Forest Park City Council adopts three resolutions: street-name change, traffic-signal contract and OPWC grant application

Forest Park City Council voted unanimously Jan. 21 to adopt three resolutions covering a street-name change, a traffic signal contract and a grant application for road repaving.

The measures passed on voice and roll-call votes with 6-0 tallies and no recorded dissents.

The first resolution (01-2025) approves changing the recorded name of a new subdivision road from "John Charles Estates Drive" to "John Charles Drive" and asks acceptance by the Board of Hamilton County Commissioners. The mayor described the change as an administrative correction driven by the planning commission and the developer to shorten a plat name; "This is a simple approval, and because of the timing, it won't affect or inconvenience any of our residents, and I urge its passage," the mayor said during discussion. The resolution will be recorded at the county to reflect the shorter name.

The council next approved resolution 02-2025 to award the Forest Park Central Traffic Control Signal Project to Capital Electric Line Builders, LLC, which submitted one of three bids. Council Member Sylvester summarized the procurement: engineering estimated the work at $710,000; bids received ranged from $612,464 to $704,960. The project will be funded by two grants described by staff: $278,235 through OKI and $447,810 through a listed "solar grant." Council Member Sylvester said the city recommends proceeding with Capital Electric; the council approved the award unanimously. Officials said construction will begin in spring and is expected to be completed by spring 2026.

Finally, the council adopted resolution 03-2025 authorizing the city manager to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement program for a repaving phase of Fosharon Road. The stated grant request is $249,275, described in the meeting as roughly 50% of the project cost; the city is also applying for MRAF funds to cover additional costs. The resolution passed 6-0.

Votes at a glance

• Resolution 01-2025 — Change name recorded on plat to John Charles Drive; requests acceptance by the Board of Hamilton County Commissioners; outcome: adopted, vote 6-0; mover: Mayor (motion recorded), second: not specified.

• Resolution 02-2025 — Award Forest Park Central Traffic Control Signal Project to Capital Electric Line Builders, LLC; funding from OKI ($278,235) and a "solar grant" ($447,810); outcome: adopted, vote 6-0; mover: Council Member Sylvester, second: not specified.

• Resolution 03-2025 — Authorize submission of an Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement grant application (requesting $249,275) for Fosharon Road repaving; outcome: adopted, vote 6-0; mover: Council Member Sylvester, second: not specified.

The council did not amend the substance of any of the measures on the floor; each resolution was presented, briefly explained by council or staff, and adopted. The street-name change requires a subsequent county acceptance step; the traffic-signal project will proceed under the awarded contractor and the city expects construction next spring; the OPWC grant application will be prepared and submitted by the city manager as authorized.