Council advances Factory Road bridge easement to second reading; approves Red Lobster ownership transfer; accepts Q4 financial report

The Beavercreek City Council advanced an ordinance affecting city-owned land for the Factory Road bridge reconstruction, approved a liquor-license stock-ownership transfer for Red Lobster and accepted the city's fourth-quarter financial report during a regular council meeting.

Council voted to move Ordinance 25-1 to a second reading. The ordinance, as presented by city staff, would declare select city-owned property interests surplus and approve conveyance of a perpetual highway easement over city property where the Creekside Trail currently sits to accommodate reconstruction of the Factory Road bridge.

A city engineering presenter told council "the existing bridge is only 2 lanes wide where the new structure is gonna be 3 lanes wide," and that the project includes a new path on the east side of the bridge. The presenter said the easement area is needed for the wider structure, for the new bike path and to allow relocation of overhead power lines to create room for piling installation. The project also will include new guardrail and a pedestrian island at the path crossing to improve safety.

Council moved Ordinance 25-1 to a second reading by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript and the motion carried.

On a separate item, Police Chief Lindsey reported the Ohio Division of Liquor Control had notified the city of a requested stock-ownership transfer for Red Lobster Hospitality LLC, doing business as Red Lobster at 2803 North Fairfield Road. "Staff is recommending this application request to move forward without comment," Chief Lindsey said. Council approved the city's response — effectively a non-objection — by voice vote.

The council also accepted the city's fourth-quarter financial report. A finance presenter said general-fund revenues were "17% higher than what were budgeted, and then 7% over what was, in the previous year." The presenter noted the state reduced income-tax rates affected the local government share and discussed capital items: $250,000 was budgeted for phase 1 of a sidewalk project and about $200,000 in ditch-restoration funds were paid using ARPA money. The presenter said investment income exceeded budget due to market rates and noted strong performance at the municipal golf course, with rounds played and related revenues above prior-year and budgeted levels.

Council approved a motion to accept the fourth-quarter report by voice vote.

City Manager Landrum also announced operational items including a thoroughfare-plan open house on Feb. 12 and a road closure on Beaver Valley beginning Jan. 27 to repair a retaining wall; the road closure was expected to last about 14 days and emergency access would not be possible during the work.