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Urbana council approves infrastructure contract changes, EMS billing contract and $25,000 for inclusive playground
Summary
Council approved several project and contract actions July 16: a $5,750 PO increase for Water Reclamation Facility pump work; a $98,993.81 change order to accelerate the South High Street project; a new EMS billing contract with Ohio Billing, Inc.; a $25,000 commitment to Lawnview for an inclusive playground; and an OPWC application for a Park Avenue storm-sewer project.
Urbana City Council approved multiple project and contract actions during its July 16 meeting, including maintenance and construction funding adjustments, a new EMS billing vendor, and a City commitment to an inclusive playground.
Water Reclamation Facility maintenance: Council approved increasing purchase order 2024-00504 to Peterson Construction by $5,750 for additional Spaans Babcock site services related to replacing upper and lower bearings on two screw pumps. Director of Administration Kerry Brugger said the expense will be charged to the Sewer Fund and is included in the 2024 budget. The motion passed by roll call 7-0.
South High Street acceleration (Change Order #25): Staff explained underground work delays have pushed the South High Street reconstruction project timeline back; to avoid winter shutdowns, the Board of Control recommended an acceleration agreement (Change Order #25) with R. B. Jergens Contractors Inc. for $98,993.81 charged to the OPWC loan to pay overtime and accelerate completion. Mr. Bumbalough said the original project cost was $6.733 million and the current estimate is roughly $7.1 million, with about 250 feet of sanitary line still to install. Council approved the change order (roll call: passes with one abstention from Ms. Jumper).
EMS billing contract: Fire Chief Dean Ortlieb introduced a walk-in authorization to contract with Ohio Billing, Inc. for EMS billing services. The contract includes a one-time implementation fee of $795 and a fee of 5% of net EMS billing revenue; Chief Ortlieb said the City receives roughly $300 per run and currently has about 700 run reports stored in the cloud. The new contract replaces a prior vendor contract (retroactively terminated to Feb. 18, 2024) that charged 5.5% of net revenue. Council approved the contract by roll call 7-0.
Inclusive playground funding: Council passed Resolution 2696-24, committing $25,000 toward Phase II of the inclusive playground at Melvin Miller Park to be managed by the Lawnview board; staff explained the City will receive funds and issue purchase orders while Lawnview leads fundraising and implementation. Resolution 2696-24 passed 6-1 (Mrs. Collier voted no).
Park Avenue storm sewer (OPWC application): Council authorized filing an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) State Capital Grant Program for the Park Avenue storm sewer project and committing local match funding typical of an 11% share. Staff estimated total project costs would likely remain below $200,000. The resolution passed 7-0.
Votes at a glance: PO increase (Peterson Construction) — passed 7-0; Change Order #25 (R. B. Jergens) — passed 6-0 with 1 abstention; EMS billing contract (Ohio Billing, Inc.) — passed 7-0; Resolution 2696-24 (Lawnview Phase II) — passed 6-1; Resolution 2697-24 (OPWC Park Avenue) — passed 7-0.
Council also heard a citizen complaint alleging damage to private property and a tax charge; no immediate remedy was recorded in the minutes. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
