ATHENS, Ohio — Ordinances advanced with first readings at Monday’s Athens City Council meeting that would designate Lasher Hall as a local historic landmark and expand Athens’ Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area to the West Side. But it was playground equipment that drew the most discussion.
Ordinance 48-26 authorizes $105,000 for the renovation of playground equipment behind the Athens Community Center. The city has a quote of $94,295 from Sourcewell, a competitive purchasing program, to replace and haul away the 26-year-old equipment in place and to install a turf surface.
The funds would come from Athens Arts, Parks and Recreation Fund 273, which receives a small percentage of the city’s income tax dedicated for parks and recreation.
Council member Alan Swank, 4th Ward, raised several concerns with the project.
The ordinance appropriates $105,000 for the project, but the project quote came in about $10,000 below that.
“This would be kind of like getting a roof on your house, and the roofer quotes you $25,000,” Swank said. “And you say, ‘That’s good, but you know what? I’ve got an extra $10,000 if we need to spend it.’ I know quite a few roofers are going to find a way to spend that extra $10,000.”
He questioned the need for contingency funds, stating that the quote is “a very specific bid.”
“This is a pretty straightforward project,” Swank said. “ And I have a real difficult time in this period of tight city budgets of allocating additional $10,000 for this.”
Council member Michael Wood, 3rd Ward, an Athens Recreation Advisory Board member, said Swank’s concerns about the full $105,000 going to a contractor was warranted.
City Auditor Kathy Hecht said that if the amount was reduced and the extra funds wound up being needed, council would have to approve an extra appropriation.
Swank also questioned whether the aging playground equipment needs to be replaced or repaired. He said he wanted to view city self-inspections, which are given four times a year, and state inspections done twice yearly.
City Service-Safety Director Andy Stone said the city can make some repairs, but noted that the city doesn’t want to be in a position of failing a state inspection and then having to take parts of a playground out of operation.
“Of note, our pre-K classes are doubling (in size) this fall,” Stone said, adding there is also a sizable waiting list at the community center for pre-K applicants.
Stone said some of the playground platforms that children use have metal grating that is separating from the walls they are connected to, creating a “flexing” that has to be addressed.
Wood, who said he visited the playground recently, produced slides with one photo showing metal grating that is separating from a playground platform.
“The metal grate should not go squishy-squishy,” he said.
Other items Wood noticed were rusted bolts and other equipment parts, and also showed a photo he said indicates a slide is starting to split apart. All of these are reasons why the new pre-K playground equipment is needed, he said.
Swank also raised concerns about lack of shade, and artificial turf that would replace ground material in some places. Stone said he would check into providing shade for playground equipment separate from the project price, as well as the safety of using turf and turf alternatives.
In other matters Monday, the council:
- Held second reading of Ordinance 0-44-26 that would amend city code to expand the Athens Municipal Arts Commission membership to nine members, five within the city of Athens, and four outside the city, but within Athens County. They shall be appointed by the mayor upon advice and consent from the council.
Held first reading of Ordinance 0-45-26, which would designate Ohio University’s Lasher Hall at 43 W. Union St. as a local historic landmark, upon the recommendation of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. A public hearing on landmark designation has been set for June 15, which would be the ordinance’s third reading.
- Held first reading of Ordinance 0-46-26, which would expand Athens’ DORA to the West side and increase signs mounted on light posts from 82 to 105. A public hearing will be held June 1 regarding DORA. A related ordinance, 0-47-26, would renew the DORA, as required by state law after a five-year period. The city is conducting a DORA survey and thus far has more than 160 respondents, said council member Jessica Thomas, At-Large.
- Held first reading of Ordinance 0-49-26, authorizing a water meter upgrade for about 5,500 water meters in the city at a cost of $1.3 million. Payment would be split evenly with $650,000 from Water Fund 740, and $650,000 from Sewer Fund 750. The technology upgrade involves reading water meters with radio signals, with someone driving by a meter and not having to leave their vehicles.
- Held first reading of Ordinance 0-51-26, which authorizes the mayor to enter into a 2026–2028 partnership agreement with Athens County Board of Commissioners to apply to the Ohio Department of Development’s Community Housing Impact and Preservation program. The city could receive $350,000 for projects involving homeowner rehabilitation, rental rehabilitation, and homeowner repairs.
- Upon third reading, unanimously adopted Ordinance 0-40-26, authorizing the mayor to apply to participate in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ohio NatureWorks Program. Wood said a successful application would result in a grant that would fund the improvement of donated park spaces.
- Upon third reading and by a unanimous vote adopted Ordinance 0-42-26, which amends Ordinance 120-25 by appropriating $65,000 to the general fund, Police 101, to replace voice logger and radio equipment. The ordinance also updates and corrects appropriations made last year that include nearly $314,000 to Street Fund 220 to fund the Public Safety Training Facility Project.
- Heard from Council President Micah McCarey, serving as mayor pro tempore, that the new Athens Parking Garage automated gate-and-kiosk system began Monday. The old meters and Park Smarter app are no longer valid. Drivers now take a ticket upon garage entry and pay at either or two kiosks located at both ends of the first floor (near stairs and elevator). The rates are $1 per hour up to 10 hours; a daily rate of $20 if parked over 10 hours, which resets every 24 hours; a monthly reserved rate of $175; and free parking on Sundays and holidays. Machines accept cash and credit cards. Motorists can also pay at the gate on the way out with a credit card, but will be subject to service fees.
Due to Memorial Day, Athens City Council’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 at Athens City Hall, Council Chambers, third floor, 8 E. Washington St. Meetings are also streamed online. Regular sessions are on the first and third Mondays of the month; committee meetings are on the second and fourth Mondays.
