Fostoria officials plan street-sweeper replacement and downtown traffic changes; Lytle Street repairs to be paved in August

City officials told the council they will pursue equipment replacement and traffic changes for the downtown area and reported progress on Lytle Street repairs. The Public Service and Safety Director reported the city’s street sweeper—about 10 years old—has become unreliable and that replacement was planned for next year; the director said the machine and associated components are “roughly, $350,000” and staff are evaluating financing versus an outright purchase. The director said more details on financing will be presented as the procurement process moves forward. The director also described traffic changes the city will bring to council at its next meeting for formal action: requests include making permanent four-way stops at Main & South, Main & Center, Main & North, and at Tippen & Maine by removing the existing traffic signal and converting that intersection to a four-way stop. The director said the city’s supervisors and staff walked downtown to review the “road diet” area and flagged ADA crosswalk repairs for next year’s budget cycle. Mayor Manel told the council crews completed drain and manhole repairs on Lytle Street and that contractor D2 Construction is replacing crosswalks; he said UNB Asphalt is expected to pave Lytle Street in August, a month later than originally planned. No formal council action to purchase equipment or change traffic controls was taken at the meeting; the director said specific legislation on the road-diet components will be presented at the next council meeting.