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Saint Bernard council weighs paving easement, grant-funded study and costly engine repairs in committee meeting
Summary
Council discussed a potential joint paving project with Fifth Third Bank and the local Eagles social club after staff found an unrecorded 1981 easement; staff provided cost estimates. Members also reviewed a $30,000 Hamilton County planning grant for a Vine Street study and heard that a frontline fire engine needs a replacement motor estimated at roughly $85,800.
At the June 12 Committee of the Whole, Saint Bernard village staff and council discussed several operational and budget matters, including a paving proposal tied to an unrecorded 1981 easement, a county planning grant, and an urgent fire apparatus repair.
Service and safety director Mr. Williams presented engineering maps and estimates for a repaving project spanning a parking area owned in part by Fifth Third Bank, the Saint Bernard Eagles and the village. Williams said staff discovered an easement from 1981 that appears not to have been recorded; the easement had required the village to maintain and repave the Eagles’ portion of the lot as part of an earlier property arrangement. Williams gave engineering estimates of about $51,005.85 for the village’s portion and $22,007.45 for the Eagles’ portion; Fifth Third would pay separately for its part. He told council the project would likely require a supplemental appropriation and that legal counsel may need to prepare a resolution to address easement documentation.
Williams also reported the village received a $30,000 Hamilton County planning grant for a study of the historic Vine Street business district. An ad hoc committee selected Yarden Company (based in OTR) to perform the study; Williams said the contract is under legal review and will come back to council for consideration. The study will include public engagement and extend through Saint Bernard Square properties.
Chief Young reported the department’s frontline pumper experienced significant mechanical failure. After describing prior diesel blow-by and related problems, Chief Young said a specialty shop quote came in at approximately $85,800 for an engine replacement or repower. He said it could be six to 10 weeks before an engine is available; meanwhile, the department is operating a 1993 reserve truck with electrical and pump issues.
Auditor Mrs. Birkwood asked council to place two proposed additional appropriation ordinances on the table — $86,000 for equipment maintenance and $15,000 for contracted legal professional services — and to move Resolution 9 (a levy renewal estimated to bring $599,038) to the next meeting for placement on the Board of Elections ballot. Council placed those items on the table for the next meeting.
Council also discussed updating the village’s competitive-bid threshold to match state purchasing rules or to tie it to the Ohio Revised Code/CPI so it adjusts automatically; staff recommended tying the village threshold to the ORC/CPI and Council placed ordinance language to that effect on the table for further consideration.
Council voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation later in the meeting and, after returning to open session, scheduled the easement resolution for the next council meeting. The meeting concluded with routine committee reports and adjournment.
Key figures discussed at the meeting included: an $85,800 specialty-shop engine quote; engineering estimates of $51,005.85 (village portion) and $22,007.45 (Eagles portion) for parking-lot repaving; a $30,000 Hamilton County planning grant; and a projected levy revenue of $599,038 if placed on the November 4, 2025 ballot.
