Mariemont council advances pickleball expansion and tennis resurfacing contracts, orders legal review and test street signs

The Village of Mariemont council on Aug. 25 advanced several park, recreation and public-works items: it accepted a contract to perform preparatory work for a pickleball expansion at Mary Emery Park, cleared a resurfacing contract for three courts, and instructed staff to create a restricted fund to track donor contributions for the project. Separately, the Public Works Committee asked the village solicitor for a legal opinion on whether federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) sign standards apply to the village given its historic-district overlays and agreed to install already-purchased aluminum test signs along Wooster Pike.

Health & Recreation Committee Chair Randy York reported the committee unanimously accepted a JK Muir quote for additional work required for the pickleball expansion — removal of a tree stump and relocation of a drain — with the vendor quote reported in committee as $8,254.45. The committee also recommended accepting a Tennis Technology bid to resurface courts 5, 6 and 7 and to add pickleball striping where planned. The report noted the pickleball campaign raised $107,106.44 and that with $44,000 in village appropriations the total estimated project cost is roughly $135,856.55.

Council conducted suspended-rule readings and then voted to authorize the JK Muir contract and the Tennis Technology contract; both motions passed with recorded 'Aye' votes from council members present. Councillors also discussed and agreed to place received donor funds into a restricted line within the general fund so funds raised for pickleball and court maintenance remain traceable for this use.

On signage, the Public Works and Service Committee reviewed three material options for replacing worn village street signs (reflective aluminum to meet MUTCD standards, composite with glass beads, and wood). The committee unanimously voted to ask for a legal opinion on whether the MUTCD rules apply because of the village’s historic-district overlay and to publicize sign options on the village website for resident feedback. Meanwhile, staff was authorized to install only already-owned aluminum signs as a test on Wooster Pike.

On Chestnut Street municipal parking, the committee directed the village engineer to obtain a paving estimate and optional layouts so the council can consider whether to include a formal drop-off area for school use and whether cost-sharing arrangements should be proposed.

Council also accepted committee recommendations to prioritize municipal sidewalk repairs (304 deficient slabs identified) using a $5,000 line in the 2025 capital improvement budget and to plan further repairs in the 2026 budget cycle.

The council recorded the votes for the contract acceptances during the meeting and revoked emergency clauses where noted before final adoption. Staff will prepare legislation and contracts for execution and will track restricted donor funds separately in the general fund as directed by council.