New sources of street project funding sought
Until recently, many municipalities were using CDBG for street paving projects.
Mayor Laurie Green told Mineral City Council members on May 25 she will attend a meeting in New Philadelphia regarding the rules for Community Development Block Grant funding. Until recently, many municipalities were using CDBG for street paving projects.
However, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, federal CDBG funding is intended to support urban community development by providing funds for projects focused on infrastructure, public facilities, low-income housing and community centers. In other words it can no longer be used for paving.
Green also said she was notified by Scott Reynolds, director of the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation, informing her the village may not receive funding it was expecting to put toward paving.
According to Green, Reynolds said while the Mineral City project was submitted to the state along with two other township projects, the state has apparently changed its policy and is now allowing only two projects per township.
Reynolds said he would contact the state to see why the policy was changed, but if only two projects will be funded, Mineral City’s will be dropped.
In the meantime Green is hoping to obtain funding for sidewalks from the Appalachian Community Grant Program.
In other business
Council voted to approve Paul Edwards as a volunteer firefighter for the department. A resident of Dover, Edwards is currently an EMT and is finishing up the class for the status of fire fighter.
Fiscal officer
Fiscal officer Darissa Lute said the 2021-22 audit will not be a full audit as expected. Instead it will be an agreed-upon procedures audit, which will be half the cost of the full audit. The approximate cost of the audit will be $3,200.
The streets committee reported the sewer-replacement project on the South High Extension originally was scheduled for completion on June 2. However, it does not appear the company doing the construction work will meet that deadline.
Zoning chair Nikki Moore reported having sent out four more zoning violation notices. Council discussed a landlord who has delayed the inspection process for a property on High Street more than once. Council agreed if the property owner does not comply with dates during the first week of June, the village will proceed with court action. No further attempts will be made after June 8, at which point the matter may be taken to court.
Council heard the following:
—The Little Twist on Mineral organization will host a breakfast on June 17 from 8-11 a.m. The cost will be $8 per person for dining in at the fire station or for carryout.
—Community yard sales will be held June 16-17.
—Tusky Valley senior Colton Lake was awarded a $500 scholarship from the Mineral City Friends of the Library. Lake will attend Kent State Stark.
—Handicap doors have been installed at the library, with funding provided by a $19,000 grant from the Reeves Foundation.
—The library will host a grand reopening of its expanded and renovated children’s area on June 3 from 1-5 p.m.
—Guy Nelson of Smartway will provide free internet service to the Historical Society building.
The next council meeting will be held June 8 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.