Mentor Council approves package of budget, public‑works and economic items; extends vape moratorium

Mentor — The Mentor City Council on June 16 approved a series of ordinances, contracts and resolutions covering budget adjustments, public‑works change orders, economic development assistance and a temporary moratorium on vape shops.

City Manager Michael Filipiak presented ordinance 26‑O‑051 to update 2026 appropriations, including setting aside funds to acquire property adjacent to Blackbrook Golf Course and to cover change orders for the city’s asphalt and concrete road‑repair programs. Council suspended the rules and approved that ordinance.

Council also approved the 2026 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan and a proposed $164,757 allocation for CDBG programs (ordinance 26‑O‑052); authorized an LPA federal project agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the SR‑615/I‑90 bridge‑widening design (ordinance 26‑O‑053); awarded a contract for two dump truck bodies to Concord Road Equipment Manufacturing LLC for $272,548 (26‑O‑054); approved a $185,727.56 roof replacement contract for the city maintenance facility salt dome (26‑O‑055); and approved a change order with A&J Cement Contractors adding $405,000 in concrete repairs (26‑O‑058) and a $128,000 change order with Phillips Paving for additional asphalt work on Bellflower Road and related manhole repairs (26‑O‑059).

Council also authorized an economic development grant for Croatian Burger Mentor LLC d/b/a Kearney’s Public House at 6316 Center Street; staff presented the project as a $2.5 million capital investment projecting roughly 50 jobs in 2026 and up to 70 by 2028, and recommended the maximum ED grant of $10,000 (ordinance 26‑O‑057).

The body extended a temporary moratorium on the establishment or expansion of vape stores and head shops in all zoning districts until Jan. 1, 2027 (ordinance 26‑O‑060). Members of the administration said the pause allows the city to observe evolving state and federal measures; several council members raised concerns about enforcement and public impacts. The transcript records some council members announcing they would vote no while the measure ultimately was recorded as passing.

Resolution 26‑R‑113 designating Aug. 1, 2026 as Israel Fox Day was adopted; council also authorized a grant application to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ NatureWorks program to extend the kayak launch at Mentor Lagoons Marina (resolution 26‑R‑114).

Votes at a glance: - 26‑O‑051 (budget revisions, emergency appropriation): approved (suspension and roll call). - 26‑O‑052 (2026 CDBG Action Plan, $164,757): approved. - 26‑O‑053 (ODOT LPA project agreement, SR‑615 bridge design): approved. - 26‑O‑054 (dump truck bodies contract): approved. - 26‑O‑055 (salt dome roof contract): approved. - 26‑O‑056 (land purchase near Blackbrook Golf Course, ~12.54 acres): approved. - 26‑O‑057 (minor ED grant — Kearney’s Public House, $10,000 recommended): approved. - 26‑O‑058 (A&J Cement change order, +$405,000): approved. - 26‑O‑059 (Phillips Paving change order, +$128,000): approved. - 26‑O‑060 (temporary moratorium on vape/head shops to Jan. 1, 2027): approved with recorded dissent by several members in the transcript.

Council later moved into an executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(3) to consult with counsel on pending or imminent litigation, then returned and adjourned. The meeting also included routine manager’s reports, event announcements and recognition of Jonathan Edwards for 33 years of service in city communications.