Hudson questions funding priorities

The councilman says a drainage project in his ward should be on the list.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- City council's list of priority projects for 2004 State Issue 2 funding is being questioned by Councilman Rufus D. Hudson.
At a meeting last week, council's general improvements committee voted to seek a $1.17 million grant for a $1.7 million project to complete a drainage improvement project on the West Side; an $800,000 grant for curbs, sidewalk, drainage improvements and paving Woodland Avenue from Market Street to Poland Avenue; and a $940,000 loan to replace an old water tower that serves Youngstown, Austintown and Canfield.
The West Side project was labeled the top priority, with the Woodland Avenue project second and the water tower third.
Hudson, D-2nd, is committee vice chairman but was not able to attend last week's meeting. He was upset to learn that sewer improvements in the McGuffey Heights section of his East Side ward was not on the list.
Flooding
At a meeting of the general improvements committee Friday, Hudson said some 700 residents, businesses and churches along Jacobs Road, have long put up with flooding during heavy rainstorms.
He said Issue 2 funding already has been approved to separate the storm sewers and sanitary sewers in that area this year, which will help somewhat alleviate the problem.
He said the 6-inch storm sewer pipes, however, need to be replaced with 18- or 20-inch pipes, which he said should be a priority project for next year.
Another option
Carmen Conglose, deputy director of public works, said the city can possibly pay for the McGuffey Heights project with money it saved through other sewer projects coming in under budget. That's why it was not put on the Issue 2 list, he said.
Conglose will meet Monday with David Bozanich, city finance director, to see whether the $400,000 needed for that project will be available next year. If it is, that's how the city will proceed.
"I just want someone to tell me definitely how we are going to pay for that project and get it done in 2004," Hudson said.
He said if the money isn't available, he will recommend that the Woodland project be bumped from the Issue 2 funding list and replaced with the McGuffey Heights project.
The committee will meet again to discuss the issue at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Conglose said pre-applications for the selected Issue 2 projects are due by Dec. 8.
bjackson@vindy.com