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Committee advances $400,000 sewer services agreement with Cuyahoga County; city plans to build internal capacity
Summary
Ordinance 25-11 to renew an agreement with Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works for storm and sanitary sewer services (not to exceed $400,000) was advanced. Staff said the city plans to expand in-house jetting and camera capabilities and may buy a camera truck to reduce future reliance on county services.
The Finance Committee voted to advance Ordinance 25-11, a not-to-exceed $400,000 agreement with the Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works for storm and sanitary sewer services, including cleaning, televising and emergency repairs.
Public Works staff explained the agreement renews and expands joint work with the county and that the city purchased or plans to purchase equipment to build internal capacity. "With our thus having our own jet truck, we'll be doing that on a smaller scale," said a city staff member, describing how municipal crews will work alongside county crews and learn televising techniques. Staff said the city is also acquiring a camera system from a private vendor that includes training.
The nut graf: Renewal of the county contract preserves access to county-level capacity for large or emergency work while the city invests in equipment and training to handle more routine televising and jetting in-house. Staff cautioned actual spending will depend on system conditions discovered during work.
Key details discussed included that the $400,000 is intended to cover cleaning, televising and emergency repairs and that the county contract previously ran at lower amounts ($250,000 in prior years). Staff said the county is considering rate changes for services, which partly motivated the city's move to expand in-house capability. A quoted vendor benefit: training on the camera truck is included in the purchase price.
Committee members asked about the expected duration of the $400,000 allotment; staff said there is no fixed time and the funds will be used until depleted, depending on system condition. Members also asked about county availability; Director Hitch said municipalities that actively request service usually receive more timely work. The motion to advance the ordinance passed with Bill: yes; Troy: yes; Mike: abstain; Sarah: yes; Kim: yes; Bridal: yes.
Ending: Staff said the city expects to field a trained camera crew by early summer after finalizing the camera-truck purchase and vendor training, and will continue to use county services for large or emergency repairs.
