City Manager’s Remarks 1/24/2022
NOPEC Grant:
The City of Rittman is receiving a NOPEC Energized Community grant in the amount of $3,312.00. This grant can be used for energy related projects such as Traffic Signal upgrades, LED lighting upgrades and conversions, energy efficient metal roofs, generators, etc. (A copy of the flier will be on your desks). Thank you to NOPEC and NextEra Energy for this grant and to our residents who have opted into NOPEC. Legislation will be prepared for our next meeting to accept the grant.
Grant Street Waterline project:
I received this information directly from Justin Cates, of Engineering Associates on the status of the waterline replacement project progress:
‘All of the watermains have been installed and the water services connected. Palmer & Son is currently waiting on the fire hydrants to be delivered. Apparently, there was an issue with shipping and the fire hydrants ended up in Michigan. They are currently talking with the manufacturer to get them back as soon as possible. Once the Fire hydrants are installed, they will be able to make the final connections and abandon the existing waterline.’
In speaking with Mike Brown regarding the work being done by Palmer, everything has gone very well. The paving project will commence this spring once the asphalt plants are open. Again, we applied for and received an OPWC grant for $224,500 so there will no assessments to the property owners for this paving project.
Legislation for infrastructure projects:
As you can see from the agenda, we are starting our road projects for 2022. We are working with our engineers and ODOT on ensuring we follow the proper steps as when we receive Federal dollars, there are many requirements specific to accepting these grants. As a side note, Chuck and I both finished our courses that ODOT required. They were online modules, (40 hours) and it will be very useful information that we learned as we go forward with more projects.
Ordinance 8271:
In discussion with Kris Fetter, Mike Brown and Matt Simpson, we feel it is in the best interest of the city that all multi-unit structures that have separate meters should have separate shut-off valves. Currently, if one of the units receives a shut off notice, we do not shut off that occupant as then we would be shutting off those who already have paid that live in a separate unit. While this will cost the landlord more money to put in separate shut-off valves, it will encourage tenants to pay or the landlord may choose to keep the bill in their name and be responsible for the collection of payments, as stated in the ordinance. We will work on a policy stating the time period we expect the change to take place and will share it with each landlord, if they choose this option. Please let me know if you have any questions on this proposed legislation.
*Thank you to our Service and Utility Department plow drivers who continue to work on snow as it comes down. They did a great job! Thank you to Jon Imhoff for helping clear the apron at the Fire Station and sidewalk clearing during our recent storm and to Suzanne and the Rittman bus drivers for providing healthy snacks to our plow drivers. Also, thank you to Rick Hanlon who served on the Wayne County Health District Advisory Council and good wishes to Amanda Nelson who will be Rittman’s representative, filling Rick’s unexpired term through March, 2022. (Council will need to approve the new term in March for Amanda to continue to serve.)