City council on Monday approved ordinances involving changing the names of two streets, as well as the purchase of additional land near the water treatment plant.
The first ordinance involved changing the name of Granite Road, formerly known as West Road, to Freeway Court, and changing Marble Road, formerly known as South Road, to Expressway Drive. The ordinance was passed unanimously as an emergency measure.
According to a legislative package document prepared for council, a replat of the subdivision at the southeast corner of Dunbridge/Wooster was recently approved by Planning Commission. As part of that approval, the existing private roads were dedicated to the city to become public roads. On the documents submitted to the city, the engineering firm had submitted road names for place holders on the subdivision plat. After approval, the property owners requested the road names be changed to Freeway Court and Expressway Drive.
The city will soon make street signs for this area. Expediting the legislation for three readings and adopting the emergency clause will allow for the correct signs to be made and the documents associated with this area updated to avoid future confusions expediently.
An emergency clause allows an ordinance to take effect immediately.
Council also unanimously passed an ordinance authorizing utilities Director Brian O’Connell to execute a purchase agreement with James and Tennie Karvel to purchase approximately two acres located at 17382 W. River Road, for the water treatment plant. According to the legislative package document, the owners recently approached the city about the possibility of purchasing their property.
The parcel is located immediately north of the Water Treatment Plant and west of the 36.24 acres purchased in 2023. The 36.24 acres were purchased with the intention of expanding the raw water reservoir. Acquiring this property could increase the surface area of the reservoir expansion by two acres.
This is the only adjacent property that could be used for reservoir storage beyond what is already owned. It would also help alleviate any issues that may arise with a residential neighbor being immediately adjacent to the reservoir during construction and continued operation. The property was appraised at $450,000 and a purchase price of $425,000 was negotiated. An additional $10,000 is needed to cover expenses associated with the purchase. The total founding of $435,0000 will come from the Water Capital Reserve Fund.
The matter was also passed as an emergency measure.
In other business, council:
• Went into an approximately 12-minute executive session to discuss union negotiations. Later in the meeting, council unanimously approved legislation authorizing Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter to sign a contract with the Bowling Green Police Command Officers Association. The legislation was passed as an emergency measure.
• Heard from Mayor Mike Aspacher who expressed his appreciation “for those involved in the Hometown Hero banners that you have likely seen” displayed throughout the city.
“The goal of that program was to recognize those individuals from the community who served our country by serving in the armed services. I do believe it appropriate that the city has been involved and supportive of that effort because I think that recognition… of those veterans who have served our country is” commensurate with community values, Aspacher said.
• Heard from Philip Chrysler, who noted that he is a candidate for Wood County Commissioner, and said he was reaching out to councils in the county.
