Committee backs moving US-224 urban paving project to bid; ODOT grant to cover 80% (up to $355,000)

A Tiffin City Streets, Sidewalks and Sewers committee recommended the law director prepare legislation to allow the city to solicit bids for the US-224 urban paving project, which covers the portion of U.S. 224 recently annexed into the city.

The recommendation matters because the project will resurface an arterial within city limits using state-administered urban paving grant funds; approval to solicit bids is the step that lets the city schedule design and construction procurement.

City Engineer Matt Watson told the committee the city received an ODOT urban paving grant that will cover 80% of the project cost up to $355,000. Watson said the project is currently estimated to cost $516,000 and that he plans to advertise for bids around May or June with the intent to build the work in the fall. Watson added that ODOT-administered funds become available in July.

Councilmember Kevin Reisner noted the higher expense reflects a deeper pavement section to accommodate heavier traffic and semitrailers. Reisner moved that the law director prepare legislation; Purnaman seconded the motion. The committee passed the motion 4-0; a committee member arrived after the vote.

At the full council meeting, ordinance 25-19 was introduced as a first reading to authorize preparation of plans and solicitation of bids for the Seneca US-224 PID 01/20616 urban paving project. The ordinance will return for additional readings and council action before contracts are awarded.

Ending

Staff and committee members said the next steps are drafting the ordinance, bidding in late spring and coordinating ODOT reimbursement timing once funds become available in July.