City of Moraine Committee of the Whole members voted to direct staff to prepare legislation allowing the city to pay $186,345 to the Ohio Department of Transportation so the South Dixie Drive resurfacing project can proceed to letting this November and begin construction in May 2026.

The project covers pavement repair, plan work and resurfacing of South Dixie Drive from Hoyle Place to West Dorothy Lane. A city staff member told the committee that ODOT will cover 65% of construction costs up to $227,295 based on the estimate used when funding was applied for, and that the city as the local public agency is responsible for the remainder. The staff member said the state requires the city’s share to be paid before the project letting rather than at the end of construction, which requires moving the budgeted 2026 appropriation into 2025.

At the meeting the committee approved a motion to have legislation prepared to authorize payment of $186,345 to ODOT and a separate motion to prepare an ordinance for a supplemental appropriation of $186,345. Roll-call responses recorded during the meeting show unanimous support from the members present: Mayor Murphy; Mr. Miller; Mr. Doherty; Mr. Buschette; Mrs. Allen; and Miss Marcus.

Why it matters: the city must provide its local share to meet ODOT’s schedule for soliciting bids. If the city does not provide the funds before letting, the project cannot proceed under the current ODOT timeline as presented to the committee.

Details from the meeting: a staff member said letting is scheduled for November and construction to begin in May 2026. The committee was told the project had been included in the city’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan as a 2026 project but must be moved into 2025 because of ODOT’s requirement to collect the local share in advance of letting. The staff member described the need for two pieces of legislation at the next council meeting: a resolution authorizing the payment and an ordinance for the supplemental appropriation.

Discussion vs. decision: Committee discussion focused on timing and the need to move budgeted 2026 funds into 2025 because ODOT’s process requires payment in advance. The formal actions were motions to have the necessary legislation prepared; those motions were approved by roll call. No construction contract award or appropriation ordinance was adopted at this meeting — the motions authorized staff to prepare legislation for council consideration at the next meeting.

Next steps: staff will draft the resolution authorizing the payment to ODOT and an ordinance for supplemental appropriation for consideration at the next council meeting.