Eaton council updated on construction projects

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EATON — Assistant City Manager Joseph Ferriell updated Eaton council on projects throughout the city during their regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 16.

Ferriell began by saying Neaton, Henny Penny and TimkenSteel are all in the process or have already completed additions to their buildings and campuses.

A 150,000 square foot building for Neaton is finished, and a 150,000 square foot addition for Henny Penny is on schedule to be completed by the end of December, with manufacturing already occupying some of the space.

Additionally, a 38,000 square foot building for TimkenSteel is complete and is being used.

Ferriell then updated the council on traffic projects.

Safe Routes to School is a project that began in 2016, and plans were approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation this past July.

The project will add crosswalks at Main/Franklin, St. Clair/Barron, Hillcrest/Barron and will add a new crossing at Bruce Elementary. It will bid in April of 2021 and construction will begin in July, and Ferriell expects that it wouldn’t take more than a month or so to complete. The city received a grant of $139,000 for the project.

The city received a grant of $1.6 million for the Maple Street Reconstruction Project, stretching from Mechanic Street to Lexington Road, and will include sidewalk and gutter work, expected to be completed in 2024.

The city is expected to get another $200,000 from the Ohio Safety Program and the city will contribute $800,000, for a total of $2.5 million for the project.

Finally, a 150 by 300-foot building has been approved for the Preble County Fairgrounds to cover the horse arena, and work has already started.

In other business

The council approved Ordinance 20-06, amending the Codified Ordinances to conform with current State law by adding ordinances that have been passed by the council, including the following:

  • 331.43, Wearing Earplugs or Earphones Prohibited: Expands definitions for earphones and earplugs. Adds exception for hearing protection while operating a motorcycle.
  • 335.09, Display of License Plates or Validation Stickers; Temporary License Placard: License plate and temporary license placard to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle.
  • 335.091, Operating Without Dealer or Manufacturer License Plates: Adds new section regulating operating a manufacturer or dealer vehicle without license players or placards.
  • 537.17, Criminal Child Enticement: (Deleted) This section was based on ORC 2905.05. The Ohio Supreme Court held that ORC 2909.05(A) was unconstitutionally overbroad in violation of the First Amendment.

The council approved Resolution 20-25, authorizing the City Manager to execute the purchase of two vehicles – new Ford Explorers, Police Inceptors, from Lebanon Ford – each in the amount of $37,955, and to offer as trade-in one 2011 Chevrolet Impala and one 2012 Chevrolet Impala for a total trade-in allowance of $3,500.

The council approved Resolution 20-26, a resolution finding that public safety personnel are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This resolution allows the city to use CARES Act funding for certain salaries, including firefighters, battalion chiefs, fire chief, lieutenant, paramedics, and EMTs in the Fire/EMS Division and patrol officers, sergeants, lieutenant and Chief of Police in the Police Division.

Eaton City Council will meet twice in December, with meetings on Dec. 7 and Dec. 21. These meetings are open to the public and will begin at 6 p.m. at the City Building.

By Braden Moles

[email protected]

Reach Braden Moles at 937-683-4056 or on Twitter @BradenMoles

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