11/29/2012 - South Side Leader
     

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Summit County Council OK’d a contract for design of improvements to a stretch of South Arlington Road during the Nov. 26 meeting.

Council adopted a resolution confirming a contract with Mannik & Smith Group Inc. for the South Arlington Road Professional Design Services Agreement in the amount of $196,095.

Heidi Swindell, of the Summit County Engineer’s Office, said the project will likely take place starting in March 2014. It will include resurfacing for 1.3 miles of South Arlington Road from Killian Road to Krumroy Road, as well as the addition of a left-turn lane at Warner Road. Sidewalks with ramps and an interconnected traffic signal system also will be part of the project, she added.

The road divides Coventry and Springfield townships.

Swindell said the county expects to receive federal safety funds for construction of the project.

Also Monday, Council voted to change the way it elects officers annually.

Council adopted by a vote of 9-1 a motion proposed by Councilman John Schmidt (D-District 2) to have the senior-most member of Council oversee the election during the first meeting of the year. That meeting will take place for 2013 on Jan. 2.

The most senior member of Council is Tim Crawford (D-District 7) — who voted against the motion. Council member Tamela Lee was absent.

Crawford said he didn’t think that Council’s rules needed to be changed and also raised concerns about how seniority would be determined when two or more Council members have the same tenure.

Before the change, council’s clerk conducted the election. Schmidt, who has been on Council about six years, said he has always thought that should be changed so that a Council member oversees the process and “not a civilian.”

Also Monday, Council adopted 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.

Officials from 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.

Council also adopted 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.

Dodson 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 for the Fiscal Office, 9th District Court of Appeals, Domestic Relations Court and Engineer’s Office.

County Council will meet Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m. for committee meetings in Council Chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. Main St.

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