Mayor Day announces infrastructure improvements
The second half of the funds will be used for new storm sewer lines at the intersection of Fourth Street and West High Avenue.
In his mayor’s report to council on Oct. 25, New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day announced two major infrastructure projects, which will be funded from the American Rescue Plan Act. The city will receive $1.8 million over the next two years.
Day said the first ARPA payment of $911,858 will fund the relocation of a water line to Mill Avenue Northwest, which will move the line under the Howden Buffalo area onto the roadside of Mill Avenue to accommodate future needs.
The second half of the funds will be used for new storm sewer lines at the intersection of Fourth Street and West High Avenue, which Day said should solve the flooding problem during heavy storms. The full mayor’s report can be accessed on the city’s Facebook page.
Service director’s report
Ron McAbier said dredging at the lagoon should be complete within 2 1/2 to three weeks. He also said leaf pickup will begin Monday, Nov. 1 and reminded residents to place leaves in the curb strips and not in the road to protect storm sewers and catch basins.
Safety director’s report
Greg Popham said the drive-by shooting last week in the 100 block of Eleventh Street is not considered to be drug-related, and the police department does have a suspect.
Airport commission
John Zucal said paving and other work is underway on the taxiway, as well as upgrades to the roof of the Fixed Base Operations site, cement pads and hangars.
Safety, health and services committee
Kelly Ricklic said the committee met at 6:45 p.m. to discuss a resolution allowing the courts to purchase a probation vehicle and a resolution to provide ambulance billing for Baltic EMS. Council agreed to add the ambulance billing to the Nov. 8 meeting agenda.
Special/contact
Dan Lanzer asked for a voice vote on renewing the liquor licenses at all three Speedway locations. Council voted to approve the renewal.
Public speaks
Jonathan Ginch of Fair Avenue Northwest addressed council with concerns over crimes committed this year. “In 2019 this city was rated as one of the safest communities in Ohio, but the events of this year have proven a little bit otherwise,” he said. “I find it concerning that you have the murder of Gaven Carlisle on March 5 in Ward 1A, and then about two blocks away from there, this drive-by shooting happens. The community needs answers for what’s going on.”
In a phone conversation after the meeting, Police Chief Michael Goodwin said the drive-by shooting actually occurred at 11th Street Northeast and Ray Avenue Northwest while the Carlisle shooting was on the other end of town on 11th Drive Northwest.
Goodwin said while it is disheartening to have these crimes occur, they were not random acts that should cause fear among the general population. They were targeted at specific individuals who had a prior or current relationship with the shooters.
“I believe our department and its detectives did a fabulous job getting to the bottom of these," he said. “We had an arrest really quickly in the Carlisle shooting and subsequent convictions without going to trial. Within a week of the other shooting, we have a strong suspect, and I believe it was more an act of retaliation against a specific individual. For the amount of people living here, I think it still is a very safe community.”
Legislation
Council passed emergency ordinances to amend and adjust permanent appropriations for 2021 and to move credit card services to J.P. Morgan Bank.
Council tabled a resolution to purchase a probation vehicle until it can be determined which fund will be used for the purchase.
Council then moved into an executive session requested by Day to discuss an update in personnel.