Also, Social Media Influencer Preparing to Promote Community
By Emily Chesnic
The City of Macedonia is working on a way to aid homeowners with addressing damaged sidewalk slabs in front of their properties, as the work is their responsibility to have done.
At the May 13 meeting, Mayor Nick Molnar announced he would put together a request for proposals (RFP) to find a contractor willing to perform concrete sidewalk repairs in the community. This is being done to offer residents a cheaper rate for the work than if they sought bids solo, he said. The city additionally would waive the fee to have the work done for residents, the mayor added.
Molnar said people often express a desire to have the city fix sidewalk issues at their homes, but it is not feasible for the community to do on their own. This led him to identify a way the city could help homeowners with the matter, however.
“We are trying to get a reduced, bulk rate, so the cost is better for our residents,” he said.
Molnar recently investigated replacing a sidewalk slab at his own house, with the estimated cost to be about $500 for the work, he said.
The mayor has been communicating with the City of Lakewood concerning its sidewalk replacement program. Molnar said Lakewood currently can offer its residents the opportunity to replace a sidewalk slab, 5 foot by 5 foot in size, for about $225.
Soon, Molnar said he would have more information on the city’s own sidewalk repair option. The city also will be gathering names of residents wishing to participate, he added.
Social Media Influencer
At the meeting, Molnar also announced he just spent the day showing a Cleveland-based social media influencer around Macedonia, highlighting what makes the community special.
He said the presentation TikToker Joey Kinsley, known as Sir Yacht, will prepare is a unique way for the city to promote the community. The full-time influencer has about 330,000 TikTok followers, currently.
The mayor said Kinsley will talk about the “nice things” Macedonia has to offer visitors, including Longwood Park, Memorial Park, Fun ‘n’ Stuff Amusement Park, Reinecker’ Bakery and more, with the video to be posted to TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The video also will feature the fire department’s ladder truck, which the city is “proud of,” he said.
“He will put this on social media and give people a view of Macedonia,” said the mayor. “I hope everyone will enjoy it when it comes out.”
Free Mulch
Service Director John Hnottavange announced mulch is available free of charge for Macedonia’s residents only.
He said the location to obtain the free mulch changed, with the mulch pile now at the department’s Valley View Road location. He said the gates are open at all times on weekends for residents to come and take the amount of mulch they could use.
“There is a lot of mulch out there. Double what we had last year,” he said.
Other Meeting News:
• Council discussed reviewing the city’s section of the codified ordinances concerning the parking of recreational vehicles (RVs) and boats on properties in the community, with residents recently making Council President Jan Tulley aware of issues they have with RVs and boats stationary at homes on their streets.
• Recreation Director Jason Chadock updated Council on plans to realign staffing within his department – a budget neutral action – to help move the Macedonia Family Recreation Center into the future.
• Chadock also announced plans are underway for Summer Fest, “Spirit of Macedonia,” which will be June 4-5 in the parking lot of the recreation center, with more information to be released as details continue to be confirmed for the event that will feature carnival rides, fireworks, a 5K and beer garden.
• The city now is offering food trucks each Friday during the baseball season at Longwood Park, with Cleveland Cookie Dough and Off The Griddle scheduled to kick off the activity May 14.
• Molnar announced May 16-22 as National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) week in the community.
• Council heard an update on the 800 MHz radio upgrade for safety services, listening to the improved sound quality the new radios provide the community.
• Law Director Mark Guidetti said it is likely municipalities in Ohio can begin holding in-person meetings again by July, as most of the state’s health orders will end June 2.