New Phila addressing Tuscora Park pond

During the Aug. 9 meeting of New Philadelphia City Council, councilman John Zucal reported receiving numerous inquiries about muck on the pond at Tuscora Park. Zucal asked the city’s service director if anything was being done to address the issue.

Service director Ron McAbier said he has met with two consultants who are working on solutions to the problem.

Mayor’s report

Mayor Joel Day highlighted work being performed on Tuscora Park rides to keep them operational and in compliance with new state inspection requirements as the result of Tyler’s Law. The law was passed in 2019 after a teenager was killed on an amusement ride at the Ohio State Fair.

Day thanked Gradall Industries, Dover Tank and Plate, and Jim Hobart for their repairs to the Ferris wheel. RTY and the New Philadelphia Rotary have pledged donations to the project, estimated to cost $90,000. Day said anyone who would like to help can send a donation in care of RTY to Tuscora Park, 161 Tuscora Ave. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.

Day further reported on additional citations by Ohio fire marshal inspector Roger Clark at the former OYO Motel at 181 Bluebell Drive NW. Now operating as a Days Inn, the hotel was issued 23 code violations and 28 days to correct them. City Fire Chief Jim Parrish and Police Chief Michael Goodwin both told Day drug use and crime calls from the motel have declined in recent weeks.

Service director’s report

McAbier said work on the Lakeshore Project is complete, except for crosswalk posts, lights and a handrail on backorder.

The main line of the North Avenue water project is installed, and all residences should be switched to the new 6-inch line by Friday, weather permitting. Repaving will take place next year.

McAbier said in addition to paving Fifth Street this week, Seventh Drive Southeast will be repaved mid-August due to damage from the gas-line project.

McAbier said two people have retired from his office including city zoning inspector Mike Scolatti, who retired about three weeks ago. Josh Mathias has been hired in his place. An IT director is being sought.

Councilman Dean Holland asked if it were possible for any person to accomplish what the city needs done in a part-time zoning position, as Scolatti tried to do. “Are we at the point where we need a full-time code enforcement officer?” Holland asked.

McAbier said he believed the time had come to do so. Day will look into the city budget to see what can be done.

Law director’s report

Marvin Fete asked council to pass an emergency ordinance allowing the city to accept funds from the $26 billion opioid settlement with Johnson & Johnson, as well as three of the nation's largest drug distributors.

Fete said the funds must be targeted toward addressing the opioid epidemic and hoped they could be used for the Victim Advocate Program. “We are up 130 cases over last year at this time in the Victim Advocate Program due to drug abuse and domestic violence, so I think that would be a worthy project.”

Fete said while he doesn’t believe the agreement made by the State of Ohio Attorney General’s Office is perfect, it is a step in the right direction.

Finance committee report

Finance chair Rob Maurer said the committee met prior to the council meeting to discuss amending and adjusting 2021 appropriations due to retirements, tech improvements, the new PulsePoint program through the fire department and a final payment on the fire tanker truck. He also said the opioid agreement was discussed and asked council to pass the ordinance to participate.

Legislation

Council passed emergency ordinances to do the following:

—Authorize the mayor to accept funds from the Ohio opioid settlement.

—Allocate funds collected under the city income tax ordinance.

—Amend and adjust permanent appropriations for the year 2021.

Resolutions were passed to do the following:

—Enter into a tax-abatement agreement with Crane Carrier Company LLC.

—Annex property in Goshen Township, parcel number 25-02508-003.