Parma Heights council approves emergency contract with Richard L. Bowen + Associates for city engineer

Parma Heights City Council on Feb. 26 unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2024-10 authorizing the administration to enter into a contract with Richard L. Bowen + Associates, Inc. to serve as city engineer and to provide payment for services, passing the measure after suspending the rules and declaring an emergency.

The ordinance was read by Clerk Barbara Allen and Councilwoman DeSouza moved to read and later moved for passage; Councilwoman Maruschak seconded both motions. Clerk Allen called the roll and recorded seven ayes: Maruschak, Haase, Durichko, Palmisano, DeSouza, Kolezynski and Rounds.

The ordinance title states the contract will provide for payment for services; specific contract terms, compensation amounts and contract duration were not specified in the meeting record. Council did suspend the rules and approved the ordinance as an emergency, which typically makes the measure effective immediately under city practice.

Council did not debate the underlying scope of work or dollar figures on the floor during the meeting. Other ordinances on the agenda were read by title on first reading; they were not advanced to final votes at this meeting. Council President Tom Rounds said the removed Ordinance No. 2024-14 will be brought back at a later date.

Next steps: with the ordinance adopted, the administration is authorized to execute the contract and proceed with city-engineering services under the terms negotiated by the administration. The transcript does not record the contract award date, compensation amount, or the signature timeline.