By Dustin Ensinger
Staff Writer
Reynoldsburg officials plan to conduct a study of all the city’s park facilities in 2015, and the study would include the possible purchase of the Reynoldsburg Swim Club.
Owners of the privately operated swimming pool announced last year they were looking to sell the popular summer destination.
The 9-acre property includes more than just the pool, according to City Auditor Richard Harris.
“It’s a much bigger piece of property than just where the pool is,” said Harris.
The property includes the swimming park, a closed skating rink, a banquet and catering center and the Huber House.
New cruiser purchase
Reynoldsburg Police Chief Jim O’Neill budgeted for the purchase of three new police cruisers in 2015.
However, unforeseen circumstances have changed the equation.
O’Neill asked the city council’s safety and finance committee to help with the purchase of a fourth new cruiser this year after one in the current fleet was totaled late last year when alleged drunk driver smashed into the back of a cruiser during a Dec.3 traffic stop on Brice Road.
Officer Michael Loyszczyk suffered minor injuries in the incident.
“I’m just glad the officer wasn’t hurt,” Councilman Chris Long said.
The city was able to recoup some of the cost of the cruiser from its insurance policy.
In addition to money out of the general fund, the police department plans to use revenue from its OVI enforcement account and the seatbelt enforcement account to help pay for the replacement cruiser.
“They’re probably both appropriate considering how the demise of this cruiser took place,” O’Neill said.
Both the finance and service committees passed the legislation on to the full council as an emergency measure.
O’Neill said the urgency was necessary to avoid being “up against the build-out schedule.”
“It is more likely to be November than earlier in the year” if the city does not get on the purchase list, O’Neill told council.
Road maintenance
The city’s finance and service committees passed two measures on to council designed to help keep roadways clear: the purchase of a Ford F-550 truck equipped with a plow and salt dispenser for nearly $75,000 and a $120,156 Case front loader to get road salt into trucks.
Both will replace 14-year-old pieces of equipment.
“This is the most relied on piece of equipment for our snow removal,” said Development Director Dan Havener of the front loader.
Main Street streetscaping
Council’s community development committee passed along a measure to go to bid for two-year contract landscaping services on Main Street.
The services include mulching; fertilizing; insect and disease control; annual and perennial maintenance; turf maintenance; tree and shrub pruning; and maintenance on irrigation systems.
“This goes a long way toward making sure Main Street looks nice in the spring and summer months,” said Service Director Nathan Burd. “We’ve been pleased with its appearance in recent years.”
