Dublin council approves multiple maintenance contracts, budget ordinance introduced; unanimous votes on bids and drone partnerships

DUBLIN, Ohio — Dublin City Council on March 3 accepted multiple bids for maintenance and capital work, introduced a first-reading ordinance to amend 2025 appropriations and approved intergovernmental agreements for the city's drone-as-first-responder program.

In roll-call votes council unanimously accepted the lowest and best bids on several projects included in the 2025-2029 Capital Improvements Program:

- Resolution 11-25: 2025 shared-use path and parking lot maintenance project — accepted the low bid from Byrne & Jones in the amount of $551,971.47; construction expected May–September 2025. (Recorded vote: unanimous.)

- Resolution 12-25: Streetlight improvements (Historic Dublin and Tuller Road) — accepted the low bid from Jess Howard Electric Co., $300,477; work expected spring–fall 2025. (Recorded vote: unanimous.)

- Resolution 13-25: 2025 street-tree pruning contract — accepted the low bid from Davey Tree Expert Company, $142,780 for pruning of 2,943 trees on 40 streets; staff said favorable bids will allow use of remaining funds to expand pruning. (Recorded vote: unanimous.)

- Resolution 14-25: Dublin Community Recreation Center pool ultraviolet sanitation system replacement — accepted the low bid from OP Aquatics (amount reported in staff memo); project replaces UV systems in three pool bodies; staff rebid after an initial solicitation exceeded budget and said the rebid was approximately 4% under budget. (Recorded vote: unanimous.)

Council introduced Ordinance 5-25 (first reading) to amend 2025 appropriations (the Q1 supplemental). Jamie Hoffman, presenting the staff report, said the ordinance reappropriates prior-year capital project balances and adjusts project budgets; most changes are reappropriations rather than net new dollars. Council asked for more detail in the ordinance memo about prior design spending on monuments and about the fiber-to-the-home line item, which staff said is a reappropriation to align with a revised contract. Staff scheduled second reading and the required public hearing for March 17, 2025.

Council also approved two companion intergovernmental license agreements for the city's drone-as-first-responder (DFR) program. Deputy Chief Lattanzi said the city will permit DFR docking stations on partner rooftops and that partners will provide power and internet at launch sites. The resolutions authorized the city manager to enter agreements with Washington Township (Resolution 15-25) and Dublin City Schools (Resolution 16-25) to host drone docking stations at public facilities; both passed on unanimous roll calls. Lattanzi said the system would allow a drone to respond within roughly 90 seconds to most locations in the city and that recorded video will be stored by the vendor on a secure platform with an audit trail for public-records or evidentiary requests.

Council also unanimously approved Resolution 17-25, declaring the city's support for preserving the federal tax exemption for municipal bonds, and Resolution 18-25, adopting the final Community Health Needs Assessment Strategic Action Plan.

Finally, council unanimously directed staff to proceed with negotiations to finalize a management agreement with Sports Facilities Company for the SportsOhio complex, following a recommendation from a steering committee that reviewed proposals and conducted interviews.