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Westerville council adopts budget appropriation, expands Uptown refreshment area and approves several contracts
Summary
At its March meeting the council voted unanimously to adopt an appropriation ordinance, expand the Uptown designated outdoor refreshment area, confirm a department director and authorize several public-works contracts; one ordinance remained at second reading.
Westerville City Council held a series of unanimous votes at its March meeting to advance city operations and public works projects.
Key council actions included adopting an appropriation ordinance to fund operations through Dec. 31, 2025; expanding the Uptown Westerville designated outdoor refreshment area to include 32 West College Avenue; confirming a new director of public service; and authorizing multiple contracts to finish two overdue water-tank coating projects. The council also authorized a capital equipment purchase and approved a contract modification to repair a leaking sludge lagoon.
Votes at a glance (outcomes and key details):
- Ordinance 2025-03: Appropriation to provide for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025 — third reading; passed unanimously on roll call. (Yes: all members present.)
- Ordinance 2025-04: Expand boundaries of the Uptown Westerville designated outdoor refreshment area (adds 32 West College Avenue) — third reading; passed unanimously on roll call.
- Ordinance 2025-05: Transfer from general fund to capital improvement fund — second reading; no final vote at this meeting (matter continued).
- Confirmation of appointment: Grant Crawford confirmed as Director of Public Service, effective March 2025 — motion passed unanimously on roll call.
- Equipment purchase: Authorized city manager to purchase a new wheel loader from Southeastern Equipment Co. via the Sourcewell cooperative contract, waive formal source selection and dispose/trade the existing unit; council approved the authorization unanimously. Staff said the replacement is part of the 2025 capital-improvement budget.
- Maxtown and Otterbein water tanks: Council authorized the city manager to enter into tender agreements with sureties and completion contracts with BRZ Coatings Inc. (Old Republic Surety Company on Maxtown; Swiss Re Corporate Solutions America Insurance Corporation on Otterbein) to cure defaults by the original contractor. Council approved waivers of formal source-selection requirements and accepted BRZ as the completion contractor; the action passed unanimously. Staff said BRZ’s Maxtown contract price is $432,000 and the surety agreed to pay the $88,500 difference between the original contract and the completion contract.
- Water-plant sludge/lagoon repair: Council approved a contract modification with Polcat LLC to install a rubber liner in the East Lagoon and to continue sludge hauling; staff said the change increases the hauler contract by $325,000 (includes contingency and inspection), and the council authorized the city manager to proceed unanimously. Staff noted the city will return at a later meeting to appropriate money to replenish the sludge fund used for the repair.
All roll-call tallies for passed measures recorded the members present voting yes; multiple items were described by staff as necessary to maintain core operations and to complete public-works projects delayed by contractor nonperformance.
No member recorded a dissenting vote on the listed final actions. Several matters remain pending (Ordinance 2025-05 and routine follow-up appropriations for the lagoon repair).
