An update on a potential shared-use path on the east side was among the items for Bowling Green Council’s attention on Monday.
Public Services Director Joe Fawcett said that Mannik and Smith Group are finishing up a study on the shared use path project, which would connect Carter Park and Crim Elementary School.
He said that the city hopes to have the final report from Mannik and Smith in the next few weeks, which would also include potential funding options.
In September, council allocated $25,000 for the feasibility study for the project from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds. The allocation was requested by the East Side neighborhood group.
Council on Monday also heard from Mayor Mike Aspacher, who announced that the city has again been named a 2022 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The award, he said, honors the city’s commitment to effective urban forest management. The city also received a Tree City USA growth award.
Also at the meeting, council:
• Introduced, and scheduled a public hearing for, an ordinance amending the zoning district map of the city, and the 2014 Land Use Plan, for approximately 36.89 acres located at the southwest corner of Newton and Brim roads from M-3 Business Park to R-2 Single Family zoning. The applicant is Kati Thompson on behalf of the Bowling Green Community Development Corporation. According to the legislative package document prepared for council, the organization has been working to attract housing developers to Bowling Green and a regional developer is interested in building a 150-home subdivision on these parcels. The planning commission has scheduled a public hearing on April 5 and a recommendation will be reported to council after the review and vote. Council set its public hearing for May 1 at 6 p.m.
• Introduced, gave three readings to, and passed an ordinance authorizing Utilities Director Brian O’Connell to enter into contracts with Ram Construction Services for settling and coagulation basin concrete repairs at the water treatment plant. According to the legislative package document, in February 2022, the Ohio EPA issued a violation to the city for three maintenance and repair items at the plant. Two of the items were addressed relatively quickly by plant staff. The final repair to be made is general concrete repairs to the settling and coagulation basins. The ordinance is needed because the lowest bid, from Ram, at $598,108, was more than 10% over the published engineer’s estimate for the project, which was $430,000.
• Introduced an ordinance authorizing O’Connell to advertise a request for qualifications for engineering services, advertise for bids and enter into contracts for the design, engineering and construction of the South College Drive waterline improvements. According to the legislative package document, South College is planned to be repaved in the next few years between East Wooster Street and Napoleon Road, and the current 6-inch cast iron water line, which was built in the 1950s, has experienced several breaks over the years likely due to the high bedrock conditions and age of the pipe. Additional factors may also contribute to breaks during the winter. “Staff recommends replacing the waterline prior to repaving with an (8-inch) PVC waterline as well as new fittings, valves, hydrants and service lines. The project would also ensure that the new pipe is placed at a proper depth, bedding, and backfill of the trench.
• Introduced an ordinance authorizing O’Connell to apply for a loan and execute a loan agreement with the Ohio Water Development Authority or the Ohio EPA Water Supply Revolving Loan Account program for the South College waterline improvements project. According to the legislative package document, the 2023 Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Fund budget included $1 million for the project and the most recent construction cost estimate is $1.7 million, which includes a 20% contingency. Anticipated engineering costs are around $100,000. The costs are above the budget estimate but this should not be an issue since the loan funds will match the construction costs.
• Introduced an ordinance authorizing O’Connell to advertise for bids and enter into contracts for the 2023 sewer relining project. According to the legislative package document, the water distribution/wastewater collection division and the city engineer’s office have identified a number of sewers that are in poor condition or require regular maintenance. Included in the 2023 water and sewer capital improvement fund budget are Jefferson, Hamilton, Revere, Standish, Village and Boone in the Village subdivision; the country club golf course, City Park and Faye Avenue from 701 Poe Road to Conneaut and Faye; Birch Street from the west end of Birch to Coleman Avenue; and Keil Court to Conneaut Avenue. The cost estimate for this work is $860,000.
• Introduced an ordinance amending Section 98.53 (O) (7) of the codified ordinances regarding inspections for construction, relocation and restoration projects. According to the legislative package document the ordinance would allow the public works director to require a contractor to retain a third-party project inspector, chosen by the public works director, at its cost, to assure compliance with this section of the codified ordinances in the event that city project inspectors are unable to oversee the contract’s project. In the event that multiple private contractors are performing work within the city, along with city directed projects, there is the potential that city project inspectors would not be able to oversee the private contractor’s projects. This change would ensure that those projects are inspected and in compliance with the codified ordinances.
