ASHTABULA - - After nearly 11 years of planning and work by the Ashtabula City Port Authority, there will be a ground-breaking ceremony at the end of this month for the Ashtabula City Industrial Park.
The ceremony will start at 10:30 a.m. May 29 at the front entrance of the park, off East 6th St., just east of the north end of Route 11. U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Concord, will be there, as well as local dignitaries, leaders and residents who made the park possible.
"We waited so long for this," said Josephine Misener, vice president of Ashtabula City Council. "I'll be there."
The city Port Authority plans to have the business park built this fall, with nearly $300,000 of the city's money and $62,500 of Ashtabula County's money.
The new $1.3 million park will be built on 42 acres at East 6th Street and Route 11.
The Port Authority also received a $375,000 rural development initiative fund grant and a $375,000 rural industrial park loan at 3 percent throughout 15 years to develop the new business park.
Funding for the business park was the result of LaTourette's efforts, said Janet Discher, deputy director of Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County. The grant application process was a collaborative effort of the Growth Partnership staff.
Port Authority Chairman, Ron Kister, has repeatedly said he's excited about the project because it will result in jobs for the city.
For the past month or so, City Council discussed revising sewer and water tap-in fees in a way to stimulate economic growth and lure businesses into the new industrial park.
Some believe city solicitor is holding up progress
By SHELLEY TERRY
Staff Writer
sterry@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA - - Some members of City Council believe the city solicitor is stopping the flow of progress when it comes to legislation to amend sewer and water tap-in fees.
The issue was brought to light at the end of Monday night's pre-council meeting, when Ward 4 Councilwoman Julie Lattimer piped up and asked City Solicitor Tom Simon about the ordinance designed to stimulate growth. She reminded him council formally requested legislation at the April 17 meeting.
Simon had little to say, but he did not have the ordinance ready. He had an excused absent from the April 17 council meeting and his assistant, Margaret Draper, attended the meeting in his place.
Council also discussed the issue at length during the April 9 work session. Simon was present at that work session.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Julie Lattimer said Monday she was disappointed. She wanted to move forward Monday with the amended tap-in fee schedule.
"We're waiting on you, Mr. Simon," she said.
Simon said, "You're not waiting on me."
"Yes we are," she said.
Vice President Josephine Misener said Simon has had the information for a month (since April 9), and still, no ordinance. She believes the amended ordinance is very important because the city needs to have something to offer business people who may be considering moving to the new Route 11 industrial park.
"This is ridiculous," Misener said. "The city manager is writing legislation himself to keep this city going."
The proposed ordinance will charge a $500 flat fee on existing commercial, retail and industrial businesses in buildings that have been vacant for two years, if there's no modification to the water service.
If it is a new or modified commercial, retail or industrial business, the city will charge by the size of the water meter. For example, for a 1-inch pipe, $1,500; for a 2-inch pipe, $4,500; and so forth.
City Manager Anthony Cantagallo said the current tap-in fees are so high they have kept business from coming into the city.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 5/9/2007
