Committee OKs application for OBWC grant to buy automated field-painting machine

The Utility Safety and Environment Committee voted April 23 to authorize the mayor to apply for a safety intervention grant from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to purchase an automated field‑painting machine.

Carrie Reardon, a staff member who presented the item, said the grant is a 3-to-1 matching award that can fund up to $40,000. Reardon said the city’s portion after the grant would be “a little over $15,000,” and that budgeted funds are available in Issue 6 for field maintenance. “We had 1 company out 3 weeks ago … they painted a full‑size football field for us at South in about 30 minutes,” Reardon said.

Nut Graf: Committee members said the machine could reduce labor time, improve line precision and regulate paint use. Director Panganowski said once fields are programmed into the unit’s library, crews would not need to remeasure each time, which the director said would speed repeat jobs and reduce staff time on site.

During discussion Director Panganowski (first reference) added that the machine should make lines straighter and that programmed field profiles would be saved so crews “just push go.” Committee members expressed support: Mr. Armstrong said he had seen the machine’s results at South and called it a time‑saver; Mr. Oswald asked about training and Reardon said the vendor provides instruction and the unit will alert crews if it runs out of paint.

The ordinance before the committee authorizes the mayor to apply for and accept, if offered, the OBWC safety intervention grant. The committee moved, seconded and approved the ordinance by voice vote.

The committee did not set a purchase vendor in the meeting; Reardon said the department had received one demonstration and planned a second before making a procurement decision. Funding for the city’s share was identified as existing money in Issue 6 for field maintenance.