Girard council approves construction by Youth Soccer League

April 28, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

GIRARD

Council has approved a proposal from the Girard Youth Soccer League for the construction of restrooms and a concession stand at Liberty Memorial Park.

The league plans to build the additions near the soccer fields. The estimated cost of the project, which the league hopes to begin in June, is $150,000, league vice president Ray Carpenter said. The league is seeking donations for the project.

Council also considered legislation declaring the necessity of five-year 0.5-mill parks and recreation tax levy. Council has not yet voted to place the legislation on November’s ballot nor on a subsequent ballot. If it decides to bring the issue before voters, council will need to pass another resolution.

The levy would raise $54,800 annually and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $17.50 a year, Auditor Sam Zirafi said.

Additionally, council reviewed legislation authorizing the mayor to apply for a joint Community Housing Impact Preservation grant. The grant, which is available to middle and low-income communities through the Ohio Development Services Agency, would award $1.1 million total to the cities of Hubbard, Girard and Niles. Girard will receive $360,000 of that money, which is designated for providing and improving affordable housing.

In other business, Treasurer Mark Zuppo submitted a report indicating year-to-date income-tax collection as of March is down $49,932 as compared with this time last year. The $1,127,908 collected so far in 2016 represents a decrease of slightly more than 4 percent as compared to March 2015.