FOSTORIA — A downtown resident told council he believes the mayor authorized placard-numbered handicap signs that reserve on-street spaces for drivers with specific placard numbers, and he urged the signs be removed from business-front parking.

"The mayor takes it upon himself ... and had 2 signs made ... to allow only those people with that placard number parking those spots," resident Nate Vogelsong said during public comment, adding he was told by the mayor the matter was "none of my concern."

Director of Public Services responded that an ordinance passed five or six years ago allows residents who need a handicap parking space in residential areas to apply at the zoning office and present a handicap placard or sticker; the director said the process was adopted to better track need and prevent a proliferation of signs in single blocks. He said there is typically a $25 fee to cover sign costs and that the ordinance is intended for residential — not downtown business — areas.

Vogelsong said his concern is that downtown businesses will be adversely affected if private on-street parking becomes effectively reserved for placard holders, and he also raised broader complaints about communications with the mayor and the recent tax levy. City staff acknowledged the ordinance exists and said they will provide council with historical information about it at a future meeting.

The exchange contained both the resident’s allegation about mayoral direction and staff’s explanation of an existing administrative process for issuing residential handicap signs; council did not take immediate formal action on downtown sign placement during the meeting.