Strongsville council approves $7.55 million energy upgrade package, accepts NOPEC grant

The Strongsville City Council on March 17 approved a package of measures to fund energy-efficiency upgrades at city facilities, accepting a NOPEC grant and authorizing notes of up to $7,550,000 to pay for HVAC, lighting and control improvements.

Council members voted to suspend and adopt Ordinance 20 25 30, authorizing a grant agreement with the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) for $111,669 to fund lighting enhancements at the Walter F. Urnfeldt Recreation and Senior Center and the Strongsville Town Center. The council then approved Ordinance 20 25 31, a note not to exceed $7,550,000 to pay costs of constructing, installing, reconstructing and rehabilitating improvements to city buildings and infrastructure; and Ordinance 20 25 32, authorizing the mayor to execute an energy performance agreement for that work.

Why it matters: City officials said the measures are intended to replace aging HVAC equipment at the recreation center and elsewhere, reduce operating costs through new lighting and centralized controls, and avoid service interruptions. According to Finance staff, about…