Over $200,000 of infrastructure work to three city streets could soon begin if Urbana City Council signs off on two sidewalk projects during its 6 p.m. meeting today in municipal court chambers.
Administration is seeking council’s approval to award the Safe Routes to School Phase 2 Project contract to J&J Schlaegel Inc. of Urbana in the amount of $97,864.36.
The project, fully funded through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), involves the installation of sidewalks on the south side of Boyce Street from East Lawn Avenue to North Jefferson Avenue and on the east side of Madison Avenue from Boyce Street to Central Avenue. Crosswalk striping and signage is included in the project.
During past discussions concerning the scope of the project, city officials noted the project was submitted to the state prior to voters passing the bond issue to build new schools. After speaking with ODOT officials, the city was advised to keep the project as is.
As for the North Oakland Street Curbs and Walks Phase 1 Project, administration is recommending council authorize a purchase order in the amount of $65,071 to the Champaign County Commission for the city’s share of a project to replace sidewalks, curb and gutter, concrete driveways/drive approaches and six catch basins on both sides of North Oakland Street from Miami Street to West Church Street.
County commissioners, who are providing $40,249 in fiscal year 2015 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding toward the $105,320 project, awarded construction to J&J Schlaegel.
Pending council’s approval, $58,171 of the city’s $65,071 share of the project will be paid through the city’s CDBG Program Income Fund, while the remaining $6,900 will be taken from the Capital Improvement Street Fund.
Measures up for vote
An ordinance seeking council’s approval to submit city charter amendments to voters in November is scheduled for a vote following a third and final reading.
The proposed changes sought by administration involve residency requirements, streamlining legislation, publication of ordinances and resolutions, alternates for boards and commissions, and competitive bidding.
Also scheduled for a vote following a third and final reading is a resolution authorizing Director of Administration Kerry Brugger to seek funding for the Powell Avenue/Cemetery Sanitary Sewer Project through the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) State Capital Improvement Program, which provides both grants and loans.
Legislation to be introduced
The following resolutions will undergo a first reading:
•A resolution authorizing Brugger to accept, on behalf of the city, the Ohio Airport Grant from the ODOT Office of Aviation. Administration is requesting council suspend the three-readings rule.
•A resolution authorizing administration to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Justice for a Community Oriented Policing Services Office (COPS) grant to fund the hiring of one full-time police officer. Suspension of the three-readings rule is being requested.
•A ceremonial resolution supporting the creation of a county land bank in accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 5722.02.
