03/04/1997 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 3/4/97 Bethia Kummer, 4845 Porter Road, spoke about the work being done in the Porter/Mill ~, area. Mrs. Kummer said that it was her understanding work would not begin this spring until another meeting was held with the residents. At a public meeting held last September, many residents raised questions regarding the possible widening of Porter/Mill Roads. Mrs. Kummer commented that "no one was happy with the way the road widening would effect cars turning from North Park across three lanes of traffic onto Porter." She is concerned because the second public meeting has not taken place and last week the shut-off valve for the water to her home had been moved from its inconspicuous location at the shoulder of the road to 15 feet inside her lot. When she called the Engineering Department about this, she was told by one of the engineers that it was moved in preparation for the widening of the road. She feels that the promise made to her about the public meeting has been broken. Mr. Bohlmann clarified that the water shut-off valve was still in the city right-of--way. He read from the minutes of a City Council meeting held on September 24, 1996 which indicated that the city would proceed with the project but would still have the ability at a later date to review the entire intersection again since the residents had concerns with the storage lane for left hand turns onto Mill Road and traffic signalization on North Park Drive. A warrant analysis has been completed, and it calls for a traffic signal at the intersection. He has requested that Mr. McKay hold one more Streets & Drainage Committee meeting regarding this topic, and he will ask the city traffic engineer to attend the meeting. He still believes a traffic light should be installed there, but he will abide by the decision made at the committee meeting. Mr. Bohlmann stated he did not believe there was any real discussion of whether the widening of Porter Road should not be done, but rather the question was the stacking lane and the signalization. Mayor Boyle said he believed that Mrs. Kummer's statements related to the openness of the government. The city believes this is a project that must be done. We have opened it to the public, and we have been candid with the residents by telling them what we think should be done. The residents have been involved with the process. If Council wants to have another public meeting, then that can be done and the affected residents will be invited. As to the traffic light, it makes sense to let the State of Ohio pay for it even if we have to leave it on caution at this time. Mr. O'Grady said that he would like to have another public meeting so the residents could have an opportunity to voice their concerns. Mr. Limpert asked that it be clarified that the work currently being done is sewer work to clear up the flooding problems in that area. Mr. Bohlmann said it was basically storm sewer work, but the water line on Mill Road was being lowered because the road itself will be lowered. Also, utility work is being done. We will proceed with the widening and the reconstruction of the road and then we will do the intersection of Porter/Mill Roads. However, the question of the traffic signal should be discussed at a Streets & Drainage Committee meeting. Mr. McKay announced that he would hold a Streets & Drainage Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 10, to discuss the Porter/Mill Roads issue. He asked that Mr. Bohlrnann notify the residents on north Porter Road, Mill Road, North Park Drive and East Park Drive. 5