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St. Marys council approves grant application, environmental review plan and awards benches contract
Summary
Council approved a strategic management planning grant application (staff cited an anticipated $80,000 grant request and a total project estimate of about $880,000), adopted environmental review procedures for federal CDBG/HOME projects, approved the 2025 pension MMO and awarded a bench contract for Shaman Park by 4–3 roll call.
St. Marys City Council approved several administrative actions at its most recent meeting including a grant application, the city's environmental review procedures, pension funding authorization and a contract award for park benches.
Staff member Tina asked permission to apply for a Strategic Management Planning Grant to fund a third-party planning effort that would produce recommendations for parks (including a pool feasibility study), public works facility assessments and police projects. Tina said the grant application team anticipates requesting roughly $80,000 in grant funds; she also described the larger project needs at about $880,000 and said the grant might require a local match (staff will seek an 80/20 match if possible rather than a 50/50 split). "We have five years to implement the recommendations that were submitted to us in that plan," Tina said. Council voted to approve submission of the grant application.
The council also approved an environmental review procedures plan requested by a DCED monitoring letter; staff said these are the procedures the city already follows for federal CDBG and HOME funding and the council adopted them to document compliance.
On pension funding, the finance director presented the actuarial estimate for the city's 2025 minimum municipal obligation under Act 205; council approved placing the MMO in the 2025 budget. Staff noted most of the funding is reimbursed by state Act 125 monies.
Separately, the council considered quotes to install six ADA-compliant benches at Shaman Park using 2023 CDBG funds. Staff presented two quotes; questions were raised about wide price differences, matching existing bench styles downtown and shipping/installation costs. After discussion, the council approved the staff recommendation on a roll-call vote that recorded four yes and three no votes. The transcript shows vendor names in the packet and staff notes various spellings (appearing as "py metalation," "Denmore" and later as "Paces/Pacy"); meeting minutes record the award to the recommended vendor provided in the staff packet. Council instructions asked staff to confirm specifications and delivery (estimated five to six weeks after award) and ensure benches meet ADA installation requirements.
Council also approved Resolution 24-17 endorsing America 250 PA and Resolution 24-18 to dispose of obsolete city records. No monetary commitment to America 250 PA was specified in the meeting discussion.
Council announced the Fall Fest (100+ vendors) and set its next regular meeting for Monday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.
