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South Russell council approves promotion, garage doors, payments and schedules forfeiture hearing
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the council approved the mayor’s appointment of Sergeant Nick DeVita to lieutenant, accepted a $27,954 bid for service‑garage doors, ratified $152,327.65 in payments and set a forfeiture hearing for Feb. 5; several ordinances were introduced but adoption deferred due to quorum limits.
South Russell Village Council moved through a range of routine and actionable items Tuesday, approving personnel and procurement measures and setting a schedule for follow-up hearings.
Personnel: The council confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Sergeant Nick DeVita to lieutenant in the South Russell Police Department. Chief Mike Rizzo and other speakers described DeVita’s nearly 21 years in law enforcement and his roles as field training officer and firearms instructor. The formal oath of office was administered at the meeting; DeVita repeated the oath in the record.
Procurement and capital items: Council approved a motion accepting Door Works Construction’s low bid of $27,954 to replace the service-department garage doors and authorized the mayor, fiscal officer and street commissioner to proceed. The street commissioner also said the village will seek a $12,000 budget increase to cover additional salt purchases after supply shortages; the village is currently paying about $48 per ton under a controlled contract.
Finance and grants: Council ratified payments totaling $152,327.65 covering mid‑January disbursements. Members also approved a $500 donation to the Chagrin Falls prom parent committee and authorized scheduling a forfeiture hearing for Feb. 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. to consider appeals related to a construction-deposit forfeiture.
Ordinances and services introduced: Several ordinances were introduced for first reading, including a proposed 2026 Ford police Interceptor purchase ($44,730 listed for the vehicle itself), a $3,552 service agreement for upgraded police Internet service, and a $52,514.55 customer agreement with Motorola Solutions for in‑car video systems. Fiscal staff reminded council that adoption of the listed legislation may be postponed because only four council members were present and five are required to waive readings.
What happens next: For items requiring additional votes or implementation (vehicle outfitting, in‑car video, phone/internet upgrades), staff will schedule special meetings or the next regular meeting where a full council can act. The council also directed staff to deliver Hemlock project invoices to Russell Township when paperwork is complete.
