Meeting also touched on zoning, trees and court work
VERMILION — Vermilion City Council moved several infrastructure items forward June 15, including the next phase of Highbridge Road reconstruction and a major Jackson Street storm sewer project.
City engineer Chris Howard said the city received three bids for Highbridge Road reconstruction Phase 3, with Abraham Miller Excavating LLC submitting the low bid at $661,074.50. Howard said the engineer’s estimate was $849,679, including contingency.
The project includes $275,000 in grant funding and $118,000 in loan funding through the Ohio Public Works Commission, Howard said. Council was asked to award the contract and move the project forward quickly because of an October completion date and the need to order storm sewer structures.
Council also reviewed bids for the Jackson Street storm sewer improvements. Howard said Dirt Dawg Excavating LLC submitted the low bid, with the base bid, alternate and contingency totaling $1,168,522.50.
That project also has an October completion date, and Howard said the contractor will need time to order materials and coordinate the work.
Council also discussed the possibility of reviewing the city’s zoning code, which several officials described as outdated. Members talked about whether the review should be handled through existing committees, a special committee or with help from an outside consultant.
Charter amendment discussions also continued, with council members talking about proposed changes involving board and commission removals, initiative and referendum rules, and city contract oversight.
In other business, council heard a Tree Commission update. Four large trees were removed, two on South Street and two on Washington Street, at a cost of about $11,000. The commission is looking toward fall planting and may seek help identifying grants for a future citywide tree survey.
Council also heard an update on planned Municipal Court renovations, including work tied to the council chambers, accessibility improvements and safety and security needs.
When the video is available, we will put it up at the end of this article.