Council approves four measures including water‑main project and school equipment donation; one abstention

Medina City Council approved multiple routine and project-related measures on a meeting that included public presentations by local students.

The council voted 6-0 not to object to the renewal of D-1, D-2 and D-6 liquor permits for Styx Acquisition, LLC, approved four pieces of legislation including an emergency-authorized water main project needed before a July store opening, authorized a water service connection outside the city limits, and authorized a grant application for permitting software. The council also approved donating used Dell computers and Meraki cameras to Medina City Schools; that donation passed 5-0 with one abstention by Councilman Shields.

The actions affect local infrastructure planning and intergovernmental transfers of retired city equipment. Councillors said the water‑main work is time-sensitive because it supports redundancy for the South Court water tower and service to a new Acme store anticipated to open this summer.

Key votes and outcomes

- Liquor permit (Styx Acquisition, LLC, 275 Forest Meadows Drive): motion not to object — passed 6-0. Roll call recorded votes as: Simmons, Simpson, Coyne, Hare, Rose and Shields — all “yes.”

- Resolution 57-25: authorizes the mayor to submit a 2024 Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant application to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency for Community Development Department permitting and code-enforcement software (up to 75% of first-year setup and license). Motion to approve — passed 6-0 (Simmons, Simpson, Coyne, Hare, Rose, Shields “yes”).

- Ordinance 58-25: authorizes a water service connection at 5784 Wadsworth Road (Mountville Township) to serve a proposed house on a lot just outside the city — passed 6-0 (Simmons, Simpson, Coyne, Hare, Rose, Shields “yes”).

- Ordinance 59-25: authorizes advertising for bids and awarding a contract for the South Court Water Main Loop Project (Job No. 1181). The council adopted the emergency clause so construction can finish before the Acme opening in July; emergency clause and ordinance adoption each passed 6-0 (Simmons, Simpson, Coyne, Hare, Rose, Shields “yes”).

- Resolution 60-25: donates surplus Dell computers and Meraki cameras to Medina City Schools. Shields abstained because the equipment was donated to his employer; the resolution passed with five yeas and one abstention (Simmons, Simpson, Coyne, Hare, Rose “yes”; Shields “abstain”).

What the votes mean

Resolution 57-25 authorizes the mayor to seek state Hazard Mitigation Assistance funds to cover a majority of the first-year costs for new permitting and code-enforcement software for Community Development. Ordinance 58-25 permits a single water service connection outside city limits after coordination with the county; city staff said the county raised no objection. Ordinance 59-25 advances a planned water-main loop intended to provide filling redundancy for the South Court water tower and to serve the Acme facility; staff requested the emergency clause to meet the retailer’s opening timeline.

Next steps and implementation

- If awarded, grant funds under Resolution 57-25 will be used for software setup and licensing (the resolution specifies up to 75% of first-year costs). The council provided adoption votes; staff will proceed with the grant application.

- For the South Court Water Main Loop Project (Ordinance 59-25), staff will advertise for bids and return with a recommended award to execute construction prior to Acme’s planned July opening.

- The equipment donation to Medina City Schools (Resolution 60-25) will proceed following the council vote; Shields’ abstention was recorded and noted as a conflict-avoidance measure.

Votes at the meeting were recorded by roll call and are reflected above as announced during the session.