Strongsville City Council on Sept. 2 approved a modification to the architectural design contract with DS Architecture LLC related to the proposed Fire Station No. 5 project and referred a related water-meter-vault easement to the planning commission.

The contract modification adds $26,870 to the professional design and consulting services agreement so the firm can retain third-party traffic signal engineering services; councilors said the work will ensure controlled access to the station and coordination with nearby signalization. Chief Draves told councilors the goal is to make sure emergency vehicles can enter and exit the station safely during peak traffic periods.

Chief Draves said the signalization work will connect with existing traffic-signal systems and computerization at nearby intersections and will help prevent apparatus from being blocked by congestion. “We want to make sure that we have controlled access in and out of the fire station,” Draves said, citing other stations with signalized access as examples.

Council also placed Ordinance 202592 — authorizing the mayor to grant an easement for a water meter vault connected with the Fire Station No. 5 construction on the south side of Royalton Road — on first reading and referred that easement to the planning commission for review. Councilors noted plans had been submitted for building-permit review, revisions were under way, and additional engineering reviews remained before final approvals.

Action taken: Ordinance 202591 (contract modification) was suspended and adopted; Ordinance 202592 (easement for water meter vault) was placed on first reading and referred to planning commission.

Ending: The design amendment is approved and will allow DS Architecture to proceed with traffic-signal design work; the easement will be reviewed by the planning commission before council considers final authorization for the meter vault.