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Council committee reviews waterline for children’s services, OU line appropriation and regional sewer project update
Summary
Committees discussed a requested $380,000 appropriation for a 6‑inch waterline to serve Athens County Children’s Services (pre‑annexation), a small increase to pay Ohio University waterline work, and an update on regional sewer project 330 with $8 million in loan forgiveness noted.
City and Safety Services committee members reviewed three infrastructure items on Sept. 8: a requested appropriation and authorization related to a 6‑inch waterline for the new Athens County Children’s Services building, an amendment to increase an appropriation to pay Ohio University invoicing for a city waterline replacement, and an added agenda item for Project 330, the regional sewer improvement work.
Mayor Patterson and Director Andy Stone (Service & Safety / Engineering referenced in discussion) explained the waterline request: the city is being asked to appropriate $380,000 to install a 6‑inch waterline needed to support a sprinkler system and increased fire flow for the Children’s Services facility. City staff said the county property would enter a pre‑annexation process with an annexation agreement expected in advance of the property being annexed into the city; the county had signaled the annexation would be pursued in the 2026 cycle. Committee members asked whether the annexation could start immediately and whether the city would be left providing out‑of‑city water service without annexation; staff said the county director sought a pre‑annexation timetable aligned with their budgeting and the city retains leverage in negotiations.
The committee also agreed to bring forward a minor amendment to an earlier ordinance authorizing city payment for an Ohio University waterline replacement on Factory Street; the completed work invoiced the city for $222,500 and staff will request an appropriation increase of $500 so the auditor can pay the final bill.
Finally, Director Stone provided an update on Project 330 — a multi‑part sewer regionalization improvement that includes lift stations, force mains and river crossing work. Stone said the city obtained a 0% regionalization loan for the program and has now been notified that $8 million of that loan will be forgiven; final contract amounts and contracting paperwork are being finalized before staff will bring a precise appropriation ordinance back to council for approval.
No appropriation ordinances were adopted at the committee meeting; the mayor and department staff said final cost estimates and contract paperwork would be provided to the clerk and council as soon as bids and contracts are finalized. The committee discussed timing and asked staff to coordinate with the county director of Children’s Services about annexation timing.
