Strongsville council adopts fence code changes, authorizes Westwood culvert bids and rejects pirate-ship bid

Strongsville City Council on Feb. 17 adopted a package of ordinances and resolutions that amend local fence rules, authorize bid advertisement for a culvert replacement on Westwood Drive and reject a single, over-budget bid for demolition and replacement of the aquatic-center "pirate ship." The council passed the measures during its regular meeting after committee reports and a public hearing on the fence ordinance, which drew no public speakers.

The fence ordinance (Ordinance 20-25-140) amends Section 12.52.17 of Title 6, Part 12 of the city planning and zoning code. Councilman Carbone told colleagues the change includes two principal revisions: “1, 24 inches off property line and then guidance on fences next to swales and common space,” and the item had received a favorable Planning Commission recommendation before returning for council action. The mayor opened a public hearing; no one signed up to speak and the hearing was closed. Miss Roth moved to adopt; Mr. Zacharias seconded, and recorded roll-call votes in the transcript show affirmative votes from Miss Kozak, Mr. Carbone, Mr. Kaminski, Mr. Clark, Miss Roth and Mr. Zacharias.

Council also approved Resolution 20-26-10 to authorize the mayor to advertise for bids to remove and replace two existing culverts beneath Westwood Drive (located between the entrances of Seidel’s Landing). Councilman Zacharias reported that a "good chunk" of the project cost will be covered by financial assistance from the sewer district, and staff told council they expect to advertise the project in February, seek an award in late March or early April and possibly begin construction in June–July depending on grant conditions and contractor scheduling. Miss Roff moved to suspend rules and adopt; Mr. Zacharias seconded and the motion carried by roll call.

On the aquatic center project, council adopted Resolution 20-26-15 to reject the single bid received for demolition and replacement of the pirate ship and authorize re-advertisement because the bid exceeded the city’s estimate by more than 10%. Councilwoman Kosick told members only one bid arrived and that it was substantially over the estimate; she asked the city to reject and re-advertise. The motion to suspend and adopt passed by roll call.

Other routine measures approved include Ordinance 20-26-13 authorizing sale of obsolete service-department property via internet auction (items listed in the ordinance packet include a 2014 Ford F-250, mufflers, tires and old generators) and Resolution 20-26-14 to repurchase certain cemetery burial certificates for a person identified in the record as Mr. Figgish. Council also adopted Resolution 20-26-16 supporting the Ohio Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250 Ohio) and declared an emergency to meet timing requirements.

The council’s finance director certified funds are available for items requiring fiscal certification and the law director stated ordinances and resolutions presented were in proper legal form. The meeting packet and council discussion identify the primary next steps as bid advertisement for the culvert project and re-advertisement for the aquatic-center work.