Storm Water Committee advances Thornhurst Drive streambank change order to council

The North Royalton Storm Water Committee on Nov. 5 voted 3-0 to send Ordinance 25-157 (Change Order #1 for the Thornhurst Drive Streambank Restoration Project) to city council for approval.

Assistant City Engineer Brian Binsley told the committee the additions covered by the change order were agreed upon by GPD, Verdantas Engineering and the Sewer District. He described the additions as additional plantings, minor bank work and remobilization of the contractor and emphasized the city will be fully reimbursed by the Sewer District for these costs.

Committee members discussed whether warranties cover plantings and how contingency funds are to be used. Council member Linda Barath asked whether the vendor guarantees plantings and said she had received a complaint about a contractor damaging trees during planting. Binsley said he would check the contract language to verify any warranty. Council member Mary Gorjanc asked whether the change order exceeded the project contingency; Binsley confirmed it did and said any use of contingency must be documented with reasons.

Chair Heidi Webber moved and Vice Chair John Nickell seconded the motion to refer Ordinance 25-157 to council. The committee recorded Yeas: 3; Nays: 0. The motion carried.

The committee was also briefed on related city projects during the meeting, including a Turnpike mitigation project (ODOT right-of-way certification filed Oct. 17, 2025; construction slated to begin June 1, 2026, with an expected completion of Sept. 30, 2026) and ongoing NEORSD work on the Applewood Culvert Replacement, for which GPD is preparing a vacation plat expected early next year and construction is targeted for mid-2026.

The next step for the change order is consideration by the full council; the committee’s referral does not itself authorize construction work beyond the terms already delegated or reimbursed.