Struthers committee moves to advance senior‑van grant application

At a meeting of the Struthers City Council Finance & Legislation Committee (date not specified), members moved to bring forward a resolution authorizing the mayor or her designee to apply to the Ohio Department of Transportation for Federal Transit Administration funds to purchase a new senior van.

The mayor said the van identified for the application is identical to one recently purchased by Maple Crest and that the application must be submitted before the next meeting (referred to in the meeting packet as “Tuesday”). Staff said the grant would cover the cost of the vehicle itself; the city would continue to pay operational costs such as driver wages and fuel. Committee members asked whether matching funds were required; staff replied the grant covers the vehicle but not ongoing operating expenses.

A member moved to bring the resolution out of committee and another seconded the motion; the transcript records the motion and second but does not record a final committee vote or formal adoption during the meeting. No specific vote tally was announced on the record.

Why it matters: A new senior van would allow the city to expand or replace transportation for older residents who rely on local paratransit services. Staff described the application as time‑sensitive because of an impending application deadline.

Next steps: The resolution was motioned and seconded to move forward; staff and the mayor’s office will proceed with the application to ODOT/FTA. Any subsequent formal council actions, awards or contract executions were not recorded in the transcript.