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City council says, go for the money
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - February 17, 2011)
City council says, go for the money
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon City Council debated last week whether requesting congressional earmark money for a municipal project is appropriate.
Council eventually voted 5-2 to apply for the earmark dollars, which are provided for projects through unrelated congressional bills. But some council members questioned their impact on the nation's financial welfare and whether the money is needed for specific projects.
"I'm opposed," Councilwoman Nancy McArthur said. "I just don't think the federal government has the money to give out."
Councilman John Mallen also said he doesn't believe it's "fair" to seek the earmark money.
The project council is seeking to fund a realignment of Park Avenue, which includes eliminating hills and improving sight distance near Wilson Mills Road.
Assistant City Manager Randy Sharpe said U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Bainbridge, previously sought earmark dollars on behalf of the city but now says he will no longer support local communities through that procedure. He said new U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican, has expressed similar opposition to using earmarks.
But Mr. Sharpe said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, has agreed to seek funding through the earmark process. The deadline for filing a request is Feb. 25, he said.
Councilman Robert Cromwell said, if council does seek the money, he wonders if it should go for the proposed improvements on Park Avenue, rather than another area of the city. He said the intersection of Park Avenue and Wilson Mills Road is not the worst one in the city. He said others have higher accident rates.
City Engineer Doug Courtney said, while the city may be able to do without the project for now, it could become a necessity sometime in the future. Much of that depends on whether land to the west of Park Avenue is developed, he said. If that occurs, there is the opportunity to link Park Avenue with a road through the development to Water Street, across from Meadowlands Drive, he said. Development will add traffic to the area, making the improvements necessary, he said.
City Council President Philip King questioned whether it would be "shortsighted" not to seek funding for the improvements now. If council puts them off, he said, 10 years from now the city would have to "scramble for the money."
Mr. Cromwell said Wilson Mills Road already has experienced an increase of speeds after the city repaved the road. He cited Police Chief Timothy McKenna's assessment that speeds had "quadrupled."
"Could we be causing even more problems with a dangerous intersection?" Mr. Cromwell asked.
Slowing drivers down there may only require the installation of a traffic light or a four-way stop, he said.
Mr. Courtney said he doesn't want to install a traffic light or stop signs without addressing the sight-distance issues. He said those driving over the hill may not be able to stop for stopped vehicles.
Mr. King said council may need to discuss the improvements to understand whether they are the most needed project for the city.
Even if Chardon chooses not to take the money, it would not necessarily save the federal government money, he said, because another municipality would likely take it.
Councilwoman Leslie Bednar agreed that the city should seek the money but said the Park Avenue project should be reconsidered.
City Manager David Lelko said the project is a "key" provision in the city's thoroughfare plan, and officials have been looking at it for more than 20 years. He said the city already has taken action to facilitate the project, such as buying a home, not installing sidewalks and putting in deeper sewers.
Mr. Cromwell said that makes him question whether the priorities are where they should be. "Let's not put blinders on because of decisions made 20 years ago, and let's look at what's appropriate for today," he said.
Mr. King questioned whether it's right to shift priorities now, after 20 years of planning.
Mrs. Bednar said it may come down to two separate issues -- safety vs. the thoroughfare's plan to move traffic.
Mr. King asked that council be given an update on the project at its next meeting to determine whether it is appropriate at this time.
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