Terrace Park officials brief residents on Duke Energy gas-main work, EMS staffing and year-end operations

Council members and department leaders used the Dec. 11 meeting to update residents on several operational items affecting daily life in Terrace Park.

Police chief and village administrator Jerry Hayao described an upcoming Duke Energy gas-main project and the contractor RLA. Hayao said, "All affected residents in phase 1 of the project will be receiving a large postcard in the mail" and that the postcard will include typical workdays, hours and a Duke hotline for questions. He said there are four phases in the project and that the planner hopes to complete phase 1 in the spring to minimize impacts on the elementary school. Hayao said Duke will have someone on site daily and that the village is working with the contractor to create badges for workers who must enter homes so residents can confirm authorized access.

On emergency services, EMS and Fire Chief John Maggard reported staffing improvements: "we have, as of right now, 8 people, lined up for the January start of a new EMS recruit class," and said the department is updating standard operating procedures that had not been revised in several years. Maggard also noted the department is reviewing officer responsibilities following the recent loss of Chief Dransfeld and that some duties may be redistributed.

Operations and maintenance updates included a note that the maintenance department completed approximately 67 loads and about 10 passes through the village during leaf pickup, and that crews will disassemble the leaf-vac system to ready trucks for snow removal. Hayao and other staff reminded residents to enroll in the village's CodeRED notification system for project and emergency alerts (terracepark.org).

Hayao also announced personnel and training items for the police department, noting Lieutenant Pruitt's acceptance into the Police Executive Leadership College and that Officer Cam Emerman completed his probationary period and is now a full member of the Terrace Park Police Department.

Separately, council moved into executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(2) to consider the purchase of property for public purposes; after the closed session the mayor reported "no action was taken whatsoever." The meeting adjourned for the year following the executive session.

Council did not provide a timeline for the gas-main construction beyond the planned January start for initial work and the plan to sequence phases to limit school impacts.