By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council has pushed the accelerator on efforts to provide rides for people getting COVID-19 vaccines.
In order to help more people lacking transportation to get vaccinated, City Council hastened a resolution through Monday evening to accept funding to transport people to and from vaccination sites.
The $75,754 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation is part of the “Rides to Community Immunity” program. The funding is to be used to provide free rides to vaccinations, plus cover any marketing and administrative costs.
Because of the quick turnaround time to participate in this “unexpected opportunity,” council gave the resolution the three required readings on Monday evening.
In other business, council member Greg Robinette presented an overview on the city’s efforts to meet goals set in the Community Action Plan and the East Wooster Street White Paper. The city has made “significant progress” by implementing 31 individual CAP priorities and adopting the Gateway Zoning as recommended for the East Wooster Street area, he said.
“I think this sets us, everyone in the community, up for success,” Robinette said.
Council President Mark Hollenbaugh acknowledged the efforts.
“People aren’t aware progress is being made all the time,” he said.
Also at Monday’s meeting, council approved the annexation of 10.8 acres from Center Township. The property sits north of Bowling Green Road East, to the east of the Meijer store.
A cell tower has been constructed on the site, and Richard and Judith Carpenter, who own the acreage, requested annexation in order to get utility service for the cell tower.
Council also approved interim zoning of M-3 Business Park, which is the same zoning as surrounding properties in the Wood Bridge Business Park.
In other business, council approved an ordinance for the sale of bonds for $8.9 million for the costs of constructing, furnishing and equipping a new city administrative services building. The bonds would also finance the demolition of a portion of the existing building on the new building site.
Council also approved the sale of $1.1 million in bonds to improve park and recreation facilities, and $3 million in bonds for the purpose of refunding at a lower interest rate for existing bonds held by the city.
In other business:
- Council approved the appointment of Ana Brown to the city’s Human Relations Commission.
- Council gave the first and second readings to an ordinance proposing “parklets” for downtown businesses. With standards and designs set by the city, the parklet concept would allow businesses to use some on-street parking spaces for dining or retail.
- Mayor Mike Aspacher reported that April is Fair Housing Month, and noted the city’s commitment to following fair housing standards.
- Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter reminded that now is the time for residents to schedule spring brush pickups.
- Council gave first readings to ordinances accepting annexation of 20.4 acres from Plain Township to Wintergarden Park, and establishing interim zoning of R-C Recreational Conservation. The property is located on South Wintergarden Road. The city’s planning commission will hold a public hearing on the annexation request during its Wednesday meeting.
