CENTERBURG — In their meeting Monday evening, village council members took the first step toward placing a renewal levy on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Council gave a first reading to legislation requesting the county auditor to verify the total current tax valuation of the village and the amount of revenue the levy will generate.
Voters first approved the five-year, 3.0-mill levy in 2006. They renewed the levy in 2011 and 2016. The 2016 renewal is set to expire this year.
According to the Knox County auditor’s office, the village collected $28,308.27 in 2020 from the levy and $27,626.82 in 2019.
Council tabled an ordinance relating to the Whistlestop annexation that was up for its third reading. At its first reading in January, the language for Ordinance 21-01B stated the agreement was between the village and Whistlestop Properties for sanitary sewer services and storm water easements and zoning.
At its second reading in February, the language was changed to reflect the ordinance is an agreement between the village and Hilliar Township relating to Whistlestop properties.
Council set a meeting for Monday, March 15, at 5 p.m. to approve proceeding with the renewal levy and potentially discuss the annexation agreement. Council also plans to award bids for the Round 34 South Hartford Avenue improvement project.
Village Administrator Joe Hardin told council that the village’s application for the Ohio Public Works Commission Round 35 South Hartford Avenue project has been sent to the state for approval. The project includes asphalt milling and installation, stormwater catch basin replacement, and sidewalk curb ramps.
Total project cost is $194,000. If the application is approved, funding will come from an OPWC grant of $138,225, a loan for $46,075, and the village’s local match of $9,700.
The village’s application scored seventh out of 73 the OPWC District 17 Integrating Committee received and was the top score in the county. OPWC will award the projects in July.
Council member Saundra Dove said the Revitalization Committee wants to get a master plan on what items the village should do first. Projects include trees, lighting, and sidewalks. The committee discussed using a $40,000 grant from the Area Development Foundation to hire an engineer to prioritize projects.
Hardin said a downtown streetscape project to include signals, new pedestrian intersections, and sidewalks could be eligible for a TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) grant through the Ohio Department of Transportation. The project would cover Main Street from Clayton to Preston streets.
The village would send a letter of intent this year and actually apply in 2022. If the village’s application is eligible, funding will not be available until 2023.
ODOT funds current TAP grants at 95% with a 5% local cost-share. Hardin said that 2022 TAP grants might revert back to 80% with a 20% local share.
Under the 95-5 formula, the village would be responsible for $100,000 to $150,000 in engineering fees and a local match of $50,000 for a $1 million streetscape project.
In other business, council:
- Gave a second reading to an ordinance authorizing the village to acquire property, casualty, and general liability insurance
- Gave a second reading to an ordinance vacating Spring Alley
- Gave a second reading authorizing Hardin to sell surplus property valued at $1,000 or greater
- Authorized payment of $3,600 to Park Enterprises for additional asphalt used in the North Ewing Street project
- Held an executive session to discuss the Whistlestop pre-annexation agreement
