11/22/2012 - West Side Leader
     

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Plans for improvements to Riverview Road in Peninsula moved forward Nov. 19 as a Summit County Council committee recommended Council approve a contract for the project.

The Public Works Committee gave its OK to a proposed contract with Karvo Paving for the first part of the resurfacing project at a cost of $812,598.

Heidi Swindell, of the Summit County Engineer’s Office, said 80 percent of the project cost will be covered by federal transportation funds, so the county will have to put about $162,000 toward the project.

The project will include shoulder and depth repaving, she added, and would likely take place in March should Council approve it.

According to the legislation, the project will involve the portion of the road from the Cuyahoga Falls north corporation limit to the Peninsula south corporation limit.

In other business, the Health and Human Services Committee recommended Council adopt legislation allowing a change order to a contract with Language Line Services Inc. for client translation services. The change will add an additional $17,500 to the contract, a 70 percent increase.

Steve Zimmerman, deputy director of administration for the Department of Job and Family Services, said an influx of refugees to the area has led to the need for increased translation services. The calls for interpretive services have more than doubled during the last six months due to increased emphasis on refugees who receive Ohio Works First cash meeting federal work participation requirements.

The agency averages 94 of the calls monthly, Zimmerman said, with the average cost per call coming in at $20.52.

During the Finance Committee meeting, members recommended Council adopt a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds in the aggregate maximum amount of $19 million for the purpose of re-funding certain maturities of general obligation bonds issued in 2002 and 2003.

Jason Dodson, chief of staff in the Executive’s Office, said the bonds will be refinanced, and the county projects it will save about $350,000 annually in interest.

Following committee meetings, Council conducted budget hearings with the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board; the clerk of courts; prosecutor; Child Support Enforcement Agency; and Children Services.

County Council will meet Nov. 26 at 5 p.m. for caucus and 5:05 p.m. for the regular meeting in Council Chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. Main St.

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