Council approves resurfacing, Elm Street sidewalk grant and several other items; roundup of votes

Painesville City Council on Monday approved multiple infrastructure and economic items, including a 2025 asphalt-resurfacing contract and construction of a Safe Routes to School sidewalk on Elm Street funded by a $400,000 grant. Council also approved a lease arrangement for a downtown parcel and a resolution making Painesville eligible for a $5,000 America250 grant. Several other budget and land-acquisition items were moved forward for future readings.

Asphalt resurfacing: Council authorized advertising for bids and entering a contract for the 2025 asphalt resurfacing program and passed an emergency resolution allowing the city to seek bids promptly. Work described in the item included removing a concrete section on Bank Street near State Street and resurfacing portions of Harmon Avenue, Liberty Street, Lincoln Avenue, North St. Clair Street (East Erie to Main) and Valley View Drive. City staff said passing the measure now improves the likelihood of better prices during early-season bidding.

Elm Street Safe Routes to School: Council approved a resolution to advertise for bids and enter a contract for a sidewalk installation on Elm Street under a Safe Routes to School grant. Staff said an Ohio Department of Transportation grant of $400,000 covers construction of a single-side (west side) sidewalk from Lighthouse Point to the Elm Street bridge, and that ODOT approval has been received. Staff warned the project could require removal of trees and some fences in the public right-of-way and scheduled a public meeting for Tuesday at 6 p.m. in this courtroom to discuss impacts with residents.

Lease with Big Place LLC: Council approved a lease with Big Place LLC (listed in the agenda as the applicant) to lease approximately 0.94 acres for restaurant and mixed residential/retail use; the lease and an option to purchase were requested by the lender as collateral for the pending transaction, city staff said. Jared Teeter appeared and provided the applicant’s contact information on the record.

America250: Council approved a resolution to make Painesville an “America250” community and to apply for a $5,000 grant from the Ohio Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America 250). Staff said the grant would be used toward local events tied to next year’s national anniversary and that the application window opens April 1; the city asked the council to adopt on first read to meet an earlier internal deadline.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance amending Chapter 929 (electric service and rates): adopted on first reading (see separate article). - 2025 Asphalt Resurfacing (advertise and contract): approved by council (motion to suspend and adopt carried). - Elm Street Safe Routes to School sidewalk installation (ODOT grant $400,000): approved; staff to hold public meeting on planned impacts Tuesday at 6 p.m. - Lease with Big Place LLC (approx. 0.94 acres, option to purchase): approved by council (suspension and adoption recorded). - Resolution supporting America250 and application for $5,000 grant: approved on first reading.

Other business: Council moved a resolution to create a land-acquisition fund and an ordinance to transfer $1,000,000 from the general fund into that land-acquisition fund and $25,000 into a newly established senior-services fund to third reading. Staff said the interfund-transfer ordinance and the new funds were established at an earlier meeting and that the transfer will occur after the third reading.

Several items on this evening’s agenda were routine or administrative and will return for additional readings.