GREENVILLE — An unexpected “snafu” on a city street project was a topic of discussion during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Greenville City Council.

Safety/Service Director Curt Garrison told councilmembers that contractors working on the Ohio/East Main Street project discovered a 16-inch water main where 10-inch line had been expected.

“What we found along Ohio Street, kind of where the new school is being built, what we once thought was 10-inch water line, turned out to be a 16-inch water line,” said Garrison. “So we have a 16-inch water line running from Russ Road down to the intersection of Ohio and East Main.”

“We believe previous management had the foresight to put that 16-inch line from Russ Road down to East Main Street to provide another main artery of water to the south end of town,” he added, noting that having 16-inch line there would be important for future considerations as the city eventually plans to reconstruct the entire length of Ohio Street south to Martin Street and that the line could tie in to the city’s industrial park.

Garrison also pointed out that the water line would be important if the city determined in the future to build a new water tower on the south side of town.

“I’m asking, within these project limits, that is, south of East Main Street, if you would be willing to authorize me to sign a change order with Brumbaugh Construction to continue that 16-inch water line down Ohio Street to the end of our project limit to tie back into the existing line,” he said.

“This could work to the benefit of the city, but any change order will cost us more money,” he added.

Garrison said the cost of the new 16-inch water line would be $173,580. However, he told council the city would receive a $45,000 credit for pipe already purchased as part of the contract, and that the city had “over appropriated” money for the project before bidding commenced.

With the credits factored in, the city would pay an additional $63,376 for the change order to install 16-inch line from the Ohio/East Main intersection to Fourth Street.

When asked if the city’s water fund had the money, City Auditor Roxanne Willman told council “I believe there are sufficient funds in there to cover this.” Council posed no objections to the additional expenditure.

In other business, council passed a resolution authorizing Garrison to accept a bid from Capital Electric for the installation of traffic light signals at the Ohio Street and East Main Street intersection. The bid total is $133,173.22 — less than the engineer’s estimate of $150,000.

Council also authorized a resolution having Garrison prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s “Safe Routes to School” program, in order to build sidewalks on the west side of Ohio Street near the Greenville City School’s new K-8 building currently under construction.

The project would total $250,000, with a request for $225,000 in state money, and the city providing $25,000 towards funding.

Garrison explained that two prior attempts for funding had not been accepted, but since construction of the Greenville K-8 building has progressed, chances were more likely that the city’s application would receive stronger consideration.

“Obviously we have brick and mortar. Everyone can see the school’s going up. They will be able to see and recognize our project with the intersection and the amount of sidewalk we’re putting in,” he said.

During the public hearing portion of the session, Roger Van Frank, director of the Darke County Park District, presented to council a plan for extending a cross-county biking or hiking pathway through the city.

Van Frank said the trail, which currently extends from Bradford up to Greenville city limits, is close to finishing up phases 4 and 5 of its construction. Phase 6 will bring the trail through the city and connect with currently existing trailways.

According to the plan, the city’s share of the cost would be $38,790 at most, but could be mitigated by the use of in-kind services or goods provided by the city. Council agreed to consider legislation on the proposal at an upcoming meeting.

Council approved an ordinance directing the city auditor to authorize an early payoff for a city-issued tax increment bond, which was used to finance a railroad spur line within the city’s industrial park.

Willman said the payoff for the bond is $415,656 and by paying it off early, the city will save $37,872 in interest.

Councilmembers also approved a Finance Committee recommendation for the granting of community funds to the following organizations (amounts listed in parentheses):

• Economic Development ($18,500)

• Main Street Greenville ($18,500)

• Darke County Visitor’s Bureau ($18,500)

• Friends of Harmon Field ($9,000)

• Garst Museum ($250)

• Gathering at the Garst ($250)

• Darke County Horseshoe Club ($3,500)

• Annie Oakley Committee ($250)

• Fireworks Event ($10,000)

• City overtime for events ($10,200)

The Greenville City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the city’s Municipal Building, 100 Public Square. Citizens are invited to attend and may address council during the public hearing portion of the meeting. Further information on city happenings may be found at the City of Greenville website (www.cityofgreenville.org) or by visiting the city’s Facebook page.