Latest news with #AppalachianCommunityGrantProgram
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Geneva downtown facelift closer to fruition
Feb. 26—GENEVA — A program to beautify downtown Geneva is one step closer to reality as city officials work with contractors in preparation for streetscape and facade programs made possible by the Appalachian Community Grant Program. On Monday afternoon, a public hearing took place to review the details of the streetscape portion of the program, City Manager Joseph Varckette and Geneva City Council President John Barbo said. kAmv6?6G2 C646:G65 Sa]e >:==:@? 7@C E96 EH@ 5@H?E@H? AC@;64ED E92E H6C6 2??@F?465 :? yF?6 @7 a_ac] %96 8C2?ED H6C6 A2CE @7 Sd__ >:==:@? :? 8C2?ED 92?565 @FE 3J E96 prv!]k^Am kAm%96 AF3=:4 962C:?8 2==@H65 =@42= C6D:56?ED E@ =62C? >@C6 23@FE E96 AC@8C2> 2?5 AC@G:56 :?AFE[ '2C466E 4C:E6C:2 7@C 2AAC@G2=[ 3FE E96C6 92G6 366? D@>6 EH622@C6 G2=F23=6 E@ E96 5@H?E@H? 2C62]k^Am kAmw6 D2:5 E96 DEC66ED42A6 AC@;64E H:== 36 4@?EC24E65 3J '6C52?E:D] '2C4D :? E96 2C62]k^Am kAm~?6 @7 E96 7:CDE DE6AD H:== 36 E@ H@C@? FA8C25:?8 DE@C>H2E6C :?7C2DECF4EFC6[ '2C4AC@G6 E96 =@@@7 E96 2C62]k^Am kAm%96 D64@?5 A92D6 @7 E96 AC@;64E :?4=F56D 5@H?E@H? 3FD:?6DD6D :>AC@G:?8 E96 =@@@7 E96:C AC@A6CE:6D H:E9 g_T @7 6249 AC@;64E E@ 36 4@>A=6E65 3J E96 8C2?E[ '2C4 {sp pC49:E64ED[ E96 4@?DECF4E:@? >2?286>6?E E62>[ 23@FE E96 AC@46DD 8@:?8 7@CH2C5 2?5 D6E FA >66E:?8 E:>6D H96? E96 2AA=:42?E 2?5 {sp 42? 86E E@86E96C E@ DE2CE =@@F49 2D Sac[___ 7@C 6249 @7 ab 5:776C6?E AC@;64ED E92E 3FD:?6DD @H?6CD 92G6 2AA=:65 7@C[ '2C4FDE A2J a_T @7 E96 AC@;64E E@ :>AC@G6 E96 724256 @7 E96:C 3FD:?6DD[ 96 D2:5]k^Am kAm'2C466E:?8 =2DE H66H9:49 :?4=F565 psp pC49:E64ED 2D H6== 2D C6AC6D6?E2E:G6D @7 E96 pD9E23F=2 r@F?EJ {2?5 q2?:?:DEC2E@CX 2?5 E96 pD9E23F=2 4@F?EJ d_b r@CA]k^Am
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ashtabula Main Avenue improvement project moving forward
Feb. 5—ASHTABULA — The city's Main Avenue streetscaping project took a step forward Monday night, with city council approving an ordinance for design engineering services from GPD Group for the project. City Manager Jim Timonere said at a pre-council work session the project involves sidewalk repair, some curb work, and possibly planters and trees. "We're finally starting to get ready to roll on the Main Avenue project, and putting the final details together on the facade program," he said. The city received $1.6 million in funds from the Appalachian Community Grant Program for the project. About $900,000 of the grant funds will go into sidewalks and streetscape, $500,000 will be allocated to facade improvements on the street, and the remaining money will go to a pocket park project on Main Avenue, Timonere said. Timonere said the first priority will be making sure the sidewalks are repaired and replaced, and the second-highest priority will be installing conduit under the sidewalk to bury cables and power lines. Streetscaping and lighting are the third and fourth priorities, he said. The streetscape project will run from West 44th Street to the railroad tracks. Ward 2 council person Terence Guerriero asked how often the city bids out its engineering services. Timonere said the city puts out a request for proposals every two years. Ward 3 council person RoLesia Holman asked if the city gets any consideration from the group because the volume of work the city does with them. Timonere said he believes the city gets good rates from them, and an engineer recommended for the project submitted a bid higher than the one from GPD Group. Council President John Roskovics asked if there would be challenges from repairing to the sidewalks and demolishing the old Ashtabula Municipal Building at the intersection of Main Avenue and West 44th Street at the same time. Timonere said the building will not be torn down this year. Roskovics asked if moving the sign from the old municipal building to the new municipal building, and Timonere said he hopes to do so, but it will not be done with funds from the Appalachian Community Grant Program. He said no matter what happens to the old municipal building, the sign will be preserved. Timonere wants to have sidewalk improvements done by the end of the summer. "What I want to do is get us out of the way, so that, if there are other facade programs that take a little bit more to do and are a little bit more expensive, we're out of the way with the sidewalks, and the sidewalks are done, so that people can work on their storefronts," he said. Timonere said he would like to see it bid and ready to go by June or July, but it would require coordination with business owners on Main Avenue. Ward 1 council person Kym Foglio asked if there is a chance the grant funds could be withdrawn because of President Donald Trump's new administration. Timonere said that has been the concern, and the funds for the grant are from the American Rescue Plan Act money. "When you saw the pause happen on all federal spending, this was part of it, so we were all kind of like, 'What's going to happen here?'" he said. Planning costs for the project are included in the grant. Roskovics said he contacted Congressman David Joyce's office, expressing concern about Trump's freeze on federal funding. Holman asked if there is anything council could do collectively to express their concern. City Solicitor Cecilia Cooper said council could pass a resolution to that effect. The Council honored Brenda Sanders following her retirement as executive assistant to the city manager. Timonere said Sanders means a lot to everyone in the city. Sanders was presented a resolution from city council. Timonere said Sanders did her job with dignity and grace. "I would not be where I am today without her guidance, so I very much appreciate it," Timonere said.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Geneva tables water rates legislation
Jan. 29—GENEVA — City council decided to table two ordinances dealing with the water and sewer rate increases at a council meeting Monday evening. Councilman Bill Baker moved to table the measures to allow further discussion on the matter. Councilman John Travis, chair of the finance committee, agreed, and asked for further discussion during a committee meeting, which will take place in early February. Some of the discussion included what portion of administrative salaries should be covered by sewer and water fees. Council voted 6-0 to table both measures, which would include rate increases to help the system maintain necessary improvements. Discussions have been on-going during work sessions and regular council meetings. Council had the second reading of an ordinance creating a capital projects fund, and an ordinance needed to collect more than $20,000 from an opiate settlement fund. Geneva City Manager Joseph Varckette discussed the city's attempts to find funding for the $4.5 million second phase of the reconstruction of West Main Street. He said the city is seeking to tap the Ohio Small City grant program, which assisted on first phase of the operation. Varckette updated council on the Appalachian Community Grant Program, expected to bring more than $2 million in improvements to the downtown area. The design phase of a streetscape project is underway, and a public meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24 will reveal that work, he said. He said 23 downtown facade grant applicants are scheduled to attend a kick-off meeting Feb. 17, to review the requirements. The city is close to moving on to the third phase of a stormwater master plan, which includes detailing specific solutions to problems in the city, Varckette said. He said the city and surrounding townships are on course to complete the first draft of a tree management program by April. Varckette announced a remote tax collection event scheduled for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 7 in council chambers. Ashtabula County Treasurer Angie Maki-Cliff and a member of her staff are scheduled to be on-site. "We understand that many taxpayers prefer to pay in person, but transportation or parking can be a challenge. By offering this service, we hope to make the process easer and more convenient for everyone," Maki-Cliff said. She said cash will not be taken because of security concerns but checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards will be accepted.
