August 2020 Administrator’s Report

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

AUGUST, 2020

 

MIGHTY CUBE STORAGE CONTAINER ORDINANCE TO BE PRESENTED:

 

The planning commission will meet this Friday, 8/14/2020 to review the Storage container proposal.  This writer has been contacted by the owner of Mighty Cube who expressed that they don’t even lease these units for 14 days at a time and felt this would be detrimental to their start-up business.  I agree also and feel this is too short of a time. Their recommendation will be presented at Monday’s night council meeting.

 

 

NEW SIGNAL LIGHTS TO BE INSTALLED AT THE MAIN STREET/RIVER STREET INTERSECTION:

 

The new signal lights are currently on backorder and the latest update from the supplier is that they should receive the parts by the end of this week (8/14/2020) and will ship the signals to our local contractor to install by the end of August.

 

CATCH BASIN ON E. WOODCOX

 

The catch basin on E. Woodcox that had a sharp drop off close to the berm of the road was replaced and the catch basin is not level with the roadway berm.

 

OLD WELL HOUSE SECURED:

 

One of the original wells for the Village had a broken door and that was fixed and re-installed.

 

W. WASHINGTON WATERLINE FUNDING TO BE APPLIED FOR:

 

W. Washington waterline has been an issue for the village with waterline breaks for a long time.  As the State of Ohio is again going to offer OPWC funding this writer would like to apply for a 75% grant and 25% zero-interest loan to replace the line from S. Main Street to Wentworth.  The estimated cost of this replacement is $371,155.00.  The grant portion will cover approximately $278,366.00 and the loan would be for $92,789.00.  This would require a $4,639.45 annual repayment for 20 years.  As the program is competitive there is no guarantee that we will receive these dollars.  I normally request a 50/50 split between loan and grant but due to the downturn in revenue in water and general fund, I am requesting a 75% grant this time.  We would know in September when the County reviews the submitted requested from the rest of the municipalities and/or townships if we ranked high enough to go further in district review.  An ordinance will be submitted for Monday’s night’s council meeting that will need to be passed by emergency in order to meet the September 4th deadline.  The decision by the State to even go forward with this round of funding was just recently made,  so 3 readings were not possible.

 

 

 

 

FALL HYDRANT FLUSHING BEGINS:

 

Utility workers are flushing hydrants starting on the south side of the railroad and will continue, barring weather or emergency repairs for the entire month of August.  This will result in discoloration of water and residents should run their taps to see if their water is clear or rusty.  Flushing is required twice per year by EPA and also moves stagnant water on dead-end lines.

 

UPDATE ON FIBER OPTIC AVAILABILITY IN THE VILLAGE:

 

This writer did meet  Tuesday, 8/11/2020 with Metalink to get an update on the availability of fiber optic in the Village.  Lines have been installed in the village and I have requested an update on where it is available for business and/or residents.  I have a map showing where fiber has been run in the village and at this time it is being offered only to business.  Anyone who has a question if their area is covered can see me at the depot.  5G internet is available on Maumee Lane and as more request this service, additional hubs can be installed.  I will bring the maps to council Monday night.

 

 

MEETING WITH THE OHIO RAIL COMMISSION:

 

On August 6, 2020, this writer met with the Ohio Rail Commission, PUCO, and the Pioneer Rail at the Harrmann Road and Kroos Drive crossings.  These were scheduled for review for signals and crossing gates.  Both of these crossings are scheduled for upgrades.  After a thorough review of traffic, the potential for more trains to use the track and growth surrounding both of these areas is was determined by the Rail Commission that signals and gates should be installed.  As an update from the last review five years ago, the concern expressed by the Village at that time was the chance that traffic could be stuck either on the track or hanging out onto E. River when the gates came down.   The solution to this potential problem will be addressed by solar-powered LED signage on E. River that would come on 5 seconds before the gates came down on the Harrmann Road Crossing that states; “No Right Turn” if coming from the west headed east and “No Left Turn” if coming from the east heading west.  All of the costs incurred for these improvements will be bared by the State Rail Commission, PUCO, and the railroad.  The additional solar led lights will not be required onto Kroos.

 

As a follow up to this meeting, this writer was to supply to the Rail Commission and Railroad how many times buses cross Harrmann Road daily and approximately how many private cars bring children to school and would potentially use the Harrmann Road Crossing.  The school provided the information and was happy they would install lights and gates at the Harrmann Road Crossing. A schedule of the improvements will be detailed and when a project date is determined, this writer will inform the school and council.  It is anticipated the construction won’t happen until next  Spring/Summer.