Troy Council Committees Face Marathon Agenda

Vol. III, No. 37 - Seven of the nine council committees will meet tomorrow

The Committees of Troy City Council are preparing for one of their most comprehensive committee meeting sessions in recent memory on June 30th, as seven of the nine committees will meet to discuss 11 separate items. The packed agenda covers critical infrastructure improvements, safety upgrades, community events, and significant financial commitments.

Water Treatment Plant Safety Overhaul

The most significant item facing council members involves a major safety upgrade at the city's water treatment plant. The chlorine gas conversion project has grown from its original budget to nearly three million dollars, requiring council approval to increase authorization to $2,975,000. This project addresses what officials describe as the single greatest threat to both the water treatment facility and public safety.

Currently, the plant uses dangerous chlorine gas that could potentially affect nearly 13,000 people in a worst-case release scenario according to EPA risk management plans. The city wants to replace this system with sodium hypochlorite, a much safer chemical that eliminates the catastrophic risk while maintaining water treatment effectiveness. Similar facilities in nearby Sidney and Springfield have experienced chlorine releases in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for this safety upgrade.

The project includes not just the chlorine conversion but also lime slaker and dust collection systems. The original authorization of $2,275,000 proved insufficient when bids were opened, with the lowest bid coming in at $2,295,000 for just the chlorine portion. The increased authorization includes a ten percent contingency for potential change orders and allows the entire project to move forward as one coordinated effort.

Water System Planning and Infrastructure

Council will also consider hiring Arcadis US Inc. to update the city's water master plan for $250,000. This comprehensive planning document serves as a roadmap for the entire water system, helping officials determine where pipes need replacement, how to handle future growth, and where capital improvements are needed. The current plan dates back to 2014, making this update essential for proper long-term planning, especially since the City recently updated their Comprehensive Plan back in October.

The water master plan includes detailed modeling of water pressures and quality throughout the system, evaluating the availability of adequate water flow for potential new customers and confirming that service standards meet requirements across Troy's growing service area.

Wastewater Treatment Improvements

The wastewater treatment plant will see continued improvements through a ten-year contract extension with Agri-Sludge Inc. for biosolids management. The new agreement actually reduces costs from $863.84 per dry ton to $625.00 per dry ton because the city now owns expensive belt press equipment that was previously included in the service contract. This change reflects smart asset management while maintaining essential waste processing services.

The biosolids management process removes liquid from waste materials, dries the residual matter, and prepares it for proper disposal at approved landfill facilities. This service is critical for environmental compliance and public health protection.

Downtown Revitalization Continues

Downtown Troy's transformation moves forward with council considering additional spending of $165,493 for Prouty Plaza design work. This central downtown space requires careful planning to coordinate with other streetscape improvements already underway. The plaza design must be completed quickly to allow bidding alongside other downtown safety and streetscape renovation projects, ensuring coordinated construction and cost savings.

The original downtown project authorization with LJB Inc. totaled $617,370, but Prouty Plaza was not included in that scope. Adding this work brings the total design cost to $782,863 for the comprehensive downtown renovation project.

Recreation and Community Facilities

The Parks and Recreation department has two major requests before council. Troy Aquatic Park needs significant improvements and maintenance work, requiring $220,000 for architectural design services from MSA Architects. The total project budget includes $1,700,000 for repairs and renovations to the facility.

Hobart Arena requires a new ice resurfacing machine (also known as a Zamboni) to replace equipment that is 22 years old and increasingly unreliable. The $160,000 machine represents a necessary upgrade to maintain this important recreational facility, with the old machine kept as backup equipment.

Technology Security and Modern Infrastructure

Recognizing growing cybersecurity threats facing municipal governments, Troy plans to invest $100,000 annually for three years in cybersecurity equipment and services through GovConnections, Inc. This agreement protects city computer systems and networks from hackers and other online threats that increasingly target local governments1. By committing to a three-year agreement, the city secures an eight percent increase for the first year but avoids increases in years two and three.

Community Events and Economic Development

Council will approve agreements for two popular summer events that bring visitors and economic activity to downtown Troy. The Tour de Donut bicycle race and Donut Jam festival are scheduled for August 22nd and 23rd. These events require street closures and special accommodations, including extending the downtown drinking area (DORA) to open an hour earlier on Saturday to accommodate early bicycle race finishers.

Housing Development and Legal Services

The Liberty Meadows Subdivision moves toward final approval, bringing 31 new housing to the north side of Troy near Troy-Urbana Road. This development includes proper drainage facilities, utility connections, and meets all city planning requirements for sustainable growth.

Council must also authorize legal services for employment-related issues through Jackson Lewis P.C., ensuring the city has proper legal support for complex personnel matters. Additionally, the city needs to pay an extra $13,784 to the state for West Main Street paving work that exceeded original cost estimates.

These committee meeting is where most of the detailed discussion on items to be voted on by council occur; if these items speak to you, it may be worth your time to attend these committee meetings on Monday. The meetings start at 6:00 p.m. and willl be held in Council Chambers in the City Buiding.

The Committees will made recommendations to adopt these measures at the next City Council meeting which will be held on July 7th.

City Wants YOUR Input on Park Improvements

Now is the time for Troy residents to get involved and advocate for the changes that will truly benefit the community. Your input will help ensure that the city’s limited resources are invested where they are needed most, creating parks and recreation facilities that reflect the real priorities of Troy’s families and youth. Those wanting to participate in the survey can go to: www.troyohio.gov/parkplanning/

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