Grant Street reconstruction delayed to install thousands of dollars in pavers
by Sue Serdinak
October 15 village council meeting
The reconstruction of the east/west section of Grant Street in front of the new brewery was nearing completion about the same time as the business was planning to open. Permeable pavers were installed on about one-third of the street.
Richfield Village Mayor Michael Wheeler said at the village council meeting that pavers should be installed the full length of the roadway, as was shown on the plans drawn by landscape architect Rob Morgan.
He asked for council’s approval to stop the asphalt paving on the remaining two-thirds of the roadway and spend an additional $87,000 to extend the permeable pavers to Broadview Road.
Councilperson Jeff Stoppenhagen said he was shocked that the pavers were installed on only one-third of the road. “Every report I remember seeing, we would be paving from Broadview to Grant Street extension. … I read your reports every week. I don’t remember seeing this. I’m confused, but I’m willing to pay the extra money because it will look like [a hack job] if we do asphalt for part of it and permeable pavers for the rest of it,” he said.
“One of the reasons that I’m looking at doing this is because it more closely matches Rob Morgan’s original plan that we all approved,” said Wheeler.
Councilperson Sue Ann Philippbar asked why the original plan was not followed.
“It went significantly over our budget, so we felt that to stay in the budget we would have to limit it,’’ Wheeler said. “We have only one bite of the apple to make this work. If you think the figure is too high, we will just asphalt it.”
Planning Director Brian Frantz said that the day before, he and the mayor talked about how the pavers looked. He cautioned that the contractors had scheduled to pave the roadway within days, and they would not be able to install the pavers until December.
Frantz said the pavers were paid for with community cost-sharing money from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. He said the village has used its cost sharing allotment for 2024 and 2025 but could use dollars set aside for 2026. He said they could also use TIFF dollars to pay for the additional pavers.
Council President Ralph Waszak said council should take action immediately to pay the extra money to install the pavers and ask the finance director to use TIFF money for the project. Council voted unanimously to proceed.
Bases for bollards will be installed at each end of the road. The village will be able to close the roadway for special events by erecting the bollards.
Higher appropriations
Council passed an appropriations resolution that showed significantly higher expenses for most village departments.
An additional $376,805 was appropriated for fire department salaries and fringe benefits, repairs and maintenance. According to Finance Director Sandy Turk, “Hospitalization costs are forecast to run $88,215 higher than budgeted. Part-time salaries are $41,600 higher than budgeted. Holiday cashouts/longevity payments appear to be running $10,400 higher than budgeted.”
A full-time fire medic was added to the staff this year, and it was anticipated that overtime would be reduced. However, “the overtime reduction did not materialize,” said Turk. The related 27.5% additional benefits must also be included, she said.
The cost of rubbish collection increased $19,415 more than anticipated because of more new homes in the village.
The service department health insurance costs were $83,000 more than budgeted, and the parks and recreation department part-time salaries were $17,000 over budget. The cost of overtime for the sewer department ran $9,000 over budget.
Park rules
Council adopted replacement park rules and regulations. The new rules will be posted on the village website: richfieldvillageohio.org.
New Hires
Council accepted the resignation of Officer Morgan Miller and wished her well as a new parent.
Council approved hiring Victoria Bodnar as a full-time police officer. She graduated from Revere High School, served in the U.S. Marine Corps, earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Akron, worked for a drug enforcement agency and for the last four years was a patrol officer with South Euclid Police. As a lateral transfer, she will retain pay and vacation status for her four years as an officer.
Council also approved hiring two part-time fire medics: Dylan Clarke and Sandra Norsic. Fire Chief George Seifert said he received 28 applications for the positions.
Sewer connections
Wheeler reported that six property owners who did not connect to the sewer system, as required when the lines were installed, would have 90 days to do so. He said anyone not complying would be fined.
Crosswalk
The mayor said he has requested that GPD group conduct a feasibility study for a crosswalk on Broadview Road, from Richfield Woods Park to High Street.
Johnson Barn
Council discussed how the Johnson Barn in Richfield Woods Park could better be utilized for summer camp.
Stoppenhagen said it could be expensive to bring it up to code.
Wheeler said costs could be kept down by continuing to use portable toilets for summer camp, rather than installing bathrooms.
Seifert will research fire codes for buildings used exclusively for day campers.
Dark sky
Robin Gild from the Wilderness Center will speak about the Dark Sky initiative at about 6:30 p.m. at the beginning of the Nov. 6 council meeting.
Resident speaks
Steven Tunder of Timberwood Trail addressed council with several complaints. He said the United Nations flag should not be flying in front of Village Hall because the organization is an enemy of the U.S.
He also objected to the brewery being built. Waszak said the brewery investment in Richfield is very significant.
Hunter asked why village money is being spent on pickleball and tennis courts. “Why are you bureaucrats promoting pickleball and tennis? … There are private tennis courts they can go to. … What gives bureaucrats the right to take our tax dollars and pay for these installations?”
According to Law Director Ben Chojnacki, “They are not bureaucrats. They are elected officials. … These are public servants. … The Ohio Constitution gives municipal corporations … [discretion] to promote health, safety and welfare.” He added that Richfield Village officials have promoted health, safety and welfare through economic development and recreation.
Photo Caption: The work on Grant Street will be delayed a few weeks, and permeable pavers will be installed instead of asphalt on the final section of the roadways. Photo by S. Serdinak.