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Resident calls for replacement of library building as council hears praise for liaison officer
Summary
During public comment at the May 28 Parma Heights council meeting, resident Mark Podany urged replacing the library building, saying the brick façade and AC system need major work; another resident praised the Valley Forge liaison officer and the city confirmed his positive performance.
PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio — During public comment at the Parma Heights City Council meeting May 28, resident and Board of Zoning Appeals member Mark Podany urged officials to consider replacing the municipal library building rather than repairing it, citing what he described as failing exterior masonry and an aging air-conditioning system.
"The façade is shot, and they used the wrong type of bricks; the white glazing will be popping off from now forward. The a/c system is going to need to be replaced," Podany said, arguing that continued repairs could be a waste compared with replacement costs.
Council President Rounds did not take immediate action on Podany's remarks during the meeting; Mayor Gallo later said the library project was "still moving along" and the administration awaited further information from the library before any city decisions or groundbreaking.
Earlier in public comment, resident Charlie Smialek praised the assigned Valley Forge liaison officer (referred to in discussion as Matt Czech) for his work with the neighborhood and local senior activities. "He is a true asset, everything you could possibly want in a Liaison Officer," Smialek said. Safety Director Scharschmidt responded that "we felt Matt Czech was a good fit. He's engaged and has done a great job there." The mayor also noted the Senior Center has delivered or served 1,323 meals in the prior two weeks and had received a $130,000 Healthy Aging Grant from the Ohio Department of Aging, funds that must be spent by the end of September.
The meeting record does not include an engineering or facilities report regarding the library; Podany's comments were presented as resident opinion and personal observations during public comment.
