By Kathleen Leese

For Miami Valley Today

COVINGTON — Covington Council members heard a report from Covington Police Chief Tim Cline about the Covington Touch-A-Truck event, a successful event held for local children, during their meeting on Monday, July 15.

Cline told council the Touch-A-Truck event was successful. The event was held on Saturday, July 13, with approximately 150 children in attendance, surpassing the anticipated numbers. Despite the heat, the children and their families as well as community members, came out to see big vehicles including a police car, fire truck, farm equipment, construction equipment and other large vehicles. It allowed children to touch and see how the vehicles function and meet the individuals who drive them.

Cline said there “were a ton of kids” present, which he said was really nice to see. He added the children had the opportunity to ride on a swing suspended from a crane, something even the adults wanted to do. The event was sponsored by J.R. Clarke Library in Covington. Those in attendance were also able to enjoy Kona Ice treats. Participants in the event included Miami Ag, J Crane, Angle Farms, the village of Covington, Covington Fire and Rescue, Covington Police and The Service Company, as well as Kona Ice.

Council members also discussed issues with the Buccaneer Way intersection and heard a report from Village Administrator Tyler Rench and Cline. After Rench and Cline met at the intersection to take a first hand look at the area, he asked council to consider placing speed bumps in the area or a permanent stop sign.

Cline said, “It is a park that whole way. People are going to be coming from the splash pad. We don’t need people drag (racing) it.”

Council member Martin Leistner asked if speed bumps or stop signs would better address the problem.

Cline said, “I think we need to keep the stop sign.”

An unidentified resident at the meeting said their concern was for the children.

Council member Dawn Duff said, “Try doing it one way; no parking. That would be a couple signs and no paint.”

Rench said they will continue to work to find solutions.

In other business, Cline gave an update on the Government Center renovation, telling council the front door frame is currently being built and added, “a lot of work (is) continuing inside.” Cline said the HVAC work is 98% complete and the drywall workers are done until the windows can be installed. Cline said contractors are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday to begin work on the windows.

Additionally, Cline said, the front porch of the building will be cleaned and the bricks stained so they match. Furniture is scheduled to arrive at the Government Center in mid-October and will be installed at that time. He also said there are a couple of other issues that will be addressed, including getting a new flag pole and installing a generator in the next month or two.

“They (contractors) feel pretty confident (they) are not too far off the timeline,” Cline said, adding the delays are “not anybody’s fault.”

Also Monday evening, Rench provided updates on the demolition project on North High Street in the village, noting there is now grass that has been seeded and he has reached out to the company that will install a fence and is waiting to hear back from them. He said the project should be completed after that work is done.

Also discussed was Schoolhouse Park, with Rench telling council members there is now grass in the area and they are waiting on electrical components. A punch list has been created and the contractor is working through that while waiting on the electrical components.

Rench provided an update on the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP); contractors are currently working on the building’s power supply. He said the building will include a manager’s office, conference room, a lab and bathrooms among other areas.

Council members discussed the fire hydrant issue on Dodd Street, where a semi truck veered off the road and hit the fire hydrant.

Frank Patrizio, legal counsel for the village, said, “These things happen when you’re in transit.” He noted the accident was the fault of the driver, who was cited.

Council members approved an ordinance to amend the employee handbook, which will allow village employees to take Christmas Eve off. If Christmas and/or Christmas Eve fall on a weekend, those holidays will be taken as a four day weekend from Friday through Monday.

Council suspended the readings and approved a resolution for a lighting assessment, which Rench said is done every year. He noted this year there will be an increased cost (of $3,000) due to the new housing development being built in the village. The developer will be responsible for installing the lighting.

Council suspended the readings and approved a resolution to authorize the village administrator to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) State Capital Improvement and/or local transportation programs and to execute contracts. The resolution is related to plans for the village to make improvements to U.S. Route 36 for a waterline and sanitary sewer replacement project. The project qualifies for OPWC programs.

Cline told council due to changes to the police department website, they will be able to edit statistics and other information on their web page.

The next meeting for Covington Village Council is scheduled for Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.