Lima Mayor David Berger presented his final State of the City address to the Lima Rotary Club Monday.
Mayor Berger opened his speech by pulling out his 1990 calendar and noted that he made his first speech to the Lima Rotary Club on March 12, 1990. Later that day he held his first with the city of Delphos to attempt to negotiate a water contract. Berger told us that the past year has been a huge year of upset and challenge, not just for the city of Lima, but for every one of us. He says the city coped with the COVID pandemic by reorganizing to figure out how to keep city services moving while observing hygiene procedures and distancing practices. "In large part, we were successful in that. We continued to provide police and fire emergency services. We continued to provide drinking water, wastewater services. We continued to interact with our community in ways that addressed day to day needs as well as emergency needs." Berger says in order to deal with COVID's impact on the budget, the city instituted a hiring freeze, shrank the city workforce by 35 positions, and delayed discretionary expenditures and capital expenses. The city received approximately $3 million in relief funds from the federal and state governments which helped to heal the budget. He hopes to restart hiring this year, especially in the police and fire departments.
Berger points to a number of successes this past year: keeping most of the city workers healthy, partnering with the Mental Health Board on a community navigator to help people with opioid problems; collaborating with agencies that serve with to create a Youth Commission whose pilot project is after-school programs at North Middle School and St. Gerard's; the grade separation and roundabout on Bellefontaine Avenue; the installation of an underground sewer overflow tank at Simmons Field; the revitalization going on in downtown Lima; and the diversification of city boards and commissions.
So what is the greatest achievement of his years as mayor of Lima? "I'm still married." Berger thanked his family for supporting him during the long hours and challenges of the past 32 years.
Also at Monday's meeting, Tracie Sanchez gave an update on the Greater Lima Region Amphitheater and Park. The club has raised $2.4 million of its original $2.5 million goal. The architectural and engineering plans are being completed now, then the committee will go out to bid to select the contractor. The estimated construction cost is $2.8 million due to the expanded vision of the park since its initial conception. The local arts community has been a valuable partner in this project and, with their input, we have upgraded the stage capabilities to include professional sound, lighting and video screens, as well as a backstage area. It is hoped that construction will begin this spring or summer.
