Mentor City Council approves package of ordinances, including emergency culvert replacement

Mentor City Council on April 21 adopted a package of ordinances and resolutions covering annual code updates, budget transfers, several contracts and an emergency culvert replacement.

The council passed ordinance 26-O-028 to adopt annual replacement pages to the City of Mentor codified ordinances. Ms. Klamar described the action as a routine update to align local code with state legislative changes.

Council approved ordinance 26-O-029, which includes appropriations and transfers to repay prior advances, sets aside $65,000 for contingency work on the Garfield Splash Pad foundation and allocates $25,000 from the cultural fund toward a James Garfield statue. City Manager Robert Fowler and a staff member identified as Mr. Rogonchik summarized the budget items during the presentation. Councilmember Matt Donovan raised concerns about contractors relying on contingency funds in bids and urged a review of responsible-contractor language; he nonetheless voted in favor of the ordinance.

The council authorized ordinance 26-O-030 to allow the city manager to enter a legal-services contract with Brandon Dines, Esquire and Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan; the measure passed with one abstention recorded on the final roll call. Ordinance 26-O-031, adjusting law director compensation, and ordinance 26-O-032, granting an access easement for the planned Fire Station No. 3, also passed after suspension of the usual reading rules.

On infrastructure, council approved ordinance 26-O-033 to proceed with an emergency replacement of a failing 100-foot, 72-inch corrugated metal culvert on Savannah Drive. City staff said the pipe — originally installed in 1985 — exhibited corrosion along its length after a March 11 rain event that caused a void, washout and sinkhole. JTO Inc. of Mentor proposed to replace the culvert with a 72-inch aluminized corrugated steel pipe, including pavement replacement, at a contract price of $92,600; staff estimated the proposed pipe would have a 50–75 year service life.

Council also adopted Resolution 26-R-109 proclaiming May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month, and two historical proclamations (Resolutions 26-R-110 and 26-R-111) honoring Roger Ascham Crane and Ebenezer Wilson for their Revolutionary War service.

Votes at a glance

- 26-O-028 (codified ordinances update): passed (roll call recorded as yes votes from council members present). - 26-O-029 (transfers/appropriations; Garfield Splash Pad contingency $65,000; cultural fund $25,000): passed. - 26-O-030 (legal-services contract with Brandon Dines/Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan): passed (one abstention recorded). - 26-O-031 (law director compensation): passed. - 26-O-032 (ingress/egress easement for Fire Station No. 3): passed. - 26-O-033 (emergency culvert replacement, Savannah Drive; contract with JTO Inc., $92,600): passed. - 26-R-109 (ALS Awareness Month): adopted. - 26-R-110 (Roger Ascham Crane Day): adopted. - 26-R-111 (Ebenezer Wilson Day): adopted.

What happens next

Staff will execute the emergency culvert contract and move forward with the JTO Inc. replacement work; the ordinance was passed with emergency declarations to allow prompt action. Mr. Fowler and relevant departments will administer the budget transfers and follow up on procurement and contract implementation.

Sources: Mayor’s table and city staff presentations during the April 21, 2026 Mentor City Council meeting.