McDONALD COUNCIL |Agenda

Meeting Thursday, village officials handled these matters:

Heard recommendations from Police Chief Lou Ronghi about alleviating traffic problems near McDonald High School, 600 Iowa Ave. Ronghi met recently with Lt. Joe Dragovich of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Southington post regarding ways to address congestion and parking issues in the area. Recommendations were eliminating as one-way streets Iowa Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets as well as West Sixth between Iowa and Utah avenues; adjusting parking on West Seventh between Florida and McDonald avenues to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; and forbidding parking on that stretch of Iowa and West Sixth between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Passed legislation to maintain Roux, Cheney & Ross of Warren as the village’s legal counsel. In a related move, council voted to hire Atty. Doug Ross as interim law director. Ross will fill in for Atty. William Roux, who died earlier this month from pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive disease that affects the lung sacs. His salary is to be determined at a later meeting.

Held a moment of silence to remember Roux. Mayor Glenn W. Holmes and several officials praised Roux for his work and contributions to the village, and extended their condolences to Roux’s wife, Lisa Robinson-Roux, and their four children.

Accepted the resignation of Councilman Richard E. Harvey from the McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, effective Thursday. Harvey, who served 31 years as a firefighter with the department — including 17 as an emergency medical technician — said he has reached or exceeded his goals and wanted to make room for younger firefighters. Chief Ed Winterbauer praised Harvey for his service and longevity, and said the department received an $8,000 grant from the State Fire Marshals Office to upgrade pagers and other equipment.

Discussed several programs slated for the summer, including the concert series to be at Woodland Park. Harvey, who also heads council’s park and buildings committee, said the six musical events will be 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays between July 10 and Aug. 14. Also, a water program for those who suffer from arthritis and other related ailments will be starting soon at the high school swimming pool, Harvey noted.