it again, but the information was inconclusive. The next step, he said, is to walk out with waders. 

• had a first reading of an ordinance prohibiting water wells in the area bordered by Elm Street on the north, Third Street on the east, Sycamore Street on the south and Fifth Street on the west. The measure is due to a previous oil spill.

• adopted a resolution to appropriate $80,000 of Motor Fuel Tax funds to maintain streets from Jan. 1 to Dec. 1, 2008

• approved two Project Facelift applications: River Valley Residence, 1008 N. Second St., $2,900 and Callahan’s Antiques, 1039 N. Second St., $1,012.50. Remaining balance for the program, which aids in maintaining or rejuvenating downtown storefronts, is $3,837.50.

• approved three motions for advertising and promotion of the city, payable through the city’s Hotel/Motel tax funds. They were: Numero Publishing Inc., $1,220; Waterways Journal Inc., $1,440; and $926.50, JMP Radio Inc. for advertising Claud-Elen Days. Childers asked about the current procedure of the advertising being completed and then the council approving the bill. Officials said the Chillicothe Marketing and Tourism Commission members decide how they want to advertise and then the council releases the funds.

• approved paying STS Consultants Inc. $2,231 for a Phase I environmental study at 227 W. Cedar St., formerly Four Seasons Hardware, now owned by the city

• approved a bid letting, requesting sealed bids to demolish and remove unwanted items at the former ADM property, now owned by the city, at 10 W. Elm St.

• approved the city’s appropriation ordinance for May 1, 2008, through April 30, 2009

• approved an increase in wages for the non-contract employees, effective May 1, 2008. They include: part-time police, $9.95 to $10.25 per hour; part-time dispatcher, $9.50 to $9.75 per hour; animal control officer, $8.70 to $8.95 per hour; part-time public works, $9.25 to $9.50 per hour; building maintenance — summer $9.25 to $9.50 per hour and winter $11.04 to $11.25 per hour; city collector, $600 to $612, bi-weekly; and zoning, $285 to $290 monthly.

• rejected the only bid received for the police station window replacement project from T. Haefli & Sons Inc. for $16,797

• and concurred with the mayoral appointment of alderman Mel Witte to the riverfront committee.