Tax collection:

Randy Gardner of the Ohio House of Representatives was invited to speak to council Monday night regarding concerns of possible legislation that would permit the state to collect city taxes directly. The city would then have to pay a fee to get their collected taxes returned to them.

Gardner said the complexity of the municipal tax collection system has been discussed for the past year.

While the possible legislation has been overturned due to opposition by cities and the Ohio Municipal League, Gardner said it is important to access current issues and find a way to make a more business-friendly tax collection system to create more opportunities in cities and state.

Also at city council:

• Former Mayor John Quinn was appointed by city council to the Board of Public utilities board after Richard Schmidt resigned from the position.

• Public Works Director Brian Craft announced that heavy item collection will start the week of May 7, starting in the 1st Ward, east of Main Street and north of Wooster Street excluding Harshman and Kreischer Quads.

• University senior Daniel Gordon, 1st Ward council member, said constituents voiced their concern regarding texting while driving and want to get a city-wide ban on the action. Gordon will bring this up at the Transportation and Safety Committee May 7 at 6 p.m.

• Utilities Director Brian O’Connell said Columbia Gas will give customers the option to use Interstate Gas Supply’s service or opt out of it if they find a cheaper supplier, as approved by city council.