Use for loan funds aired at Conneaut City Council

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

May 06, 2008 07:11 pm

— CONNEAUT — Different uses for money in Conneaut’s own revolving loan fund were discussed at Monday’s City Council work session.
Prompting the debate was administrators’ interest in the tapping the fund to help create a second municipal parking lot in the downtown district. Some people have objected to the plan, saying there are better uses for the money.
Ward 2 Councilman Charles Lewis said he understood RLF dollars could be used to purchase material for road repairs. City Manager Douglas Lewis said the money could be used for that purpose if the road work is performed in areas containing low and moderate income households.
The loan fund, which contains some $268,000, was created by the Ohio Department of Development to assist local business and industry. Recently, the ODD informed the city some of that money must be used or a portion will be withdrawn to assist a housing improvement program.
In response, the city obtained permission to use some of the money for the proposed parking lot project.
In other business, Douglas Lewis said decorative poles that will support new traffic signals at the intersection of Gateway Avenue and Route 7 have been ordered. The signals may be installed later this year.
The bulk of the signal upgrade project is being funded by a government grant, officials have said.
Elsewhere, council:
• Agreed to consider preserving a small stretch of Madison Street paved with bricks. A special manufacturing process patented by a Conneaut resident created the bricks. The Conneaut Area Historical Society wants to secure state recognition for the brick roadway.
• Prepared a handful of ordinances for their debut at Monday’s regular meeting, including special events measures for the Northeast Ohio Soap Box Derby and downtown Sock Hop, the latter on June 13.
Three measures in second reading will also surface for a vote Monday, including a resolution of support for ATV Traction, an all-terrain vehicle club trying to create trails on private property. Members have also been asked to appoint Jason Picard to the Conneaut Recreation Board.