Plain City Council is ready to move forward with street improvements, and move their public works equipment into a new facility.
During their most recent meeting, council members unanimously approved a bid from Strawser Paving to complete projects for the annual road resurfacing program.
The village received two bids for the base program, which will include improvements to six roads. Strawser Paving Company submitted a quote of $234,180, compared to Decker Construction Company’s price of $277,284.10.
Village Administrator Haley Lupton said Tuesday that the program will include improvements to Smith Place, Jackson Boulevard, Wesley Street, Washington Avenue, John Street and Grant Avenue.
Strawser Paving also included two additional options.
Resurfacing projects on Carlisle Avenue and Marshall Alley would cost $28,753.75 and $37,643, respectively.
Randy VanTilburg, project manager with the Mannik and Smith Group, noted in a letter to Lupton that the village may instruct Strawser Paving to complete either of the projects at any point by approving a change order.
Council also unanimously approved a resolution to purchase the property at 134 Church Street, which will serve as the storage facility for the Public Works Department.
According to the Real Estate Purchase Contract, the village purchased the property from Anderson-Noland LTD for $600,000.
The village has historically used the fire bay and garage at the former municipal buildings, 213 S. Chillicothe St., as storage for public works equipment.
The buildings were sold in October 2021, after village administration and the Plain City Police Department moved into their current municipal building on Village Boulevard.
As part of the sale, the contract included the clause that the garage area of the South Chillicothe Street property would be used as equipment storage for the village for one year, or until an alternate facility is constructed.
Lupton said Tuesday that the Church Street property is “good to go” and will not require any renovations or changes to be suitable for use as the village’s equipment storage facility. She said the bays are wide and high enough for the village’s needs.
She added that the equipment will be moved to the new property “as soon as we close on the building,” likely within the “next couple of weeks.”
In other business:
– Council unanimously approved an employment agreement with Lupton, declaring an emergency.
After serving in the village administrator position on an interim basis for several months, Lupton was officially hired by a unanimous vote from council on May 23.
According to the employment agreement, Lupton will make an annual base salary of $100,692.80, or the equivalent of $48.41 per hour.
– Parks Director Linda Granger said the beginning of pool season is going well, noting that membership and concession sales are “up tremendously.”
– Mayor Jody Carney noted that the village is preparing for Safety Town, which helps prepare incoming kindergarteners to begin their school years safely. The event will be held from June 27-30.
– Lupton told council that Phase 2 of the Route 161 roundabout that is being constructed at the new entrance to the Darby Station residential development is slated to begin today. She said the project is still on track to be completed by Sept. 2.