JACKSON CENTER — The opening of the village swimming pool was one of the items discussed during the Jackson Center Council meeting Monday.
Village Administrator Bruce Metz reported village employees have been working hard to prepare the pool for the upcoming season.
“We have new paint, new sinks, all new fixtures, mirrors, and shower heads. The facility will be inspected Tuesday and upon certification the operation of the pool will be turned over to Dayton Pool Management,” Metz said, “We have no vending service yet. The old vendor backed out due to lack of revenue and we are working on possibilities to have everything ready by Saturday.”
Metz said the 4-H Club planted flowers and the blacktop has been resealed and the pool grounds are looking good.
In the financial report Councilman Larry Wahrer reported that income tax revenues were running at 8.97 percent above last year and that the overall cash balance was over 15% better than a year ago.
“All things considered, we are in very good shape,” said Wahrer.
Clerk Treasurer Bev Wren also noted, “Our overall fund has been steadily increasing since 2009-2012 when the economy bottomed out, we had to restructure how income tax monies were distributed. These changes have had a positive effect and as Larry pointed out our current status is on target.”
Council held the second reading of an ordinance changing the zoning at the Airstream addition from R-1 single-family residential district to I-1 general industrial district. There will be a public hearing on June 12 at 6:30 p.m. to allow residents a chance to voice any concerns or opinions regarding the proposed change. After the hearing council will convene at the regular meeting for a third reading and vote on the ordinance as read.
In other business Council passed an ordinance accepting certain streets and easements to Airstream Drive, as dedicated to public use by the owners and developers of the Airstream Drive survey within the village of Jackson Center. The street dedication will be from Pike Street to the guard shack at Airstream. That portion of the drive will be village owned and maintained. Jackson Center will have the authority over that street which was conditionally mandated by the state to be eligible for grant money to be used for the project.
Council also passed an ordinance designating certain newly dedicated streets shown on the Airstream Drive plat within Jackson Center as stop streets. The ordinance gives the village control over designating the conduct of traffic, speed limits, etc, and signage, as well as providing other street services as needed.
In the administrator’s report, Metz gave updates on the following projects and activities.
Metz noted the Airstream drive project designated as “Project Bambi” was on schedule and that the base coat of blacktop will be put down this week. The installation of this blacktop will allow for full use of the drive which is currently down to one lane. A final coat of blacktop will be added when all curb and drain basins are finished and the project is near completion. Decorative light poles will be installed as well as a traffic control arm that will hold the traffic signal. The project completion date is set for July 1st.
Metz also reported the village received an award from the American Public Power Association for improvements in the village electrical system.
“It has taken three years to bring the system up to the standards necessary to get this award and I am very proud of our staff for getting so much accomplished in such a short period of time,” Metz said.
He said there were only 2,003 power providers rewarded this citation nationwide, with 13 of them in Ohio and Jackson Center being one of those.
“This puts us in the ‘Platinum Range’ which is next to the ‘Diamond Award’ which is the highest achievable. Our plans are to get that Diamond Award for our village in the future,” said Metz
Mayor Scott Klopfenstein acknowledged Metz’s part in achieving the award.
“Bruce is being humble giving credit where credit is due, but we cannot overlook his contributions in this matter. He is the straw that stirs the drink and we thank him for his guidance and expertise in planning and executing all that needed to be done,” said Klopfenstein.
Metz also reported that work on the memorial walk at College and Fairview Streets is well under way and that the old paver bricks from the previous walkway have been rejuvenated and placed in the new setting. Metz said additional bricks to be added to the walkway may be purchased soon. Order forms and more information will be available at the Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 29.
“Flowers were provided and planted by Ron Leininger and the walkway promises to be a very nice addition to our community when completed,” Metz said.
Metz plans to meet with Peterson Consttruction on the school project.
“Things are coming along nicely overall. It’s really beautiful and if you haven’t seen it you should go take a look,” said Metz.
Metz met with Access Engineering on the detention pond project and park development and street reconstruction projects saying that all are going as scheduled, and noted the sidewalks on Davis Street are near done and their completion will allow access to the new gym. Metz also noted that the house at 302 S. Main will be torn down soon to allow for improvements in traffic flow and school parking, and that the project should be finished before Jackson Center Community Days.
Council then moved to go the executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation.
