Medina Council approves package of ordinances on energy aggregation, shelter funding, infrastructure and tower lease

Medina City Council on Nov. 24 adopted a slate of ordinances and a resolution that together authorize city contracts, grant applications and budget changes aimed at infrastructure work, community services and municipal revenue.

Council voted to suspend the usual three-reading rule and moved quickly through a set of measures. Key actions included approving an agreement for an energy aggregation broker to begin an RFP for residential and small-business electric service representation; authorizing a $50,000 contribution to the Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority for operation of the Next Step Up Shelter; creating a $250 licensing fee and application process for use of the City of Medina logos by vendors selling merchandise; accepting three stormwater operation-and-maintenance agreements required by EPA; and authorizing right-of-way appraisals and easement actions for North Huntington and South Huntington reconstruction and bridge projects. The council also approved a first amendment to the American Tower lease on South Court Street that increases monthly rent and provides a signing bonus to the city.

The council endorsed an ODOT-funded resurfacing project on State Routes 3 and 57 by approving a professional-services agreement with the GPD Group; staff said ODOT awarded the city $990,000 toward construction and the city must hire the design consultant. Council approved a resolution to apply for a state demolition and site-revitalization grant for the South Elmwood parking lot but instructed staff to finalize the grant language with the law director after staff reported the project may be eligible under a different state program and that the application deadline is Dec. 5.

Mayor Mary Hamill gave one of the few extended explanations on an item: the city’s employee health-insurance renewal with Medical Mutual of Ohio. ‘‘Their original renewal came in at 20.68%; through taking it to the market and negotiations with our broker, we were able to get that down to [a] 9% increase,’’ Hamill said, noting dental renewals were negotiated to a 5% increase and the carrier provided $63,000 in wellness credits. She said the combined effect was roughly $105,000 in financial benefit to the city compared with the unnegotiated quote.

Several emergency clauses were added and adopted on the grounds of timing: city staff said some contracts and easements must be processed quickly to meet state or vendor deadlines, and some grant windows close in early December.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the suspension of readings and then passed Ordinances 195-25 (energy broker agreement), 196-25 (MMHA shelter funding), 197-25 (logo licensing), 198-25 (stormwater O&M agreements), 225 (town hall/engine house museum fund), 201-25 (budget amendments), 202-25 (GPD Group services for SR 3/57), 203-25 and 204-25 (easements/appraisals for Huntington projects), 205-25 (American Tower lease amendment), and 207-25 (Medical Mutual renewal). All recorded roll-call votes reported in the meeting were 7-0 in favor for the ordinances and the resolution noted above.

What’s next: several items are subject to final legal review as noted on the record; the council will reconvene on Dec. 8 for its last meeting of the year and follow up on grant application details and outstanding administrative steps.