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.
At the Cuyahoga Falls city council meeting on Monday April 25, the following new legislation was assigned to the committees.
A-46: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, for the purchase of services, materials, supplies, and equipment for use in the electrical division in 2022. Assigned to the finance committee.
A-47: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with Ohio Drilling Company Inc. for the inspection, cleaning, and associated repairs for City Well #5, and Well #21 for the water division. Assigned to the public and industrial improvements committee.
A-48: An ordinance to approve current replacement pages to the Cuyahoga Falls Codified Ordinances. Assigned to the public affairs committee.
A-49: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, Patrol and Community Service Officers bargaining unit, effective July 1, 2021. Assigned to the public affairs committee.
A-50: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with Quality Fabrication & Assembly, LLC for the purchase, cutting, and fabrication of stainless steel, to be utilized in a public art sculpture designed by local artist Don Drumm, and to be installed in High Bridge Glens Park— located at 1817 Front Street— and making the necessary appropriations for the same. Assigned to Council as a whole.
A motion was made and a vote taken in which council agreed to have a committee meeting the same night as a council meeting to discuss A-50.
Discussion began as Diana Colavecchio distributed photos of the proposed sculpture, including the location in High Bridge Glens Park. The approval process for the sculpture began in January and has been voted on and received approval from the city’s art board, the historic design and review board, and the park board. The ordinance is capped at $275k due to the escalating costs of steel. Artist Don Drumm and Art Board Chairman Rick Krochka both spoke on behalf of the sculpture and thanked those involved for their support. The sculpture will be approximately 18 feet tall and on a 2-foot concrete base and is expected to be completed by this fall. Council voted 11-0 in favor of this ordinance.
Under committee reports, the following ordinances were voted on and passed unanimously:
Finance Committee:
A-35: An ordinance authorizing the director of finance to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with Storm 7 Labs for the purchase and installation of IT data storage and network hardware upgrades.
A-36: Authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with Sherman + Reilly for the purchase of braking reel trailer equipment.
A-37: Authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with Sky lift Inc. for the purchase of mini-derrick equipment.
A-38: An ordinance authorizing the Parks and Recreation Board to enter into contracts, without competitive bidding, for the lease and maintenance of golf carts for Brookledge Golf Club.
Public and Industrial Improvements Committee:
A-39: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Dant Clayton for the replacement of seating in the Downtown Amphitheater, in an amount not to exceed $58,900.
A-40: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a modification of Contract No. 8495 with Environmental Design Group.
A-41: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, for the repair and resurfacing of Broad Boulevard, from 2nd Street to State Road.
Public Affairs Committee
A-42: A resolution authorizing the director of finance to represent the City of Cuyahoga Falls as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Summit Area Regional Council of Governments.
A-43: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a NOPEC Energized Community Grant Agreement with Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, Inc. for energy efficiency or energy infrastructure projects.
A-44: An ordinance amending the Traffic Control File by providing for installation of various traffic control devices.
A-45: An ordinance establishing pay ranges for part-time, per diem, and special classification workers.
In miscellaneous business, retired police officer Steve Amos shared with council that National Police Week would be May 11-17. The formal city event had been on hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions the last two years but the 2022 event holds significance because it marks the 100th anniversary of the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department. The actual memorial service will be held at the memorial between the city building and the Natatorium on May 18 at 10:00am and the public is urged to attend.
