Mentor council approves series of ordinances and contracts: street‑lighting, parks, marina, infrastructure and development agreements

Mentor City Council approved a slate of ordinances, contracts and budget adjustments at its Aug. 19 meeting, moving forward on municipal infrastructure, parks projects and development agreements.

Key approvals approved by roll‑call vote included ordinances to proceed with the annual street‑lighting assessment (Ordinance 25‑OD‑070 and 25‑OD‑071), budget advances and appropriations to cover interim cashflow for grant and construction activity (Ordinance 25‑OD‑072), and multiple contract awards and change orders for public works and recreation projects.

Among the larger construction awards and project items: a change order to Huffman Equipment Rental for Mineral Lagoons Marina bulkhead replacement Phase 6 and associated dredging ($130,025) was approved; a contract award to JTO Incorporated of Mentor for Black Brook Golf Course parking lot improvements ($718,000) was approved; and a contract award to Action Contractors LLC for Civic Center pool building replacement ($5,094,450) was approved. The council also approved a $268,000 change order related to the Black Brook parking lot (change‑order funding noted in budget adjustment discussion) and action to proceed with irrigation pump station work and associated dredging at Black Brook Golf Course.

The council approved professional services with Burgess & Niple (cited in the meeting as Burgess and Bridal) for architectural and engineering services for the Garfield Park splash pad and building project; staff said the project is being designed as a single, comprehensive phase with an estimated total project cost near $5 million and design fees roughly 10% of that estimate.

Other contract actions approved by council included awarding a custodial service contract to A Quality Facility Services (three‑year total $509,064.25), an electrical lighting replacement contract to VIP Electric Company ($229,088) funded by a state grant, and a contract to replace and improve the Marina bulkhead and to perform dredging as needed.

The council adopted Resolution 25‑R‑112 declaring the necessity to repair and reconstruct deficient sidewalks in Zone 1F of the 2025 pedestrian safety program; staff said property owners will be notified and given 45 days to make repairs before the city’s contractor performs the work and assesses costs to property owners.

Council also approved a second amended development agreement with Uptown Manor LLC to support redevelopment of blighted parcels along Mentor Avenue, preserving a historic bank building, and setting the framework for a future tax‑exemption/TIF structure and demolition and reconstruction schedule. Representatives said demolition and construction bidding would start after approvals and that construction could begin in early 2026 if steps proceed on schedule.

Approvals were typically unanimous on roll calls recorded in the transcript. Several items were discussed briefly before votes; the marina bulkhead and golf course irrigation items drew engineering detail about the need for dredging and additional power supply work. City staff noted that change orders were recommended after reviewing bids and engineer recommendations.

The council’s package advances multiple capital projects that staff said will improve public facilities and complete long‑running park and sidewalk programs, and sets the stage for the upcoming Garfield Park splash‑pad construction phase.

Votes at a glance (action, ordinance/contract number, outcome): - Ordinance 25‑OD‑070 — proceed with street lighting assessment: approved. - Ordinance 25‑OD‑071 — levy assessments for street lighting improvements: approved. - Ordinance 25‑OD‑072 — advances of funds and appropriation revisions (includes parking lot and marina change orders, splash pad engineering): approved. - Ordinance 25‑OD‑073 — change order to Huffman Equipment Rental for Marina bulkhead replacement (phase 6) including dredging: approved ($130,025 change order). - Ordinance 25‑OD‑074 — final subdivision plat for Menor Heights phase 1 (20 sublots): approved. - Ordinance 25‑OD‑075 — amendment to part‑time classification schedule to add a school resource officer position (amended during meeting): approved as amended. - Ordinance 25‑OD‑076 — award contract to VIP Electric Company for lighting replacement at maintenance facility and Fire Station 5: approved (low bid $229,088, grant funds). - Ordinance 25‑OD‑077 — award to JTO Inc. for Black Brook Golf Course parking-lot improvements: approved (low bid $718,000, completion scheduled by 5/1/2026). - Ordinance 25‑OD‑078 — change orders for irrigation pump station at Black Brook (T & S Contracting) and associated dredging/power work: approved. - Ordinance 25‑OD‑079 — contract for architectural/engineering services for Garfield Park splash pad (Burgess & Niple): approved. - Ordinance 25‑OD‑080 — second amended development agreement with Uptown Manor LLC for Mentor Avenue redevelopment: approved. - Ordinance 25‑OD‑081 — custodial services to A Quality Facility Services (three‑year): approved ($509,064.25). - Ordinance 25‑OD‑082 — award contract to Action Contractors LLC for Civic Center pool building replacement: approved ($5,094,450). - Resolution 25‑R‑112 — declare necessity to repair and reconstruct sidewalks in Zone 1F (2025 pedestrian safety program): approved. - Ordinance 25‑OD‑053 (third reading) — rezoning 12.7 acres at Deepwood Boulevard to R‑10 multifamily residential (development conditions and recorded easement requirement): approved as amended.

Council and staff noted several items will return in subsequent technical or budget hearings for final budgets, engineering approvals and scheduling.