Strongsville council unanimously approves salt contract, safety grants, equipment purchases, gas contract, Fultz change order and EV agreements

Strongsville City Council on Monday, April 21, 2025, unanimously approved a package of emergency ordinances authorizing participation in Ohio Department of Transportation’s annual road-salt contract, application for a DARE law-enforcement grant, purchase of new chest-compression equipment for emergency services, a NOACA grant application for a vehicle for the city’s Senior Wheels program, a three‑year natural‑gas supply contract for municipal facilities, a change order for the Fultz Parkway extension and two agreements for the new electric‑vehicle charging station.

The measures were taken under suspension of the rules and adopted by roll call votes with all members voting “yes.” The ordinances were presented and discussed briefly in committee reports earlier in the meeting; none drew extended debate during the formal vote.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 20‑25‑41: Participation in Ohio Department of Transportation annual salt contract for the 2025–26 season. Motion to suspend and adopt by Mr. Carbone, seconded by Mr. Kaminski. Vote: unanimous (yes:9, no:0). Outcome: adopted. Notes: declared an emergency; authorizes mayor and finance director to execute related agreements.

- Ordinance 20‑25‑42: Authorize mayor to apply for financial assistance under the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Law Enforcement Grants Program (to help fund a DARE officer salary and two SROs). Motion by Mr. Carbone, second by Mr. Kaminski. Vote: unanimous (yes:9, no:0). Outcome: adopted. Funding award not yet confirmed; council approved application and acceptance language.

- Ordinance 20‑25‑43: Authorize mayor to contract with Stryker for purchase of five Lucas 3 chest‑compression systems, trading in four Lucas 2 units; net purchase just under $70,000 to be paid from the emergency vehicle fund. Motion by Mr. Carbone, second by Mr. Kaminski. Vote: unanimous (yes:9, no:0). Outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance 20‑25‑44: File application with NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency) for enhanced mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities funds to purchase a vehicle for the Senior Wheels program. Motion by Mr. Carbone, second by Mr. Kaminski. Vote: unanimous (yes:9, no:0). Outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance 20‑25‑45: Approve and ratify a three‑year contract with United Energy Trading LLC to supply natural gas for municipal facilities, including the Walter F. Earnfelt Recreation and Senior Center; adopted as an emergency. Motion by Mr. Carbone, second by Mr. Kaminski. Vote: unanimous (yes:9, no:0). Outcome: adopted. Council packet showed a lowered rate compared with the prior sheet; finance staff recommended adoption.

- Ordinance 20‑25‑46: Change order #1 for the Fultz Parkway extension (Fetchco Excavating LLC) adding a box culvert storm‑sewer connection in the amount of $32,990, bringing the project total to $4,289,265.90. Motion by Mr. Carbone, second by Mr. Kaminski. Vote: unanimous (yes:9, no:0). Outcome: adopted. Council discussion in committee noted ongoing grant pursuit to offset costs.

- Ordinance 20‑25‑47 and 20‑25‑48: Agreements with Flow Global Management Services and Flow Services USA Inc. to activate, operate and provide a performance warranty for the city’s electric‑vehicle charging station at Public Square; both adopted as emergencies. Motion by Mr. Carbone, second by Mr. Kaminski. Vote: unanimous (yes:9, no:0). Outcome: adopted. City staff said collected charging fees are expected to offset maintenance and utility costs; rate setting will be finalized by administration and Flow.

- Ordinance 20‑25‑49: Codify cooperative purchasing practices in city code to allow use of state and other government cooperative contracts (for purchases such as ambulances or fire apparatus) without separate public bidding; adopted as an emergency. Motion by Mr. Carbone, second by Mr. Kaminski. Vote: unanimous (yes:9, no:0). Outcome: adopted. The ordinance gives the mayor authority to use specified cooperative purchasing sources but requires council approval for individual purchases.

Council and staff comments

Ms. Kozak, chairing Public Safety and Health, said the city has applied for the DARE grant and "we feel pretty confident that we'll get the same thing again," and asked for the ordinances to be suspended and adopted. Mr. Spring, who presented the electric‑vehicle agreements, said the administration and Flow will set user rates and "hopefully, in the next 2 to 4 weeks, we'll be up and running." Council President Gordon Short described the cooperative purchasing ordinance as a codification of practice that "puts it into writing" and said council will still approve specific purchases.

Funding and implementation details

Where funding or trade‑in amounts were stated in the meeting, the record above reflects them (for example, the Lucas system purchase net after trade‑in and the $32,990 change order). For several items — including the DARE grant award decision and the final rec center gas price after contract execution — the meeting recorded either an application process or a pending finalization rather than completed funding; those items were authorized to proceed but not finalized during the April 21 meeting.

All ordinances were adopted by roll call and declared emergencies as part of the motions. The council proceeded to adjourn after the final item.