Construction of a mini roundabout at Monclova and Waterville Monclova roads began on Monday, Aug. 3. And so did the illegal use of a gravel path designed for use by emergency vehicles only, Monclova Township Administrator Mike Hampton told trustees during their Aug. 3 meeting.
“I did make a call to the Lucas County Sheriff today, our good friend Lt. [Jon] Leach, and told him there is quite a bit of non-emergency traffic going through there, and to ticket them appropriately,” Hampton said. “They’re putting people’s lives at risk. They shouldn’t be going through there.”
With construction of the roundabout delayed due to utility line delays in the roundabout just to the west at Albon and Monclova roads, work on the roundabout in front of Monclova Primary School is estimated to last until Sept. 17. The school opens on Aug. 17.
Anthony Wayne Local Schools, the Lucas County Engineer and Monclova Township coordinated plans for emergency vehicle access through the intersection during construction. The north parking lot is closed to staff and parents, but a gravel drive was installed so that emergency vehicles – including police, fire and EMS, as well as a few buses – can get through. No other traffic is permitted through that drive or into the north lot.
Parents should utilize the south parking lot and entrance for drop-off and pickup of students. Additional law enforcement support will be on site to help maintain the safe and efficient passage of vehicles. A link to the detour was shared by the schools as well.
Resident Ryan Bauman said some parents and staff may still believe they can use the gravel driveway as well, so Hampton said he would work with the district to reinforce that it is only for emergency vehicles.
Construction of the roundabout at Albon and Monclova was wrapped up and opened on July 31. Plans for a roundabout at Albon and U.S. 20A are now delayed until April 2027, because utilities will not be ready for nine weeks, which is too late in the season for paving. This is actually a relief, Hampton said, as the Ohio Department of Transportation will begin construction of a roundabout at U.S. 20A and Strayer beginning Aug. 17. Having two intersections on the same road closed concurrently would cause issues, he noted.
Roundabouts are shown to save lives and move traffic, Hampton said, adding that many of these intersections get clogged at peak times. Roundabouts will alleviate that congestion.
During the meeting, the board also:
-Listened to Lucas County Commissioner Lisa Sobecki detail the strategic plan that will guide decisions over the next five years. This is the first time for the county to implement a strategic plan, which included input from a consulting firm, residents, elected officials, employees, businesses, unions and community partners. The plan includes operational goals, advocacy areas, and mission, vision and values statements. The plan is posted at co.lucas.oh.us.
-Approved $71,750 for a new monument sign with an LED display area to replace one that was removed for the Albon and Monclova road roundabout. The county paid the township $60,000 for that sign, leaving the balance to be paid by the township.
-Heard that a Notre Dame Academy student is interested in shadowing members of the Public Works Department, and that Hampton is working through steps to get parental permission. Trustee Chuck Hoecherl suggested adding shadowing opportunities as a policy, as students may be interested in learning more from the fire department personnel as well.
-Heard that the fire department received the SCBA equipment and accessories that were purchased through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant (AFG). The 27 SCBA packs come with two breathing air cylinders and a facepiece. The grant covered additional facepieces so that everyone on the department gets issued their own facepiece, rechargeable battery packs for the SCBA units, and three battery chargers, Homik said. The award also included updates to our two Rapid Intervention Team Packs that are compatible with the new SCBA packs. The department conducted mask fit testing and in-service on each shift last week. The AFG award covered 95 percent, or $266,852.38 while the township covers 5 percent, or $13,342.62.
-Discussed a request by Sylvania City Schools for the township’s old SCBA equipment, which would be used for training in a new career tech program in the district. Trustees agreed that supporting the program would be beneficial for the township as well, with opportunities to recruit graduates of the program. MTFD may also assist with instruction and offering a clinical site or field work, Homik said.
-Approved the purchase of a Stryker Power Pro 2 cot, batteries and charger for $39,811.98. In May, the board approved the purchase of a power load system to replace 14-year-old units, as well as the replacement of the 2012 medic unit.
-Heard Hampton say that he is working with a consultant to create informational pieces about the pros and cons about limited home rule, which is on the November ballot. “We’re trying to be transparent about what limited home rule means,” he said.
-Listened to resident Risa Sindel ask what the township is doing to protect the township from bit coin operations, which can operate on as little as five acres but create havoc to those who live in the area because of noise and vibrations.
-Learned that the staff is working with Design Entertainment to post audio from the meetings, for which minutes are generated by an AI program.
-Heard that the zoning administrator, Eric Wagner, will share more about plans for improving its zoning resolution around data centers, as well as a text amendment about generators, during the Aug. 17 meeting. The township is working continuously to put new guidelines in place before the one-year moratorium on data centers expires at the end of the year, said Trustee Barbara Lang.
