Painesville council adopts emergency budget changes to fund wastewater plant repairs and solar grant spending; votes at a glance

Painesville City Council on Feb. 2 voted unanimously to adopt emergency budget amendments and several infrastructure resolutions that together provide immediate funding and authorizations after a recent wastewater‑plant fire and to advance a city‑funded solar field project.

Finance Director Bill Parkinson told council the budget adjustments included moving $40,000 in the Fire Levy Fund from capital to contractual services, adding $28,000 to the general fund for a DPO line item, allocating $1,500,000 in the sewer fund for wastewater‑plant fire repairs (with an expected $1,400,000 insurance recovery and a $100,000 city deductible), and adding $2,700,000 to the federal grant fund for the solar field project tied to the EITRI consulting contract. The reappropriations were presented as necessary to restore damaged equipment and cover professional services for the press replacement and other repairs following the fire.

Parkinson said the wastewater plant bay where a truck caught fire suffered damaged electrical components and that the plant remains operational using a rented temporary sludge press; replacement of the press itself may cost approximately $1.2 million. Council suspended the rules and adopted the appropriations ordinance by roll call (6‑0).

Council also adopted resolutions authorizing bid solicitations for multiple water and public‑works projects, including Elm Street sidewalks funded through an ODOT Safe Routes to School grant (estimated $310,000), Auburn water tank painting, replacement of chlorine gas systems with sodium hypochlorite at the water treatment plant (expected OPWC grant funding to begin in June), filter media replacement in several treatment filters, and water main replacements on Lucille Avenue and Hayes Street.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 01‑26 (amending appropriations; adopting operating budget amendments and declaring an emergency): adopted 6‑0. (Mover: Nick Augustine; Second: Christine Shoop) - Ordinance 02‑26 (amending classification/compensation plan to create Sustainability Project Manager/Assistant Electric Superintendent): adopted 6‑0. (Mover: Christine Shoop; Second: Nick Augustine) - Resolution 01‑26 (advertise bids for Elm Street SRTS sidewalks): adopted 6‑0. - Resolution 02‑26 (Auburn water tank repairs/painting): adopted 6‑0. - Resolution 03‑26 (chlorine room and feed system replacement): adopted 6‑0. - Resolution 04‑26 (filter media replacement, filters 7–10): adopted 6‑0. - Resolution 05‑26 (publish RFQ for BESS EPC): adopted 6‑0. - Resolution 06‑26 (Lucille Avenue water main and Hayes Street replacement): adopted 6‑0. - Resolution 07‑26 (demolition of 413 Chardon Street with Lake County Land Reutilization Corporation assistance): adopted 6‑0.

Clerk recorded roll‑call votes showing councilmembers Nick Augustine, Lori DiNallo, Paul Hach (arrived 7:04), Christine Shoop, Derrick Abney and President Jim Fodor voting “Yes” on adopted measures.

City Manager Doug Lewis said staff will continue insurance coordination for the wastewater plant repairs and that temporary equipment has kept the plant operational. Several projects are grant‑funded or expected to receive grant support; staff will return with contracting recommendations as required.