During the Athens City Council general body meeting Monday night, members voted to approve an ordinance which will allow the city to partner with Ohio University to repair Athens streets.
The ordinance authorizes $1.1 million in paving and repairs on streets, including Richland Ave. and West Union St. The partnership with OU will bring the total cost down and allow for more repairs throughout the city.
“I applaud the administration and the communications,” Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, said. “(It will) save taxpayers some serious hard-earned cash.”
City Council passed six resolutions, including an approval for Mayor Steve Patterson to apply to a grant program with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which would include improvements to Camp Rotan, and the approval of adding members to the Environment and Sustainability Commission.
“This is basically expanding one of our most effective and productive commissions to 11 members so they can be more productive,” Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward, said.
After months of discussion, Councilman Pat McGee, I-At Large, presented a first reading for a resolution to amend street vendor, peddling and soliciting regulations. That amendment would allow for the public to utilize parking spaces currently reserved for street vendors, however, council members suggested considering a resolution that takes all opinions into account.
They also suggested a single-issue committee to examine parking availability and vendors’ opinions.
“I do think we can solve a difficult issue with vending and parking,” Councilman Sam Crowl, D-3rd Ward, said. “Perhaps improve the situation for all ... a holistic approach is the way to go.”
There were three first readings of resolutions regarding an Uptown art event on Aug.18. The first was to close a portion of Union St. between Congress and Court streets and the others were to establish ordinances to suspend the enforcement of Athens’ city codes against vending and unnecessary noise.
The event will be “essentially be a music, art and beverage fest,” Butler said.
Council members discussed the best possible location for the event.
McGee suggested that the event would be more appropriate between Court and College streets because of the importance of the intersection joining Union and Congress streets.
At the meeting, Patterson announced that the National Guard armory in Athens was recognized as a historic location by the state last Saturday.
He also announced Athens neighborhood open houses, which will take place throughout June. Those open houses will feature Athens’ five neighborhoods.
Dates and locations will be available through the city website, Patterson said.
