1 Eastgate Mission

Eastgate provides a regional forum to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern, and to develop recommendations and plans to address those issues. All of this in hopes of leading to a common goal of improving the quality of life for the residents of northeast Ohio.

Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is a voluntary association of local governments in northeast Ohio. Ashtabula County, Mahoning County, Trumbull County, and all cities, villages, and townships in the counties are members. Although our members are unique, they share many common interests. Eastgate brings communities together to create a unified voice in areas such as transportation, water and air quality, land use planning, and local infrastructure projects.

Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is directly responsible for a variety of federal, state, and local planning and project implementation programs. As a Metropolitan Planning Organization, an Areawide Water Quality Management Agency, an Economic Development District, and an Appalachian Regional Commission Local Development District, Eastgate continues to maintain required certifications and planning documents to qualify the region for federal and state funding.

2 Letters from Our Executive Director and Chairman

Eastgate’s Executive Director ~ James G. Kinnick, P.E. The Eastgate Regional Council of like to recognize our Board and Governments is pleased to present Committee members that continue to this Annual Report that provides participate, advise, strengthen and an overview of the projects and grow the agency as we carry out our programs that were accomplished programs. I also thank our federal during calendar year 2016. and state partners that provide guidance and funding to help us Recognizing that 2016 represented serve the communities in our region. my inaugural year as the Agency’s Most importantly, I must acknowledge Executive Director, I am grateful for our professional staff for the work all of the support I have received they do each day by implementing from our communities and partners. all of the programs and maximizing There is a genuine effort to make a the benefits for our members and our difference and a strong push to make local communities. I am energized by that difference now! I am proud to their enthusiasm, and amazed by the be part of the transformation in our work products. region, and pledge to continue to • Over $6,000,000 in funding secured build on our success. for four new projects As we look to 2017, we plan to grow our outreach opportunities with During 2016, we aggressively worked • Additional projects in development member communities with emphasis to grow our Agency, not in size, but totaling over $67,000,000 on planning. Some of the initiatives through awareness of the services • Project Manager of the removal of we will focus on include a freight available to communities. As the dams along the Mahoning River plan, updates to the long-range Metropolitan Planning Organization, plan, a planning grant, grant writing Economic Development District, • Completion of the Comprehensive and comprehensive planning Appalachian Development District, Economic Development Strategy opportunities, county-wide asset Areawide Water Quality Management (CEDS) management maps, safety/distracted Agency, and the local administrator • Appalachian Regional Commission driver workshops, and the SMAR2T of the Ohio Public Works Commission, awards totaling over $850,000 TIGER grant. We will also lead the we have prioritized our efforts I would like to thank Trumbull County efforts of our public and private to further explain the programs, Transit Administrator Mark Hess, partners in the region in a unified opportunities to assist, and possible who served as our General Policy response to solutions to grow the solutions to move forward. Board Chairman in 2016. His support economic strength throughout the Through a comprehensive, and friendship certainly made my region. cooperative, and continuing transition smooth. His leadership “Coming together is a beginning. planning process with our members, and agency knowledge provided Keeping together is progress. Working highlights of 2016 initiatives include the framework for many of the together is success.” --Henry Ford the following: agency’s accomplishments. I would

Eastgate’s Chairman of the Board ~ Mark Hess It was with great pleasure to have philosophy to bring new subject efforts in the planning, programming, served as Chairman of the Eastgate matter and a renewed interest to the and implementation of public Regional Council of Governments Citizens Advisory, Technical Advisory sector activities, with its members in in 2016. I became involved with and General Policy Board meetings. Ashtabula, Trumbull, and Mahoning Eastgate 35 years ago, as the voting Meetings were held in different Counties. representative for the City of Niles. locations and featured more diverse I would like to thank everyone at I also had the pleasure of serving subjects and speakers, and have Eastgate whose hard work has as Eastgate’s Chairman in 2004. I resulted in much larger meeting played an instrumental role in think that 2016 was a pivotal year attendance. achieving an amazing year and for Eastgate, because it was the first The Agency continued to utilize its helping me do the best job that full year under the direction of Mr. very talented and committed staff I could do as Chairman. I wish Jim Kinnick as the agency’s new to be successful in all of its annual everyone from the Eastgate staff to Executive Director. programs and projects. I believe, as the Eastgate membership the very Under Mr. Kinnick’s guidance, the year shows, Eastgate continues to best in all your future endeavors. the agency started an outreach play an instrumental role in regional 3 Reaching Out to Advance Vital Safety Projects in the Region…

astgate strives to MAH-46-16.64 – Eaddress the needs of our This $4.4M project communities as we collaborate will widen SR 46 with our partners to advance from Interstate 80 essential projects in the region north through the that addresses deficiencies County Line Road while improving the quality of intersection. the transportation network for TRU-CR 329-3.27 – the residents of the Valley. This $800,000 project Over $6 Million will reconfigure the Secured for Four Local lanes on CR 329 (Market Street) at Improvements the southbound exit MAH-46-14.67 – This $1.5M ramp on the State roadway project will add Route 82 interchange. The MAH-164/680 – This $280,000 lanes on two of the four legs project will add signals and project will build a lighted of the Mahoning Avenue/ SR allow left turns. Park and Ride at the proposed 46 intersection to improve the State Route 164/Interstate 680 safety and traffic flow. interchange.

…With a Vision for the Future!

ooking forward to ensure will allow direct truck ingress/ Lthe Valley is prepared egress to Poland Avenue. for future development A TRAC application will be opportunities, Eastgate submitted in October 2018. continues to identify priority State Route 46/Market Street locations, and target areas Intersection in Trumbull in the region that are in a County – This $6 million project prime position for future in Howland Township will development to enhance the improve safety and traffic flow vitality of the region. by upgrading the intersection. Local Projects in A safety application will be

Development Total submitted in April 2018. reconfigure the interchange Over $67 Million Mahoning Avenue Bikeway to improve safety and traffic – This $850,000 project will SMAR2T Corridor – This flow. The entire corridor is provide a designated bikeway $25 million TIGER Grant being reviewed for upgrades from downtown Youngstown to application will upgrade in anticipation of the future Mill Creek MetroParks. A Clean Fifth Avenue and adjacent interchange project. A safety Ohio Trail Grant application roadways into complete streets application for funding will be was submitted in February from Mercy Health Care, submitted in April 2018. 2017. through YSU and downtown Interstate 680/Shirley Road Youngstown, and beyond into Interchange – This $25 million the Mill Creek MetroParks. project will reconfigure the State Route 46/State Route 82 split interchange of Interstate Interchange – This $10 million 680 and Shirley Road in project in Trumbull County will Youngstown. The improvement 4 Eastgate Continues Our Commitment to Maintaining the Region’s Existing Transportation System

Over $24.1 Million in Federal Funds Obligated for Transportation Projects in the Region in 2016

erving as a regional partner The breakdown of expenditures by project type shows: Swith the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Ohio Project Type Federal Funding Percentage Department of Transportation, Roadway Capacity $ 18,667 <0.1% member communities, local elected officials, and citizens Road Operation and across the two-county area, Maintenance $18,019,771 74.7% Eastgate develops the region’s Bike/Pedestrian $ 1,291,803 5.4% Transportation Improvement Transit $ 4,490,168 18.6% Program (TIP). The TIP provides a comprehensive list of Planning/Engineering $ 310,000 1.3% transportation improvements within our planning area. The majority of funds were programmed for the Road Operation Maintaining the TIP continues and Maintenance project types. This breakdown of funding to keep Mahoning and helps to illustrate Eastgate’s commitment to maintaining the Trumbull Counties eligible region’s existing transportation system. to receive federal and state transportation funds. In 2016, approximately $24.1 million in federal funds were obligated for 62 transportation projects in the Mahoning Valley. Notable projects completed during the year were:

Hubbard Thomas Bridge: Hubbard Township; bridge replacement over Little Yankee Creek Lincoln Avenue: City of Youngstown; roadway rehabilitation of Lincoln Avenue from Fifth Avenue to Wick Avenue Niles Vienna Road / Warren Avenue: City of Niles; resurfacing of Niles Vienna Road from SR-46 to US-422, and resurfacing of Warren Avenue from Niles West Corp Limits to North Chestnut Avenue Niles North Main Street Lighting: City of Niles; street lighting upgrade from Robbins Avenue to East Federal Street Bailey Road: Jackson Township; resurfacing of Bailey Road from Mahoning Avenue to the Trumbull County Line Elm Road: City of Warren; resurfacing of Elm Road from South Street to SR-5/82 Alternative Fuels / Vehicles: Trumbull County; replacement of four diesel engine trucks with CNG powered trucks South Avenue: City of Youngstown; resurfacing of South Avenue from Midlothian Boulevard to Williamson Avenue Glendale Avenue Bridge: City of Girard; replace steel arch culvert of Squaw Creek 5 Approximately $5 Million Allocated for Twenty-Four Local Projects Utilizing Surface Transportation Funds

ach year, Eastgate is allocated roughly E$5,000,000 in federal funding for Surface Transportation Alternatives Transportation Projects. Funds can be used for Selection Committee Moves Six various projects that include highway projects Projects Forward and bridge improvements (construction, Each year, Eastgate receives roughly reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, $500,000 in federal funding for restoration, and operational), transportation Transportation Alternatives Projects. Funds system management, bikeways, pedestrian can be used for, but are not limited to, facilities, and planning studies. various projects that promote safe travel for This past summer, Eastgate accepted letters of pedestrian use with a direct relationship to interest for projects to receive funding in Fiscal transportation. Year 2018-2022, and recommended funding In 2016, Eastgate accepted applications for all 24 projects to Eastgate’s General Policy for projects to be constructed in Fiscal Board. The projects were approved for funding, Year 2018 and 2019. Eastgate relied on and Eastgate looks forward to working with the its Transportation Alternatives Selection sponsors to help ensure these worthwhile projects Committee to determine which applications stay on the correct path toward completion. were most qualified to receive funding. The selection committee recommended the following six projects to Eastgate’s General Policy Board. • City of Warren - Greenway Trailhead • Mahoning County Engineer - Lake Milton Causeway Sustainability • City of Youngstown - Harding Elementary School Sidewalk Improvements • Poland Township - Dobbins Road Sidewalks • Mill Creek MetroParks - Rehabilitation of East Cohasset Drive, Phase II • City of Struthers - Garfield Street Sidewalks The six projects above were approved for funding, and Eastgate looks forward to working with the sponsors to help ensure these worthwhile projects stay on the correct path toward completion.

6 The following is a listing of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Office of Transit Grant Programs Funds Programmed by Eastgate

astgate is required to program the following list of federal and state funding allocations and Egrant awards for operating and capital improvements into the Transportation Improvement Program for the Western Reserve Transit Authority and the Trumbull County Transit Board.

FTA FFY2016 Section 5307/5304 Federal Funding WRTA $2,775,148 TCTB $531,099 FTA FFY2016 Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program WRTA $321,307

ODOT’s SFY2016 Transit Preservation Partnership Program State Funding WRTA (to replace 3-35’ buses) $1,032,210 TCTB (for Capital Cost of Contracting) $285,892 ODOT’s SFY2016 Urban Transit Program WRTA $287,777 TCTB (for Capital Cost of Contracting) $50,697 ODOT’s Elderly & Disabled Transit Fare Assistance Program TCTB $60,812

Local Transit Agencies In Trumbull County, the Trumbull were programmed in Eastgate’s Receive FTA Section 5310 County Transit Board is the Transportation Improvement Funding for Vehicles Designated Recipient of FTA Program and ODOT’s State Section 5310 funding. The TCTB Transportation Improvement In 2016, four local agencies in received $252,555 in Federal Program. Mahoning County received Fiscal Year 2016 FTA Section 5310 Transit Planning in funding to purchase vehicles and funding allocations. The TCTB technology equipment under the does not purchase vehicles for Ashtabula County FTA Section 5310 Grant Program - agencies and organizations Eastgate staff provided technical Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and in Trumbull County but utilizes assistance to the Ashtabula Individuals with Disabilities. These the funding for Capital Cost of County Board of Commissioners funds were awarded by the WRTA Contracting. on transit related matters and who is the Designated Recipient transit planning activities in The Transit Development for Mahoning County’s share of 2016, and serves on Ashtabula’s their Federal Fiscal Year 2014 FTA Report Coordinated Transportation Section 5310 funding allocations. The Fiscal Year 2017-2021 Transit Committee/Technical Committee. This funding is available only to Development Program (TDP) Eastgate assisted Ashtabula agencies and organizations with was published in July 2016. The and the Ohio Department of their principle location within TDP is prepared each year by Transportation in developing a Mahoning County. Eastgate with collaboration vision to create a Coordinated The Easter Seals Society, Golden from the Trumbull Transit System Transportation System for a one- String, the United Methodist (TTS) and the Western Reserve call system. An assessment of Community Center, and the Transit Authority (WRTA). The existing transportation conditions WRTA received Section 5310 TDP contains a five-year short and services was conducted program funding for vehicles or range transit plan that describes with key stakeholders through technology equipment to provide the transit systems operating in community workshops to develop transportation to the elderly and the Youngstown, OH-PA urban transportation options for individuals with disabilities. The area. The document contains Ashtabula County. Eastgate would total for the five awards was the TTS and WRTA’s transit like to thank the staff at ODOT $203,757. Congratulations to the systems goals and objectives, for their financial support and award recipients. fares, ridership data, route technical assistance to Ashtabula descriptions, future routes, and County. transit capital improvements that 7 Investing in Partnerships Appalachian Regional Commission Continues to Improve Quality of Life in Our Communities

8 Eight Local Projects Funded in 2016

astgate was successful in funding Eeight ARC projects in our district during 2016. This program receives funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia (GOA) to provide matching grant funds to fill a gap for eligible applicants in support of economic development, community capacity, and workforce development to improve the quality of life for the people of Appalachia. The Goal 2: Ready Workforce - Increase the Appalachian region is made up of 13 states education, knowledge, skills, and health from New York to Mississippi. In Ohio, the 32 Goal 3: Critical Infrastructure – Broadband; Appalachian counties are administered by access road (ADHS); and water/wastewater four Local Development Districts (LDD), and systems Eastgate’s district is made up of Ashtabula, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties. Goal 4: Natural and Cultural Assets - Strengthen Appalachia’s community and Potential projects for consideration must meet economic development potential by leveraging at least one of the five ARC goals to receive the Region’s natural and cultural assets funding. The five ARC goals are listed below: Goal 5: Leadership and Community Capacity - Goal 1: Economic Opportunities - Strengthen Build the capacity and skills of current and next- entrepreneurial and business development generation strategies

ARC Funding Goes to Eight Projects Utilizing Over $1.5 Million Dollars In 2016, communities in our district were awarded eight projects utilizing over $1,612,000 of ARC federal and state funding. These projects had a total project cost of over $3,020,000 million dollars which resulted in the retention of 29 jobs and anticipated creation of 91 jobs. Projects in our district provided funding to assist the following communities:

• University Hospital Geneva to purchase specialized surgical equipment needed to enhance surgical suites to improve access to quality health care and create additional specialty health care training opportunities.

• To assist TBEIC in the purchase of equipment for the Energy Integration and Shared Resource Center lab to facilitate energy development in the region and bring technology opportunities from across the country and overseas to the district.

• Assist the Common Wealth Kitchen Incubator with the purchase of equipment for a commercial grade shared use kitchen incubator to serve 30 businesses, and create five jobs.

• Complete the Allison Avenue Sanitary Improvement Project in Trumbull County with the construction of 2,500 linear foot sewer line.

• Assist the Village of Lowellville in securing funding for the McGaffney Access Road project.

9 Eastgate’s District 6 Public Works Integrating Committee Selects 40 Infrastructure Projects for Mahoning and Trumbull Counties Totaling Over $10 Million Over the last thirty years, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties have received over $260 million for over 1000 infrastructure projects in every township, village and city in the two-county area. n calendar year 2016 (Program Year 2017), I40 grant projects totaling $10.03 million were chosen for funding by the District 6 Public Works Integrating Committee. The District 6 Public Works Integrating Committee (D6PWIC) is tasked with evaluating and selecting infrastructure projects to receive State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP), Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP), and state Loan funds from the Ohio Public Works Commission. The Program Year began in late June by holding the annual workshop sessions. Funding for PY18 is $200,000 less than last year, however, because of a reduction in loan funding percentages, there is a $300,000 overall increase in funding for grant projects. SCIP funding totaled $5.964 million, with $5.367 available for grant projects and $596.000 available for loan projects. LTIP funding was $2.449 million, and Revolving Loan funds (RLF) are $1.676 million. The SCIP is funded by the sale of bonds and since 1989 LTIP has been funded by a $0.01 gasoline tax. The Committee chose 13 highway projects to be Eastgate staff serves as both the Administrator funded using LTIP funds, totaling $2.57 million. to the D6PWIC and as a Liaison between the Also chosen was one LTIP bubble project that D6PWIC and the Ohio Public Works Commission will proceed after the eight primary projects (OPWC). Since 1987, the communities in District are funded, and as soon as funding levels 6 have used over $260 million in SCIP, LTIP, permit. and Small Government funds to complete The D6PWIC submitted the five highest scoring infrastructure projects that would be very Small Government (less than 5,000 population) difficult, if not impossible, to fund using only Projects to the OPWC. Also, submitted with these local sources. five projects were the next two highest scoring Awards were made to fund 26 SCIP projects projects to be used as alternates. The two which included sanitary sewer projects, storm alternates will be used in case one or more of water projects, several drinking water related the original five is withdrawn or disqualified. projects, and road projects. The Committee These seven projects are chosen from the also chose five projects to be bubble projects projects that were not chosen for funding using for PY17. These projects will proceed as soon as the District 6 funding allocation and qualify as funding permits. Also, chosen for funding were Small Government projects. The OPWC Small eight loan projects. These five loan projects and Government Committee will meet in the spring three loan/grant projects total $2.703 million. 2017 to choose the best projects for funding. 10 Investing in Partnerships Reliable Planning the Region Can Count On

11 Partnering for Your Safety Cooperating to Identify Statewide Safety Problems, Solutions, and Goals

Regional Safety Study Completed he Eastgate Regional Council of TGovernments completed a Regional Safety Study for Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. The Regional Safety Study defines traffic safety goals for the region, ranks high hazard intersections and segments, identifies locations that may be eligible for Highway Safety Funding, and identifies crash trends for key emphasis areas as defined by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Emphasis areas include fatal and serious crashes, roadway departures, intersections, rear-end crashes, impaired drivers, seat belt Specific intersections and road segments are usage, speed, young drivers, older drivers, also identified as high hazard, through a distracted drivers, bicycle riders, pedestrians, ranking based on crash frequency, crash rate, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, hit-and-run and severity of crashes. The top hazardous crashes, and animal crashes. The study shows intersections include US 224 and South Avenue that Mahoning and Trumbull Counties have in Mahoning County and East Market Street similar crash patterns to the rest of Ohio. at North Road in Trumbull County. The top The Safety Study also identifies trends within hazardous road segments include Mahoning each emphasis area and considers factors such Avenue from Howard Avenue to State Route 46 as severity of injury, day and time, location, or in Mahoning County and State Route 46 from age of peoples involved. Motorcycle crashes, State Route 82 to Mall River Road in Trumbull for example, only account for 1% of all crashes, County. but 30% of the motorcycle crashes resulted in a The Regional Safety Study will help Eastgate fatal or serious injury. Motorcycle crashes also and its partners identify problem areas and occurred most frequently around 3 o’clock pm. potential projects in the region.

12 Reaching Our Communities From collecting data, to analyzing traffic on local roads, to holding workshops and training sessions, Eastgate continues our commitment to improve the quality of life for the residents of Northeast Ohio

Traffic Counting In 2016, Eastgate staff completed traffic counts for approximately 200 locations throughout Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. A large portion of these counts were requested by local communities for various Ohio Public Works Commission projects. Multiple counts were also done to update outdated traffic data for functional class roads, and to update and improve Eastgate’s online traffic counting map. All traffic counts done by Eastgate since 2000 can be found on our website by using the searchable database. The Ohio Department of Transportation’s 2014 traffic counts for Trumbull and Mahoning Counties and Eastgate’s 2012 -2016 traffic counting maps are also available on the website. Data Projections Transportation planning requires the collection of a variety of data. Much of it is utilized in Eastgate’s transportation model to determine how future traffic operates throughout Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. The planning area is divided into 755 polygons called Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZ). Each zone varies in size based on the amount of will be used in Eastgate’s next Metropolitan development. Urban zones are small, while Transportation Plan allowing for a better rural zones tend to be very large. Eastgate decision making process. collects the following data for each TAZ. • Population Eastgate Partnership Brings • Housing Units GIS Professionals Together • Labor Force Eastgate offered a series of GIS workshops in 2016. In September, a workshop was held • Vehicles at Eastgate to give members an opportunity • Income to learn the features of a new online crash • Hotel Rooms data map. The new map allows users to filter • Employment – by sector crashes based on any attribute such as crash type, date, location, or community. Popular • School Enrollment filters such as “alcohol-related, fatal crashes, In 2016, Eastgate completed and submitted pedestrian related, motorcycle related…” are the projected figures to ODOT for inclusion premade in easy to use buttons. Crashes can in the model. The dataset included the 2010 also be interactively selected and outputs are base year along with projections every five compatible with Microsoft Excel, ODOT’s CAM years out to 2040. All the planning information Tool, or ODOT’s ECAT spreadsheet. continued on pg. 14 13 Reaching Our Communities

Harmful Algal Blooms Workshop astgate hosted a workshop titled Monitoring EHarmful Algal Blooms with GIS and Remote Sensing in November. The workshop addressed the causes of harmful algal blooms, how to identify and reduce nutrient loads, and highlighted how remote sensing and GIS are being used to study the problem and educate the public. Featured speakers included Mandy Razzano from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Dean Barbo from Civil and Environmental Consultants, and Dr. Rafat Ansari from NASA John H. Glenn Research Center. Mandy Razzano, Environmental Specialist at Ohio EPA Northeast District, discussed types of algae, the impact of harmful algal blooms, OEPA’s inland lake monitoring Dr. Rafat Ansari (NASA), Bethaney Krzys (Eastgate), program, and how Landsat imagery can be used for Mandy Razzano (OEPA), Dean Barbo (CEC) remote sensing of chlorophyll levels in lake water. Dean Barbo, Project Manager at Civil and Environmental Consultants, showcased the interactive Nutrient Source Inventory developed for Lucas County. The inventory identifies causes of impairment and pollutant sources that need to be controlled to achieve desired nutrient load reductions and reduce harmful algal blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin. The interactive user friendly GIS-based mapping tool will be available on the Lucas County and City of Toledo websites for use by the public. Dr. Rafat Ansari, Senior Scientist at NASA John H. Glenn Research Center, discussed the citizen science campaign he started which involves using public volunteers to monitor water quality along Lake Erie’s coastline and interior waterways. With GPS-enabled cameras mounted on the underside of a small aircraft’s wings, volunteer pilots fly along the coastline of Lake Erie collecting infrared and color images. Dr. Ansari discussed how imagery is collected, the processing that is done by scientists, and how changes in water quality are identified. The images are available free of charge and currently hosted online by Cleveland State University. The event provided continuing education hours for OEPA Certified Operators and was broadcast live on YouTube.

Eastgate Partnership Brings GIS Professionals Together – continued from pg. 13 Eastgate, in partnership with other Mahoning Valley GIS Partnership members, offered two workshops in November at Youngstown State University. A beginner session, taught by Bethaney Krzys (Eastgate) and Jeff Murphy (Mahoning County GIS), gave participants hands-on experience using ArcGIS and the Mahoning County GIS site. The advanced session featured instruction on advanced tools using open source software and LiDAR processing. The advanced session was taught by Bethaney Krzys (Eastgate) and Dr. Peter Kimosop (YSU). The workshops were free for Eastgate members.

14 Connecting with Our Member Communities

Throughout 2016, Eastgate continued to engage our members and residents of the Valley by getting out into the communities to raise awareness of the services and programs we provide. Kicking off the Year with our 2016 Annual Meeting

ommunities Working “CTogether” was the theme for our Annual Meeting which was held at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown in January 2016. Joining us as our featured speakers for the event were, YSU President Jim Tressel, Youngstown Phantoms Hockey and showcased the many Team co-owners Troy and positive developments that can Aafke Loney, and ODOT District occur when communities work 4 Deputy Director Allen Biehl. together. The event was a great success,

YSU President Jim Tressel

Youngstown Phantoms Hockey Team co-owner Troy Loney.

The City of Warren Welcomes Us in the Fall of 2016 n October, we were excited tured speakers for the event Ito accept the City of Warren’s were Mark Marvin, President Mayor Douglas Franklin offer to host our General Policy of Downtown Development Board meeting. The General Group, and Mayor Douglas Policy Board is the governing Franklin. Both speakers gave board of the agency, and con- exciting insights into the revi- sists of elected and appointed talization of the City of Warren. representatives from our mem- As we look forward to 2017, we ber communities, as well as are excited to visit other mem- various partnering agencies. ber communities as we work The meeting was held at the together to respond to solutions Raymond J. Wean Foundation to improve the quality of life for Building overlooking beautiful the residents of the Valley. Courthouse Square. The fea- President of Downtown 15 Development Group - Mark Marvin Community and Economic Development

Economic Development Program The EDA invested $250,000 in Valley Growth Ventures, LLC, a astgate provides professional for-profit seed investment fund to Eand technical support to support the commercialization communities and economic of high-growth technology development organizations in companies primarily within our Economic Development the Mahoning Valley region District, which includes Ashtabula, through the Regional Innovation Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties. This year Strategies (RIS) Seed Fund Eastgate updated the Comprehensive Economic Support. Northeast Ohio also Development Strategy (CEDS) document for the succeeded in the designation District. The CEDS is an economic roadmap for of Regional Acceleration in Digital Innovation (NEO diversifying and strengthening our regional ReADI) through the Regional Innovation Strategies economy and serves as a guide for establishing (RIS) i6 Challenge to advance innovation, foster goals and performance measures for our region. In entrepreneurship, increase the commercialization 2016, nearly half of the 125 identified of ideas into viable actions significantly progressed in the companies, and create first year of the five-year plan. The jobs. The i6 Challenge CEDS also contains information on the will assist in growing region’s competitive industries and data-focused startups priorities for economic development. in the region with a Eastgate expanded its staff to assist $499,999 grant. and further develop its role as a regional partner in implementing the CEDS. Community and Economic Eastgate continues its commitment to community Development Activities and economic development through the participation in over two-dozen initiatives and Invest Health – Invest Health aims working groups including the Business Resource at transforming how leaders in Network, Workforce Development Boards, the mid-size American cities work Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County, and together to help low-income others. communities thrive, with specific attention to community features U.S. Economic Development that drive health such as access to safe and affordable housing, places to play and Administration Grants exercise, and quality of jobs. Eastgate joined the In 2016, the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) City of Youngstown team along with the Youngstown continued renovation of the Vindicator Building into City Health District, Youngstown Neighborhood the fifth building of YBI’s campus that will be used for Development Corporation, Youngstown State training and graduate space. In 2014, YBI received University Regional Economic Development $3,000,000 in funding from the EDA for renovation. Initiative, and the Mercy Health Foundation – Mahoning Valley to address obesity and other Eastgate and the chronic health disparities through improving Ohio State University infrastructure and the built environment. Extension issued “Building Sustainable Connect Ohio – Eastgate along with the Western Communities in Ohio’s Reserve Port Authority, Mahoning County, and the Shale Region: Leveraging Oak Hill Collaborative received technical assistance Manufacturing Clusters from Connect Ohio to expand wireless internet and Local Assets with access throughout the county. The planning grant Strategic Planning” will assist leadership in developing a strategy for that investigates how addressing barriers to better internet. the current energy Mahoning Valley is for Entrepreneurs– In boom in shale production can be leveraged partnership with twenty-one other organizations, for future growth and sustainability. The report Eastgate launched Mahoning Valley is for includes an advanced cluster analysis, industry Entrepreneurs, a collaboration to provide better capacity assessment, and strategic planning support for local entrepreneurs. The initiative recommendations. streamlines information on available resources to allow for easier navigation and information-sharing. 16 Investing in Partnerships Protecting the Environment

17 Eastgate’s Programs Address the Region’s Environmental Resources Implementing the Yellow Creek Watershed Action Plan he Yellow Creek Watershed Action Plan Twas endorsed by the State of Ohio in 2015 and since then, Eastgate has been working to implement the action items to improve and protect the surface waters of Yellow Creek. In response to local perception of Yellow Creek’s waters, Eastgate’s Environmental Department studied bacteria levels of Yellow Creek and its’ tributaries to determine if a bacteria problem existed. The study expanded and complimented the work conducted by the Mahoning County District Board of Health, for the Village of Poland, to provide a larger picture of the watershed’s sources of bacteria. Department staff partnered with Ohio EPA’s Northeast District Office’s Greg Orr and Bill Zawiski to survey selected stream sites representative of the watershed’s various land uses. The study took place in the summer and late fall of 2015 (August through October). A summary of the study’s findings will be available in spring of 2017.

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18 Educational Funding Received

astgate’s Environmental water quality. The project providing class time towards EDepartment received a incorporated the collaboration developing the project’s $5,000 mini grant funding of Poland Village, Poland outreach components. In award from the Ohio EPA’s Township, Poland Local the 2017, Poland High School Environmental Education School District, and Mill Creek multimedia students will Fund program to develop MetroParks. develop an educational flyer educational signage for Five educational signs will for the project that will expand Yellow Creek communities. be manufactured and upon the sign’s message. The project, “You are Here- A placed at visible and publicly Meanwhile, middle school snapshot of the Yellow Creek accessible stream locations students will learn about Watershed”, provides signage in Poland Village and Poland the Yellow Creek Watershed at five strategic locations Township in June 2017. Aside and various water quality within the watershed to from the educational signs, components pertaining to educate residents about what the project incorporates stormwater. a watershed is, their role the talent of students and Completion of the OEEF funded in water quality protection, teachers from the Poland project, as well as a project and the simple solutions Local School District. Several summary is scheduled for for individuals to protect, teachers have committed to June 30, 2017. enhance, and improve

Mahoning River Dam – Mahoning Avenue

19 Lower Mahoning River Restoration The Mahoning River is making a comeback as the Ohio EPA noted Northern Pike, Muskellunge, and Walleye fish populations in 2013’s chemical and biological survey of the Lower Mahoning River. These fish are indicative of a recovering river, a river Eastgate is committed to reviving. In 2016, Eastgate along with the Lower Mahoning River communities, made a commitment to restore the Lower Mahoning River to its original free- flowing state. Eastgate began work with the Western Reserve Port Authority, the Mahoning River Mayors’ Association, and the Mahoning River Corridor Initiative to identify funding avenues and strengthen current grant Mahoning River Dam – Canoe City applications to remove the remaining nine low head dams and associated contaminated sediments. Eastgate hosted a visual tour of the river and its dam for river communities to conceptualize the task at hand. The tour uncovered the nature of the low head dams- some have been reduced to rubble, while others still retained their full structure. The physical observation allowed those in attendance the chance to visualize the physical and environmental benefit of each dam removal project. State and Scenic River Designation for Pymatuning Creek Eastgate, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Areas and Mahoning Avenue Dam Preserves, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, and Kinsman Township trustees worked to develop a State Scenic River Designation Study plan for Pymatuning Creek. The designation is not meant to serve as a restoration tool for degraded streams, but to recognize unique stream characteristics, coordinate river preservation activities among state and local government agencies, and coordinate river preservation activities among governing agencies, organizations, and local citizens. When combined with other state water authorities, the State Scenic River designation does not prohibit land use activities or projects, but helps ensure decisions and activities which may impact a river are done so in environmentally sensitive and responsible ways. Mahoning River – Girard Dam looking north

20 Kinsman Township requested air quality forecasts intended the services of the agencies to to protect and improve air seek State Scenic Designation quality in the Valley. Looking at for Pymatuning Creek data from the summer of 2016, due to its natural, forested air quality in the Mahoning wetland characteristics that Valley was better than the remain an asset to Trumbull air quality during the 2015 County. The designation and 2014 summer season. plan is under the guidance Between April 1 and October of the Ohio Department of 31, 2016, observed air quality Natural Resources’ Division of in Youngstown-Warren was in Natural Areas and Preserves, the Good category of the Air but is a product of regional Quality Index (AQI) on 69% of collaboration. Eastgate’s days (148 days), compared involvement includes sitting as to 56% of days (120 days) in a member of the designation 2014 and 62% of days (133 committee and writing the days) in 2015. However, AQI plan’s sections pertaining to levels reached the Unhealthy water quality. The final draft for Sensitive Groups (USG) of the plan is slated to be category on five days in 2016, reviewed by the Division in the compared to one day in 2014, dioxide, particulate matter, fall of 2017. and three days in 2015. * and lead. More information can be found on www. Mahoning and Trumbull The Air Quality mahoningvalleyair.org Awareness Program Counties are in attainment with federal air quality *For comparison to the 2016 In partnership with the standards for the six criteria summer season, the 2014 and Mahoning-Trumbull Pollution pollutants as defined by the 2015 ozone AQI data discussed Control Agency, Eastgate U.S. Environmental Protection have been adjusted to the new continued to monitor Agency (EPA). These pollutants National Ambient Air Quality developments in regional air are ozone, carbon monoxide, Standard of 70 parts per billion quality, including issuing daily nitrogen dioxide, sulfur for ground-level ozone.

21 Budget Tables Budget Tables SFY2016 Income

A. FHWA $767,567 K B. ODOT $95,946 J C. EDA $52,628

D. Rideshare (CMAQ) $60,000

E. STP Program Administration/Special Projects $50,000 I A F. Air Quality (CMAQ) $188,000 H G. Federal Water Quality (604B) $52,867 G H. EPA State Biennial Budget $75,000

I. ARC $105,000 F E J. Local $306,462 D C B

K. SPR/RTPO Pilot $34,900

TOTAL $1,788,370

SFY2016 Expenses D

A. Salary $870,296 C

B. Fringe $519,211 A C. Overhead $204,109

D. Contracts & Other Program Directs $194,754 B TOTAL $1,788,370

22 Eastgate Regional Council of Eastgate Regional Council Eastgate Regional Council Governments General Policy of Governments Technical of Governments Citizens Board – 2016 Advisory Committee – 2016 Advisory Board – 2016

Chair – Mark Hess Mayor James Melfi Chair – Gary Shaffer Chair – James J. Pirko Trumbull County Transit City of Girard Trumbull County Engineer’s Vice Chair – Randy Samulka Office Vice Chair – Commissioner Mayor Curt Moll Jim Bolchalk Casey Kozlowski City of Cortland Vice Chair – Kristen Olmi Nancy Brundage Ashtabula County Mahoning County Sanitary Trish Nuskievicz Engineer’s Office Jim Converse Mayor Eric Augustein Trumbull County Planning Robert L. Faulkner, Sr. Village of Beloit Commission Kim Blasco Genevieve Germaniuk Trumbull County Sanitary Fred G. Hanley, Jr. Commissioner Mayor Nick Phillips Engineer’s Office Mauro Cantalamessa City of Campbell Janet Hazlette Trumbull County Tara Cioffi Gerald Hurayt Mayor Michael Pinkerton Mahoning-Trumbull Pollution Kevin Kern Commissioner Peggy Carlo Village of Sebring Control Agency Charlotte Meloni Ashtabula County Jim Pirko Pat Ginnetti Jerome Parm Commissioner Daniel R. Citizens Advisory Board Mahoning County Engineer Thomas Smalls Claypool Ashtabula County Commissioner Dan Polivka Mark Hess Eastgate Regional Council Trumbull County Trumbull County Transit of Governments Staff – 2016 Mayor John Darko City of Hubbard Kurt Princic Paul Makosky James G. Kinnick, P.E. OEPA City of Warren Executive Director Commissioner David Ditzler Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Rimedio- Frank Migliozzi Staff Righetti Trumbull County Health District Ed Davis Robert L. Faulkner, Sr. Mahoning County Jeannine Donatelli Trumbull County Transit Board Trish Nuskievicz Randy Samulka Trumbull County Planning Stephanie Dyer James Ferraro Citizens Advisory Board Commission Joann Esenwein WRTA Jeffrey Gollner Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia Michael O’Shaughnessy Bethaney Krzys Mayor Douglas Franklin City of Niles Mahoning County Planning City of Warren Commission Justin Mondok Mayor Tim Sicafuse Lisa Pompeo Commissioner Frank Fuda Village of Poland Kurt Princic Mirta Reyes-Chapman Trumbull County OEPA Jane Shorokey Randy Smith Pat Ginnetti Trumbull County Engineer Judy Rodriguez Ken Sympson Mahoning County Engineer WRTA Sara Wenger Mayor David Spencer Tim Yova Fred Hanley Village of Craig Beach Charles Shasho Kathy Zook Hubbard Township City of Youngstown Mayor Terry Stocker Stephen Zubyk Mayor Arno Hill City of Struthers Randy Smith Village of Lordstown Trumbull County Engineer Commissioner Anthony Trafi- Mayor Glenn Holmes canti Terry Thomas Village of McDonald Mahoning County Community Bus Services, Inc. (non-voting) Mayor James Iudiciani Anthony Urankar Village of Lowellville ODOT District 4 Aaron Young Mill Creek MetroParks Mayor William Jones Mayor Lyle A. Waddell Village of Washingtonville City of Newton Falls

Mayor Harry Kale Mark Winchell Village of New Middletown Ashtabula County

Mayor Bernie Kosar, Sr. Joann Wollet City of Canfield Poland Township

Mayor Shirley McIntosh Mayor James Woofter Village of West Farmington City of Cortland

Mayor John McNally City of Youngstown

23 PRSRT STANDARD US POSTAGE 100 East Federal Street, Suite 1000 PAID Youngstown, Ohio 44503 YOUNGSTOWN OH PERMIT NO 127 www.eastgatecog.org

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