ENGLEWOOOD — City council March 28 passed Resolution 09-23 to authorize an increase in funds for the Wenger Road water main project.

The legislation increased the funding $390,000 to bring the total project cost to $1,315,000. The increase was necessary due to rock excavation, 300 feet of pipe extension between Taywood Road and Fallview Avenue, traffic maintenance, working around other crowded utilities, the addition of fiber optics cable connection and sky-rocketing material costs due to inflation.

“A big project and it has gone surprisingly well,” said City Manager Eric Smith. “Several weeks ago a gas main was hit that was not the fault of the contractor. It was not marked, and the gas company took full responsibility for not marking it properly.”

Smith noted that the project is about 90 percent completed with one last leg to finish, which will extend the water main across the creek behind the Sunoco gas station.

After that, restoration work would begin including replacement of the sidewalk from Taywood to Main Street as well as landscaping.

“We’ve been very fortunate as far as weather conditions and we are pleased with the way the project has gone,” Smith stated.

He pointed out that part of the water main has been charged with water at Wenger and Taywood, which he said was an elaborate process.

“It has to be disinfected and tested to make sure there is no contamination,” Smith added.

Council approved the resolution by unanimous vote.

During the city manager’s report, Smith informed council that they had been provided with a copy of proposed legislation regarding “vicious dog designation.” The legislation was prepared by Law Director Michael McNamee.

“Our current ordinance is not in compliance with state law,” Smith said. “As you read the memo you will see that it is not a big issue, but the law director and staff and the police department recommend that we come in compliance with the state law, which means that dogs are not identified by breed as to what is a vicious dog.”

Smith explained that in the past pit bulls had a reputation for being vicious. Now, according to state law, all breeds are considered equal and it is the behavior of the dog that will be judged, which has to be determined by the court.

“There is no rush in passing this,” Smith stated. “If you want to take a look at it, we will have it on the agenda for the next meeting.”

The city has submitted an ED/GE grant application to the county to help fund expansion of the existing Eaton Compressor facility located in the city’s Otterbein Industrial Park. The business plans to expand its facility by 65,000 square feet to add 15 new jobs.

The Union Boulevard resurfacing project is waiting to be scheduled by the contractor for completion this year.

Renovations are taking place in the government center to upgrade the restrooms in the lower level and on the ground floor. The upgrades are being made to make sure they are in compliance with ADA regulations as well as being made at the request of employees who said they are tired of the old wallpaper and tile.

Extra Space Storage, which is taking occupancy of the former Kmart building, is expected to open in mid-June.

Two new dump trucks that will be used as snowplows and for leaf collection among other things, arrived last week. The previous trucks were purchased for $195,000 each. The new trucks cost $250,000 each.

“We spent half-a-million dollars for two new dump trucks,” Smith said. “Dump trucks are the backbone of the service department and a well-cared for unit will last about 15 years and we take care of all of our equipment.”

Reach Ron Nunnari by email: [email protected].