Following a shortfall of funds for a bridge project, the city of Uhrichsville is considering a different option instead of a loan.
The past few meetings had council talking with a bank for a loan to cover the over $200,000 still needed for the W. 3rd Street bridge overhaul that was committed to by the previous administration.
Mayor Jim Zucal expects to have talks about a payment plan of $55,000 per year over four years to pay the engineering cost.
“Which would wrap about the same time the project should finish. That would fulfill our debt of $220,000. There’s enough money in the capital improvement funds. This is a capital project.”
Finance Committee chair Polly Clark notes the $30,000 previously considered for extra attorney fees would be reworked.
“Looking into a title company to research the properties in question in regard to the 3rd Street bridge.”
During the meeting, Zucal also brought up the idea of having a Mayor’s Court.
“As means of moving matters along much more quickly. We’ve had some issues of cases that went to Southern District Court and we’re approaching a year now and they’re still not out of the court system.”
This type of court sees a mayor or appointed magistrate overseeing traffic citations and misdemeanors, instead of the case going before a municipal court judge. Zucal asked the matter to be placed into committee so that discussions could begin.
Council member Harold Shamel was in favor.
“We have Terry [McFerren] out handing out all these pin notices and some places he’s been back two or three times. People aren’t paying any attention because they think that nobody’s going to follow up, so I think we need to have mayors court and let them handle these people and show them that we’re not kidding.”
Uhrichsville Council also voted to accept the Eagles $22,000 bid for the former Clay Museum.
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