Ordinance committee sends three measures to full council with emergency declarations

The Amherst City Council Ordinance Committee on July 14, 2025 voted to forward three items to the full City Council with emergency declarations: an agreement for engineering services tied to Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) State Issue 1 Round 39 for South Lake Street rehabilitation; authorization for the safety-service director to apply for OPWC State Issue 1 Round 40 programs; and approval of replacement pages for the Amherst Codified Ordinances.

The measures were briefed and moved to the floor so the city could meet state application timing and proceed with project engineering. The mayor said the engineering contract should be approved quickly so the city can “get this engineered” and “get it out to bid” sooner. He also urged passing the measures before the end of the month to meet OPWC application deadlines.

The committee discussed three agenda items. Item A-25-28 authorizes the mayor to enter into a professional services agreement with Bramhall Engineering and Surveying relating to OPWC State Issue 1 Round 39 for South Lake Street rehabilitation and declares an emergency to expedite council consideration. The mayor described the contract as “a typical agreement we get into for engineering” and said, “the sooner we can get this engineered, sooner we can get it out to bid.” No contract dollar amount was specified in the committee remarks.

Item A-25-29 directs the safety-service director to prepare and submit applications for OPWC State Issue 1 (Round 40) state capital improvement and/or local transportation improvement programs and to execute contracts as required, and declares an emergency so the city can meet the state’s application deadlines. The mayor said the state “has been pretty adamant about language that we put in” and reiterated the need to pass the ordinance this month if the council wants to pursue the funds.

Item A-25-27 approves current replacement pages to the Amherst Codified Ordinances and declares an emergency for expedited council consideration. A city staff member identified as Merrick told the committee, “III didn’t look at them,” and the committee member who reviewed the pages said there were “no surprises” compared with prior years.

All three items were moved, seconded and advanced to the full City Council with emergency declarations. Committee votes were recorded as unanimous voice ayes during the meeting; the committee chair noted there were six members present when the motions were taken. Specific dollar amounts for the OPWC applications and the engineering contract were not provided during the committee discussion.

The committee adjourned after forwarding the items; each ordinance will be considered by the full Amherst City Council in a subsequent meeting.