South Russell council hears strong public opposition to Bell Road walking path; moves project to 2029 and drops levy attempt

Residents crowded the podium at the South Russell Village Council meeting on July 20 to oppose a proposed walking path on Bell Road and to press for written documentation of grant funding. "I feel it is a lot of money for something that will be used by a few residents," said Elsie Tarcy of 1091 Sherbrooke Drive during public comment, urging council to table the plan and not put a levy on the ballot.

Councilors heard similar concerns from other residents who noted ambulance-response uncertainties and urged lower-cost alternatives, such as a reduced speed limit. "Maybe we lower the speed limit between Gurnee and the park as opposed to building a dirt path that costs over $1,000,000," said Tracy Gervino (1460 Bell Road).

The mayor and staff said a NOACA-related grant letter arrived in March 2023 and that a signed agreement exists; residents pressed for copies. The engineer later told council that the village has a signed agreement from 2023 and staff offered to provide public copies.

On a motion from the streets committee, council voted 5–1 to accept a recommendation from NOACA and the Ohio Department of Transportation to move the trail project into state fiscal year 2029, acknowledging that timelines made FY2027 infeasible. Council earlier attempted to adopt an ordinance to levy a tax in excess of the 10-mill limitation to pay for the trail, but that ordinance failed to advance and "died" for lack of a second.

Why it matters: Moving the project to FY2029 delays any ballot decision and shifts the likely timing of construction and local cost decisions; residents pressed for clearer documentation of grant commitments and asked the council to consider lower-cost safety fixes.

Next steps: Council signaled staff will provide written grant documents and further discussion or a ballot decision will depend on funding availability and public outreach.