Oxford passes emergency ordinances after mistake in legislation for property appropriations

Oxford City Council unanimously passed four corrected pieces of legislation to start the appropriations process for land needed for Phase Five of the Oxford Area Trail System (OATS) during a brief meeting April 15.

The legislation included two resolutions and two ordinances, both passed as emergencies to allow for immediate implementation without a second reading. The city has failed to come to an agreement with the property owners of two parcels along the alignment for the next OATS phase, which will run from Talawanda High School to Talawanda Middle School with a Chestnut Street connection. The legislation starts the appropriations process for the city to use its authority to acquire easements even if the property owners don’t agree to the terms.

All four pieces of legislation had passed at prior meetings this year, but Service Director Mike Dreisbach explained that the previously approved resolutions and ordinances referenced exhibits which had not been attached by mistake.

Oxford has received $3 million in grant funding for Phase Five of the OATS. Those funds come with strict deadlines requiring the city to secure the right of way for the trail prior to putting the project out to bid. The city needs to award a contract by June.

Council members unanimously passed another resolution authorizing the service department to accept a $223,800 contract with Elam’s Excavating, LLC, to upgrade the water main line along High Street from College Avenue to Locust Street this summer. The city had originally budgeted $300,000 for the improvements, and the contract includes a $22,000 contingency. Dreisbach estimated that the project will take roughly four weeks and be completed before the start of Miami University’s fall semester.

Oxford City Council’s next meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. May 6 in the Oxford Courthouse.