Cuyahoga Falls City Council holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Council committee meetings are held on the first and third Mondays in order to allow councilmembers to publicly discuss pending legislation that will be voted on at regular meetings. The public is free to comment on pending legislation during the allowed time set aside as part of committee meetings.
Although Monday night was a committee meeting, Mayor Walters started the evening presenting a proclamation to a special member of our community— Retired Cuyahoga Falls Police Lt. Randy Weitzell who will be turning 99 this week. Lt. Weitzell is a Falls High graduate and a highly decorated WWII Veteran. His family was there with him to receive a special birthday card signed by the entire police department and city officials and a framed Proclamation declaring his birthday Randy Weitzell day. Let it be noted that Mayor Walters met Lt. Weitzell at the Natatorium where they both lift weights.
Planning & Zoning:
B-48: An ordinance accepting the recommendation of the planning commission for the construction of two self-service storage buildings for Decorus Development, LLC, located at 262 Steels Corners Road. This item was Presented by Planning Director Rob Kurtz who gave a rundown on this project that comes with approval from the planning commission. There will be two self-store building behind a building currently on the parcel— one unit will be 4k sq. ft. and the other 8k sq. ft. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council next Monday June 12.
Finance & Appropriations:
B-49: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with CRS Metalworx Inc., for the maintenance and repair of HVAC systems at the Electrical Division and substations. Rod Troxell, assistant Electrical Superintendent, explained this measure will cover the contract for the cooling upkeep at city substations. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council next Monday.
Public & Industrial Improvements:
B-50: An ordinance consenting to the resurfacing of State Route 59 from State Route 8 to the east corporation limit, within the City of Cuyahoga Falls, by the state of Ohio, authorizing financial cooperation thereof. City Engineer Tony Demasi said the State of Ohio will cover all but 20% of this project; that will leave the cost to the city at $300k. This will be part of a state project that will pave route 59 from the rt 8 expressway to the Stow Border. The legislation pledges the city’s cooperation with the State of Ohio on this project. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council next Monday June 12.
B-51: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts for the demolition of a structure located at 357 Steels Corners Road, and removal of demolition debris, and certifying the cost thereof to the county fiscal officer for collection in the manner provided by law. The administration has requested the committee to hold this legislation after efforts by the property owner to bring the structure in compliance.
B-52: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, with CT Consultants, Inc., for professional engineering services for the improvement to South Front Street, from Broad Boulevard to Grant Avenue. This legislation was also presented by City Engineer Tony Demasi and it goes with the ongoing improvements taking place on the south end of Front St. that was last updated in the late 80s early 90s. The budget on this project is $350k. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council next Monday.
Community Development:
B-54: An ordinance approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a Community Development Block Grant Agreement with Hummel Construction Company for ADA compliant renovations to the existing restroom at Quirk Cultural Center. This measure is part of the parks department to make its facilities more accessible. It will provide year-round access to an indoor restroom at the Quirk Center. This project will be funded using CBDG funds. Hummel Construction was the best and lowest bidder on this project coming in at $146k. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council next Monday.
B-55: An ordinance authorizing the execution of a first amendment to grant agreement with the Community Improvement Corporation of Cuyahoga Falls. Community Development Director Diana Colavecchio explained to the committee that it takes an agreement that council had voted on previously and on the advice of the CPA hired to oversee the agreement defined some items in the contract more closely so that there would be no question of intent in the future. The proposed changes in definitions do not broaden or expand the authority of any party, just defines the areas where it was questioned by Committee Chair Brian Ashton. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council June 12.
B-56: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a professional service agreement with OHM Advisors for the preparation of streetscape plans for the Bailey Road/Northmoreland Boulevard and South State Road business corridors. Community Development Director Diana Colavecchio also presented this measure to the committee. She gave a status of the efforts so far taking place within the State Road South area, including the upcoming signs for the area, door stickers, and a city-sponsored family event on June 25 in the parking lot of the former Ponderosa to showcase the long-term plans for the area and to showcase local businesses. The other area on her department’s radar is Bailey/Northmoreland. The ordinance before council will allow the city to enter into a contract with OHM Advisors. Russ Critelli from OHM spoke to the committee and gave an overview of past redevelopment projects his company and their staff of over 700 people has been involved. Critelli said his firm was more than an architecture, engineering and planning firm, but the community advancement firm. Colavecchio said that it was agreed that by working on both areas in the same time period the city will be better served by having resources already at hand. Steering committees and stakeholder meeting will be similar to the process used in the planning process in the Merriman Valley plan. For more information on OHM Advisors and see some of their past projects visit their website at https://www.ohm-advisors.com/ The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council next week.
