Lebanon council approves billboard contracts, utility upgrades and public-safety purchases; rezoning for youth activity space moves to second reading

LEDE The Lebanon City Council on Oct. 28 approved a package of ordinances to extend and relocate city billboard advertising, authorize engineering task orders for substation improvements, and buy public-safety equipment, while advancing a rezoning request for a children’s activity space to a second reading.

NUT GRAF Councilors voted — generally unanimously — to approve two billboard contracts with Lamar, task orders for substation work with Toth & Associates, a flooring contract for the Wallace Building, acquisition of taser devices for the police department, ballistic vests and helmets for the fire department (partially grant-funded), a full replacement of the Harkey Park walking trail, and a real-estate purchase at 485 W. Fourth Street. A rezoning request for 711 Canole Street (from RS-2 residential to CL commercial limited) passed first reading and will return for final action at the council’s next meeting.

BODY Billboard contracts and messaging: City staff described two related ordinances. A short-term renewal extends the existing Lamar digital billboard rental on the Grand Glaize Bridge through Dec. 31, 2024, for $4,500 to bridge to a new location; the council also approved a contract for a new Lamar digital billboard on westbound I-44 near Exit 130. "It saves money, it's closer to home," city staff member Mike said of the move, noting the Exit 130 site is nearer to town and intended to be a lower-cost option while still reaching highway traffic.

Substation upgrades: The council approved two task orders (task order numbers 9 and 10) with Toth & Associates for improvements at Substation No. 1 and Substation No. 2. Staff said the work was identified in a 2020 system master plan; because the task orders exceed $100,000 they were brought to council for approval.

Wallace Building flooring: Council approved an agreement with JR and MR Investments to remove existing VCT tiles and install glue-down laminate flooring at…