ST. MARYS — Citizens are being asked to participate in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Plan.

During Monday’s city council meeting, the council unanimously approved a resolution approving the CDBG program citizen participation plan. The city is required to have a citizen participation plan in place that encourages participation by citizens, especially those who have a low or moderate income.

This plan must be approved annually. The city did not receive any comments against the plan during a 30-day comment period.

City Manager Tim Pearson said further information about the CDBG and other economic programs in the city can be found on the city’s website, under the economic development tab.

The city is planning to have a clean-up day again this year. Pearson said it is being planned for mid-May. The purpose of the day, when residents can dispose of large items, is to help keep St. Marys beautiful. The last two years have been very successful, Pearson said.

Residents are encouraged to start cleaning so they can get unwanted items out of the city. There is no fee for this service.

City Solicitor Tom Wagner said he is working on two minor items for the city. He is working to revise the city’s ordinance on outdoor fires and he is also working on a land-use appeal for Seneca. He said he assumes it has been filed with the courthouse and will let the council know when he learns more about the progress of the appeal.

Pearson said he will have the Capital Projects Committee meet to update them about state grants. He said the committee should meet before the grants come through to determine if the city will use bonds for the projects as well.

After the meeting, Community and Economic Development Coordinator Tina Gradizzi said the large projects being considered this year are for improvements to the intersection of Airport Road and South Michael Street, and the paving of Church Street. The intersection improvement is needed because the industrial park is becoming more developed and that intersection is seeing more use, she said.

The council also approved two subdivision applications.

Brian Dippold on Silver Creek Road will divide a 3.1-acre lot from a 4.4-acre lot to create a new residential lot. It has access to water and private sewage disposal. The new lot will be accessed by a new private street named Alan Lane.

In addition to the approval of the subdivision, the council approved a component 2 planning module. This would allow a septic system to be placed on the lot. Pearson explained that when development began in that area in 1972 the Department of Environmental Protection approved up to 10 septic systems. This will be the 11th septic system so the DEP requires a new component planning module to be approved.

Pearson said the Tate/Hodgdon subdivision on South St. Marys Street had been approved by the council in October. At the time the council approved the adjustment of the property line, however, the developer did not record it within the 90 days as the city requires. Since it wasn’t recorded within 90 days it has to be re-approved by the council.

Pearson said in the future the city will send developers a reminder to record changes 60 days after they are approved so they don’t need the council’s re-approval.

The council re-approved several plans the city already has in place. Gradizzi said there were no changes to any of the plans except for the addition of some definitions and exhibits to the Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise Plan. Gradizzi said the plans most be re-approved annually.

The following plans were re-approved by the council:

The 2017 Citizen Participation Plan

The 504 Self-Evaluation Plan for Handicap Accessibility. This city has added information saying both the elevator in city hall and the elevator in the police/fire departments building are accessible for those with a visual impairment.

The Section 3 (equal employment opportunities) Plan

The Residential and Anti-Displacement Plan

The Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise Plan

The next council work session is set for 7 p.m. April 3 at city hall.