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Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:

  • MR. WILLIAM D. DUNCAN YEA
  • MR. STEVEN BYINGTON YEA
  • MR. ROBERT P. STEPHENS YEA
  • MRS. LEIGH TURBEN YEA
  • MRS. HEALY JACKSON YEA

STAFF REPORT

Engineering Department Presentation: City Engineer Chris Kuzma, P.E., referenced a PowerPoint presentation and updated Council on the following current and upcoming projects: Far Hills Storm Sewer Reconstruction Project; 2024 Sidewalk, Curb, and Apron Program; ODOT Urban Paving Program (Far Hills Repaving); Concrete Street Repair Program; Public Works Yard Improvements; Fiber Optic Line to Smith Gardens; and GIS/Utility Mapping.

The Far Hills Storm Sewer Reconstruction Project is one of the largest city projects in several years. There has been a lot of construction activity along Far Hills Avenue to improve portions of the stormwater infrastructure before repaving the roadway this summer.

The total budget of the storm sewer project is $2,108,394. The remaining budget for work not yet completed is $1,039,733.

Mr. Kuzma displayed project maps for design work and progression. The work along Far Hills Avenue is approximately 67% complete and the remaining work should be done by around April 1. Once the storm sewers are replaced, the flooding during heavy rainfall events will be alleviated. He then displayed images from different phases of the project.

Kinnison Excavating crews completed the majority of storm sewer construction along Devereux Drive (Phase 2,) including the main sewer trunk line and most of the storm sewer inlets along the road. Backfilling with gravel was completed. Devereux Drive remains closed to through traffic to prepare for sanitary sewer replacement and full reconstruction of the roadway in the coming weeks. Access to the construction site along Far Hills Avenue from Devereux Drive may still be necessary for the remainder of Phase 2.

Scheduled to begin on March 18, traffic along Far Hills Avenue will shift to the northbound lanes between Oakwood High School and Forrer Road/Forrer Boulevard. Side streets within this zone will be restricted to right-in/right-out-only access. This shift will expedite Kinnison’s work along Far Hills Avenue, allowing Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to repave the road later this spring or early summer. The traffic shift is expected to remain in place for about two weeks, weather permitting.

In the final phase of the project, Kinnison Excavating will shift focus to replacing the storm sewer along Forrer Boulevard from Far Hills Avenue through the triangular boulevard at E. Schantz Avenue (Phase 3.) Work on Forrer Boulevard is anticipated to begin at the end of March or early April.

The 2024 Sidewalk, Curb and Driveway Apron Repair Project will take place in the Far Hills Business District, with a focus on the cruise lanes. The project received four bids and was awarded to A to Z Property Maintenance LLC at an estimated cost of $316,215. Sidewalks and other concrete structures requiring repair will soon be marked and property owners will be notified in April of their responsibilities.

The entire asphalt roadway surface along Far Hills Avenue (SR 48) will be removed and replaced from the south to the north corporation lines in the city of Oakwood. The Ohio Department of Transportation Urban Paving Program will provide 80% of the funding for this resurfacing project. This roadway was last resurfaced in 2011. The project is anticipated to begin late spring or early summer.

Concrete street repairs will be made to Raleigh Road and Grandon Road to enhance the structural integrity of the roadways. The work is expected to begin this summer or early fall. Mr. Kuzma displayed photos of the patchwork along Raleigh Road and Grandon Road.

There are a few improvement projects planned this year for the Public Works Center. The salt dome will be replaced with an expanded poly fabric structure. A storage facility will be added for the smoke safety trailer that is used by the Public Safety Department. This facility will also store items for the Oakwood Rotary hazmat disposal program and other materials.