A variety of matters came up at Oil City Council’s meeting Thursday, including an update from City Manager Mark Schroyer on paving the city began last week.
All the milling was completed Thursday afternoon and the base material will be put on the roads under reconstruction in Oil City by Wednesday or Thursday next week, Schroyer said. After that, workers will begin pouring concrete and doing the curbs.
The projects are expected to be complete by mid-October, weather permitting, according to Schroyer.
Ellen Drive, from Penn Way to Fisher Avenue, is listed as an alternate project.
In other paving-related news, council approved the city’s Community Development Block Grant projects that will be submitted in the 2021 CDBG application.
The projects include reconstruction of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Front streets, as well as blight removal.
Schroyer said the CDBG projects will also include work on the sidewalks around Towne Square.
Other business
Schroyer said the Hasson pool closed shortly before Labor Day.
The main reason the pool is not open past Labor Day, he said, is because staff members are mostly young people who return to high school or college before the holiday.
Schroyer also said the new covers for the pool, which cost the city $45,000, have arrived.
Jason Herman, Oil City water services director who manages the pool, said the pools are being winterized.
Herman said the cover on the baby pool is not as worn as the covers for the large pool so the city may use the old cover for a few more years or store it as a backup.
Nate Danzer, who has been employed part time at the Oil City Fire Department, has been hired full time and was introduced to the council.
Council approved requests for use of various areas downtown for First Night events and OCtober Fest.
Council also approved a request from the Oil City YMCA to use the Dekhockey parking lot, Hasson softball field parking lot, and pool parking lot for a Trunk or Treat from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 30.
Several residents aired a variety of grievances and asked for the council’s help.
Robert Andres, who lives on Lynch Boulevard, said he is having issues with a large amount of water rushing onto his property, causing damage to the foundation of his house and causing his sidewalks to sink.
He said the water also rushes onto Lynch Boulevard, creating large potholes and causing a hazard to students and anyone else traveling on the road.
Andres said the water is rushing onto his property because his neighbor dug a large ditch that diverts all the water in his property and other neighboring properties onto Andres’ property.
Andres said he has already won in court once, but the situation remains unresolved.
Several other city residents who are affiliated with the Facebook group Speak Up Venango told the council they believe local law enforcement and other local officials are corrupt.
Andres said he considers Mayor Bill Moon and Police Chief Dave Ragon to be some of the most honest men he has ever met.
