Also, Northfield Continues to Work Through the Budget Process
By Emily Chesnic
As the Village of Northfield finalizes the 2021 budget, projects planned for the new year are being discussed, including plans to establish a parking lot on village-owned property along Northfield Road.
At the Feb. 24 regular meeting, Village Engineer Daniel Collins told Council the project may cost less than $50,000, possibly saving Northfield from having to go out for public bid. He said he would first solicit for bids on his own, as the parking lot project is being included in the new budget.
Last month, the former PNC Bank building at 10435 Northfield Road was tore down – costing about $27,000 – to allow the property to be used for parking in the village, including for local businesses. The property was donated to the village in 2017.
Questions concerning the choice to create the parking lot came up at the meeting, with village officials defending the decision. Mayor Jesse Nehez explained the lot would be beneficial to the community, serving as parking for village employees and visitors, especially for those patronizing local establishments, including Russo’s Plaza.
Council additionally discussed why it was better to demolish the bank building for parking instead of using the property for added green space in the community. While using the land for green space was considered, Service Director Jason Walters said increasing available parking made more sense for the village.
“There is a known problem over there with parking,” he said. “We just need to seal it and then it will look good.”
Additionally, Walters said the village likely would construct a new police department in the future, increasing the need for more parking.
The necessity for added parking in the area is inevitable, said Council President Jennifer Domzalski. She said if the village created green space on the site it would be difficult to change the property’s use in the future. Making the “paved area now” will ready the village for a building project down the road, she said.
Councilman and Buildings and Grounds Committee Chairman Alan Hipps said it is not unusual for a municipality to own its own parking lot. He said the cities of Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls operate their own public lots, as does the City of Medina.
Also, at the meeting, village officials announced the budget process is continuing to take place, with a proposed budget to come out early next week. Finance Director Jennifer Potvin said the next step will be the budget review process.
Council scheduled a work session to collaboratively review the budget. The session will take place March 8 at 7 p.m. so the budget can go through its first reading at Council’s March 10 regular meeting.
Possible Easter Event
Mayor Nehez said an activity for the Easter holiday may take place in the community, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He said plans are being discussed to hold a drive-thru Easter event, with more details to be forthcoming.
Engineer Collins said money is being allocated in the 2021 budget for a project to correct an ongoing drainage issue along Jefferson Drive and near Smith Park. He said he would be finalizing the design for the project in the new few weeks. Collins said the village would have to go out for public bid for the work needed done.
Microsurfacing Work
Council approved legislation allowing the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to perform microsurfacing work in the village. Collins said microsurfacing would be done on Route 8 at Ledge Road, with the work extending south to the village’s corporate limit line. He explained microsurfacing involves laying down an asphalt emulsion over the existing surface, acting like a sealant to expand the life of the pavement. Collins said the project would not be awarded to a contractor until after April 28, 2022, however.
Rubbish Ordinance Amendment
Council approved amending an existing ordinance relating to residential garbage and rubbish storage containers. Village officials said the amendment allows for garbage bins to be left at the curb for longer than in the past. The amendment states garbage may be put out 24-hours prior to collection and the bin can stay at the curb for up to 24-hours after collection.
“This is much better for our residents and makes it easier for our police to enforce,” said Service Director Walters.
LED Sign
