Newark City Council approves three grant-application resolutions, holds truck purchase until Feb. 3

The Newark City Council on Jan. 20 approved three resolutions authorizing applications for federal and state grant funding and confirmed several appointments, while holding one ordinance and one resolution related to a planned vehicle purchase until the council’s next meeting on Feb. 3.

The council voted unanimously, 9-0, to authorize the mayor to apply for: funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, listed in the meeting record as the “Bulletproof Desk Partnership Grama Program” (Resolution 24-105); fiscal-year 2025–2026 funds from the Ohio Department of Public Safety for the EMS Training and Equipment Grant Program (Resolution 24-111); and fiscal-year 2024 Firefighter Assistance grants through the Department of Homeland Security’s Fire Act programs to support training, equipment purchases, funding for personnel, and fire prevention and safety programs (Resolution 24-112).

Councilmember Marney moved to adopt Resolution 24-105; Councilmember Barker seconded the motion. The roll call showed unanimous support and the resolution passed 9-0. Councilmember Markey moved to adopt Resolution 24-111; Councilmember Cost seconded, and the council approved it 9-0. Councilmember Marney moved to adopt Resolution 24-112; Councilmember Cost seconded and the motion passed 9-0.

The council also approved multiple appointments by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The meeting record shows appointments or reappointments to the Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council (terms Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2027), the City of North Port Zoning Adjustment (terms Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2028), and a reappointment to the North Community Improvement Corporation (North Development Partners) with terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and expiring Dec. 31, 2027. Each of those measures passed on an aye vote with no recorded opposition (noted in the minutes as passing 9-0).

On first reading the council considered Ordinance 25-01, described in the record as an ordinance amending position classifications, pay ranges and department authorization tables in the Department of Public Service, division of wastewater treatment — abolishing one industrial waste inspector/operator classification and creating one additional operations technician/operator classification with compensation to be set. The ordinance was held for a future meeting and will be considered again on Feb. 3.

Also on first reading the council considered Resolution 25-1, described in the record as authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract without competitive bidding, subject to appropriation, for purchase of a new service truck and utility bed for the water distribution and sewer maintenance department. Resolution 25-1 was held until the Feb. 3 meeting.

Votes at a glance - Motion to excuse Councilmember Ryan: moved by Councilmember Marney, seconded by Councilmember Hauser; outcome: approved 9-0. - Approval of minutes for Jan. 6, 2025: motion by Councilmember Labuda, second by Councilmember Allender; outcome: approved (record shows aye/no vote; passed). - Resolution 24-105 (authorize mayor to apply to U.S. DOJ/BJA under “Bulletproof Desk Partnership Grama Program”): mover: Councilmember Marney; second: Councilmember Barker; outcome: approved 9-0. - Resolution 24-111 (authorize application to Ohio Department of Public Safety for FY2025–2026 EMS training and equipment grant): mover: Councilmember Markey; second: Councilmember Cost; outcome: approved 9-0. - Resolution 24-112 (authorize application to DHS for FY2024 Fire Act grant programs for training, equipment, personnel, prevention and safety programs): mover: Councilmember Marney; second: Councilmember Cost; outcome: approved 9-0. - Ordinance 25-01 (first reading; wastewater treatment position classification and pay table changes): held until Feb. 3, 2025. - Resolution 25-1 (first reading; authorize director of public service to contract for service truck without competitive bidding, subject to appropriation): held until Feb. 3, 2025. - Appointments (Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council; Zoning Adjustment board; North Community Improvement Corporation): approved by voice vote; record notes each passed 9-0.

Why it matters: The three approved resolutions direct the mayor’s office to seek outside grant funding tied to law enforcement equipment, emergency medical services training and equipment, and fire department safety and personnel — potential sources of federal and state support that, if awarded, would fund discrete public-safety programs. The held items (an ordinance changing wastewater staffing classifications and a proposed no-bid contract for a service truck) will return to the Feb. 3 meeting for further action.

The meeting record shows unanimous votes on the adopted resolutions and confirmations. The council scheduled consideration of the held ordinance and held resolution at its next regular meeting on Feb. 3.