Marvin Gelhausen addresses the Grafton City Council on the needs of the Taylor County Historical and Genealogy Society in order to restore the B&O caboose at Heritage Park.

At the regular meeting of the Grafton City Council Tuesday, the Grafton Historical and Genealogy Society updated the council on plans to restore the B&O caboose at Heritage Park downtown. Marvin Gelhausen, spent time bringing the council up to speed on the restoration project and what is needed to finish the job.

The society is seeking an electrical upgrade in order to light the flag currently situated near the caboose. They asked if the utility pole that is located on Latrobe Street and only used for the Spirit of Grafton 150th birthday celebration could be relocated in order to replace the pole that is currently near the caboose but in bad repair. The request was made in order to light the flagpole continuously and for use in holiday decorations. The society also requested that the electrical cost be absorbed by the City of Grafton. The society is asking that the city help in providing paint for the caboose and take over the grass mowing and upkeep in the park. It was indicated that the Taylor County Commission has committed to assisting in this project by helping to purchase the Plexiglas windows and paint.

Grafton City Manager Kevin Stead spoke to the society about the possibility of adding receptacles near the caboose (similar to the ones in front of the International Mother’s day Shrine) as a part of the Phase III of the Streetscape Project. Though this idea may take some time in coming, it would negate the need of a utility pole at the site. Council requested that the society get a written estimate of what is needed and bring it in for further discussion.

“It is in the interest of council to help maintain this,” stated Grafton Vice-Mayor Robert A. Klepfel. “Both entities, the County and the City should do their best to maintain the caboose.”

“We are every bit as interested as you are in making sure that this attraction is something to be proud of,” Grafton Mayor G. Thomas Bartlett, III added.

Two residents of Maple Avenue addressed the council on the scheduled clean up of the Maple Avenue Playground. These residents have volunteered to help coordinate the efforts of the Preston Taylor Community Corrections Program as the eligible participants begin one of their many community service tasks. Council agreed to assist in providing paint and large trash bags for Saturday’s clean up. Stead mentioned that he is in the process of acquiring mulch for the Castle Creek Playground and would look into getting some for the Maple Avenue Playground as well. Stead also informed the residents that he is currently requesting money from the State to build a boardwalk along the river for fishing and recreation purposes. Grafton Fire Department Chief Craig Crimm volunteered the department’s services in hosing down the areas that need high-pressured water cleaning.

Stead also mentioned in his City Manager’s Report that the pavilion at the Grafton City Park is near completion, and that Walgreen’s will start moving dirt next week.

Ordinance No. 765 establishing a flood plain area for the city had its second reading before council. The City of Grafton Floodplain Ordinance established a floodplain area and requires all contractors, persons, partnerships, businesses, and corporations to obtain a permit for development and the construction, substantial improvement, or relocation of any building or structure; providing for certain minimum standards for construction within the floodplain area and setting forth special procedures for submission and approval of plans; and establishing penalties for any person who fails to comply with the requirements or provisions of this ordinance.

Dodd General Contracting has been awarded this year’s street paving contract. The bid that was submitted was itemized by cost for each street on the list provided by council. Council approved the bid pending removal of some of the street sites to bring the cost down to the $120,000.00 available for the project. Due to the high cost of asphalt, not all of the streets on the original list are going to be paved.

The streets scheduled to be paved this year are: Harman Avenue, Love Avenue, Virginia Street, Dobbs Street, St. John Street, Thayer Avenue, Gordon Street, West Francis Street, Beverlin Alley, Durbin Street, and Ramsey Street.

Sealed bids for five pieces of equipment being sold by the city were opened by Mayor Bartlett and read aloud to the council. A 1986 John Deere Backhoe received eight bids with the winning bid offered by Tom Greathouse for $5,025.00. A 1986 Chevrolet K30 truck received six bids with the winning bid offered by Bubby Markley for $1,000.00. A Hobart welder with a trailer received four bids with the winning bid offered by Earl Bartlett for $250.00. A six-cylinder generator and a 12-cylinder generator were awarded to Joseph Charlton with his winning bids of $300.00 for each.

The bids were awarded to the highest bidders for each of the properties offered.

Kimberly Schaefer and Austin Upton addressed the council concerning flooding issues at their homes on Mortiz Avenue.

The problem concerns the backing-up of some of the drains and culverts near their homes. Council discussed the issue with the concerned homeowners and instructed Stead to inspect the area with public works director Busty Weber. The two are to report back to council with their findings.

In other council business, ordinances were read concerning the sale of the former J.C. Penney building and the abandonment of an unnamed alley and part of a street within the city. An ordinance vacating, abandoning, and annulling part of Ross Street between Lot 126 and Lot 127 on the south side of the street and Lot 128 on the north side was read, along with an ordinance vacating, abandoning, and annulling part of an unnamed alley running between Pearl Street and Robley Street. All three ordinances will have their second reading at the August 12, 2008 meeting to be held at Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m.