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.
Planning & Zoning:
A-35: An ordinance accepting the recommendation of the planning commission for the construction of a medical office building for Pediatrics of Akron, partnering with Akron Children’s Hospital, located at 1625 Portage Trail. Presented by Planning Director Rod Kurtz, he said the file was approved by the planning commission February 21. The $3 million 9,000 sq. ft. medical office building will be built by Pediatrics of Akron and their partner Akron Children’s Hospital on the same site where the “cake building” was once located. Representatives from Testa, Akron Children’s Hospital, and the architects Baker Bednar and Snyder were present to answer questions from the committee. After much discussion the committee voted to bring this out for a vote before all of council next Monday.
Finance & Appropriations:
A-32: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, for the purchase of a new electric department line truck. Presented by Electric Services Superintendent Rod Troxell, this legislation will get the city in the queue to purchase a new line truck. This item was in the budget last year, but none were available. The truck that this legislation would purchase is replacing a 2004 model. Delivery is expected in 2026 and the cost is expected to be $412k. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before all of council next Monday.
A-33: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, for the purchase of furniture for the new electric department building. Troxell stated that is for all that can be purchased off the state bid, and this will be $110k of the $160k budgeted for this part of the project. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before all of council next Monday.
Public & Industrial Improvements:
A-29: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, for the construction of on-site utility pole storage at the new electric department building and warehouse. Troxell said after looking at what it would cost to move the old one to the new location it was determined to be more cost effective to build the storage new. This was budgeted for $150k and the bids came in at $140k and will house 35’ to 80’ pole. Construction would begin in mid-august. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before all of council next Monday.
A-30: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, with DLZ Ohio, Inc., for professional engineering services related to the design and relocation of the main trunk sewer located within the Gorge Metro Park. Water Department Superintendent Russ Kring gave the committee an overview of this project to replace the current system that was constructed in 1931 and replace it in conjunction with the interceptor tunnel Akron is currently constructing on the other side of the river. The project will go out to bid in 2025 and construction is expected to coincide with the Gorge Dam removal. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before all of council next Monday.
A-34: An ordinance authorizing the Parks and Recreation Board to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with Dan Guardo Contracting, Inc., for the Water Works Family Aquatic Center pool surface refinish project. Park Director Sarah Kline explained the upgrade to the 20-year-old pool will be completed before the pool opens for the summer and the contractor is extremely experienced in the Diamond Bright media being used on the pool. The material is expected to last 20 years. Cost for this part of the project is budgeted at $150k. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before all of council next Monday.
Community Development:
A-28: A resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Clean Ohio Trails Fund Grant and to obligate funds for the required match to construct phase II of the Mud Brook Greenway. Planning Director Rob Kurtz stated that this is the same grant applied for previously that the city was not successful in getting. With changes this application would be for $500k with the city’s portion being $700k. We will know if the city is successful in winning the grant in late 2024. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before all of council next Monday.
Temp. Ord. A-31: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a permit agreement with Front & Center LTD to use a portion of city property for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a deck at property located at 2225 Front Street. Presented by Director of Community Development Diana Colavecchio, this is planned to be approximately 42’x15’, will seat around 22 customers, and will be located on the south side of the building. The owner of Vacancy and Cashmere Cricket, Mitch Plachta, and Front and Center LTD owner John Chlebina were present and answered questions for the committee. The agreement is for 25 years and is revocable by either party. Park Director Sara Kline also stated after this project is done her department plans on repairing the stone stairs currently in place next the building that go from Front Street to Riverfront Parkway. The plan also includes an accessibility ramp and improved lighting. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before all of council next Monday.
Sustainability, Energy & Environment:
A-27: 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. NECCO Director Carrie Hummel Snyder explained that this is grant money received by the city from NOPEC to be used for energy saving projects within the city. For the calendar year 2024 the city will receive $35k and in the past those funds have been used for such sustainability projects as the electric vehicle charger in the shared parking lot of Summit County DD services and the solar panels for the roof of the new electric services building. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before all of council next Monday.
