City Council - Regular Meeting

We are back from executive session.

Is there a motion to return from executive session?

So moved. Second. Second. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

we are back to regular session first item on the agenda this evening will be the approval of the minutes from the july 7th meeting if there are no additions deletions or corrections to those minutes i'll ask for a motion to approve First ordinance this evening will be an ordinance authorizing and directing the mayor, director of public service to advertise for bids and to enter into a contract for the Valentine Valley Drive bridge culvert replacement project in the city of Ashland, Ohio and declaring an emergency. Vote for non-reading the poll.

Second. Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye.

Aye. okay this is a particular item we've discussed many times before this is the bridge that you cross to get to the brookside golf course and many mill may not realize it but that entrance into brookside golf course does have a name it's valentine valley drive and we've known for the last several years that we would eventually have to replace that culvert the time has come and we've been very fortunate to secure a 500 000 grant from the ohio public works commission to put toward what is expected to be a $931,500 project. So more than half of it would be paid with the grant dollars. We would hope to see the construction begin next year. And during that time, we will have to make other arrangements when it comes to accessing brookside golf course in fact what you will likely do is come through brookside west and you will get your cart over in brookside west and by the pickleball courts in that area the new pickleball courts back there by the golf course and we're expecting to have to install a temporary construction trailer at the office so that everything can be processed there and then get people over to the hole number one by the clubhouse so incidentally it might be worth noting so far this year the revenue at the golf course is up eight percent over last year so we keep growing out of brookside golf course so that's good news uh well we have to figure out who the contractor is and once that's awarded they'll let us know but next year it'll no doubt impact golf season So we're asking you for authorization to advertise for bids so that we can get that contractor in place and find out when the work begins.

Is there any further discussion?

My only concern is that non-golfers would say, why do we have to pay for that because we don't use it? And I would like to point out, it is owned by the city. Absolutely.

the property so it is important that this be passed just to protect the value of the property and continue that access it's the value that it's value to the city whether we golf or not yes because it is part of the park system and even if the golf course were to go away one day this is still a city street that leads back to a significant amount of acreage that's within the city of Ashland so it's something that needs to be done one way or the other

With that, is there a motion to approve the ordinance on the first reading? I'll move. Second. Thank you.

Kyle? Aye. Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Workman?

Aye. I'll move to suspend the rules for three separate readings, three separate days.

Second.

Thank you.

Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye.

Kyle? Aye. Motion to approve the ordinance.

Move to approve. Second. Thank you.

Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye. Kyle? Aye. Miller. Aye. Ordinance 43-26.

Next, we have an ordinance authorizing and directing the mayor, director of public service, to enter into a contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation for resurfacing improvements of a portion of U.S. 250 PID 121-721 lying within the city of Ashland, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.

Second. Thank you.

Trio?

Aye.

Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye.

Workman? Aye. Okay, this particular ordinance concerns US 250 out on the east side of town. The Ohio Department of Transportation is preparing to resurface US 250 on the east side of the 71 corridor, and a portion of that is within the city limits. A portion of the work that they hope to do will be in the city limits, and in this particular situation, unlike some of those where we pass and we just authorize them to work in our community, if we want them to resurface the portion of US-250 that's in the city limits on the east side of 71, then we have to pay for it. And that's what we're asking you to do tonight is to approve the payment of $93,306 to resurface the portion of U.S. 250 that is in the corporate limits on the east side of 71. So it's just a small section. It actually ends at Township Road 653 that's by the fin, feather, and fur outfitters because that's where the city's limit is. And, of course, I think it makes sense for us to do it while they've got all their equipment there and their contractor there.

Any discussion?

Hearing none, is there a motion to approve on the first reading? So moved.

Second.

Thank you.

Miller. Aye. Woodward. Aye. Lawson. Aye. Workman. Aye. Ayo.

Aye. I'll move to suspend the rules for three separate readings, three separate days. Second. Thank you.

Woodward. Aye. Lawson. Aye. Workman. Aye. Ayo. Aye. Miller.

Aye. Motion to approve the ordinance.

Move to approve.

Second. Thank you.

Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye. Kayo? Aye. Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye. Ordinance 44-26.

Then we have an ordinance adopting the tax budget. We have to do the hearing first. Oh, forgive me. Yeah, let's move to that since we were in executive session for exceeding the 7-10.

You can always start a hearing late. You can never start it early.

So with that, we'll open up the hearing. for the 2027 proposed tax budget. Larry, I'll turn it over to you.

Good evening. This is the beginning of the 2027 appropriations. This is where it begins. The tax budget is a requirement city must complete Annually and then submit it to the County Budget Commission for their approval Once that is completed. They will send a ordinance back to you accepting the rates for the property tax collection for 2027 that actually is the 2026 numbers or the evaluations. In doing that, it's a exercise in what we would normally do in an appropriations, except that it does not require to be balanced, it does not require to do anything other than just a exercise in preparation for the end of the year, and hopefully an adoption of, as early as possible, of a 27 appropriations. Doing that, the total, I could give you all the numbers, but I think that I won't. The overall, the big bottom number is that it's a $27,492,186.10. I have no idea how I get that, but it drives me crazy. but anyways the the projected revenues and the expenditures for the city as we know it right now 97 million dollars and that does not take into consideration year-end cash balances it's an estimate of what we think we may have at the end of the year but it does not, until we get to 1231, that is when those numbers get plugged in, and then we start looking for actual spending appropriations for 27, so.

This is our second hearing, so we hashed this out a little bit at the last meeting. If council has any concerns since then, now would be the time to bring them up. If not, again, we'll open the floor to anyone here from the general public who may have a question or concern regarding our proposed tax budget. Now would be the time. All right. Seeing none, then we'll close out the hearing and move to the ordinance, which would be an ordinance adopting the tax budget of the City of Ashland, Ohio for the fiscal year beginning January 1st, 2027, submitting the same to the county auditor and declaring an emergency. Move for non-reading and full.

Second. Thank you. Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye.

Forgive me.

Pass on the first reading.

Yes, thank you. Is there a motion to approve on the first reading?

So moved.

Second. Thank you.

Woodward. Aye. Lawson. Aye. Workman. Aye. Mello.

Aye. I'll move to suspend the rules for three separate readings on three separate days. Second. This will be the second time.

Lawson. Aye. Workman. Aye. Mello. Aye. Woodward. Aye.

Motion to approve the ordinance? So moved. Second. Thank you.

Workman? Aye. Hayo? Aye. Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Ordinance 45-26.

All right. Hope that helps you move forward, Larry.

Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you.

And by the way... coming from a financial background the way a lot of us in this room do, including our clerk, we can appreciate the to-the-penny numbers on that. Balancing is important. Next will be an ordinance authorizing the issuing of a then-announced certificate for the following attached expenditures for the City of Ashland, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. Second. Thank you.

Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye. Kayo? Aye. Miller?

Aye.

then and now was anticipated work at the fire division. Unfortunately, they had a retirement within their organization and they changed administrative assistants. And doing that, this kind of fell in the crack between one and the other. It was anticipated work. Unfortunately, it just didn't get created in time. Sure. Any questions, concerns, discussion?

Hearing none, is there a motion to approve on the first reading? So moved. Second. Thank you.

Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye. Kyle? Aye. Miller?

Aye.

Woodward? Aye.

I move to suspend the rules for three separate readings, three separate days. Second. Thank you.

Workman? Aye. Kyo?

Aye. Miller? Aye.

Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye.

Motion to approve the ordinance. So moved. Second. Thank you.

Kyo?

Aye.

Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye. Ordinance 46-26.

Next will be an ordinance authorizing the Director of Finance to amend appropriations for the calendar year 2026 and declaring an emergency.

Move for non-reading in full. Second. Thank you.

Lawson. Aye. Workman. Aye. Kyle.

Aye.

Miller.

Aye. Woodward.

Aye.

Recently, we... executed an ordinance to borrow some money for the city to make a purchase. This appropriates that money so as to complete that process. The other is the community block grant program. At the beginning of the year, we weren't quite sure how much funding we would receive. and that we held off at that time. This now allows us to complete, I believe it's Lincoln, isn't it?

Yes, Lincoln Park.

Park. So two very important projects, just creating the funding mechanism to do that. This is new money that we're appropriating or money that was held in the block grant fund with grant money coming in to do that program.

Do you foresee the state ever increasing that amount for the grant?

I haven't seen it increase in 30 years. That's what I asked, what I wanted to know.

Okay, that explains a lot. Given inflation and the cost of some of these projects, you would think that we would see an increase eventually. All right, with that.

They've actually debated doing away with the program. Oh, they have. So we'll keep accessing it as long as it exists.

As long as we can, yes. With that, is there any discussion for Mr. Paxton? Hearing none, is there a motion to approve on the first reading?

So moved.

Second. Thank you.

Workman? Aye. Kayo? Aye. Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye.

I'll move to suspend the rules for three separate readings, three separate dates. Second. Thank you.

Kayo? Aye. Miller?

Aye.

Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Workman?

Aye.

Motion to approve the ordinance.

So moved. Second. Thank you.

Miller?

Aye.

Woodward? Aye. Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye. Kayo? Aye. Ordinance 47-26.

And we have an ordinance authorizing and directing the mayor to enter into a contract with Pavement Technology Incorporated for the application of an asphalt rejuvenating agent, reclamite, on selected streets within the city of Ashland, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. So with that I'll begin the reading This will be From the beginning authorizing and directing the mayor down there into a contract with pavement technology incorporated and for the application of asphalt rejuvenation agent reclamite on selected streets within the City of Ashland, Ohio, declaring an emergency. whereas certain recently resurfaced streets within the city of Ashland will realize an extended service life by applying an asphalt rejuvenating agent, and whereas Ohio Revised Code 5513.01b allows political subdivisions within the state to participate in contracts procured by the Ohio Department of Transportation, thus obviating bidding of such machinery, materials, supplies, and other articles, and whereas the needed materials and services are available utilizing the ODOT state bid 101L-26 contract with Pavement Technology Incorporated, and whereas said services will include resident notification, pre and post cleaning of the roads, maintenance of traffic, and proper supervision to ensure work is in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, whereas it is immediately necessary to begin proceedings for said treatment in order to complete said work of this construction season, and whereas for the above reason, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure, immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare, now therefore be it ordained by the Council of the City of Ashland, Ohio, its members thereto concurring, section one, that the mayor be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with Pavement Technology Incorporated for the purchase of asphalt rejuvenating agent reclamite materials and services as specified within the attached quote included herein and made a part thereof. section two, that the quantities provided are estimates based on the approximate square yards of asphalt pavement to be treated. The final contract cost will be based on the actual number of gallons applied at the rate of $32.81 per gallon in accordance with the state bid 101L-27. Section three, that the cost for the contract shall not exceed $200,000 and the money for said contract has been appropriated and shall be paid from account number 472-5601-56019 Section 4, that the reason that it is immediately necessary to begin proceedings for the said treatment in order to complete said work of this construction season. This ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare of said city of Ashland. And Section 5, that this ordinance... shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage by council in approval pursuant to Section 12 of the Charter of the City of Ashland, Ohio. So ends the reading. Nice job. Thank you.

All right. So do any of you in the audience want to paraphrase what he just said? Basically, it comes down to this. Several years ago, the city discovered this new product that's called Reclamite. It's an asphalt rejuvenator, and when it's applied to our newly installed asphalt all around the city streets, it tends to extend the life of the pavement probably five or more years. And it's incredible because when we first did it, we actually took a look at, I believe it was a section in Worcester where they did one lane with it next to one lane without it. And it is amazing the difference in how the one holds up versus the other. So with that in mind, we started applying it to all of our newly resurfaced city streets. Today it's estimated that when we put down new asphalt, if conditions are right and the mix was correct and it was installed in the right place, we anticipate that our asphalt will last 10 to 12 years. And so when we come right back through a year later and put down this asphalt rejuvenator, we're hoping to extend that by five, six, seven years. And when you consider how expensive asphalt is to put down, this year our pavement program's gonna be around 2.2 million for portions of nearly 85 streets around the city. $200,000 to apply this material to about 60 streets that were done last year, hoping that it will extend the life by five years on 60 streets. It's a good investment. And so we've had good luck with it so far. So tonight, basically this ordinance is asking you to do just that, approve the purchase of this reclamite substance, asphalt rejuvenating substance, to apply to the city streets we resurfaced last construction season. And that was around 60.

Any comments, discussion?

Is Pavement Technologies the only company that provides reclimate? Yes. They're in the state bid.

That's it. And if you cut, what is it, whereas? The second whereas. Yeah, that was my point. Exactly.

Aviating bidding. Yes. Yes.

State bid.

What comes to my mind is $32.81 per gallon. That's cheaper than a gallon of house paint these days.

Well, the thing I will also add is that they have done a wonderful job. When they come out to your street, in fact, I believe when we first started this, it was Smith Road was the first one. That's where our council member, Kayo, lives. I will tell you, they come out. First of all, they put door hangers on all the doors, letting you know they're going to do it. Then they come out, and they apply this pink sticky substance, go right over it with sand, and then come back through and sweep it off, and it's drivable the same day and everything, and it doesn't leave anything on your car. We've had no complaints. It does change the color of the pavement, but not drastic or any way that's obnoxious, so... It's worth the investment.

And, I mean, in Smith Road, other than where it's had repairs done to the infrastructure, is in really good shape, and it's probably been... five years yours has been quite a while ago it was one of the first ones yes yeah it's it's really nice people still love this yeah that's a different thing we've learned that the smoother you make your city streets the faster people travel it's easy to go fast when you have all those potholes it's easier just to raise the speed limit than it is yeah when you have all those potholes you have a lot of unintended speed bumps yes

If there is no further discussion, I'll ask for a motion to approve on the first reading. So moved.

Second.

Thank you.

Kyle.

Aye.

Miller.

Aye.

Woodward. Aye. Lawson. Aye. Workman.

Aye. I'll move to suspend the rules for three separate readings, three separate days.

Second.

Thank you.

Woodward. Aye. Lawson. Aye. Workman. Aye. Kyle. Aye. Miller.

Aye. Motion to approve the ordinance. So moved. Second.

Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye. Kayo? Aye. Miller?

Aye.

Woodward? Aye. Ordinance 48-26.

All right. Next we have a resolution. This resolution will be a resolution authorizing the installation of barbed wire fencing within the city of Ashland, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. Move for non-reading and full. Second. Thank you.

Workman? Aye. Kayo? Aye. Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye. Lawson?

Aye. Okay, so this particular item comes to us from Gunther Mechanical, and they have installed a fence along the west side of their property, and they are requesting the council's permission to install barbed wire along the top of the fence. And the purpose of the installation of barbed wire is they say in the past they have had theft take place at their site. Of course, it's a construction company, so it's got construction equipment and construction materials. And the existing fence that they have behind their property on Middle Rouseburg Road is a chain-link fence with barbed wire. So they're just asking that the council consider authorizing them to install barbed wire on top of the chain-link fence.

So we're not... Voting to approve a fence, but the barbed wire that goes along the top of the fence. That's what is required here. With that, is there a comment or discussion for the mayor? Hearing none, is there a motion to approve this resolution on the first reading?

So moved.

Thank you. Is there a second?

Second. Thank you.

I am.

I'm saying.

Miller?

Aye.

Woodward?

Aye. Lawson? Aye.

Aye.

Aye. I'll move to suspend the rules for three separate readings, three separate days. Second. Thank you.

Miller?

Aye.

Woodward?

Aye.

Lawson? Aye.

Workman? Aye. Aye.

Motion to approve the resolution. Is there such a motion?

So moved. Second. Thank you.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. Aye. I'm saying. Aye. All right.

Moving then to old business. We have none unless council has something to bring forward. Next we have new business. This will be a residential garage reconstruction and expansion in M2 heavy industrial area. District pertaining to 945 Grove Avenue. Mayor, do you want to speak to this?

Okay, and I don't believe we have a map of this, but basically if you travel over to the Grove Avenue area and you were to overlay a zoning map, you would find that much of that area is zoned heavy industrial, M2, heavy industrial. And our forefathers at that time would have expected that that entire area would develop into the industrial side of our city, which it did to an extent. in the thought was that any existing houses residential dwellings in that area would eventually go away time has told us they didn't go away and so now in the middle of this heavy industrial district you still have a home or two and the home that is uh... shown here the residential property that is before you tonight, the folks that own that would like to install, reconstruct a garage and expand on that site. And because of the way that is zoned, heavy industrial, and they're wanting it to continue to be residential, it's a residential structure, a garage, they have to have permission from the council to do so.

Usually it's the other way around. Exactly.

So, did I say anything wrong? I don't think so. All right. And I believe a porch is also being added. Is that correct? I believe a porch is being added. Basically, here's the deal.

An 8 by 40.

The thought was with that, when they rezoned or when they zoned that heavy industrial, that if any of those houses ever disappeared, they'd never be allowed back because they would no longer be a residential area. Sure. Well, there still are residents in that area. There's quite a few back there. Yes, there are. Yes. And so... Now that they want to improve those and change those dwellings, they have to have authorization since that's the way that area is zoned.

Forgive me. Yes. Were you going to say something?

I was just going to give a little dimensions. Oh, go ahead. So it looks like it's a 30 by 40 building with an 8 by 40 porch. Yes.

So I see no reason to deny it because it is on their property.

And it's not a request to rezone. It's simply a request to give them permission to build their garage. Yes, to reconstruct.

So we just need a simple vote? I believe so. I'll just roll call vote. This did not need to go through planning commission?

No.

In any way? No. Okay.

Very good. How many acres?

Just a lot.

Not acres.

How many acres is your? But it's a very large lot to put this on. They have a very large lot. Okay.

You're talking about 2546, correct? Yes. Okay. I notice some encroachment above.

With the landscaping? Landscaping. Okay.

Okay. If there's no further discussion, I'll ask for a motion to approve as submitted.

Move to approve.

Thank you.

Second.

Lawson? Aye. Workman? Aye. Kyle? Aye. Miller? Aye. Woodward? Aye.

All right. You have your permission. You're welcome. Thanks for being here. Did you want to say anything in regard to the proposal? No.

Thanks for being here.

With that, we'll move to council comments. Mr. Kayo, if you'd like to go first.

I don't know that I have any tonight. Just a reminder that in August, council takes a recess and will continue again in September. That does not mean that you can't contact your council person if you have any issues during that month. We'll still be available and still be able to take care of anything that comes up.

You know, along those lines, I will add to that and ask the mayor, do you foresee any need for a special meeting in August with regard to the property purchase?

Not at this time. Not at this time. I have, though, had, and he's referencing the 115-acre property that the city's in the process of acquiring out. off US 42. I will tell you, though, I have had another very prominent local builder from the Wayne County area who absolutely, as soon as it closes, wants to meet about building. He would be building on... custom homes and uh... they're locally based and i mean i was quite impressed that we were contacted by it because they've definitely got a great reputation so i don't think we're going to have any problem developing that site once it's annexed into the city well thank you for letting me go out of sequence here mrs woodward oh that's okay you know we talk about all the negative things sometimes so i want to read a letter that i received that is on a more positive note

I moved here from Newcastle, Delaware in November of 2024, and I would like to share how I feel about going back to Delaware to visit my family. There's an excitement when I'm on 71 and I see that first Ashland sign that I can't begin to explain to you. Then, as I get ready to make that turn onto 250 from the highway, I can't stop smiling. Driving through downtown on Main Street, I'm so thankful for the vision my mayor has had for the people that put the feet to his vision. As I make the turn onto Sandusky, my heart starts to giggle with a thought of my home, and then I turn onto Mowry. I see my home, and I fall in love again all over. There is a feeling of safety here that I didn't have living in Delaware, and Ashland has so much to offer me. I have no need to go anywhere else. I may be a transplant, but I am proud to call Ashland, Ohio, my home. Jackie Kilmer.

I just wanted to share that.

Does she work for a certain flooring company that's on TV a lot about falling in love with my home?

No, I thought it was, I mean, she sent me this. I read it word for word, so yes, I thought it was beautiful to share.

Can't top that.

All right.

Mayor? Well, we certainly do appreciate all of the city employees and investors who are making all the modifications to our great city. And I just shared with Amanda and Melissa and Cameo in the office today a message that the Chamber of Commerce received from someone from – they didn't identify where, but they said they pass from northeastern Ohio through northcentral Ohio about once a month. And they said they didn't know who to contact, but they wanted to say that of all the cities they drive through, they said clearly the city of Ashland stands out as one of the most beautiful. And they noted the flowers. And then they said they cannot believe our patriotic decorations. They said it's such a pleasure to drive through because they said no one puts that much effort anymore into their decorations. decorations for downtown. So people are noticing. So it does pay off. So I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to close out this evening. First of all, let me update you on a variety of different topics and we'll go quickly. We will wrap up the 34th alley here probably by the end of this week. So this year, the city of Ashland, our own city street department will have resurfaced 34 alleys around the city of Ashland. And that would be a record amount of alleys. No other time in Ashton's history have we resurfaced alleys, probably. ever, but at one time. So that will be complete and we've got some notes from the people that live on those alleys telling us how much it has changed their whole living condition because they're so used to the big gravel potholes and everything that were next to their house. So that was a good thing that just completed. Also, I just reported that the revenue at the Brookside Golf Course is up 8%. It has steadily been climbing each year. And so that is pretty incredible, isn't it?

Yes.

The Carter Lumber property on Miller Street that we've talked so much about over the last decade, if you haven't driven by it recently, Simonson Construction has made great progress in cleaning up that property. It by no means is pristine, but all of the ugly, dilapidated buildings that were caved in with roofs broken and Debris laying everywhere. Most of it is gone. So we want to thank everyone involved in making that possible. And I will say a special thank you to Andrew Bush. and the law director's office because there was a lot of legal issues to navigate to get us there. And so hopefully the neighborhood is happy to see that building go away. Also, this week we will expect to open bids for our U.S. 250 path. That is the multi-purpose pedestrian pathway on the south side of U.S. 250 that will extend from 42 all the way out past Home Depot, the Highway Patrol, Ohio Health, all the way out to Culver's, which... If you haven't noticed, Culver's has been very successful in these first couple of weeks of business. Around the clock, they are experiencing lines of customers, so they are so pleased. You know what, I'm going to throw into that one here this. Some of you will have heard this because you might have been at the ribbon cutting. So Culver's had originally looked at another location out on the US 250 corridor. In fact, we were working very close with them to get access to a site that they wanted that was further in toward the city. And we were able to get the deal arranged with the owner of the property that had to give them access. They were going to move forward. They even put up their little pink flags to show where they were going to build. And then they got the data that you can purchase that tracks all of our cell phones. And incidentally, for those that are so interested in flock cameras, if you think flock cameras are tracking you, ladies and gentlemen, you have the ultimate device that is being tracked. They can literally tell you where I go home every night and how much time I spend at any location I go through throughout the day. And anyone can buy that information, including the city of Ashland, including the Culver's developers. And so basically what they did is they went and bought that information. And what they discovered is in the last 12 months, nearly 1.5 million people came through that intersection at 71 and 250, got off at the Go Aces. When they saw that number and compared it to what a successful franchise sees in customers on an annual basis, they immediately dropped the first site and went ahead and invested the higher dollar amount in that site out there on the US 250 Montgomery school site. And I have a feeling it's gonna pay off because now they're the first in line when people get off. So just interesting note, but I will tell you, folks, This is the device you should be worried about, because not only is it listening to you, but it is also being tracked. And I'll tell you why I know that. The City of Ashen was extended. The Chamber of Commerce, the City of Ashen, and Ashen Main Street were extended a special one-time introductory rate of, I believe it was like $6,500 to have access to all the data of who's visiting our downtown. And they could literally tell us on any given day, any given hour, who was here, they couldn't tell us their name, but they could tell us what zip code they were from, where they go home at night, and how much time they spent in each of the restaurants and shops downtown. So when I see people worked up about flock cameras, just remember, folks, that if you're carrying a cell phone, they're getting far more data about you and that cell phone than you are flock cameras. Summer paving will begin here shortly. We thought it would be started by now, but evidently the milling machine that the contractor was planning to utilize is now not available. So they're having to quickly scramble, and they know that they have to get that work started. We're expecting to resurface 85 streets this year, so that work does need to get underway so we can get it in before the cooler weather comes to our area. Lincoln Park. Larry referenced that in terms of the CDBG funds that we're using to get that park started. Well, the Rotary Club of Ashen has teamed up with us and they're doing a wonderful job of raising funds to help with the development of that park. In fact, Dennis Miller is a Rotarian and he's leading their their fundraising charge, that park is going to be wonderful once it's through. They are hoping that next week we can have a groundbreaking. So we'll get you more information when we know it. But right now, we're still figuring out when Simonson Construction plans to be on site to start the dirt work. So we'll want to get it in there before that. So I'm not sure when it's going to happen. But I do know that the Rotary has decided they would like to have a groundbreaking. And it will be simple. Then later, when we actually have it complete, then we'll do a more grand dedication. And then finally, I just thought it would be worth noting that the city now does own Arthur Street School. It took us a while to get there. We are immediately going to work in the Economic Development Office to try to find funds to remove the structure, and there's a lot of hoops to jump through to get to that stage, I can assure you. And then this is not necessarily city business, but I thought it would be interesting because we've talked about it at these meetings. Probably six months ago, we were getting calls from residents, customers of Ohio Edison, asking us about these notifications they were receiving about getting new smart meters installed at their houses. That was an Ohio Edison First Energy project, not a City of Ashton project, but there were a lot of questions swirling around about that. I just thought this was an interesting update that I received. We have 13,328 electric meters in the city of Ashland. There's a piece of trivia. 13,328 Ohio Edison electric meters in our city. They have already completed the replacement of 9,964 of those. So they're nearly 75% complete as of yesterday. and they hope to have the other ones complete here within the next two months. So that moved pretty fast, didn't it? Makes me think of how fast we replace our smart water meters, but they've got a little bigger budget than what we do. That's right. And it is, I don't know who all has, if you've experienced it, I'll be honest with you, I don't think I signed up for it, but in my private email, I have started getting already weekly breakdowns of my electric usage at my home. So it's telling me on Wednesdays at 7 to 8, the air conditioning is running at a higher level than it has. I mean, it's incredible, too. So the bottom line is, we're being watched. Everything we do is being traced. So anyhow. Well, thank you for giving me the opportunity to update you on those subjects.

I had my water meter replaced Monday morning. Those guys were in and out in 15 minutes.

That's great.

They did a good job, very professional, no problems.

One more thing I will add. I hadn't expected to do this, but I will. We are in need of city employees, in particular with CDLs. We have several vacancy, I believe four right now, at the city street department, and we have got to fill those with quality individuals before the winter weather arrives. because those will be the gentlemen and women that are out in the snowplow trucks. There's a lot of other things that go along with that job, but as we approach the winter season, we need to especially make sure that we're fully staffed. I know there were some openings. Are they still in the finance division? Yes, and there was one other division that we have openings in. What was that? oh yes transit you're right absolutely just making people aware that sometimes it's hard these days for us to get word about those out to people and indeed has started charging is quite a bit when we post on their site so that's limiting how much the audience that we are able to reach by not paying big dollars to spread the word. So if you know someone that's interested, you need to send them our way.

Very good. Thank you, Mayor. I will add, I was one of those electric meters that needed work before they could put in the electronic. And it had been maybe two months that they had slapped a sticker on it, needed work before they could proceed. A guy showed up yesterday VERY NICE INDIVIDUAL. HE SAID, I'M HERE TO DO THE WORK ON THE METER. PROBABLY HAVE YOUR ELECTRIC OFF MAYBE A HALF AN HOUR. I'LL TELL YOU, IT WASN'T EVEN 15 MINUTES. IN AND OUT. a great experience. I had told him, I was talking to him a little bit about, you know, I'll bet you guys have a lot of these that you're doing. Oh, yeah. He said, I said, do you find many of them calling their own electrician? Well, a few, he said, but you don't want to do that because the cost is on them if you let them do the work. So that's what you want to do is let them do the work and like I said, he wasn't there I don't think 15 or 20 minutes and that was only because I held him there talking to him. But anyway, it was a good experience. That explains why we're only at 75%.

That's right, they could have broke that 10,000.

He said they have until November I think, end of November or something like that to complete the whole thing. So you'll be getting a call eventually. if your house needs work. So with that, we'll take comments and questions from our audience. If anyone has anything they'd like to present to the council, now would be the time to step up to the podium. Anyone at all? Sure. Please state your name, what ward you live in, and

building built we haven't heard anymore what's the status on it oh we're moving forward with it the contractor is in place simonson construction will build the new building they just approved i believe all of the environmental conditions that needed to be investigated at the site so that's an all clear and today we actually picked out the colors so it's going to be uh Very attractive building when it's done, but they're hoping to get started right away.

How soon is right away?

Well, you know what?

It's been going on for over four years, and I'm one of those people that's out there in the wintertime. Last year was really bad, and it would be much better for our vehicles inside and everything. Yes.

I don't believe they've given us a completion date yet. No.

Could you find out, though, please? You could, too. You could just ask your supervisor. I'm asking people, and they're telling me, no, no. And I'm like, I'm going upstairs.

Liz would know. Liz will be the first to know because she's intimately involved with it. So don't hesitate to ask her.

Okay.

All right.

And then also, we've already left down there, I guess, to let you know when you need to lock up, whatever. They told me to tell you.

Okay. Very good. Thank you.

Anyone else? All right. Seeing none then, is there a motion to adjourn? So moved.

Second. Thank you. Lawson. Aye. Workman. Aye. Kyle. Aye. Miller. Aye. Woodward. Aye.

All right, we are adjourned. Thank you all for coming.