St. Marys council hears updates on trash truck

ST. MARYS - City councilors learned on Monday that the city solid waste department has replaced an automated trash truck that was totaled in an accident last month.

Safety Service Director Greg Foxhoven reported that the city was able to purchase a 2025 Autocar/Labrie trash truck from Best Equipment in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago for approximately $410,000 to replace a truck totaled during an auto accident on May 5.

The new vehicle was put into service last week, he added. The city is still in negotiations with its insurance adjusters for the reimbursement of the old truck.

"We've asked them to sharpen their pencils until we're happy with what they are willing to give us," Foxhoven said. "We want to make sure that it's an apples to apples comparison. We were not totally sure if they realized that this is an automated, side loader type truck (that was totaled). And so we're working through that process, but we do have a plan."

The city implemented a new refuse collection system last year featuring automated trash trucks.

The new solid waste collection system began in phases in September 2024, and features an automated system that employs a truck driver and an automated arm to collect trash from designated carts. The original truck with its automated arm cost the city $342,865.20, and the 5,000 collection totes were $346,663.

In other business, Foxhoven informed councilors that the eventual demolition of the city's old municipal building will more than likely be a winter project.

Foxhoven said the administration is still throwing around ideas about what to put on the site of the old municipal building following its demolition, though they have a rough plan.

"There's no restrooms in Memorial Park, (so) one of the designs has a restroom facility. It's kind of a plaza area. Obviously it goes over to Memorial Park, so it would have a military theme to it, and it would have a covered area for picnic tables," he said. "We would try to maintain the facade of our current building just to honor that history value there. But right now, those ideas are all kind of put on hold because there's no funding for it."

Councilors passed a resolution earlier in the month authorizing Mayor Joe Hurlburt Jr. to apply for $300,000 in state Economic Development Revolving Loan Funds to raze the building.

City community development manager Mike Burkholder said in May that they held two public hearings on the matter of demolishing the old municipal building. He reported that no one attended or shared any public comment on the matter.

Also on Monday, assistant city law director Kraig Noble shared with councilors that he continues to market the Fort Barbee apartments.

"We now have a signed option agreement with the Community Improvement Corporation and the partnership for $100," Noble said. "And, so, we are marketing that building, to pay off all the liens, which would be a minimum price of $350,000."

He reported he has delivered informational packets on the property to all area Realtors and showed the building to interested parties several times.

"There is some interest," Noble said.

Any area Realtor who did not receive an informational packet can pick one up at Noble's office, he said. Realtors involved with the property's purchase will receive a 3% commission.

Six of the building's 28 units are occupied. The building was constructed in 1889 at 100 W. Spring St. in downtown St. Marys, according to the Auglaize County Auditor's website.

The building's owner, Fred Schwab of Columbus, died in the fall of 2024. Prior to that, building residents were ordered in September 2024 to leave their homes before the end of October because Schwab was ceasing operations due to economic issues, court documents state.

Schwab failed to pay Roto-Rooter for work on the property, which resulted in an outstanding mechanic's lien of $56,366.13, per court documents. As well, he failed to pay $18,508.68 in Auglaize County property taxes and $19,686.26 to the CIC of St. Marys for costs associated with water damages and repair. Roto-Rooter filed a foreclosure complaint against the property's owner, Huntington Bank, the city of St. Marys, St. Marys CIC and the county treasurer April Bowersock in June 2024.

Councilors later went into executive session to discuss personnel. No action was anticipated afterward.

The St. Marys City Council meets next at 6:30 p.m. July 14 in council chambers.