Committees approve West Park accessible playground, Horizon lease, TLCI planning grant and several finance items

The Utility Safety & Environment and Finance committees on Sept. 29 approved a group of routine but community-facing actions: authorizing advertisement for bids on an accessible West Park playground funded in part by an ODNR grant, renewing a short-term lease with the Horizon Education Center for after‑school programming at East Recreation Center, approving an application for a NOWACA Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI) planning grant, and approving a change order on the Murray Ridge Road resurfacing project. The Finance committee also approved disposition of end‑of‑life water equipment and small appropriation adjustments.

West Park playground

Director Vearden told the committees the city is ready to advertise for design‑build bids on a fully accessible playground that will use a poured‑in‑place rubber surface and adaptive equipment. The project carries an ODNR grant award of $325,000 and the city will use issue‑6 funds and a water conservation grant for the balance. “This will be a completely accessible playground,” Vearden said. Committee members asked about timing and equipment selection; staff said the city aims for construction and surface work to allow the playground to open in spring and be available for July 4 events, subject to contractor schedules and surface‑temperature constraints. The committees authorized the mayor to advertise for bids and award the contract; emergency clauses were requested.

Horizon Education Center lease

Director Reardon described a short-term lease that would let the Horizon Education Center continue an after‑school program at East Recreation Center from Sept. 2025 through May 2026 for $1,000 per month. Reardon said the partner provides its own liability insurance, operates primarily for middle‑school students and provides supervised staff and some transportation. Committee members raised supervision and theft‑prevention concerns; Reardon said the program is supervised at all times. Both committees approved the lease renewal.

TLCI planning grant application

Engineer McKillips presented a request to apply for up to $150,000 in TLCI planning funds from NOWACA to update the city’s 2015 plan and focus on bicycle and pedestrian improvements near West River and Griswold, the mall area and along Broad Street/Route 57. The city applied as a disadvantaged community and requested a 100% grant (no local match). Finance committee members supported the planning focus and the application was approved as an emergency to meet the Oct. 10 deadline.

Murray Ridge resurfacing change order

Engineer McKillips reported a change order to use additional grant funds to widen portions of the Murray Ridge resurfacing project. The new total project cost is $185,000; the city’s Muni motor vehicle fund share is approximately $52,002.44, with OPWC grant/loan covering the remainder. The finance committee approved the change order, which adjusts the project budget for minor widening and finish work.

Equipment disposition and appropriations

The Safety‑Service director presented surplus water‑department equipment — including a 1997 Bobcat 763 series and hydraulic rams — and asked that the items be declared unfit for city use and disposed of by sale or best means practicable. The finance committee approved a resolution declaring the equipment unfit for city use and authorizing disposal. Director Farrow also presented small re‑allocations within the block grant and CHIP grant funds to shift operating dollars into salary and benefits (no net increase in appropriations); those amendments were approved.

Votes at a glance

- Brown & Caldwell biosolids study contract: approved (see separate item). - Ohio EPA principal‑forgiveness EC loan application: approved (see separate item). - West Park Playground: authorized advertisement and award of contract; ODNR grant $325,000; emergency clause requested. - Horizon Education Center lease (East Recreation Center, Sept. 2025–May 2026): approved; $1,000/month. - TLCI planning grant application (NOWACA, up to $150,000): approved; emergency clause requested. - Murray Ridge Road resurfacing change order: approved; new total $185,000. - Disposal of City water equipment (1997 Bobcat, hydraulic rams): resolution approved. - 2025 appropriation amendments for block grant and CHIP grant funds: approved.