Council adopts four measures on transit funding, water‑treatment contracts and chemicals

Wooster City Council members voted unanimously Oct. 20 to approve four resolutions authorizing a transit grant application, a budgeted HVAC replacement at the water treatment plant, a one‑year contract renewal for biosolids handling, and chemical purchases for the water plant.

The actions let city staff apply for and accept grant money; proceed with a budgeted HVAC replacement at the water treatment plant; renew a contract with Berkey Excavating Inc. for lime and biosolids residual management for one year at the 2024 price; and advertise and contract for chemicals the plant needs to operate.

Council President Myers moved to advance and adopt Resolution 2025‑61 authorizing the city to file a grant application with the Ohio Department of Transportation for funds administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration; the council then adopted the resolution by roll call. Mr. White (transit staff) explained that the typical operating grant combines federal and non‑federal match: “For general 5311 rural transit, if it’s an operating cost, it’s 50% federal funding, and then 50% is non‑federal funding,” he said, noting the state typically provides around 20–25% and the remaining local match is covered with fares, contract revenue and CDBG funds.

The council also approved Resolution 2025‑62, a budgeted contract to advertise and award replacement of a 29‑year‑old HVAC system at a water plant building. Council members noted the system’s age and that the expenditure is in the 2026 budget.

Resolution 2025‑63 authorized the administration to exercise the city’s option to renew its contract with Berkey Excavating Inc. for lime and biosolids residual management for a third year at the 2024 contract price, avoiding a price increase and a potential rebid gap. Resolution 2025‑64 authorized advertising and contracting for purchase of required water‑treatment chemicals; staff told council the city budgeted $800,000 for chemicals this year after last year’s spending finished near $750,000.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025‑61 (file federal transit grant application; authorize contract with ODOT upon approval): adopted; mover: Council Member Myers; second: not specified; roll call: Myers—yes; Hussain—yes; Abernathy—yes; Gaffey—yes; Malta—yes; Kanapik—yes. - Resolution 2025‑62 (award contract for HVAC replacement at water treatment plant, budgeted): adopted; mover: Council Member Malta; second: Council Member Knappick; roll call: Malta—yes; Myers—yes; Abernathy—yes; Gaffey—yes; Jose—yes; Knappick—yes. - Resolution 2025‑63 (exercise option to renew contract with Berkey Excavating Inc. for lime and biosolids): adopted; mover: Council Member Malta; second: Council Member Knappick; roll call: Malta—yes; Knappick—yes; Gaffey—yes; Myers—yes; Abernathy—yes; Jose—yes. - Resolution 2025‑64 (advertise and enter contracts for purchase of certain chemicals for the water treatment plant): adopted; mover: Council Member Malta; second: Council Member Myers; roll call: Malta—yes; Gaffey—yes; Kanapik—yes; Myers—yes; Abernathy—yes; Jose—yes.

Why it matters: The transit grant application preserves access to state and federal operating funds for rural transit service; the water‑treatment items preserve continuity of plant operations and avoided-cost purchasing for biosolids hauling and chemicals. Council approved the measures to prevent service gaps and to keep budgeted, time‑sensitive procurements on schedule.

What’s next: Staff will file the transit grant application with ODOT; the HVAC procurement and chemicals bidding will proceed according to the adopted resolutions; and the biosolids contract will continue for one additional year at the existing price. Council will see implementation and contract awards in subsequent staff reports.