Council approves downtown streetscape bids, water‑line upgrades and pool project; enacts tax-code changes and traffic updates

Worcester City Council on April 7 approved a package of enacted resolutions and ordinances advancing downtown streetscape work, water‑line replacements, a pool renovation and several administrative updates.

The council unanimously adopted a declaration of necessity and a bid‑advertising resolution for a South Market Street and South Street streetscape project that the administration estimates will cost about $250,000. Preliminary property assessments for owners in the improvement area total $67,881.52; the city will pay the remainder from the 2025 appropriation. Council also authorized advertising for bids and to contract with the lowest and best bidder for that project.

Council approved a separate contract‑advertising resolution to replace water lines on Ghashi Street and South Columbus Avenue. Council discussion confirmed that several smaller lines in the area will be upsized: the transcript records that 4‑inch lines in the work area will be replaced with 8‑inch mains.

The council authorized the administration to solicit bids and enter into contracts for the Christmas Run pool renovation project. Council members said the pool renovation package includes mechanical and safety upgrades and family‑oriented amenities; larger slide options (including a possible zip‑line or drop slides) were discussed as a separately priced item and will be evaluated after initial bids are returned. Officials gave a tentative construction timeline that would close the pool in mid‑May and target a reopening in late August; the administration said the schedule may be refined once bids are received.

The body also adopted an ordinance that amends city income‑tax code language to conform to recent changes in the Ohio Revised Code. The changes described in the meeting packet and by city staff include allowing certain businesses to use a reporting‑location method for apportioning net profits (reducing administrative burden), an extension‑filing adjustment to match state timelines, and a cap on certain late filing penalties.

Council approved an ordinance updating the traffic control file to reflect recent traffic commission recommendations. Discussion during the item highlighted a recent citywide review of flashing intersection signals and a change to nighttime signal operation that followed ODOT guidance; residents raised safety concerns at specific intersections and city staff said they had reviewed sight‑triangles and would monitor accident data.

The council also authorized the acquisition of a parcel from GGI Properties to expand parking near the community center and amended an earlier purchasing resolution (2025‑17) to reflect procurement clarifications. The purchase amount in the motion was recorded in the meeting transcript as “not to exceed $35” (see clarifying details); council adopted the resolution.

Other formal votes included waiver of hearing for a new C2 liquor license for Best Price LLC (carryout wine and prepackaged low‑proof mixed beverages), and multiple routine suspension‑of‑rules votes enabling immediate enactment of several items. Most roll calls recorded unanimous “yes” votes from the members present.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2025‑03 (enterprise zone agreement with Jarrett Companies/J Warehouse House LLC): second reading held; moved to third reading and scheduled for a special Wednesday meeting. (No final vote recorded April 7.) - Ordinance 2025‑04 (community reinvestment area agreement with Seaman Corporation/1000 Venture Boulevard LLC): second reading held; moved to third reading and scheduled for a special Wednesday meeting. (No final vote recorded April 7.) - Resolution 2025‑27 (declare necessity, South Market/South St. streetscape): Adopted; motion to adopt by Miss Wharton; roll call recorded affirmative votes from members present. Assessment preliminary total: $67,881.52; project estimate: $250,000 (budgeted in 2025 appropriations). - Resolution 2025‑28 (advertise/contract for South Market/South St. streetscape): Adopted; authorizes bid advertisement and contracting with lowest and best bidder; estimated cost, $250,000. - Resolution 2025‑29 (advertise/contract for Ghashi St. & S. Columbus Ave. water‑line replacement): Adopted; includes upsizing several 4‑inch lines to 8‑inch mains. - Ordinance 2025‑05 (traffic control file amendments): Adopted after suspension of rules; implements traffic commission recommendations and signal‑operation updates. - Ordinance 2025‑06 (amend city income tax code to conform with Ohio Revised Code ch. 718): Adopted after suspension of rules; administrative changes described include reporting‑location apportionment, an extension‑filing alignment, and reduced late‑fee caps as stated by staff. - Resolution 2025‑30 (acquire property from GGI Properties): Adopted; transcript motion referenced acquisition “not to exceed $35” (see clarifying details). - Resolution 2025‑31 (advertise/contract for Christmas Run pool project): Adopted; authorizes solicitation of bids for pool renovation and related work; slide features to be priced/separately evaluated. - Resolution 2025‑32 (amend 2025‑17 procurement resolution): Adopted; administrative revision to prior purchasing resolution. - Liquor control request (new C2 license for Best Price LLC, 516 Bell Ave.): Motion to waive hearing adopted; clerk described C2 permit authorizations (carryout wine and prepackaged low‑proof mixed beverages until 1 a.m.).

Why this matters The actions move multiple capital projects from planning toward procurement and construction: a downtown streetscape that pairs public funding and limited property assessments, water‑system upgrades that enlarge undersized mains, and a major renovation of a municipal pool. The tax‑code amendment aligns local collection rules with state law and may reduce administrative burden for businesses.

What’s next Several items that required three readings were advanced to a special Wednesday meeting for final votes. The administration will proceed to advertise the streetscape, water‑line and pool projects for bids; council members said they expect to review returned bids and detailed slide‑feature pricing before final selections.