Greenfield council appropriates funds for railroad
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The Greenfield Village Council passed a series of legislation this week to cover maintenance costs for the railroad system and to enter into contracts for railroad operation and maintenance.
During council's Sept. 7 meeting, Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop reported that approximately $36,000 was needed to cover bills related to the railroad system that were "held back" following a crash by the village's computer system. Council's finance committee met last week to discuss the best options for the village.
On Tuesday, council passed three emergency resolutions to create line items to make transfers from the general fund to the railroad fund, amending the 2011 permanent appropriations fund to allow an increase of $36,000 to be distributed from the general fund to the railroad fund, and then authorized the advance of cash from the general fund to the railroad fund. All votes on the legislations were 5-0.
"The general fund is advancing some funds to the railroad fund to pay some bills," Finance committee chairperson William Redenbaugh said Tuesday. "Increasing appropriations allows you to spend money you already have. This process makes sure that the funds are there before they are spent."
The $36,000 transfer is covering rail repairs that were necessary due to flood damage earlier this year, cutting of trees and brush from the railways, an insurance payment, and federally mandated replacement of "crossbucks," the reflective signage at street and railroad crossings.
Council also voted 5-0 to pass an emergency resolution to accept a bid and enter into an agreement with the Indiana and Ohio Railway Company (I & O) for operation and maintenance of the Shortline tracks.
In two separate pieces of legislation, council voted unanimously to pass resolutions making two separate amendments to the agreement with the Ohio Rail Development Commission. The amendments modified "the scope of the work agreement."
In other business:
• Council voted 5-0 to pass an ordinance to enter into an agreement with John Kinzer, Jr. to farm approximately 175.70 acres of village property at the Greenfield Industrial Park.
• Council voted 5-0 to allow the city manager to advertise for paving services, per ton. Bishop said that by bidding per ton, it will allow the village to do as many streets as possible, up to a total cost of $100,000. She said that if the project were bid by street, they might not be able to pay as much.
• At the request of Greenfield Police Chief Tim Hester, council voted 5-0 to authorize Hester to apply for grant funding from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development for the purpose of purchasing and installing an emergency weather warning siren. The total cost of the project, according to Bishop, will not exceed $15,000, but the village will likely have to put up a 25-percent match of approximately $3,750. Council member Bob Bergstrom said that Greenfield had looked into acquiring a tornado siren years ago, but the estimated cost was around $50,000, so they did not pursue it further. Bergstrom said the grant seemed like a good opportunity for Greenfield. [[In-content Ad]]
During council's Sept. 7 meeting, Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop reported that approximately $36,000 was needed to cover bills related to the railroad system that were "held back" following a crash by the village's computer system. Council's finance committee met last week to discuss the best options for the village.
On Tuesday, council passed three emergency resolutions to create line items to make transfers from the general fund to the railroad fund, amending the 2011 permanent appropriations fund to allow an increase of $36,000 to be distributed from the general fund to the railroad fund, and then authorized the advance of cash from the general fund to the railroad fund. All votes on the legislations were 5-0.
"The general fund is advancing some funds to the railroad fund to pay some bills," Finance committee chairperson William Redenbaugh said Tuesday. "Increasing appropriations allows you to spend money you already have. This process makes sure that the funds are there before they are spent."
The $36,000 transfer is covering rail repairs that were necessary due to flood damage earlier this year, cutting of trees and brush from the railways, an insurance payment, and federally mandated replacement of "crossbucks," the reflective signage at street and railroad crossings.
Council also voted 5-0 to pass an emergency resolution to accept a bid and enter into an agreement with the Indiana and Ohio Railway Company (I & O) for operation and maintenance of the Shortline tracks.
In two separate pieces of legislation, council voted unanimously to pass resolutions making two separate amendments to the agreement with the Ohio Rail Development Commission. The amendments modified "the scope of the work agreement."
In other business:
• Council voted 5-0 to pass an ordinance to enter into an agreement with John Kinzer, Jr. to farm approximately 175.70 acres of village property at the Greenfield Industrial Park.
• Council voted 5-0 to allow the city manager to advertise for paving services, per ton. Bishop said that by bidding per ton, it will allow the village to do as many streets as possible, up to a total cost of $100,000. She said that if the project were bid by street, they might not be able to pay as much.
• A cleanup day will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Greenfield industrial park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. off Daniels drive in the Greenfield Industrial Park. Additionally, Bishop said that the village will be picking up as many items as they can for people who call ahead and request it, on a first come, first served basis. There is a charge of $3 for tires and $1 for paint cans.
• During the city manager's report, Bishop said that there are many good things that are happening in the village, and in order to recognize the the positive accomplishments of the young people in Greenfield, Earlene Scott nominated Greenfield for the ING's Best Communities for Young People. Bishop said that Greenfield was one of 300 hundred entries and, "Even though our community was not chosen this year it reminded us of all the good that is happening."
• Greenfield's first OKtoberfest will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 from 6-10 p.m.
Bishop said the even is "Sponsored by the G3 Committee, with proceeds to be used for economic development of the community. The Lions Club is providing food and others have jumped in to make sure there will be a good choice of German foods, allowing everyone to 'Goetta' Taste of Greenfield [Pronounced "get-ah," Goetta is a German dish made from ground meat and steal-cut oats and in popular in the Cincinnati area.] The Knights of Columbus will be serving beer and wine in a fenced-in area on the Yellow Rose Bed and Breakfast lawn. there will be a raffled of four $25 food cards from Save-A-Lot, and the Cincinnati Beir Band will be the featured entertainment, with Pokey Post filling in on breaks. Bring your lawn chairs and a healthy appetite and enjoy a fun-filled evening."
• Voted 5-0 to allow a time extension needed to finish the manhole project. "The time required to coordinate this task depends on the responsiveness of the contractor and funding agency, which has been slower than expended and is not within Woolpert's (project engineer) control," Bishop said. "As a result of the extension project duration Woolpert has incurred additional expenses, and our construction administration funds have been exhausted. However, we are not requesting additional additional funds at this time. The intent is only to bring this issue to Greenfield's attention."
• At the request of Greenfield Police Chief Tim Hester, council voted 5-0 to authorize Hester to apply for grant funding from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development for the purpose of purchasing and installing an emergency weather warning siren. The total cost of the project, according to Bishop, will not exceed $15,000, but the village will likely have to put up a 25-percent match of approximately $3,750. Council member Bob Bergstrom said that Greenfield had looked into acquiring a tornado siren years ago, but the estimated cost was around $50,000, so they did not pursue it further. Bergstrom said the grant seemed like a good opportunity for Greenfield.
• A cleanup day will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Greenfield industrial park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. off Daniels drive in the Greenfield Industrial Park. Additionally, Bishop said that the village will be picking up as many items as they can for people who call ahead and request it, on a first come, first served basis. There is a charge of $3 for tires and $1 for paint cans.
• During the city manager's report, Bishop said that there are many good things that are happening in the village, and in order to recognize the the positive accomplishments of the young people in Greenfield, Earlene Scott nominated Greenfield for the ING's Best Communities for Young People. Bishop said that Greenfield was one of 300 hundred entries and, "Even though our community was not chosen this year it reminded us of all the good that is happening."
• Greenfield's first OKtoberfest will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 from 6-10 p.m.
Bishop said the even is "Sponsored by the G3 Committee, with proceeds to be used for economic development of the community. The Lions Club is providing food and others have jumped in to make sure there will be a good choice of German foods, allowing everyone to 'Goetta' Taste of Greenfield [Pronounced "get-ah," Goetta is a German dish made from ground meat and steal-cut oats and in popular in the Cincinnati area.] The Knights of Columbus will be serving beer and wine in a fenced-in area on the Yellow Rose Bed and Breakfast lawn. there will be a raffled of four $25 food cards from Save-A-Lot, and the Cincinnati Beir Band will be the featured entertainment, with Pokey Post filling in on breaks. Bring your lawn chairs and a healthy appetite and enjoy a fun-filled evening."
• Voted 5-0 to allow a time extension needed to finish the manhole project. "The time required to coordinate this task depends on the responsiveness of the contractor and funding agency, which has been slower than expended and is not within Woolpert's (project engineer) control," Bishop said. "As a result of the extension project duration Woolpert has incurred additional expenses, and our construction administration funds have been exhausted. However, we are not requesting additional additional funds at this time. The intent is only to bring this issue to Greenfield's attention."