City seeking bids for courts

ThisWeek CW 09/22/2011

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2011/09/21/city-seeking-bids-for-courts.html

Plans to build two tennis courts on Washington Street can proceed thanks to city council’s unanimous approval Monday, Sept. 19, of an agreement with the Canal Winchester school district for construction, maintenance and operation.

The city plans to spend a maximum of $80,000 on construction of the courts, which will be built just north of the high school on land donated by the school district. Construction bid proposals will be solicited beginning this week, according to public services director Matt Peoples.

“The agreement says that (the courts) will not be accessible to the public during school days and during competition. Otherwise they will be open to the public during regular city park hours,” city finance director Nanisa Osborn said.

Peoples said city crews will provide regular maintenance of the tennis courts as a part of their normal park duties. The cost will be nominal so no additional money will be set aside, he said.

In other business Monday, council heard the first reading of legislation that would increase mayor’s court fees.

According to Osborn, the state has increased the fees paid by city courts; this legislation will pass those costs on to offenders.

She said the costs rose from $65 to $72 and three new fees were added: a $15 payment plan fee, a $15 warrant block fee and a $50 expungement fee. Council will hear the second reading of the ordinance at its Oct. 3 meeting.

Council also heard the first reading of an agreement to renew the city’s contract with Franklin County Public Health at an annual cost of $40,688.73. The agreement requires the department to provide legislated public health services to Canal Winchester and to assist in enforcement of public health codes.

Legislation that would change zoning notification requirements was presented for a first reading on Monday. Councilwoman Leah Turner requested a change in the proposed wording of the legislation. She said under the current text, neighbors who are separated from the site of a proposed zoning change by an empty lot or otherwise vacant property might not be notified.

“In some cases, they get lots in between and then those people are left out in the cold,” Turner said. “So I just want to see a tweak in that wording.”

A public hearing about the zoning notification changes is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17. The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3.

Both meetings will be held at Town Hall, 10 N. High St.