Medina council approves series of grants, easements and infrastructure contracts on Aug. 25

The Medina City Council on Aug. 25 unanimously approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions to pursue grant funding, record easements for a waterline project, advertise a bridge replacement contract and change several city programs.

Council authorized applications for multiple grants, accepted easements needed to complete a waterline replacement under a railroad, and approved funding and bidding steps for several infrastructure projects. Several items were adopted under an emergency clause or with suspended readings, and most votes were 7-0.

The council authorized a Department of Justice COPS grant application that, if awarded, would allow the Medina Police Department to fund “a part time community engagement officer position,” Chief Kenny said. The department also won council approval to apply for a 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to support implementation of an APCO/telecom platform to improve 9-1-1 call handling and dispatch, Chief Kenny told council.

City Engineer Pat Piccoli told council the city will apply to the Ohio Public Works Commission for $632,000 to fund phase 1 of the State Road reconstruction. Piccoli said two prior OPWC awards totaling $1,830,000 have already been secured and that, if the new grant is awarded, the city’s share of the $3,920,000 project would be $1,450,000. The resolution was adopted with an emergency clause because the grant application deadline is Sept. 5.

Piccoli also described easements required for the West Smith waterline replacement beneath the Wheeling and Lake Erie…