Jan. 10—GENEVA — City Council approved a resolution to enter into a contract with CT Consultants to begin a storm-water master plan during a meeting Monday night.
Council members have discussed the first step in solving a significant problem in the city. Council has struggled to find funding for the plan, but made a decision late in 2023 to pay for the project and move forward.
"We've been talking about this for several years," said Geneva City Manager Joseph Varckette.
The city advertised the need through a "request for a proposal" and CT Consultants was the firm the city chose.
"I've been in contact with CT Consultants," Varckette said.
The resolution states the first year of the program would cost no more than $80,000.
"They refer to this as a process, not a program," he said.
The goal is to create a long-term plan to deal with troubled areas.
During the last two years numerous area residents have brought flooding complaints to city council. The complaints originate from a variety of areas where heavy rains often cause flooding.
The work will include research, photographs and other tasks during the early stages of the process.
Varckette said he has been working with Geneva Law Director Gary Pasqualone regarding details of a proposed agreement with Ashtabula County regarding the water distribution system.
He said the city hopes to come to an agreement with the county regarding the city's obligations regarding maintenance and capital projects. The city and county have been in long-term discussions after costs related to the construction of a water tower in Harpersfield Township was questioned by city officials.
"The bulk of our proposal is based on the county/city flow splits as they appear in the water model and summarized by the county's lead engineer," Varckette said.
Varckette said additional non-monetary items will be laid out.
"It is our intention to make a presentation to the director of Ashtabula County Environmental Services by the end of the month," he said.
The question stems from a long-term agreement that the city signed with the county in 2006. The city believes it needs to be revisited.
In other business:
—Varckette said the city continues to compile information regarding a possible application to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in downtown Geneva. The DORA would allow people in the downtown business district to walk around with alcoholic beverages in plastic cups purchased from local businesses during certain hours.
—Varckette also reported that an application for a $1.5 million grant was made by the city to reduce the cost of phase 1 on the West Main Street infrastructure project through the Waste/Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program.