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 railroad tracks. He said one property owner at 223 West Smith signed two easements — one temporary and one permanent — before council’s summer recess and the city requested an emergency clause so the easements could be recorded promptly. Council voted 7-0 to adopt the necessary ordinance.

Council approved authorization to advertise for competitive bids and award a contract for the Medina Street bridge replacement project. Piccoli said the project estimate is $677,000, with a previously awarded grant of $432,000 and the city’s share approximately $245,000.

The council approved a probation Community Corrections Act (CCA) grant renewal and an ordinance amending the salaries and benefits code to add one full-time and one part-time probation position funded by the grant. Cindy (probation department) told council the CCA renewal would fund “1 full time probation officer and 1 part time probation officer.” The ordinance and an emergency clause were adopted by vote.

The council approved a fitness partnership agreement permitting FitOnHealth (PerFit Inc., d/b/a FitOnHealth) to provide membership and class privileges at the Madonna Community Recreation Center. Parks and recreation director Worley described the program as similar to SilverSneakers but with both a membership and a monthly flex pass; reimbursement to the city will be based on daily scan reports forwarded to the partner.

Council amended an existing municipal deer control permit ordinance by repealing a stand-location fee provision to remove a barrier for program participants. Worley said the change was requested because applications are currently being accepted and the deer control season begins Sept. 27; council adopted the ordinance with the emergency clause.

Other routine items approved 7-0 included annual codification updates to the city’s ordinances, budget amendments and fund transfers (including unclaimed funds and parking fund transfers), authorization for city auction items, acceptance of a veterans treatment municipal court grant and several purchase order and contract adjustments.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 1 30 25 — Authorize filing for Department of Justice COPS grant (police). Adopted 7-0. - Resolution 1 31 25 — Renew probation Community Corrections Act grant (Medina Municipal Court). Adopted 7-0. - Ordinance 1 32 25 — Amend salaries and benefits code for probation grant positions (adds one full-time and one part-time position). Adopted (emergency) 7-0. - Ordinance 1 33 25 — Authorize mayor to accept easements for West Smith Waterline project (includes 223 West Smith property; temporary and permanent easements). Adopted (emergency) 7-0. - Resolution 1 34 25 — Authorize OPWC grant application for State Road reconstruction Phase 1 ($632,000 request; project total $3,920,000; city share $1,450,000). Adopted 7-0. - Ordinance 1 35 25 — Authorize advertising and awarding contract for Medina Street bridge replacement (estimate $677,000; city share $245,000 after $432,000 grant). Adopted 7-0. - Resolution 1 36 25 — Authorize application for 2025 Edward Byrne JAG grant (APCO/telecom platform for 911). Adopted 7-0. - Ordinance 1 37 25 — Authorize fitness partnership with PerFit Inc. d/b/a FitOnHealth at the Madonna Community Recreation Center. Adopted 7-0. - Ordinance 1 38 25 — Amend municipal deer control permit by repealing stand-location fee provision (season begins Sept. 27; applications being accepted). Adopted (emergency) 7-0. - Ordinance 1 39 25 — Adopt replacement pages to city codified ordinances (annual codification). Adopted 7-0. - Ordinance 1 40 25 — Amendments to the 2025 budget (various adjustments including rec center items and unclaimed funds). Adopted 7-0. - Ordinance 1 41 25 — Authorize finance director to make fund transfers (including parking fund subsidy and special assessment bond retirement fund transfers). Adopted 7-0.

What council directed next

Council members repeatedly noted timing and implementation steps: Piccoli said the West Smith easements should be recorded quickly so the waterline replacement can proceed; the finance director indicated that two finance-originated items later on the agenda would be addressed when reached. Several items were adopted under emergency clauses so the city can meet grant deadlines or record executed easements.

The council’s next regular meetings and committee activity were also announced: the state-of-the-city presentations are scheduled for Sept. 8 (city) and Sept. 9 (Chamber of Commerce). Several council members reminded residents to watch for students returning to school and to drive cautiously.

(Reporting from the Aug. 25, 2025 Medina City Council meeting.)