(Posted Feb. 18, 2019)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
London city council is looking to offer overnight parking permits for downtown residents.
Currently, it is illegal for anyone to park their cars between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Main Street between High Street and Center Street and on High Street between Union Street and Madison Road. Those hours are reserved for street cleaning when necessary.
Legislation introduced at the Feb. 7 council meeting would allow anyone who lives in the downtown district to apply for a permit to park overnight. Anyone without a permit would be restricted to parking no more than two hours at a time between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.
The permits would be free and good for 90 days at a time. Applications would be available through the police department. Applicants would need to supply their name, address, make and model of vehicle, and telephone number.
The permits would not be in effect during street sweeping, snow emergencies, festivals, special events, and any other time the city notifies permit holders the permits are not in effect.
Mayor Patrick Closser said the permits would benefit downtown residents and the city. Residents would be able to park closer to their homes. The city would have a way to contact residents who need to move their cars during times when the permits are not in effect.
The proposed legislation will be up for a second reading at council’s Feb. 21 meeting.
Council also held a first reading on the transfer of funds for various departments’ capital expenses for the year. They include:
- $510,000 for the street department for storm sewer and road work, as well as roof repair at the department’s facility;
- $312,000 for the fire and EMS department for lease payments on EMS start-up equipment, technology upgrades and fire gear; and
- $150,000 for the parks and recreation department to go toward installation of a splash pad at the city pool. The estimated cost of the project, according to Mayor Patrick Closser, is $270,000 to $310,000.
Council approved $90,000 in capital funds for the police department to purchase two vehicles.
In other action, council:
- started the process for annexing the land where the street department’s new headquarters sit. The four acres are part of Union Township. The street department moved last year from its shared space with the fire department to the former Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) garage at 1460 State Rte. 42.
- approved a $65,000 bid for the sale of the city’s property at 6 E. Second St. The building was home to council chambers, the mayor’s office and the safety-service director’s office. Those facilities are now located at city hall at 20 S. Walnut St.
- gave Joe Mosier, safety-service director, permission to enter into a contract with ODOT for resurfacing of State Route 142 between Keny Boulevard in London and the West Jefferson village limits. The city’s share of the project is $26,954. The project is slated to go out to bid in March and be finished this year.
