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Northfield Council approves temporary 2022 appropriations, $10,000 Land Bank grant, salt truck and dispatch contract
Summary
At its Dec. 8 meeting, the Northfield Village Council approved emergency temporary appropriations for early 2022, accepted a $10,000 Summit County Land Bank grant for a pavilion and site improvements at 10435 Northfield Road, authorized purchase of a 2022 Ford F750 salt truck, and approved a dispatch services agreement with the City of Macedonia.
Northfield Village Council on Dec. 8 adopted a set of emergency resolutions to carry the village through the start of 2022, accepted a $10,000 Summit County Land Bank community development matching grant for improvements at 10435 Northfield Road, and authorized purchases and contracts that officials said are needed for operations.
The council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2021-46, an emergency resolution making temporary appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the period Jan. 1–March 31, 2022. The motion to suspend the three-reading rule and the subsequent motion to adopt were both made by Councilperson Gary Vojtush and seconded by Councilperson Renell Noack; roll-call votes were all in favor (Czerr, Noack, Vojtush, Magistrelli, Hipps: yes).
Council also adopted Resolution No. 2021-47, an emergency amendment to the 2021 appropriation resolution, after motions to suspend readings and adopt were made and approved (motion to suspend by Noack, second by Vojtush; motion to adopt by Noack, second by Vojtush; roll-call: unanimous).
On Resolution No. 2021-48, the council authorized acceptance of a Summit County Land Bank community development matching grant of $10,000 for the 10435 Northfield Road Pavilion, Parking and Site Enhancement Project and authorized the mayor to execute the grant agreement. The motion to suspend the reading rule drew one dissenting vote (Alan Hipps voted no on the suspension), and the debate that followed highlighted concerns about site safety and proximity to Route 8. Councilmember Hipps questioned whether the site — described by planner/engineer Dan Collins as bordered by Route 8 and a nearby Firestone auto repair business — is too close to traffic and whether 90% hard surface plans would deliver meaningful green space. Councilmember Nicholas Magistrelli also expressed safety and prioritization concerns. Collins said he believes the Land Bank would allow design changes if those are communicated and approved. After discussion the adoption motion (moved by Vojtush, seconded by Czerr) passed on a roll-call vote (Czerr, Noack, Vojtush, Magistrelli, Hipps: yes).
The council authorized the purchase of a 2022 Ford F750 salt truck through Resolution No. 2021-49, directing the mayor to buy the vehicle and necessary equipment through the state cooperative purchase program. That resolution passed unanimously following a motion to suspend readings (moved by Vojtush, seconded by Czerr) and a motion to adopt (moved by Vojtush, seconded by Czerr).
Resolution No. 2021-50 authorized the mayor to enter into a dispatch services agreement with the City of Macedonia; Police Chief John Zolgus noted that the new dispatch contract is on the agenda to take effect as the village transitions services. The measure passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. Council also adopted Resolution No. 2021-51 authorizing the director of finance to deposit or transfer funds into the Village unclaimed fund. All recorded roll-call votes and motions are reflected in the meeting record.
Votes at a glance
- Res. 2021-46 (Temporary appropriations Jan. 1–Mar. 31, 2022): Adopted. Motion to adopt by Gary Vojtush; second Renell Noack. Roll-call: Czerr-yes; Noack-yes; Vojtush-yes; Magistrelli-yes; Hipps-yes.
- Res. 2021-47 (2021 appropriation amendments): Adopted. Motion to adopt by Renell Noack; second Gary Vojtush. Roll-call: Czerr-yes; Noack-yes; Vojtush-yes; Magistrelli-yes; Hipps-yes.
- Res. 2021-48 (Accept $10,000 Summit County Land Bank grant for 10435 Northfield Road): Adopted. Motion to adopt by Gary Vojtush; second Keith Czerr. Roll-call: Czerr-yes; Noack-yes; Vojtush-yes; Magistrelli-yes; Hipps-yes. Council debate raised safety and site-design concerns; engineer Dan Collins said the Land Bank likely would accept design modifications if approved.
- Res. 2021-49 (Purchase 2022 Ford F750 salt truck): Adopted. Motion to adopt by Gary Vojtush; second Keith Czerr. Roll-call: unanimous.
- Res. 2021-50 (Dispatch services agreement with City of Macedonia): Adopted. Motion to adopt by Gary Vojtush; second Keith Czerr. Roll-call: unanimous.
- Res. 2021-51 (Deposit or transfer funds into Village unclaimed fund): Adopted. Motion to adopt by Renell Noack; second Keith Czerr. Roll-call: unanimous.
Why it matters
Council actions set short-term spending authority to keep municipal operations running while the 2022 budget is finalized and authorized purchases and agreements intended to maintain public safety and operations: a salt truck for winter maintenance and an outsourced dispatch agreement. The Land Bank grant funds a small community-improvement project at 10435 Northfield Road; council debate shows members weighed aesthetics and neighborhood improvements against safety and priorities for existing park space.
What’s next
The finance director said the new finance software will go live next month and the village will keep two sets of books for December to ensure proper operation. Council scheduled the swearing-in of new members and a work session for Jan. 3, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The Land Bank grant must be spent within one year of the grant agreement execution, per council discussion.
