Dublin is looking for ways to get residents more involved in giving back.

Dublin City Council last week heard a proposed plan to get residents more involved in volunteering for the Cities of Service Initiative that was launched last month.

Mayor Marilee Chinnici-Zuercher was one of 17 mayors from across the country who met in New York in October to promote volunteerism.

Volunteer services administrator Christine Nardecchia presented the plan to council after researching trends and meeting with 27 local organizations that utilize volunteers.

"The cities of service initiative gave us a chance to step back and take a look at service," she told council members.

After meeting with local agencies, Nardecchia said seven goals for the city were developed that can be accomplished with a three-year plan.

Goals include maintaining current volunteer service, new initiative to serve community needs, begin a community discussion on volunteerism, strengthen partnerships with organizations for a volunteer base, communicate more volunteer information online, increase awareness of volunteerism and celebrate the community's diversity.

Among ways to reach these goals are suggestions for the city to expand Dublin Teen Corps to a yearlong program, organize a community-wide day of service and create a better Web page that lists volunteer opportunities and other information.

Nardecchia said the three-year plan can be done "without a request for any other services," which means the program would cost the city nothing.

Nardecchia asked council members for feedback on the plan before it is finalized.

In other council news, the city accepted land donated for a bike path in Metro Place North and South.

According to the staff report, the planned bike path, which will encircle Metro Place, involves 18 parcels of land and 15 landowners.

City engineer Paul Hammersmith said because the bike path will include improvements, including new street lighting, the landowners donated the land for the work.

"Basically, we're doing an extreme makeover on Metro Place North and South," he said.

Construction is anticipated to begin in June, "with the bulk of construction to be completed in mid-July," the staff report said.

City council also approved a contract for the construction of Emerald Fields Park, west of Sawmill Road and east of Summit View Road. The $1.2-million project will include the installation of sidewalks, a playground, shelters and landscaping.

According to the staff report, the city received a $475,000 grant to help fund the project.

A contract for the resurfacing of U.S. 33 and state Route 257 also was approved by council.

According to Hammersmith, the city will work with the Ohio Department of Transportation on the repaving and will pay for 20 percent of work on U.S. Route 33 from around Martin Road to the intersection of state Route 257 and state Route 161, and from the state Route 257 and state Route 161 intersection to the Delaware County line.

The entire project is anticipated to cost $1.5-million, but Dublin will not pay the full share. Dublin's contribution is estimated to be $183,000.

The work is anticipated to start in the summer.

jnoblit@thisweeknews.com