By Susan Tebben

stebben@vindy.com

CANFIELD

A project to upgrade the safety and aesthetics of the city’s North Broad Street will continue under the guidance of a new consultant.

Canfield City Council members approved an ordinance at their meeting Wednesday authorizing Joe Warino, city manager, to enter into a contract with MS Consultants of Youngstown for “basic engineering services and project management” for phase two of the project, according to the ordinance.

David G. Tabak will represent MS Consultants on the project.

The project is in the second of three phases, which involve widening North Broad from the Canfield Village Green, Skyline Drive and Sleepy Hollow Drive to the Ohio Turnpike near Herbert Road; lowering land at Callahan Road and state Route 46 because of a blind spot; and adding a turn lane in both directions on Route 46 for drivers turning onto Brookpark Drive.

Sidewalks will be replaced and extended, Warino said, and lights also will be added on Skyline. The project originally was slated to be completed in spring 2012.

“I’m sure [Tabak] will offer a wealth of knowledge to our city and to this project,” said Councilman Steve Rogers.

The city applied for a grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission for the project, which covers 69 percent of the cost. This phase of the project is estimated to cost $900,000, additional funding of which is coming from the North Broad Street Safety Upgrade Phase 2 Fund, the ordinance stated.

The contract for Tabak and MS Consultants states that cost of engineering services was not to exceed $75,000. Project management should not exceed $50,000.

The city also approved a second ordinance involving MS Consultants, paying them for “outstanding contractual payment issues that needed to be resolved,” according to the ordinance.

A summary of projects for the city that was attached to the ordinance showed outstanding balances for “1995 consultant services” and “1997 consultant services” totaling $20,746.75.

In other business, Warino reported the city has used 141 tons more salt on the roads this year than in 2012. Luckily, salt prices are down $10 a ton from last year, Warino added.