Road plans move forward

Tiffin City Council approved plans Tuesday night to move forward on designing a new road on a 60-acre parcel owned by the city. The parcel, which is across from Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital, was annexed from Hopewell Township last year. Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz said the goal is to have the road designed in June, bid to a construction firm in July, with construction beginning as early as August. He said construction could be completed by December. "Plans are moving forward quite rapidly," he said. Montz said last week the city views the land as a prime area for economic development. "We've had success with industrial parks. I see this as a commercial or retail park," he said. "(This area) is just going to explode with development." Tuesday's legislation allows the city to advertise for engineering work on the project. Montz said many residents have asked him to give more information about the road, including where it will be within the 60 acres. He said specifics aren't available yet because decisions have not been made. "This is a very unique project, it will be quite fluid," he said. "But, it's exciting and will lead to development." In other business, council received a recommendation from the city's planning commission to allow a nanobrewery to be a permitted use in C-2, General Commercial District and C-3, Central Business District areas. Rob Weaver, editor at The Advertiser-Tribune, and his business partner, Eric Kuebler, plan to open Laird Arcade Brewery later this year, but ambiguity in city code caused the matter to be tabled Jan. 17 and sent to the planning commission for consideration. Council members heard the second reading Tuesday. The matter is expected to be voted on at the March 6 council meeting. Also Tuesday, council agreed to apply for Ohio Department of Transportation's Small Cities Grant grant to complete the Miami Street beautification project. Montz said the final phase of the project was delayed due to a tight budget, but if funds are obtained through this competitive grant, the project could be completed. Tiffin Engineer Mario Livojevic said the grant would provide 95 percent of funding. He said the project would include curbing, pavement work, sidewalk work and lighting on Miami Street from Clay Street to Nelson Street. More than $1 million could be available to the city for the project if it receives the grant. The application deadline is March 1. In another matter, Tiffin Parks and Recreation Director Bryce Kuhn presented a five-minute video that reviewed 2016. Some of the projects included were the Oakley Park playground renovation, new beach sand at Hedges-Boyer Park and the addition of pickleball courts to Hedges-Boyer. "We had a very fun year," Kuhn said. Montz said the city is blessed to have Kuhn and his staff. "Bryce and his staff do a phenomenal job making the parks run well," he said. Kuhn said Independence Day festivities will take place July 4 this year at Hedges-Boyer Park. Council also approved the city sidewalk program for 2017. Montz said funding for the program was lower than typical years because of a tight budget, but he said he was told by Livojevic sidewalks on both sides of Liberty Street should be completed. "No need for delay, let's get started," said Tiffin City Councilman Steve Lepard. Council also approved a resolution honoring Willard Heddles, who died Jan. 31. The legislation was read in its entirety. Heddles served on the city's zoning board of appeals for more than 34 years and was CEO of Tiffin Metal Products. The resolution states Tiffin is grateful to Heddles, a mentor to many, for generously sharing his leadership skills and abilities. Also during the meeting: • Montz said the demolition of the former Salvation Army building should start this summer and he said he hopes it is completed by early fall. The site is to be additional city parking. • Montz said the city hired Daniel Brickner to be zoning Inspector. Brickner's first day was Feb. 13. Prior to the meeting, Tiffin City Council's Materials and Equipment Committee decided to recommend that council appropriate money to upgrade police dispatching and reporting systems. Tiffin Finance Director Gwynn Reinhart said the city was awarded $7,605 through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The money to buy the new equipment must be fronted by the city and then funds are to be reimbursed through the grant. The grant requires a $2,634.84 local match, which is to be split between the city and Seneca County. The committee recommended that council appropriate $14,239.84, the total cost of the project. That figure includes $4,000 Tiffin Police Department Sgt. Laverne Keefe said was for operation systems upgrades and data transfers. Keefe applied for the grant and said the new equipment and software are to increase performance. "This will double our processing speed," he said. TPD Chief Fred Stevens said receiving the grant will put the department ahead of schedule for equipment upgrades.