Council approves water main, airport hangar roof, Douglas Park splash pad and other contracts; votes and ordinances at a glance

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Middletown City Council on April 15 approved several contract awards and emergency ordinances, and conducted first readings on additional items. The council voted on motion‑agenda contracts, appropriations and airport and infrastructure items; several planning and procurement items were introduced for later action.

Votes at a glance (action summaries):

- Raw water transmission main contract — Approved. Council authorized the city manager to enter into a contract with Lichens Contracting LLC for construction of a new raw water transmission main in the amount of $5,512,770. The project will replace aging pipes (over 50 years old) and is funded by a mix of Ohio Public Works grants/loans and the Ohio EPA water supply revolving loan. Roll‑call votes: Council Members Carter, West, Horn, Lolli and Mayor Elizabeth Slamka voted yes.

- Truck purchase price amendment — Approved. Council approved a $3,900 tariff surcharge adjustment on a previously authorized purchase (new total $110,728.43) for a 2026 truck/chassis from Rush Truck Centers. Council discussed the tariff issue and asked staff and legal to confirm vendor claims; funding is available in the garage fund.

- Splash pad at Douglas Park — Approved. Council authorized a contract with Ventura LLC for a new splash pad at Douglas Park for $537,001. Staff said the existing splash pad is beyond useful life; work is expected to be completed by August and the current pad will remain operable during construction.

- Middletown Regional Airport hangar roof (FAA grant) — Approved. Council authorized a contract with Insulated Roofing Contractors for a $225,000 base bid with a 5% contingency to replace the jets hangar roof. The project is 95% federally funded under an FAA grant with the city covering approximately 5% and related engineering costs. Council noted FAA paperwork and contractor lead times could delay start 60–90 days.

- Appropriations and police radios (resolutions) — Approved. Council passed resolutions to adjust appropriations, including funds for police radios (an emergency second reading noted 11 radios, including one for the city manager) and deappropriation to account for overtime reimbursements.

- Jail health contract amendment — Approved. Council approved an amendment to the contract with Bethesda Healthcare, Inc. (formerly TriHealth Corporate Health) for jail healthcare services not to exceed $197,000 for 2025, and authorized payment of outstanding 2024 balances as described in staff materials.

- Annexation package (Lehi Township, ~68 acres) — Approved. Council passed three emergency ordinances required by state law for an expedited type‑2 annexation (service ordinance, zoning buffer ordinance and consent to annexation) for approximately 68 acres owned by governmental entities adjacent to the city. Staff said the area primarily consists of riverbottom and includes the city’s sewer treatment plant and conservancy district parcels; passage meets a 20‑day statutory deadline for processing the petition.

- Verkada access control systems — Approved. Council authorized emergency purchase of two Verkada access control systems for new fire stations 81 and 85 from Waltz Business Solutions (quote $93,095.54); staff said tariffs threaten price increases if ordering is delayed.

- First readings / introduced items: Council heard first readings but took no final votes on the zoning request for 3445 Union Road (preliminary PD to build a Wawa — the ordinance to deny was introduced but is at first reading), a planning commission membership change, turnout gear lockers for new fire stations, and the July 3 fireworks contract with Yoakam Fireworks (first readings only).

How council voted: For motion‑agenda and emergency items that required roll calls, the recorded votes were unanimous “yes” from the five council members present (Council Members Lolli, Carter, West, Horn and Mayor Elizabeth Slamka). Where readings were first‑time only, no final votes were recorded.

What’s next: Several items approved require vendor ordering, construction lead times or FAA grant closeout. Items introduced on first reading will return for later votes. Council requested additional detail on equipment lifespans and funding contingencies for several purchases (truck tariff adjustment, permanent rink (presentation), and access control systems) before final budget commitments.

Ending: The council meeting adjourned and scheduled its next regular session for May 6, 2025. Officials encouraged residents to vote on local ballot measures on that date.