MCDONALD COUNCIL Action taken

Village officials handled these matters when they met Wednesday night:

Discussed ways to make it safer to pick up and drop off pupils at Roosevelt Elementary and McDonald High School. While taking their youngsters to or from school, some parents or guardians block residents’ driveways or stop in the road, creating gridlock, Mayor Glenn W. Holmes noted. The police department is working with the schools to educate parents and others about current ordinances, in part by encouraging more of them to use available parking on school property for pickups and drop-offs, Holmes said. Nearby Iowa Avenue is a one-way street during school hours, but some drivers go the wrong way, Holmes continued, adding that police have seen a few close accidents.

Learned that the village will reapply for $250,000 of a federal Safe Routes to School grant. Officials will again submit a letter of interest for the grant, funded through the Ohio Department of Transportation, perhaps in March, Councilman Richard Harvey said. If the village meets qualifications, Harvey continued, an application will be sent. The funds would go toward building sidewalks on one side of busy McDonald Avenue, which sees a lot of truck traffic, to make it safer for children who walk to school, added Harvey, who also heads council’s parks and buildings committee.