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Bratenahl Finance Committee approves salt contract participation, insurance renewal, architect agreement and $224,325.39 in pay claims
Summary
The committee unanimously approved participation in the ODOT 2026 road salt contract, an insurance renewal with Selective Insurance for $95,305, a village architect agreement with a $10,000 not-to-exceed annual threshold, a prorated $1,000 police outfitting stipend for new hires, and pay claims totaling $224,325.39.
At the April 15 meeting, the Village of Bratenahl Finance Committee moved, seconded and unanimously approved several routine finance items.
Resolution 1455 authorized participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation road salt contracts for the 2026/27 season. Public works reported the village intends to order 300 tons for the winter (approximately 150 tons to be taken before year-end) and said there has been no significant increase in salt pricing.
The committee approved Resolution 1456 accepting a Selective Insurance renewal proposal. Mayor Keith Benjamin said the total policy cost for May 1, 2026 through May 1, 2027 is $95,305, a modest increase from last year's roughly $90,000, driven largely by inflation and the addition of two newer police vehicles. He and the committee said coverage structure remains the same.
Resolution 1457 was approved to renew the village's per-use Village Architect Service Agreement with DVA Architecture LLC; the committee confirmed the arrangement carries no retainer and set a not-to-exceed $10,000 annual threshold before further Council authorization is required.
The committee also approved Ordinance 4301, amending the Administrative Code to prorate the existing $1,000 annual uniform allowance and to authorize a one-time $1,000 stipend for newly hired full-time police officers. Police Chief Lobello told the committee that fully outfitting a new hire "costs over $1,000," saying the change will help cover initial equipment costs.
Finally, the committee approved Ordinance 4303 to pay claims totaling $224,325.39. Members asked clarifying questions during the claims review about specific items, including combined vehicle repairs charged to Serpentini Chevy, a $1,676 line for Chagrin Valley Dispatch Fortitokens (two-factor authentication to meet CJIS requirements), badge charges for new sergeants and part-time officers, and routine Workers' Comp monthly true-up billing.
All motions were moved and seconded by committee members and each resolution and ordinance passed on unanimous roll-call votes (Dews, Hoefling, Puffenberger). The committee adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
