“We’re hearing from residents about needing more curbs, more street paving, as well as lighting,” Smith said. “That’s an ongoing discussion we’re having in the city about how we can use our existing resources to be able to deliver those necessities to our neighborhoods.”
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The new administration building marks the first phase of a broader effort to reconfigure the locations of county offices and courtrooms. Once county departments have moved into the new facility, interior renovations to the historic courthouse will begin. Those upgrades will allow all county courts to be consolidated into one location.
The City of Lima's Human Resources Director talked to council members about the upcoming process of selecting Lima's next Chief of Police. At Monday night's Human Resources Committee meeting, it was announced that current Lima Police Chief, James Baker, will plan to retire on July 7th. According to Lima Human Resources Director, Della Bradford, there are two Majors with the Lima Police Department eligible to take the Police Chief promotional exam. If one or both of the Majors decide not to run for Police Chief, the City of Lima will provide Lieutenants the chance to take the exam. Following Monday night's committee meeting, we talked with Bradford about the next steps of this process.
It was a busy night at Lima City Council with multiple pieces of legislation being passed. First, Council voted for the approval of purchasing the VFW Post 1275 building and the adjacent parking lot located within the 100 block of East Elm Street. Council also received an update that the construction of the $11.5 million Aquatics Center project is coming along, on time, and on budget. Council also gave Mayor Smith the green light to go after 2 grants from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
The City of Lima is looking at buying some property in Downtown Lima, and they will get an update on another multi-million dollar project that is moving right along. Council will also vote to go after two grants from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Plans for a floating solar field in the City of Lima are getting closer to reality. The city will be receiving millions of dollars in federal grants for the construction of floating solar panels at Twin Lakes Reservoir. On Monday night, Lima City Council unanimously voted to accept $2.5 million through two grants from the Department of Energy for the project: one for $500,000 and the other for $2 million. The floating solar panels will help the City of Lima to power the water treatment plant at Twin Lakes Reservoir while saving the taxpayer money.
The City of Lima has taken the first steps to building the Lima Fire Department a new home. On Monday night at Lima City Council, councilors unanimously passed legislation to establish a capital project fund for the eventual construction of the new fire station for the Lima Fire Department. While the project is still in the very early stages, Lima Fire Chief, Jack McDermitt tells us that a study is being conducted by the Ohio Fire Chief's Association. Chief McDermitt says once the study is complete, that will determine what the new station will look like, something he says is much needed.
The 4th ward council seat on Lima City Council has been filled Monday evening. Jeannine Jordan was sworn in as Lima's 4th ward councilwoman by Council President Jamie Dixon to fill the vacant 4th ward seat following Peggy Ehora's retirement. Jordan is a Lima native and taught for 35 years at Lima City Schools including high school English and technology instruction for staff. We asked Jordan what inspired her to pursue city government and what she would like to see for Lima.
Lima's Department of Public Works presented proposed alternatives for the Cable Road Project to Council Monday night after receiving considerable feedback from the public. In Monday night's presentation, the portion of Cable Road from Latham Avenue to Windsor Drive will feature two northbound and two southbound lanes along with a center median and a signalized U-turn at each end of this corridor. Major revisions to the plan occurred on the stretch of Cable Road between Windsor Drive and College Park West. This section will be made up of two northbound lanes, one center two-way left turn lane, and one southbound lane with the sidewalk on the eastern side ending near the UNOH Indoor Athletic Complex. Despite the updates, councilors still convey strong concerns about the project.
Lima City Council gives Mayor Sharetta Smith the green light to launch the Lima Rapid Rental Repair Program on Tuesday, June 18th. The program aims to assist landlords with turnover and renovation costs for their rental properties to prepare for the next tenant to rent. The program is funded through "Better Together Funds" with $200,000 being allocated, and landlords can apply for a maximum grant award of up to $5,000 per unit, a way, Mayor Smith says, to help landlords with the rental registration program passed earlier this year and improve housing in Lima.