Urbana Council looked to improve its infrastructure over the next couple of years during a council meeting Tuesday.
Council authorized the Floyd Browne Group to conduct a study on the 4th ward water issue. Water in basements has been a common problem for residents in that area the last couple of years. The Columbus engineering firm will be conducting the study to find a possible cause for the issue and what can be done to fix it. Their summary will also include possible funding options.
Urbana will be working with Salem Township to apply for an Ohio Public Works Commission grant. The funding would be used to level the hill on Dellinger Road near Julia Street to improve visibility. The project would cost $342,666 and the grant would fund 89 percent of the project. Urbana would pay $23,901.57 and Salem Township would cover $13,791.69 of the project. The project will also be used to install a sewer line. Work is not expected to start on the project until the summer of 2013.
Urbana will be applying for a loan to start its water line replacement program. The lines on Wooddale and Amherst Drives will be replaced. The project is expected to cost $650,000. The project should be underway next summer.
A public tax hearing was held before the meeting. The hearing summarized the city’s expected revenue in 2013. City income tax revenue has improved over the last couple years, while local government funding from Ohio has dropped. There is some hope the casino tax will help to replenish some of the lost funds.
Administration Assistant Doug Crabill comments on the meeting.
The City of Urbana Council will meet again on July 10th at 7 pm.
