OTTAWA, OH (WLIO) - Ottawa is undergoing a strategic growth plan with their historic downtown.

Mayor Dean Meyer gave a state of the village address at the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce meeting. He talked about completing a strategic plan for Ottawa. The plan was put together by an outside company from recommendations from council members and residents. It will focus on public spaces, neighborhoods, streets, and trails for the next 5 to 10 years. He says it is good to have a plan moving forward.

The group met to kick off the new year and get thing rolling. The Mayor gave his annual address where he talked about the major accomplishments that have been made in the community. One of those accomplishments was the water diversion project, which is located between two sections of the Blanchard River on the west side of Ottawa and will keep water levels down to lower the threat of flooding in the village. 

The village council met and held a re-organizational meeting where they voted to re-elect David Michel as Council President. Mayor Dean Meyer gave his annual address, in which he discussed the obstacles they faced in the previous year, as well as learning how to deal with a pandemic as a village.

Council voted to adopt regulations related to the operations of trolley bikes within the village of Ottawa. This will follow the regulations put in place for their allowable golf cart ordinance which restricts where they can travel in the village. 

The Village of Ottawa will be busy next year working on a project to help with flooding. The conservancy district recently resolved land right claims with two Putnam County property owners for the diversion channel project. The 4,000-foot channel is planned to be built on the northwest side of Ottawa. It is expected to help lower floodwater in downtown by six inches during a 100-year period.