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University Heights moves to use grant funds for bike racks and seeks EPA water station grant; playground grants discussed
Summary
Committee reviewed a time-sensitive NOPEC allocation of $28,394 for new bike racks and a pared-down Bike Cleveland quote, discussed a separate Ohio EPA grant (up to $10,000) for bottle-filling stations, and considered playground grants and ADA costs for Purvis Park upgrades. Mr. King recused from the bike-rack discussion due to a Bike Cleveland board affiliation.
The Recreation Committee discussed short-deadline grant opportunities and capital projects for parks, including bike racks at Purvis Park, water bottle filling stations and potential playground grant work.
Mr. Cooney said Deanna Bremer-Fisher reported a NOPEC community-energized grant balance of $28,394 from 2022 that must be allocated to a shovel-ready project by Nov. 30, 2024. Committee staff have pared the Bike Cleveland proposal to bring it within the available funding; Cooney said the project package would include 13 racks and one fix-it station with an air kit and space for roughly 26 bicycles.
Mr. Brian King disclosed a recusal from the bike-rack discussion because he serves on Bike Cleveland’s board. Mayor Brennan described preferred ring- and U-style racks that accommodate a wide range of bicycles and noted an estimated shortfall of about $1,500 in the last quote; the committee planned to present the revised request on the Nov. 18 seated city council agenda so the city can meet the NOPEC deadline.
Separately, Ms. Kletecka and Mr. Pennington said Deanna Bremer-Fisher is preparing an Ohio EPA grant application that would provide up to $10,000 to purchase water bottle refilling stations; the grant application opened Oct. 6 and closes Dec. 6. The committee noted the grant does not fund installation or labor and that plumbing costs for installation would need city funds if the grant is awarded.
The committee also discussed playground replacement options and timelines. Mayor Brennan and Pennington said a staged, community-informed approach would be preferable; they cautioned that accepting grant funding often requires ADA upgrades that increase total project costs. For Walter Stinson Park, members supported additional shade, wind/sun curtains and biennial mulch replacement in the playgrounds.
Mr. Cooney said he will forward the vendor email and grant materials to council members for review ahead of the council agenda.
