GREENVILLE — Welcome news regarding the fate of a historic local landmark took center stage at Tuesday night’s Greenville City Council meeting.
Mayor Mike Bowers and Safety/Service Director Curt Garrison announced that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) had awarded a $150,000 Land & Water Conservation Fund matching grant for the renovation or rebuilding of the Marling Band Shell at Greenville City Park.
Final approval of the grant is conditional, however, pending review by the National Park Service.
As ODNR was not expected to announce its verdict on the grant until September, its July 24 award letter to the city was a pleasant surprise, as was its decision to award the maximum amount available.
In April, council agreed to front $150,000 in matching funds to aid in the grant application. The city’s contribution will be offset by funds raised through sponsors and the community.
“We are well on our way to raising those funds, to give back to the city,” said Dale Musser, president of the Greenville Parks and Recreation Board. “We’ve got folks who have pledged money over the next two years. We’ve already raised several thousand [dollars] just from concerts. It’s a great start.”
“I think we will reach the $150,000 mark by the time the band shell is constructed,” he added, thanking the council, the city administration and several other people in the community for their support.
The Marling Band Shell, built in 1934, is home to the Greenville Municipal Concert Band, which offers free concerts to the community during the summer months. The condition of the structure is quickly deteriorating, necessitating either its renovation or a more complete reconstruction.
Musser said those wishing to donate may contact the Parks Department at 937-548-2315.
Also on hand were representatives Lloyd Coward and Geoffrey Ice from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).
CALEA has conducted an assessment of the Greenville Police Department as part of its three-year accreditation. Coward addressed council, saying, “most all comments I’ve received have been positive about this police department.”
He announced that the three-year accreditation period will transition to a four-year period beginning next year, with the Greenville Police Department’s next assessment scheduled for 2019.
In other business, council authorized an ordinance to release donated funds for Greenville Park for swimming pool equipment maintenance, fish pond restocking, and new shelter roofs.
Council also passed an ordinance transferring funds to cover pool expenditures exceeding budget and a resolution approving bids and contracts for water treatment chemicals for use and delivery in 2016.
An ordinance accepting infrastructure improvements related to the Reid Hospital building project at Jackson Street and Katzenbarger and Fair Streets was also approved by council.
Council adjourned to executive session to discuss an undisclosed matter of pending litigation.
The Greenville City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month on the second floor of the Greenville Municipal Building, 100 Public Square. Its meetings are open to the public and can also be seen on Greenville Public Access Television (GPAT) Channel 5.
