CENTERBURG — Village council took preliminary steps on Monday to eliminate a dangerous journey into town for Centerburg Pointe residents.
Council members authorized Village Administrator Teri Wise to apply for a grant that would add sidewalks from the nursing facility up Johnsville Road (Route 314) to the bike path in Memorial Park.
“We have some residents who are in wheelchairs, and sometimes I have to hold my breath because they come down 36/3 just to get into town or the park,” Wise said.
“A lot of the time they’re trying to get through to the park, so this project will help. We want to give them a safe path to get them where they want to go.
The project includes adding an ADA handicap ramp from the parking lot directly onto the bike path.
Council members waived the three readings and passed the resolution as an emergency because applications are due on Friday. The grant is through the Central Ohio Rural Planning Commission (CORPO).
The estimated cost of the ramp and sidewalk was not available at the time of publication.
Relating to grants, Wise plans to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission money. Traditionally, the village used OPWC money for street resurfacing.
However, sanitary sewer, storm water, wastewater, bridge, and culvert projects are also eligible.
Wise is waiting for a report on how the village could use the funds. The grant deadline is Nov. 7.
Council takes other legislative action
In other legislative action, council members waived the three readings and accepted the 2-acre AMVETS annexation into the village.
They also gave a second reading to legislation prohibiting dogs in certain village parks and a first reading to an ordinance allowing poultry in the village.
Council members adjourned into executive session to discuss personnel and a contract with the county relating to Hazel Heights.
Memorial Park playground on schedule for completion this year
Lisa Lloyd of the Knox County Foundation told council members the playground committee should have drawings by the end of the week for the new playground at Memorial Park.
According to the timeline, construction should start in mid-September. Construction includes earthwork, stormwater installation, and pouring concrete.
She anticipates volunteers to install the playground equipment in early November with an expected completion date of Nov. 19.
Mobility management
Coordinator Joe Porter reviewed the county’s mobility management program for the council. The Federal Transit Administration funds the program through Knox Public Health.
Porter serves as a resource to connect residents with transportation, whether that is through Knox County Transit, the Station Break, private agencies, or Go Bus.
He also conducts educational sessions for individuals on how to ride public transit and for drivers on how to provide proper transport for disabled and elderly folks.
Other projects include Cycling Without Age and other programs that get seniors and disabled individuals out on the trails and sidewalks.
Reports
Village administrator. Wise reported crews painted fire hydrants, completed preventive maintenance items at the wastewater treatment plant, and cleaned curbs.
She is considering upgrading the cleaning equipment to include a feature that throws the debris into the truck instead of a worker having to scoop it up.
Crews also started trimming trees. Wise will post a notice on the village’s Facebook page to inform residents about the ordinance regarding tree limbs and branches that hang over sidewalks.
The village should start the Jerry Street project by the end of August.
It is still waiting on the lights for the Main Street lighting project, but Wise anticipates workers will complete the project by October.
Two recycling events drew less participation than Wise hoped, but she noted it’s vacation season, and everyone is getting ready for school.
The deadline for residents to complete the safety-service survey about law enforcement coverage for the village is Aug. 15.
COJFD. Fire Chief Mark McCann reported that about 40 people attended the push-in ceremony for the department’s new fire truck.
The department installed 38 smoke detectors in partnership with the Red Cross, helped with Bash in the Burg ad USA Days, and held its final “Coffee With a Cop/first responder.”
COJFD submitted a $13,000 Fire Exposure to Environmental Elements grant to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to replace turnout gear. It received $1,200 from the State of Ohio EMS reimbursement grant.
Two firefighters received their paramedic certification.
