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Medina committee considers $9,000-a-year mapping subscription, tree inventory and grinder pilot to speed sidewalk repairs
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Summary
The committee weighed a subscription mapping service that uses truck-mounted imagery and lasers (vendor materials list price: $9,000/year), a combined tree-and-sidewalk inventory from Davey Resource Group, and an in-house grinder pilot starting in Ward 1 to target small defects and reduce backlog.
Medina’s Streets & Sidewalks committee debated whether to contract technology, hire consultants or use in-house crews to identify and address sidewalks that residents say are unsafe.
City engineer Pat Patton described a subscription package presented by the vendor in the committee packet: the company would ship a truck-mounted imaging and laser unit (materials call the device “Bridal”) that would collect data across the city and produce condition reports. “They can only probably capture 80% of the defects,” Pat Patton said, noting the firm recommended a multiyear agreement though the city could try a one‑year pilot.
The committee discussed what the data would — and would not — resolve. Chair (committee chair) and other members emphasized the need to sort which defects are the city’s responsibility under the existing ordinance (for example, tree-root damage may be a city obligation) and which are homeowner responsibilities. “Even if they ID that, then we still follow up and say, ‘This is a city item’ or ‘This is a resident item,’” the Chair said.
Staff described an alternative they had pursued: engaging Davey Resource Group to deliver a combined inventory of sidewalks and nearby trees, so the city would receive one dataset identifying where tree removals, root grinding or other tree work would be needed alongside sidewalk repair needs. A staff member said the Davey proposal was expected within a couple of weeks and would include quantities (for example, linear feet of root trenching) that could feed grant applications.
Several council members pressed for a practical pilot. One proposed buying or deploying a grinder and using a summer hire to grind small lips (estimated salary discussion centered near $25,000 for season labor) while logging locations that need larger replacement. “You’re actually solving the problems as you go,” a committee member said in support of testing an in‑house approach.
Staff warned that grinding is laborious and operator‑dependent; a city grinder on hand is about 18 inches wide and better suited to smaller deflections. Committee members also raised technical risks — excessive grinding can “rock” a slab or leave panels brittle — and the need to ensure operators are qualified. Staff committed to test the grinder on a few blocks, video the work and report back to the committee.
Members agreed on two practical next steps: obtain the Davey Resource Group quote and run a short grinder field test (staff said they would film the trial). They also asked that the law director, Greg Huber, be present for any ordinance language changes so the city understands liability implications.
The committee did not take formal votes at the meeting. Members expressed support for a staged approach — gather vendor/consultant cost estimates, test in-house grinding capacity and reconvene to decide whether to pursue a subscription service, a consultant inventory, an in‑house program, or a mix of those options.
