Orrville council hears about feral cat problem
At the October meeting of Orrville City Council, area residents raised the problem of feral cats within the city.
The monthly meeting of the Orrville City Council was held Oct. 4 at Orrville City Hall and opened with area residents discussing the problem of feral cats within the city.
Residents noted feral cats were on roofs and in gardens and defecating on property, thus posing a health risk to residents. Residents are at a loss as to what to do, as the problem is wider than just Orrville, and as a result, the Wayne County Humane Society has limited availability to take in kittens and cats.
Council member Darrell Mosley raised the prospect of the Catify Cafe organization, which is trying to raise funds to obtain a facility for a cafe and adoption center for cats. He asked if the city could assist this organization and/or partner with them to help address this issue.
Solicitor Cheryl Kirkbride said there are approximately 20-25 cats each quarter taken in by the Humane Society, as well as a trap, neuter and release program. Steven Wheeler, safety service director, said Ohio Revised Code Section 1707 provides that dogs fall under the sheriff’s office and cats fall under the Humane Society. Council member Paul Vance thanked the residents for bringing this issue to the council’s attention.
Mosley discussed the Transportation Committee and the 2024 master street plan. The committee is estimating costs for desired work on city streets would be about 1 million, and they are awaiting a $500,000 grant.
In administrative reports, Mayor Dave Handwerk announced the Employee of the Month was Abbie Wilson, the city staff engineer and Orrville’s first professional engineer. Various administrative updates were provided including an update from Wheeler regarding the recertification of the Orrville Police Department by the Ohio Collaborative Community Police Advisory Board, and Utility Director Jeff Brediger discussed the rates and response time of the Orrville Public Power Plant.
The council discussed a bond financing issue with OrrVilla Retirement Community. The city would assist the nonprofit health facilities organization by issuing a federal tax-exempt bond, which will help OrrVilla to achieve lower interest rates and thus provide more funds to assist their residents and patients. The city will have no debt or other obligation on the bond.
The city also had a first reading on a resolution for funds to purchase a fire truck, There was a motion to declare this expenditure an emergency. The resolution was adopted unanimously. An emergency resolution also was approved for the expenditure of funds for the water and wastewater projects through the American Rescue Fund and to approve an increase in costs for the Bloomin’ Orrville program.
The meeting concluded with Mosley discussing the installation of Brightspeed high-speed fiber optic cables within the city that will allow more options for residents without any cost to the city.
The next meeting will be held Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.