Bowling Green City Council has authorized Utilities Director Brian O’Connell to enter into contracts for roof replacement and building repairs at the water pollution control facility.
According to the legislative package document prepared for the Sept. 3 council meeting, the current roof system over a portion of the structure has reached the end of its useful life. Additionally, there are some concrete walls that are cracking and in need of repair.
The cost for this contract work is $159,162 and could be higher if additional decking repair is needed after the old roofing system is removed. The Sewer Capital Reserve Fund (SCRF) budget included $143,000 for roof and building repairs at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the balance will come from other projects in the SCRF that are not expected to be used in 2024.
Also at the meeting, council:
• Introduced an ordinance authorizing O’Connell to sign an amendment to the Northwestern Water and Sewer District Wholesale Water Contract. According to the legislative package document, a request for increased water capacity was received from the District to serve the needs of a proposed development at Ohio 25 and Ohio 582.
The District is requesting an additional 600,000 gallons per day be added to the current water service contract. The water capacity of the current contract totals 800,000 gallons per day. Since bringing Liberty Center and McClure into (the) territory of the district, it is estimated that they consume 857,546 gallons per day. Staff recommends rounding up the total contract capacity to 1,500,000 gallons per day. The city’s water treatment plant is rated for 10 MGD, and currently produces 5 MGD on average. Staff has reviewed the District’s request and do not foresee any issues with the water system by adding this capacity.
• Heard from resident Jim Evans, who spoke in support of the city’s pending Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, specifically on the issue of street flooding in Bowling Green due to heavy rain events.
“Climate change has had a major impact on design capacity in Northwest Ohio,” he said regarding stormwater drainage. “What was statistically extreme events now occur more frequently.”
• Heard from residents Tim Harris, Ryan Phipps, and Norm Geer, who spoke on behalf of the Bowling Green Country Club, in support of a new lease agreement between the city and the country club, pending before council. Geer noted that the country club has been in existence for 100 years, and the course was created in the 1920s to help make Bowling Green a destination.
“The popularity was immense,” he said, noting that it is the kind of course where someone can play an affordable game without necessarily needing golfing expertise.
• Heard from Councilman Bill Herald that the Transportation and Safety Committee will hold a follow-up meeting to discuss wildlife issues Sept. 16 at 5:30 p.m.
