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EAST PALESTINE -- East Palestine Village Council Monday set plans to move forward on the $25 million project to renovate the city park to be funded by Norfolk Southern.
Council set a special meeting for Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. to discuss input received during a public feedback session held Dec. 6 by the East Palestine Park Board.
Village councilwoman and Park and Recreational Chair Jessica Rocco said the meeting was constructive and park board President Amanda Smith recorded the community suggestions. The next step is to consider what changes can be incorporated into the conceptual designs presented last month by Michael Baker International, the architectural firm hired by the railroad to overhaul the park.
"There is room for changes," Rocco said. "But we need to decide what changes are feasible."
Most of the feedback from residents focused on the proposed aquatic center, which will replace the existing pool, and upgrades to the dog park.
Council is hopeful that the existing plans can be tweaked quickly to include most of the community suggestions and the project advance to meet the phased timeline.
"I feel confident in the plans we do have," Rocco said. "I feel it's an all encompassing plan and with some changes, we can get back on track."
In other special meeting related news, council said more discussion pertaining to the proposed acceptance of wastewater from the Norfolk Southern temporary treatment plant will take place at the next regular council meeting. A special meeting to hear public comment regarding the possible acceptance and eventual discharge of the water by the village's wastewater plant was held prior to Monday's regular meeting.
In other matters, council announced that the park bridge replacement project is complete and the entrance reopened on Friday.
Council also discussed the ongoing water line replacement project and addressed concerns over the lack of flaggers to direct traffic during hours that the work is being completed. Council reported that, moving forward, traffic maintenance will be a priority.
Council also held third readings of several pieces of legislation -- an agreement with attorney Dave Powers to serve as the village attorney, a negotiated pay increase for police, updates and changes to the employee handbook including changing EMS staffing to 24 hours a day, approving village appropriations and expenses and amending the municipal tax code to comply with House Bill 33.