Medina City Council approves series of ordinances including cybersecurity renewal, water-line project and construction GMP

Medina City Council met March 10, 2025, and approved a package of ordinances and one resolution covering insurance, infrastructure, construction contracting and budget/fund adjustments.

The council voted unanimously on all recorded measures, including Ordinance 48-25 (court technology equipment), Resolution 49-25 (a countywide CHIP grant partnership), Ordinance 50-25 (city cybersecurity liability insurance), the West Liberty/South Elmwood/West Washington water improvement bidding authorization, a guaranteed-maximum-price agreement labeled GMP No. 2 with Ruhlin Company, several budget and fund-advance ordinances for the airport and other housekeeping items, and a then‑and‑now certification to pay fuel invoices dating from November.

Why it matters: the actions include both near-term operational approvals—such as a $26,603 cybersecurity liability renewal with Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America—and multi‑phase capital work, including a water-line replacement project partially funded by a loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) and ongoing construction work on a city facility governed by phased GMP contracts.

Most significant votes and details

- Ordinance 48-25: Authorized expenditure to Technology Engineering Group LLC to replace the Medina Municipal Court’s scale cluster equipment. The ordinance was moved, seconded and passed on roll call, 6–0.

- Resolution 49-25: Authorized the mayor to enter a partnership agreement with Medina County and the cities of Brunswick and Wadsworth to pursue a countywide Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) grant application with the Ohio Department of Development. The county will administer the application and finances. Motion passed on roll call, 6–0.

- Ordinance 50-25: Authorized a renewal of cybersecurity liability insurance with Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America for the policy period 04/01/2025–04/01/2026. Finance staff reported the premium amount as $26,603 and said an emergency clause was requested so coverage would be in place before the current policy expired. Motion and emergency clause adoption passed on roll call, 6–0.

- Ordinance 51-25: Authorized advertising for competitive bids and award of a contract for the West Liberty / South Elmwood / West Washington Water Improvement Project. City Engineer Mr. Patton described the project as arising from the city’s water master plan and hydraulic model; the work would replace a 4-inch, approximately 95‑year‑old line on Liberty between Court and Elmwood and add capacity needed for fire protection. The project will be bid with an alternate to replace an additional Elmwood segment; funding includes a $510,000 zero‑interest loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission (as stated in the meeting). Motion passed on roll call, 6–0.

- Ordinance 52-25 (GMP No. 2 with Ruhlin Company): Authorized the mayor to enter into Guaranteed Maximum Price Agreement No. 2 with Ruhlin Company. City Engineer Patton said GMP No. 2 covers concrete work, steel, elevator shafts and elevator installation and the purchase of electrical gear; GMP No. 3 is expected to be larger (Patton estimated about $8,100,000) and will be discussed at a Council-of-the-Whole meeting on April 9. An emergency clause was requested because several components have long lead times and the project is already underway. Motion and emergency clause adoption passed on roll call, 6–0.

- Ordinance 53-25: Repealed Ordinance 42-25 because the version in the earlier packet contained outdated Ohio Revised Code provisions; the repeal passed with an emergency clause so the developer could proceed. Motion passed on roll call, 6–0.

- Ordinance 54-25: Amended the 2025 budget for a number of grants and appropriations as discussed at finance committee. Motion passed on roll call, 6–0.

- Ordinance 55-25: Authorized the finance director to make certain fund advances; council discussion noted the advance to the airport fund was to purchase snow removal equipment. Motion passed on roll call, 6–0.

- Ordinance 56-25: Certified that sufficient appropriations existed when a municipal obligation was incurred and included a then‑and‑now payment to cover fuel invoices that arrived after a previously closed purchase order; an emergency clause was used. Motion passed on roll call, 6–0.

How the council handled process and discussion

Several items were handled under a suspension of the three‑reading rule; the motion to suspend the rules was moved by Mr. Shields and passed by voice/roll call, 6–0. Most measures were routine and had little extended debate; notable discussion occurred on the water improvement project (Ordinance 51-25), where City Engineer Mr. Patton explained the age of existing pipe and the project’s fire-protection rationale, and on GMP No. 2 (Ordinance 52-25), where Patton described longer lead times and an anticipated larger GMP No. 3 to be reviewed at an April 9 council work session.

Next steps and follow-up

- Bids will be advertised for the water improvement project and evaluated; the Elmwood alternate will depend on bid pricing. - Council will hold a Council-of-the-Whole meeting on April 9 to review GMP No. 3 and related construction costs. - The finance director will implement the approved fund advances and budget amendments and finalize the cybersecurity insurance renewal before April 1 to maintain continuous coverage.

Votes at a glance (summary)

All recorded roll-call votes in the meeting were unanimous (6–0). Individual roll-call results were recorded on the record for each ordinance/resolution.

Meeting context and other notes

The meeting included routine reports from departments, a presentation of a Good Citizen award to Summer Gady for neighborhood litter pickup, announcements about seasonal events and services (including a United Way tax-preparation program), and one public comment from resident Solong Wang raising a personal property/theft matter he said he intends to pursue in civil court. Those items did not alter the package of ordinances and resolutions acted on this evening.