Council delays Sizzler Park trail approval pending school board coordination; discusses package-plant repairs for trail restrooms

The community development committee asked for more time on a proposed agreement with OHM Advisors for design of the Sizzler Park trail project after council members asked whether the school board had formally approved the trail alignment where it approaches school property. A council member said she did not want the city to spend about $38,500 on design work if the school board ultimately objected to the trail crossing or approaching the school property. The committee granted time to check with the school board before moving forward with the contract.

At the same meeting the mayor and staff briefed council about an interlocal arrangement tied to trail restrooms. Staff said the trail restroom flow would need to discharge into the Manchester School District’s package plant. During preliminary discussions, the school district identified foundational problems with the package plant that would require approximately $68,000 in repairs. Staff described a proposed split of that cost: the city would contribute roughly $34,000 (about $18,000 cash and $16,000 in labor) and the school would cover the balance. The parks commission has recommended the expenditure. Council said the city and school district will need a memorandum of understanding and likely an Ohio EPA review or permit to accept flow from an additional source; staff said an MOU is drafted and will be presented to council and the school board and then submitted to Ohio EPA for review.

Council put OHM Advisors’ design agreement on hold pending school-board confirmation of the trail alignment and completion of the MOU and EPA clearance. No design contract was approved at the meeting.