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Springfield Commission Approves Road, Airport and Safety Contracts; Joins Drone Pilot
Summary
Commissioners approved multiple procurement contracts, an ODOT local-let paving agreement, an airport lighting grant with local match and participation in a state drone first-responder pilot that could supply up to $250,000 in UAV equipment and training.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Springfield City Commission on Thursday approved a slate of contracts, grants and emergency ordinances ranging from neighborhood paving to airport lighting and a drone pilot program for first responders.
The commission authorized a local-let project agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation that could make up to $2,299,698 in eligible costs available for a miscellaneous street project (CLA Springfield) with a city matching expenditure not to exceed $574,924. City Manager Brian (on the record) described the LPA as "the beginning of a process" to bring federal and state funds to paving, curb ramps and replacement of lead water services in targeted corridors.
On the airport, commissioners accepted an Ohio Airport Improvement Program grant of up to $374,399 for replacement of taxiway E, F and J edge lighting and cabling at Springfield Beckley Municipal Airport, with a local match of approximately $71,314. Tom Franzen said the total project cost is about $445,007 and that ODOT will fund roughly 84 percent of the work.
The commission also approved a 100 percent state reimbursement (up to $250,000) to participate in ODOT's Drone First Responder pilot program to buy unmanned aerial system assets and training for use by city police and fire. Tom Franzen said preselected vendors will demonstrate equipment Feb. 17, procurement follows a March–May window and the city expects initial deployment and data collection beginning in June as part of an 18-month pilot.
Other approvals included neighborhood paving for Northern Estates (Shelley Company contract not to exceed $1,492,948), multiple contracts for weed-cutting and lot clearing (several contracts not to exceed $50,000 each), purchase agreements for street materials, a purchase-and-sale option for 325 West Columbia Street, a contract for taxiway lighting work at the airport and recurring service contracts such as a renewal with MaxSolve for environmental consulting (not to exceed $300,000) and a sodium hypochlorite purchase for the wastewater plant (not to exceed $177,600).
Several emergency ordinances and supplemental appropriations were approved by roll call. The commission also consented to the appointment of Sarah McPherson to the Clark County Convention Facilities Authority board.
Commissioners approved items with routine roll-call votes and asked staff for follow-up procurement and scheduling details; no item was tabled or failed.
A work session was proposed for the drone program to discuss operational details with police, fire and partners before full deployment.
