Council pushes city projects through quicker

North Ridgeville City Council dispensed the second and third readings Jan. 7 for several city projects coming this year and adopted them as emergency clauses to speed up the process.

The projects include paving, bridgework, installing meters and approving to renew and increase a levy for the May primary election.

Council’s request to renew and increase the existing tax levy is to provide an ambulance service, emergency medical care, to maintain a paramedic program and to equip and operate it.

Mayor G. David Gillock said adopting this matter on emergency rather than going through two more individual readings and meetings, is for the Lorain County auditor to certify the current tax valuation of the city and the dollar amount of the revenue that would be generated by the renewal and increased levy.

“For further reason, this resolution must be effective immediately so it can be timely filed with the county auditor and additional procedures taken in order to submit the question of the levy to the electors for the election May 7, 2019,” Gillock said.

Voters will cast ballots on a paramedic renewal levy increase, which will fund three additional firefighter paramedics to operate ambulance services, he said.

Within law enforcement, the city will add two new police officers, some parttime staff and a full time prosecutor.

Council also approved for Gillock to enter into a contract with an engineering firm for the city’s new Pavement Condition Rating Program for 2019.

This program will help the city plan ahead for its needs based on roadways and repairs.

City Engineer Daniel Rodriguez said funds were appropriated in the 2019 budget for the program, which should not exceed $65,000.

However, the city still must chose an engineering firm.

Council also approved the city’s Maddock Road Bridge project to move forward and have the mayor meet with an engineering firm to discuss moving and re-aligning the bridge.

Rodriquez said the city is planning to move the bridge south away from Maddock Road’s railroad tracks over the Ridgeway ditch and realign it to help with stream channel alignment issues.

Funding was appropriated for the project for no more than $192,500.

Ward 2 Councilman Dennis Boose and Rodriguez both said the bridge project is being paid for by the city rather than help from the county because it falls under the city’s responsibility.

Lastly, the city will purchase Galaxy Water Meters at a cost not exceeding $150,000 from Badger Meter Inc.

Gillock said the city buys them every year, however, Al Swindig Jr., the city’s utility and service supervisor, asked to have this matter passed as emergency because the city is out of meters and crews want to replace them while they have several water meters supply available.