[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6172031,"mediaKeyId","5393180-261ad5ff6fa6c53a0a27d01dafea557e","parentId",5393180,"title","Safety committee says regional fire budget shortfall could exceed $600,000; council to explore options","audioSeconds",535,"startMs",2551000,"endMs",3086000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393180-261ad5ff6fa6c53a0a27d01dafea557e&start=2551&end=3086","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393180-261ad5ff6fa6c53a0a27d01dafea557e/thumbnail_2551000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6172031/Ohio/Safety-committee-says-regional-fire-budget-shortfall-could-exceed-600000-council-to-explore-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172031-7f60298257bfa9dadbb048ed54a429b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092300&Signature=WQ0BYqy-a27vUrNEzW~G9mrw8uuUbGRS6Qqw3M44lCJPqMBi-T9OgA6K-SjIyZA1Y8tnyha0XSKTIS2gbygJYB8W19--oTM-4oajs1CnkywKj3u3x2uPR3HboGcJETno9oWLFH-AX~vW9lAIjQHm3BUdJohb-eA9OEXTKktWv3qoxgdYwmLPngI9wnJ0BMLPCl-wdM8d6h5G73CsYtz944dRZ4Co3VV5JOvo0mgbxabraseR5g8eYfOWqDbVPtkmTk59iJ1fohm1pY6Z0iL-91JlfTHq-unPUGZvIttntbM8oDCvuCUtQ4zcqCuETzfNmxvGhKGnnKH4QcWsKpjyLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village Council of South Russell OH","date","2025-07-15T13:32:58Z","article","Officials briefed the council about a presentation from the Sherman Valley Fire Department that projected a budget shortfall of roughly $603,000 under current operating assumptions for 2025.
The safety committee reviewed the department’s presentation and discussed wage competitiveness, capital-equipment deferrals, and recruiting challenges for part-time staff. Committee members and councilors said the projected shortfall stems in part from wage pressures: surrounding jurisdictions currently offer higher pay and the fire department’s starting pay was described as lower than nearby services.
The meeting record shows the safety committee discussed next steps including asking neighboring jurisdictions (for example Russell Township and Bainbridge) whether they would be willing to bid to provide fire and emergency medical services, and scheduling further discussion with the department and trustees. Council members suggested soliciting competitive bids and reviewing partner options; one committee member noted the bargaining process may be starting and that multi-year wage steps may be an alternative to large immediate increases.
The safety committee scheduled (or confirmed) meetings in the coming weeks: the committee noted a meeting at the fire station on Aug. 6 and recommended that council members consider attending. Council members discussed the broader fiscal context, including how EMS and fire costs translate into per-call billing in jurisdictions that use fee-for-service arrangements.
No formal contract changes or transfer of services were decided at the meeting; instead, the council instructed the safety committee to pursue information-gathering, possible bids and partnership conversations so that the village can better understand options and costs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7/14/2025 Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Officials were briefed on a presentation showing a projected 2025 budget shortfall for Sherman Valley Fire Department; safety committee suggested seeking bids and discussing potential service arrangements with neighboring districts as possible responses.","taxTitle","South Russell Village, Geauga County, Ohio","taxId",74159,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6172036,"Residents urge action on Sugarbush silt pond and lake levels; public utilities committee schedules August meeting",544,1092000,1636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393180-261ad5ff6fa6c53a0a27d01dafea557e&start=1092&end=1636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393180-261ad5ff6fa6c53a0a27d01dafea557e/thumbnail_1092000.jpg","/articles/6172036/Ohio/Residents-urge-action-on-Sugarbush-silt-pond-and-lake-levels-public-utilities-committee-schedules-August-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172036-52d254918e88cf37649e32bde7bb6175/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092300&Signature=Q3qAbbNEjQ5gwqUjq07QNsojnU2YuEIlQfNnhalt2-7GmPyZg8k01efM8uJQ0IcpIosCbOVdb4AH95~fgwQZw3QoxPllV7eb9YGbaxafN3-HbjaFgI7gHoUkrmSfga3DdQVsRv7Ke4E8oWBndqvOE0WH-ciDtCWdJoEBL1lwt~92aW14gBkKKKpGT8Mnj57IKIf-s6ytK5jdgKTTOuDgA4uml0E6RHQJ~djREEJIX4JqsAmmhwogtXUfulaS4QOMWs4nRApaYafLBIdV96smXoPxXntfwqVVaX45spFNlJCf3K1KDevvimgsDnkxYcAD4236Dc5eVhPKbVau~DXn-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of the Sugarbush neighborhood described a silted detention basin and a downstream lake that has filled with sediment, creating shallow ‘islands’ and changing flow patterns into neighboring properties.
Resident Tim Shaw and other homeowners told council that a series of upstream drainage improvements, including a culvert upgrade on Bell Road, now direct greater stormwater volumes into a smaller culvert and a silt pond that was designed to trap sediments. Speakers said the silt pond is full, the downstream lake has reduced depth in places to inches, and the system is no longer capturing debris as intended.
Council members and staff said they had walked the site recently with the village engineer and a representative of the Chagrin River Watershed Partners and proposed options including dredging the silt pond, removing accumulated material from the lake, and asking the village engineer to propose a longer-term plan. The public utilities committee invited residents to bring documentation and pledged a face-to-face public meeting to gather information before making a recommendation.
The committee scheduled a public meeting for Aug. 8 at 9 a.m. at Village Hall to hear residents and technical presenters; staff said engineers will attend. Village officials told residents they do not intend to act at that meeting but plan to study the options and bring a formal recommendation to full council, with a potential decision targeted for September.
Staff also said some remedies (for example, mechanical dredging of the pond and removal of accumulated silt from the lake) are feasible but will require engineering input, permitting and budgeting. The meeting record includes a separate engineer’s estimate for a different nearby drainage project (for clearing and replacement work) of roughly $96,000; staff said engineers will present specific costs for the Sugarbush silt-pond work at the public utilities meeting.
Residents were encouraged to submit documentation and to be prepared to show files and measurements at the Aug. 8 meeting so committee members can review options and potential designs.","Residents described a silted stormwater pond and a shrinking lake in Sugarbush subdivision and asked the village for engineering help. The public utilities committee scheduled an August 8 public meeting to gather information and expects to recommend a council decision by September.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6172041,"Council hears insurance demand to increase playground mulch; options and costs discussed",557,3838000,4395000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393180-261ad5ff6fa6c53a0a27d01dafea557e&start=3838&end=4395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393180-261ad5ff6fa6c53a0a27d01dafea557e/thumbnail_3838000.jpg","/articles/6172041/Ohio/Council-hears-insurance-demand-to-increase-playground-mulch-options-and-costs-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172041-ae75740b7b1c63799f4680adee5a633d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092300&Signature=KIA~5rNTA1-c81FIISmUYN3RvEJg3pZhOHBz3IgW2pqOt9iMMQkaHEb9H0zcjqvFO2oZXBpmCDSgm~PCg5U69D5iq6W47hYI0i2DRUIo3BCxbbMnD5sjJT6n3cDHkegmeEekEhdRLJeRE7rq0~1V0A4ZQiHdtRTTHHuvJZKL3aza4sanM3gjl0bpLb~5CFpruFoc0nR4YcRFkhaFumHObJUH7EdcSFCBEVykcYzz9bghEAo2FI02k5CTRAtyaoaMWFlBhEipmWIMKwKY4pft5YNumdoI6N9CJ-Lw7Jf1MG2~rE7a0KVRJyuMyKh-PfqIYEahd9atDwGMXh1SsDWsHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village staff told council the village’s playground surfacing falls short of the depth recommended for the height of the play equipment, and the insurance carrier has requested a response.
Staff measured the playground and reported about seven inches of wood mulch in place, while the fall-height standard cited at the meeting requires 12 inches for the tallest platform. The insurance carrier requested the village respond within about 30 days, staff said.
Officials discussed options and costs at the meeting: (1) add bulk wood mulch to meet the 12-inch standard for all platforms; (2) replace the wood surface with a rubberized or engineered-permeable safety surface; or (3) reduce the maximum allowed equipment height to lower the required cushion depth. Staff said adding the missing depth using loose shredded wood mulch could cost several thousand dollars and would require annual top-ups because material compacts and is displaced by use and weather. Staff provided an annual-replacement estimate in the meeting discussion in the low thousands per year for continued wood mulch maintenance; by contrast, replacement with a rubberized system would be a larger one-time capital expense but might reduce recurring maintenance.
At the meeting some council members opposed closing large portions of the playground; others asked for phased remedies (for example, partially adding mulch this season and completing the work the following year). Staff noted practical timing issues: if the village waits to install new material into August, there will be only a short active season before winter, reducing immediate value.
Council directed staff to continue the analysis and to present costs and phased options at the parks committee meeting for a decision. The transcript shows no formal ordinance or appropriation vote on the playground surfacing during this session.
The discussion followed an inspector’s or insurer’s written note recommending improved fall-surface depth for the current equipment heights. Staff also noted the village had historically refreshed mulch annually at a cost in the $1,500–$2,000 range; the insurer’s request makes this an identified maintenance need that requires budgeting attention.","Village officials told the council the insurance carrier flagged deficient playground fall material and asked for corrective action; staff presented options ranging from adding several inches of wood mulch to replacing the surface with rubberized material, and estimated annual maintenance costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6172046,"Council approves street-department uniform contract, sets per-employee allowance",652,293000,945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393180-261ad5ff6fa6c53a0a27d01dafea557e&start=293&end=945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393180-261ad5ff6fa6c53a0a27d01dafea557e/thumbnail_293000.jpg","/articles/6172046/Ohio/Council-approves-street-department-uniform-contract-sets-per-employee-allowance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172046-97c7b3e422adfcf3c68178cb7435a25f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092300&Signature=Tnl4mqzIlbUlTYW-~EGzfrW5~CnKLrwGY7zOpZDRPa5D2G5EP82V1AYGw9VJSUswNkucYVsbxcL0GbKfMhVRzEpdsZbhzFUTr7haiAHJyQtkJnTNvBVDvTgMFXxk~O07SR1DSki9aEv~PPgqFGKW7wR5Geg8I8LfsUx7VcD0jV60U8iQ9cd47ZZdrS7Cc0Hf7wMkRPx67V7tHJRgm02vo-vJyHWN-g1p1wQkYc2sYWk~-0CKe99QqgMFFwhhMsliI45Qmg7-to7ml9RFl6VACGdTxtFaLRN4tjs3MAqravcFzRuqD64soze-Jdg5jm0xHDRSjOXoD~xaRlQ~JMwhtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of South Russell council approved a contract with Future Image to supply uniforms for the street department and adopted a purchase protocol developed by Human Resources and street staff.
The vote followed a presentation by street department staff describing uniform options, pricing and an administrative plan for distributed allowances. Council members moved and seconded the measure and the motion passed on voice vote.
Under the adopted approach, the village will purchase an initial uniform package for each street-crew employee and maintain an annual allowance for replacements and additional items. The figures discussed at the meeting showed an initial per-employee buy-in of about $1,200 and an annual allotment of $300 thereafter. Council also approved a separate boot allowance of $500 per employee per year; the allowance will be issued twice annually (July and January) and requires submission of receipts for reimbursement.
Street staff showed sample items and prices during the presentation: short- and long-sleeve shirts in the $15–$16 range; hoodies ranging roughly $40–$48 depending on style; a fleece at about $53; and a high-visibility vest quoted at about $100. One-time setup fees for embroidery were described as $40 with a small color-change fee (about $13); size surcharges were noted ($2 for 2XL, $3 for 3XL). The vendor and staff recommended retaining a high-visibility option for roadwork and offering darker hybrid garments for other duties, with the option to add first names to shirts at modest additional cost.
Council clarified that the initial purchase would be centrally invoiced to the village (not as cash reimbursements to employees) and that HR and streets will finalize ordering details and sizing. The council also authorized the administrative protocol presented by HR and street staff that will govern item selection and distribution.
The motion included the vendor name and the protocol reviewed by HR and streets. There were no recorded roll-call objections in the meeting record; the motion passed on voice vote.
Councilmembers and staff who discussed the item emphasized safety and visibility on roadways, the desire to standardize staff appearance, and the administrative simplicity of central invoicing and annual allowances. The council directed staff to finalize the vendor order and implement the allowance and boot-reimbursement process under the agreed protocol.
Less critical details from the presentation included optional jacket and name‑stitching choices, and sample pricing for multiple garment types. The proposal discussed in the meeting covered five street-department employees in the village’s cost estimate as an example (five employees at $1,200 each = $6,000 initial outlay), but the final per-employee figures and total cost will depend on the final headcount and sizes when orders are placed.
Next steps: HR and street staff will complete size collection and place the order under the approved bid; staff will also manage the ongoing annual allowance and boot-reimbursement process according to the protocol adopted by council.","Council accepted a bid from Future Image for street-department uniforms and a program that provides an initial uniform package and an annual allowance; a separate boot allowance was approved. The council voted to adopt the vendor bid and administrative protocol drafted by HR and streets.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Safety committee says regional fire budget shortfall could exceed $600,000; council to explore options

Residents urge action on Sugarbush silt pond and lake levels; public utilities committee schedules August meeting

Council hears insurance demand to increase playground mulch; options and costs discussed

Council approves street-department uniform contract, sets per-employee allowance