Council approves first reading of lead service line replacement Phase 3A; councilors press contractor controls

The Lima City Council voted 7-0 on Oct. 6 to approve on its first reading an ordinance authorizing the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for Phase 3A of the city’s lead service line replacement program.

Councilors and residents asked questions about the project’s disruption in neighborhoods. One council member sought assurances that portable toilets and staging would not be placed disrespectfully in front of homes, businesses or houses of worship; another asked for a timeline showing how long crews take to complete work on a street and when trenches would be backfilled and paved.

City Utilities staff said excavation depths and job lengths vary by location and by crew availability; they said there are multiple contractors and that officials control contractor placement and can require corrections. Staff acknowledged that temporary stone and gravel are used while crews wait for the asphalt plant to reopen in spring and that saw cutting should be done with water “per EPA guideline” to reduce dust.

Residents said dust from cutting and exposed stone has affected elderly neighbors; staff and councilors asked crews to reduce dust, use water when saw cutting and avoid leaving staging and equipment in locations that block access or show disrespect. The councilor who represents a ward with current work on Franklin Avenue and other streets said he would vote yes but wanted follow-up on timelines and contractor oversight.

The ordinance passed on its first reading; council members said they will monitor contractor compliance and follow up with utilities staff on scheduling, dust mitigation and equipment staging.