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 $6,200,000 of the proposed $7.55 million would cover work at the recreation center, including a Dectron unit for the pool that staff estimated at roughly $2,000,000. Council members said the recreation center is about 27–28 years old and is insured for $44,500,000.

City staff described the financing plan as using guaranteed energy savings to pay debt service. Finance staff said state statute allows the city to apply savings from the lighting and HVAC work toward the note over the term of the agreement; the performance agreement with Brewer Garrett includes provisions linking project savings to debt repayment. Brewer Garrett was identified as the contractor that will install and help maintain the systems; staff said the company has performed similar work for other public entities.

Council discussion and questions focused on the need to replace failing equipment, the ability to centrally schedule and remotely troubleshoot building systems to reduce wasted energy, and warranty coverage. Staff said warranties on installed units come from the manufacturers; staff did not specify warranty lengths. Council members noted that the city's favorable bond rating would help secure lower interest costs on the financing.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 20 25 30 (NOPEC grant agreement, $111,669): adopted. Motion to suspend and adopt moved by Mr. Carbone and seconded by Mr. Kaminski. Roll-call votes recorded as Yes by Mr. Kaminski, Ms. Kozak, Mr. Spring, Mr. Short, Mr. Carbone and Ms. Kosick. - Ordinance 20 25 31 (notes in anticipation of bonds, not to exceed $7,550,000): adopted. Motion to suspend and adopt moved by Mr. Carbone and seconded by Mr. Kaminski. Roll-call votes recorded as Yes by Mr. Spring, Mr. Short, Mr. Carbone, Mr. Kaminski, Ms. Kozak and Ms. Kosick. - Ordinance 20 25 32 (energy performance agreement with Brewer Garrett): adopted. Motion to suspend and adopt moved by Mr. Carbone and seconded by Mr. Kaminski. Roll-call votes recorded as Yes by Mr. Kaminski, Ms. Kozak, Mr. Spring, Mr. Short, Mr. Carbone and Ms. Kosick.

Council procedure and next steps: With passage of the ordinances, the mayor was authorized to sign the performance agreement and staff indicated Brewer Garrett can begin work to install upgraded HVAC, lighting and control systems. Staff said the company will remain engaged through installation and the agreed performance period; staff also described remote monitoring and troubleshooting features that will be part of the new control systems. Staff did not provide a detailed warranty schedule in the meeting record.

Caveats and limits of authority: Staff emphasized that the warranties come from manufacturers and that the precise length of those warranties was not specified in the meeting. The council discussion and ordinances authorize the financing and agreement; actual project schedules, final equipment warranties and long-term maintenance commitments will depend on contract details and manufacturer guarantees.

Ending: Council members described the package as a proactive step to avoid potential extended shutdowns (staff noted that replacing the pool Dectron unit if it failed could take months) and to reduce ongoing energy costs. The ordinances passed by unanimous recorded votes of council members present; two members had been excused earlier in the meeting.