At the present time, recycling efforts in the county are not meeting the 25% goal established by the state. Currently, it is less than 10%. The Division’s goal is to increase participation to 25% in the next two years. Among steps discussed and being taken to increase participation are the addition of fifteen drop-off sites in the County and a more aggressive campaign to increase and expand curbside recycling and other recycling opportunities. Plans are to expand the curbside program to include #1 through #5 plastics, office paper, phone books and magazines.
In addition, the Struthers Litter and Recycling Coordinator is working with the Reuse and Recycling Division, Cene Park, the Struthers Baseball League and the City Schools to increase participation in other Division sponsored recycling programs at their respective sites.
As was discussed with the MRCO in 2003 in conjunction with corridor economic development efforts, the possibility of establishing a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to process
Mahoning
County
generated recyclables is still being studied. Mr. Petuch emphasized the Division’s first priority is to use its resources to increase participation in the recycling programs in the county and utilize existing private recycling operations in the area to process the recyclables. Currently, the Division is working with Valley Recycling, located in the
Castlo
Industrial Park
, to recycle office paper and cardboard.
The Division is, also, working with the Struthers Coordinator to fund the City’s second scrap tire community round-up scheduled for Saturday, June 25, 2005.
Community Development Block Grant Program
CDBG/RLF
The Ohio Department of Development has advised my office the Struthers CDBG/RLF fund has excessive program income and must commit to spending excess funds on eligible CDBG projects by August 1, 2005. The amount being proposed for projects must be at least 50% of the CDBG/RLF balance. Failure to provide the Office of Housing and Community Partnerships with a plan to address the issue will result in a request for the return of funds to the State of
Ohio
. I foresee no problem in meeting the OHCP request since the City has regularly accessed the funds available for eligible activities and will be doing so again in 2005.
As reported to Council, our CDBG/RLF balance was $332,700 as of March 25, 2005, which would require we utilize approximately $170,000 for eligible CDBG activities. At the recent General Improvement Committee meeting, approximately $85,000 of CDBG eligible activities were identified for inclusion in the 2005 Street Improvement Program and an additional $95,000 identified, depending on CDBG Income Surveys being conducted. Once the Income Surveys are completed, the necessary waiver from OHCP to utilize those funds will be requested.
I will be consulting with OHCP to insure we are safely within the limits established and to verify the effective balance date to be used, the amount to be used and required timeline for use of the funds.
CDBG Downtown Improvement Program
The second phase of the program is nearing completion with the widening of the radius at Bridge Street/SR 616 and
State Street
and the installation/replacement of sidewalk and curbing along
Bob Cene Way
and a portion of SR 616. The widening of the radius will allow truck traffic to make the turn at
State Street
more safely.
As discussed at the General Improvement Committee meeting, additional eligible downtown improvements will be made this summer utilizing 2004 CDBG program funds. I am requesting Council pass the necessary legislation authorizing the SSD to advertise for bids to implement phase three of the program.
Clean
Ohio
Assistance Fund
On March 24, 2005, the City of
Struthers
grant application for Clean Ohio Assistance Fund assistance to clean the former coke works site was made available in the Struthers Library for the required forty-five day public review and comment period. On May 18, 2005 there will be a public hearing regarding the application and then it will be submitted to the Office of Urban Development for review and approval. It is anticipated agency review will take up to six months. Hopefully, we can expect approval of a grant award before November and clean up activities can commence. Our grant request is for $603,000.
MRCO Planning Committee
On Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., the MRCO Finance and Environmental Issues subcommittees will be meeting at the Castlo Office to discuss and identify other eligible sites to submit for Clean Ohio Assistance Fund and Federal Brownfield Program consideration, as well as steps to be taken to access state funding for additional infrastructure improvements. Utilizing a Federal Brownfield Program grant, Castlo is completing the required environmental assessments of additional sites within the industrial park. The sites would then be eligible for a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant through the City of
Struthers
to remediate any environmental issues that could impede development. Because our current priority investment area status waives any local matching funds requirement, I would emphasize it is imperative we take advantage of that status and continue to access as much Clean Ohio funding, as possible, for environmental assessment and remediation. By identifying and removing environmental issues related to the corridor property, we greatly improve the prospects for economic development and expansion of the community tax base.
On Wednesday, May 18, 2004, at 10:00 a.m., the MRCO Planning Committee will hold its quarterly meeting at
Mauthe
Multi-purpose
Center
at 10:00 a.m. to hear reports from the various subcommittees and identify additional tasks to be addressed. Currently, the Transportation and Development Subcommittee is working on accessing additional roadway and infrastructure funds. Committee members are also reviewing zoning and planning regulations currently governing use of the corridor property in the three cities.
Construction on the
Walton
Avenue
Bridge
is proceeding as planned and is currently ahead of schedule. The anticipated completion date is September 2005.
Norfolk
and Southern has completed work on relocating the signal trestle.
Storm Water Management
Ohio
Environmental Education Fund
As a result of an OEEF workshop attended by Mr. Thomas on April 11, 2005, we are currently revising and updating our application for OEEF assistance to address various EPA public education and public awareness requirements for our storm water management program. I am requesting Council pass the necessary legislation authorizing us to resubmit the application at their earliest convenience. The application deadline is in July.
As part of our Storm Water Management Program, Water Pollution Department personnel have initiated an education program called the Storm Water Corner. The program consists of periodic stormwater articles in the journal.
Beechwood/Lakeshore Storm Water Project
The Beachwood/Lakeshore Storm Water Project is ready to go to bid and I expect the Board of Control will be awarding a contract for construction in June.
Storm Water Management Regulations
The Mahoning County Soil and Water Conservation District has finalized their Storm Water Management Plan. As soon as possible, a meeting will be scheduled with a representative of the MCSWCD to discuss the possibility of MCSWCD assisting the City in the implementation and administration of the city’s program.
Join Hands Day
In partnership, various church, civic, service, school organizations, and individuals of all ages participate in national Join Hands Day. The Join Hands Day program is aimed at increasing intergenerational contact and understanding through volunteerism. Currently, various neighborhood and community service activities are being identified by young people and adults working together to be conducted on May 7, 2005. Any organization and/or individuals interested in “joining hands” for a few hours on Saturday, May 7, 2005 can contact my office for more information about how to participate.
The program is sponsored by
America
’s Fraternal Benefit Societies in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network.
Mahoning
Valley
Wildcats
On behalf of the community, we welcome the Mahoning Valley Wildcats to the City of
Struthers
. They are a great addition to the community. Not only do they share our mascot name, but the basketball is fast and furious and our own Rick McFadden is on the home court again. Good luck and best wishes on a very successful season.
