North Olmsted City Council approves sidewalk program, Springvale dredging and energy demand‑response deal

North Olmsted City Council on Jan. 6 adopted a package of measures authorizing the city to advertise for bids on several infrastructure projects and approved an energy demand‑response agreement with a private provider.

The council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025‑123, authorizing advertisement for bids and contracting for the Springvale Dredging project, Resolution 2025‑124, declaring the necessity of certain sidewalk construction and repair and assessment by abutting owners, and Resolution 2025‑125, authorizing the 2026 Sidewalk Program to be advertised for bids. Each action passed by roll call vote, 7-0.

Council also moved quickly on an energy agreement. Mayor Dailey Jones introduced Resolution 2026‑3 to enter an agreement with NRG Curtailment Solutions, Inc. to provide electric demand‑response services at the wastewater treatment plant. Councilman Michael Madden told colleagues that, according to Mr. Blum (the wastewater plant supervisor, as relayed in caucus), participation carries no cost to the city and “it’s going to usually net out to be about $20,000” to the city; Madden later clarified Mr. Blum had indicated it would be provided to the city as a payment rather than a naturalized operational savings. The council suspended the usual three‑reading requirement for Resolution 2026‑3 and adopted the measure by a 7-0 roll call vote.

Residents raised questions about the energy agreement before the adoption. Jeff Sturgeon, a resident, asked whether the $20,000 was “a savings or a payment of $20,000” and whether that amount was annual or tied to generator use; council members said the $20,000 figure was presented as an expected net payment but the frequency and precise timing of demand‑response events were not specified in the meeting record. Sturgeon also raised concerns about wear and tear on backup generators if they are run for extended events.

Councilman Limpert, speaking when the Sidewalk Program authorization passed, said he would work with colleagues on “some action around the cost factor” for residents facing sidewalk assessments. Mayor and staff representatives indicated that bid specifications and any implementation details would come through the Division of Engineering and the Board of Control before contracts are executed.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025‑123 (Springvale Dredging): adopted 7‑0 - Resolution 2025‑124 (Sidewalk necessity and assessments): adopted 7‑0 - Resolution 2025‑125 (2026 Sidewalk Program – advertise for bids): adopted 7‑0 - Resolution 2026‑3 (NRG Curtailment Solutions demand‑response agreement): suspended three readings and adopted 7‑0

What’s next City staff will proceed with bid solicitations and return to the Board of Control and to the council as required for contract awards and implementation details. The schedule and expected frequency of demand‑response events under the energy agreement were not specified at the meeting; staff follow‑up is expected to provide those operational details.