Canal Winchester council moves ahead on Winchester roundabout property steps, awards 2025 street contract and picks up mayor’s OPERS contribution

Canal Winchester City Council on March 3 approved measures that start the property-acquisition process for a planned roundabout on Winchester Boulevard, awarded the 2025 street program contract and amended and adopted an ordinance authorizing the city to pick up the mayor’s Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) contribution.

The council adopted three companion resolutions authorizing notice of intent and authority to appropriate limited fee interests and temporary easements on multiple Franklin County commercial parcels to allow construction of a roundabout at Winchester Boulevard. "This legislation is the opening step that is necessary to acquire property by eminent domain," said Thad Boggs, the city law director. He told council appraisals will be completed and good‑faith offers made to property owners before any legal action would be taken.

Why it matters: the property actions clear an early legal step so appraisals and offers can proceed on a schedule the city says is necessary to secure funding and keep the Winchester Boulevard project on track.

Council also moved forward with the 2025 street program. Bill Sims, director of construction services, summarized the bid results and recommended awarding the contract to Strauser Paving Company, the low bidder. "We had 3 bidders, and the low bidder was Strauser Paving," Sims said, adding the bid came in below the engineer’s estimate and that asphalt prices were lower than the prior year. Council waived additional readings and adopted the emergency ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute the contract.

In a separate action the council recalled and amended an ordinance that authorizes the city to pick up the statutorily required OPERS contribution for the mayor under federal tax code Section 414(h)(2). Amanda Jackson, finance director, said council previously approved the benefit but staff discovered the ordinance implementing the pick‑up was not on the books. After recalling the ordinance, council amended the pay‑period effective date and declared an emergency so the benefit takes effect immediately. Jackson explained the city must follow specific procedures to implement the contribution pick‑up.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 25‑008 (Winchester Blvd. parcel appropriation notice): adopted. Motion: Councilmember Shea; second: Councilmember Buskirk. Vote recorded as yes: Shea, Buskirk, McLaughlin, Moore, Amick. (Appraisals and offers to be sent before any appropriation filing.) - Resolution 25‑009 (Winchester Blvd. parcel appropriation notice): adopted. Motion: Councilmember Shea; second: Councilmember Buskirk. Vote recorded as yes: Shea, Buskirk, McLaughlin, Moore, Amick. - Resolution 25‑010 (temporary easement notice): adopted. Motion: Councilmember Shea; second: Councilmember Buskirk. Vote recorded as yes: Shea, Buskirk, McLaughlin, Moore, Amick. - Ordinance 25‑002 (2025 Street Program contract; emergency): adopted. Motion to adopt: Councilmember McLaughlin; second: Councilmember Moore. Vote recorded as yes: McLaughlin, Buskirk, Moore, Shea, Amick. - Ordinance 25‑003 (city picks up mayor OPERS contribution; amended and emergency): adopted as amended to change the first pay period and declared an emergency so the benefit begins immediately. Motion to adopt (final): Councilmember Shea; second: Councilmember Buskirk. Vote recorded as yes: Shea, Buskirk, McLaughlin, Moore, Amick.

Details and limits: Boggs told council that the resolutions do not mandate immediate filing of appropriation lawsuits; they authorize the next steps (appraisals and offer letters) and preserve the city’s timeline. Sims said temporary easements are included to allow maintenance of traffic during construction. Jackson said the OPERS pick‑up requires specific municipal ordinance language before payroll implementation can occur.

Next steps: appraisals and good‑faith offers to property owners are expected before any appropriation filing; Strauser Paving will receive a contract to begin the 2025 street program work under the emergency authorization; the finance and payroll offices will implement the mayor’s OPERS pick‑up per the amended effective date.

Sources: City staff presentations and council roll calls at the Canal Winchester City Council meeting on March 3, 2025.