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New Franklin council adopts emergency resolutions on equipment, software, insurance and infrastructure
Summary
City council unanimously approved seven emergency-style resolutions July 1, 2026, including two public-safety grant applications, a fire/EMS software contract, an infrastructure construction award, insurance renewal, park restroom hookups and traffic-signal repairs. Council also referred a citizen complaint about a charter conflict to the law director.
New Franklin's City Council unanimously approved a package of emergency resolutions at its July 1 meeting, authorizing grant applications and contracts across public safety, public works and parks.
The council ratified Resolution 26R33 to apply for funding through the Ohio Law Enforcement Body Armor Program to reimburse up to 75% of bulletproof vest purchases; members discussed a quoted purchase of 15 vests for about $21,000 and noted the grant would reimburse roughly $16,700. They also approved Resolution 26R34 to apply for a 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to buy eight ruggedized mobile data tablets, a $46,000 purchase with $34,500 expected from the grant and an $11,500 local share.
The council adopted Resolution 26R35 to enter into an agreement with Emergency Services Online (ESO) for fire and EMS state reporting software. Officials said the current IMS system is nearing end of life and that Akran City Hospital may subsidize part of EMS costs; council recorded a unanimous vote to proceed.
On infrastructure, Resolution 26R36 awarded the Melody Village Culvert Improvements Project Part B to Systems Excavating Services LLC for a low bid of $647,957, well under the OM estimate, and the council passed the award as amended to reflect a higher project budget to include contingencies. Resolution 26R39 authorized repairs to a traffic signal hit by a truck April 15, with temporary repairs estimated at $15,593 and full equipment repair up to $35,555; the city said it will pay to repair now and pursue reimbursement from the responsible party’s insurer.
Council renewed its membership in the Public Entities Pool of Ohio (Resolution 26R37) for liability and property coverage, and approved installation costs for two park restrooms at Sysler Park (Resolution 26R38) — contracted electrical not to exceed $13,180 and plumbing not to exceed $16,793.13 for a total of $29,973.13. All votes on those resolutions were recorded as unanimous in the public meeting record.
During the public-comment period a resident identifying an address at 1215 Central Road said three council members’ simultaneous service on a party central committee might conflict with Article 4 §403 of the city charter; the council referred that question to the law director for formal review. The meeting closed with a motion to enter executive session to continue other matters.
Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): 26R33 — Body-armor grant: adopted unanimously (recorded 7-0). 26R34 — JAG mobile tablet grant: adopted unanimously (recorded 7-0). 26R35 — ESO fire/EMS software agreement: adopted unanimously (recorded 7-0). 26R36 — Melody Village Culvert award (as amended): adopted unanimously (recorded 7-0). 26R37 — Public-entity insurance renewal: adopted unanimously (recorded 7-0). 26R38 — Sysler Park restroom installation costs: adopted unanimously (recorded 7-0). 26R39 — Signal repair authorization: adopted unanimously (recorded 7-0).
Council indicated the administration will pursue insurer reimbursement where appropriate and return to council with contract details and follow-up reports where needed.
