Chillicothe Council started to clear up legislation in their third-to-the-last session of the year Monday night.
Engineering chair Dave Tatman saw his ordinance pass on first reading to appropriate $19,500 for maintenance costs for the traffic light controller at the US 35 eastbound ramp to Bridge Street. He says the signal's timing needs adjusted, but the expensive battery backup needs replacing.
Council heard that traffic there has only gotten worse, including a fatal crash about three years. This is part of the state gearing up to do some major renovations on the most congested part of the commercial corridor.
Back in October, we covered a public meeting that ODOT hosted to explain their study and plans for Bridge Street.
Tatman also saw the first reading of an ordinance to consent to the state repaving State Route 772 within the city limits - meaning South Paint Street - in a couple years. He says their new policy is to remove brick crosswalks. He says at first he opposed it, but admits the Streetscape brick has deteriorated in the last 40 years
Mayor Luke Feeney also mentioned the city has selected a contractor to produce a master plan, and the city will open applications for the public to join a steering committee for it Friday.
And, transit chair Courtney Lewis saw the first reading of her ordinance to buy a trolley bus with grant funds. The city took a test drive of one back in July.
Council will have a special session next Monday to continue moving through legislation before the end of the year, and to review the budget for the next.
Council President Bruce Arnold posts video of council session on Facebook Live and Youtube.
Kevin Coleman reports on Chillicothe Council, Ross County Commissioners, and local culture