BROOKVILLE — Sonja Keaton informed council she is attempting to secure funds for the North Wolf Creek Street water replacement project.

“Last year I had reported to council Ohio received $1.4 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law in November of 2021 and that is for water and wastewater projects,” Keaton said.

Keaton indicated the funds will be spread out over a five-year period.

“I nominated the North Wolf Creek Street water line replacement project. We had submitted it last year in late summer to OPWC (Ohio Public Works Commission) and it was not funded, so I’m trying this route,” Keaton said.

Keaton noted the nomination period for water projects was last month.

Keaton added projects were to be submitted to Ohio EPA by March 3.

Keaton said the estimated construction loan amount is $1,492,271, which she indicated is just a slight increase from what was submitted by the city to the OPWC.

“With this project, Brookville is considered as a disadvantaged community where some of the principal can be forgiven,” Keaton said.

“We are also eligible for a hardship one percent interest rate or a small community interest rate,” Keaton added.

Keaton said she requested a loan date of December of 2023 in hopes that the city can get the project completed prior to the resurfacing of North Wolf Creek Street next year.

“We got funding for that project through the MVRPC (Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission),” Keaton said.

Keaton said the North Wolf Creek Street water replacement project consists of replacing the existing four-inch and six-inch line that runs from Western Avenue down to Arlington Road with an eight-inch water line.

“If we end up getting funding for that project, I will be bringing an ordinance or resolution back to council and we can discuss it and see if we can move forward with that project,” Keaton said.

In other matters, Keaton reported all but one lot in the Meadows of Brookville subdivision are sold.

“I believe they’re in the process of selling that last lot,” Keaton said.

Keaton said landowner Tim Taylor, of Taylor Enterprises, informed her the plan is to put the top coat of asphalt on Brooke Parke Avenue and Litten Court.

Keaton also noted 16 homes and/or lots in Hunters Run section two have been sold.

Keaton informed council the city recently purchased the parcel that formerly housed the LCNB drive-thru on Hay Avenue.

“The future plans are to construct a city parking lot on that parcel,” Keaton said.

Keaton praised the city service department for the work in clearing the trees and brush from the creek banks at Golden Gate Park.

“I want to give a shout out to our service department. They have been working diligently for the last two weeks on clearing the banks of the creek at Golden Gate Park,” Keaton said.

Keaton said the service department removed several dead Ash trees and a good portion of the overgrown honeysuckle brush.

“It really opened it up. You can actually look from Arlington Road and see the park and all the amenities at that end of the park,” Keaton said.

Keaton added people in the park can also see Arlington Road.

“It’s opened the park up to where people who are visiting Brookville and driving on Arlington can see the park,” Keaton said.

Councilmember J.D. Fowler also thought the service department did a good job.

“I called Sonja about it and told her it really looks nice,” Fowler said.

Mayor Chuck Letner agreed with Fowler.

“I talked to the guys and they have taken a lot of pride in their work. It’s exactly what we needed there,” Letner said.

Reach Terry Baver at [email protected]