Council tables Wrenford Way trail grant application over notice and appropriation concerns

The Council received a presentation on the proposed Wrenford Way project—a 10‑foot multiuse trail connecting Wrenford Road to the south section of Purvis Park and nearby amenities—but voted to table the resolution authorizing submission of a Cuyahoga County Municipal Grant application and referred the matter to the Council of the Whole for additional public discussion and fiscal review.

Housing & Community Development Director Geoff Engelbrecht introduced architect David Kaplan, who showed two renderings: a plan view of the trail between Wrenford Road and Purvis Park and a close‑up of a proposed placemaking archway at the trail entrance. Engelbrecht said the project would include marked bike lanes, benches, tree plantings and a 10‑ft all‑purpose trail to encourage walking, bicycling and other non‑motorized travel. The City Engineer’s cost estimate to fully realize the project was approximately $253,263.17. Engelbrecht said the City could pursue multiple funding sources: the Cuyahoga County Municipal Grant (maximum $150,000; application deadline Sept. 16, 2024), the OH Department of Natural Resources' Clean Ohio Trail Fund (up to $500,000 with a 25% match), or the Recreational Trails Program (max $150,000 with a 20% match).

Councilmembers raised process and priority concerns. Councilmember Winifred Weizer said she was unaware of prior council notice or resident outreach and said the playground replacement should be a higher near‑term priority; she also questioned whether an appropriation existed for the project. Councilmember Sheri Sax agreed the item should be tabled for Council of the Whole review. Mayor Michael Brennan said the application deadline meant tabling would forfeit the Sept. 16 County deadline but urged Council not to lose momentum. After discussion, Council voted to table Resolution 2024-70 (authorizing the mayor to submit the County grant application for up to $150,000) and refer the matter to the Council of the Whole; the motion passed on unanimous roll call, which will preclude meeting the Sept. 16 application deadline.

Quotes in context: Geoff Engelbrecht described the trail and its connectivity to parks and community facilities; David Kaplan reviewed the 10‑ft trail design and placemaking elements. "The trail itself would entice uses of alternative forms of transportation, including bicycling, scooter riders, skateboarders and those who would just like to walk the trail," Engelbrecht said. Vice Mayor Weiss and Councilmember Weizer both said the project 'has a lot of merit' but needs more public outreach and financial clarity before committing to a grant application.

Provenance: discussion and tabling for the Wrenford Way project appear in the transcript at SEG 051–053.

Next steps: the project will be discussed in the Council of the Whole, with a recommendation anticipated before pursuing County or other grant applications in 2025, if Council chooses to proceed.