SUNBURY — Three of the city’s committees work closely together since its members are on council and communicate with staff on items that often end up on the council agenda.
The City’s Services Committee met on May 1, where it discussed the annual Street Program, stormwater management legislation, and updates on Comprehensive and Thoroughfare plans (the latter was last updated in 2016), as well as the renovations to the Municipal Building and Police Station.
The committee next met on June 5, where there were updates on the Columbus Street parking lot and Reservoir Park projects. The latter included an added parking lot, ADA-accessible path up to the reservoirs and installation of the floating fishing dock pending raising the water level of Reservoir #2. A ribbon cutting was planned for Aug. 10.
For the July 3 meeting, Mayor Joe St. John “touched on the sewer agreement with the county and the existing township residents with septic service who might want to connect into sewer,” minutes said. “He feels that this should be offered to those residents at a discount but also be required to annex into the City of Sunbury. He wanted to propose this concept to City staff. City staff will investigate this and bring more information to the committee at a later meeting.”
The Services Committee consists of councilmembers Damin Cappel, Molly Drayer, John Grumney and Mayor Joe St. John. Also attending are City Administrator Daryl Hennessy, City Engineer Dan Whited and Clerk of Council Amber Swain.
For the City’s Parks and Recreation Committee meeting of July 3, there was a discussion of lawn games on the Town Square or in the city parks, such as giant Jenga or cornhole. There was an update on J.R. Smith Park’s blacktop and repainting/repairing the fencing; as well as clearing the invasive species from General Rosecrans Park.
In addition, city planning “went over potential uses for the Old Orchard Park trail, discussion of wood carvings for the dead trees, a story book trail that links Old Orchard Park, and the Fallen Heroes trail,” minutes said. “They will also be hosting a service day to clear the paths of obstructions.”
The City’s Parks and Recreation Committee consists of councilmembers Chair Cindi Cooper, Dave Martin, and Murray Neff. Also attending are City Planner Alyssa Graziano, City Administrator Daryl Hennessy, Clerk of Council Amber Swain and City Engineers Manuel Aleman and Dan Whited.
The City’s Events and Commemorations Committee consists of councilmembers Damin Cappel, Cindi Cooper, and Molly Drayer. Also attending was City Administrator Daryl Hennessy. While meeting minutes have not been posted as of Aug. 8, here’s the topics they’ve discussed so far in 2024:
• Eagle Adventure Camp 2024, Citizen Recognition Program, 4th of July Working Group (Jan. 24).
• Solar Eclipse on April 8 (Feb. 15).
• The Civic Association’s Community Easter Egg Hunt, Columbus Flyers Disc Golf’s Brent Hambrick Memorial Open (March 21).
• Big Walnut Music and Marching Boosters at the Memorial Day Market, Grace Church’s Family Fest on the Square (April 18).
• The May 16 meeting was cancelled.
• Special Events permit guidance on electricity, 4th of July planning update (June 20).
• Sunbury Sizzle and Sounds application, Reservoir Park ribbon cutting, Citizen Recognition Program nomination (July 18).
Meetings are held on the third floor (Council Chambers) of the Town Hall, 51 E. Cherry St., Sunbury.
For more information, visit sunburyohio.org or sunburyvillage.com (websites), City of Sunbury, Ohio (Facebook) or Sunbury Ohio (YouTube).
Assistant Editor Gary Budzak photographs and reports on stories in eastern Delaware County and surrounding areas. He can be reached at 740-413-0906.
