South Lebanon council approves contracts for Morrow Road phase, street sweeping and subdivision maintenance; hears project updates

On April 3, 2025, the South Lebanon City Council approved a package of emergency actions including a notice of award for phase 1 of the Morrow Road reconstruction, a new street‑sweeping contract and acceptance of public maintenance improvements to Auburn Grove Drive, and accepted a $500 grant from the Cincinnati Reds community fund.

The actions were taken by unanimous voice votes after motions to waive the second‑reading rule and then to approve by title. Council member Linda Allen moved the motions to waive and to approve the Fillmore Construction LLC notice of award; Lisa Feder seconded. Allen, Feder, Mary Anne Harrison and Council member Spicer voted “yay” on the motions, and the mayor declared the motions carried. The council took the same procedural steps and recorded unanimous votes to authorize an agreement with Grounds Pro LLC for 2025 street‑sweeping services and to accept public maintenance improvements in the Auburn Grove subdivision.

Why it matters: the Fillmore contract and the Auburn Grove acceptance clear the way for road and subdivision work that city officials said will affect traffic and local infrastructure this summer. Administrator Jerry told council that the Morrow Road phase 1 contract will proceed to pre‑construction steps and that work is expected to start after Memorial Day and to run through August.

Council recorded the following formal actions during the meeting: a notice of award to Fillmore Construction LLC to authorize the mayor and director of finance to execute a contract for phase 1 of the Morrow Road reconstruction project; an agreement with Grounds Pro LLC for street‑sweeping services for 2025; and an emergency ordinance accepting public maintenance improvements to Auburn Grove Drive in the Auburn Grove Subdivision. All of those measures were approved by the council during the meeting. The council also accepted a $500 donation from the Reds community fund.

During discussion the council asked whether Grounds Pro was the same firm used last season; staff replied it is a new company and that references and a background check had been completed. Administrator Jerry outlined timing for the Morrow Road work—preconstruction and contract execution now, with construction to begin after the Memorial Day holiday and an anticipated completion in August. Jerry also reported that River Creek Lofts and other local subdivisions are progressing through infrastructure and planning reviews and that the county transportation improvement district is expected to award the SR‑71 at SR‑48 signal project.

Public Works Director Harry Holworth updated the council on department items related to those projects: the city has purchased safety gear for staff that was included in the recent budget; Warren County assisted with riverbank cleanup and litter work; the park district donated field soil for ball fields; and the city received donated funds and in‑kind help connected to ball‑field repairs. Holworth said asphalt plants remain closed for the season, so the road crew has relied on 50‑pound bagged pothole filler until plants reopen in a few weeks. He also reported the water department has ordered replacement water meters and expected delivery within about two weeks, and that public‑works crews received free AED/CPR training from Union Township Fire Department.

The council held a first reading of Ordinance 2025‑58, a text amendment to the zoning regulations regarding acceptable fence types for private swimming pools. The council entered the ordinance into the record and moved on; no final vote or adoption occurred during the meeting.

Other routine business: the council approved invoices and accepted the previous meeting minutes; the tax office will offer extended hours ahead of the tax due date; and the personnel committee will meet April 10 to consider medical‑insurance plan renewal options because renewal decisions must be made by May 1. Law director Andrew noted several recent tax arraignment matters impacting city revenue collection.

The council adjourned after the evening's business. No formal objections to liquor‑license renewals were recommended by staff during the meeting.