Flood projects moving forward

North Ridgeville City Council voted March 4 to move forward on plans for a bridge replacement and flood control project on Mills Creek Lane near state Route 20. Due to the bridge’s declining conditions, Council had to dispense the item’s second and third reading and adopt it under an emergency clause to meet the Ohio Department of Transportation’s deadline of March 20, according to Mayor G. David Gillock. The bridge at Mills Creek Lane and Center Ridge Road, will be replaced at no cost of the city, Gillock said. This will take place in fiscal year 2024, he said. Council also dispensed the second and third readings to enter into an agreement through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to receive a grant for the second round of the Mills Creek Lane flood control project. North Ridgeville will receive nearly $400,000 through a Capital Improvement Community Recreation Grant to help continue addressing funding issues, Gillock said. The city will contribute $40,000 to project. At-large Councilman Mark Devries thanked Gillock’s administration and City Engineer Daniel Rodriguez for going to Mills Creek Lane to talk with residents about flooding issues and what is being done to address them. “He was very informative, very gracious, and when (Rodriguez) left, they complimented the mayor and (Safety Service Director) Jeff Armbruster for sending someone down there to talk to them,” Devries said.

In other news:

Council discussed purchasing a new ladder truck, engine or both for the Fire Department due to the city’s current equipment being over 25 years old. City Auditor Jeffrey Wilcheck said the city is working on the financing. The city also may have to transfer $500,000 from its general fund to the Center Ridge Road Construction Fund to cover overrun costs on the project. Due to delays in the project, including separate work performed by the Windstream utility company, the road-widening project may run over budget this year and possibly in 2020, officials said.