City staff on Jan. 27 provided details on the last property interests needed for the South High Street utility burial Phase 2 project, which will place existing overhead electric and telecommunications lines underground along South High Street, Blacksmith Lane and adjacent streets.

Brian Gable explained the project will remove all overhead poles and lines in the project area between West Bridge Street and Short Street. Construction is planned to begin in April 2025 with significant completion expected by the end of 2025 and removal of the South High Street poles anticipated in winter 2026. The two ordinances introduced this evening would authorize the city manager to acquire small permanent easements from properties at 185 and 109 South Riverview Street (Franklin County parcel numbers reported in staff materials) for utility structures.

Gable said the city reached mutually agreeable terms with property owners for the two easements and that one parcel (previously approved as parcel 8) changed ownership to Tri Oak Real Estate 86 LLC, which donated the required property rights. Council moved to waive rules of order to read Ordinances 01‑25 and 02‑25 together; the motion carried on a roll call. Staff recommended adoption of the ordinances at the second reading and public hearing set for Feb. 3, 2025.

No members of the public spoke on the ordinances at the Jan. 27 meeting. Council thanked property owners willing to convey rights at no cost and scheduled the second reading and public hearing on Feb. 3, 2025.