Council approves vehicle purchases for fire, police
By Emily Chesnic
The Village of Northfield is acquiring two new vehicles for public safety, one for use by the Village of Northfield Fire Station and one for the Village of Northfield Police Department.
At the July 22 regular meeting, held virtually, Council approved the vehicle purchases to be made in 2020.
Finance Director Jennifer Potvin said she was comfortable with the village making the purchases, as they were included in this year’s budget.
Council first approved buying a Dodge truck, likely a 2020 Ram 4X4, to be used as a chase vehicle for the fire station. The approved purchase amount is not to exceed $30,000.
Later in the meeting, Council additionally approved obtaining a new cruiser for the police department to replace a cruiser now more than 7 years old. Council authorized the purchase of a Chevy Tahoe, in an amount not to exceed $60,000. Potvin said $62,000 was budgeted to make the vehicle purchase this year.
Also, during the meeting, a discussion took place regarding the need for another vehicle, a fire engine for the station. Fire Chief Jason Buss said one of the two fire engines, engine 3513, now is almost 30 years old. He said any apparatus over 25 years old should be removed from service, as mechanical items break down over time.
“This is a purchase that is coming up,” he said.
Buss formed a fire engine replacement committee to further look into the matter.
The desire is to obtain vehicle pricing information in early 2021 for a new engine, which would replace the 1991 engine, he said.
Buss believes the purchase, which was delayed in the past, is important to move ahead with soon for the continued safety of village residents.
Council members suggested that the possible purchase could be discussed further at upcoming work sessions.
Amid the ongoing pandemic, Mayor Jesse Nehez expressed hesitation with making such a large purchase next year.
“It is good to look at but hard to say if it will happen,” he said.
Buss said the new fire engine could cost about $550,000.
“I will know more once my team sits down and really crunches the numbers and features needed,” he said.
Among other measures approved at the meeting, Council authorized participating in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s annual road salt bid and amended the village’s codified ordinances to place the position of office assistant under the supervision of both the Mayor and the Department of Public Service Superintendent.
Also, during the meeting, the following reports were provided by village officials, with discussions also taking place during the reports on several village topics:
FINANCE REPORT – JENNIFER POTVIN
Finance Director Potvin said the audit in the village still is ongoing.
She also discussed the budgeted vehicle purchases for the safety services.
LAW DIRECTOR REPORT – BRAD BRYAN
Law Director Bryan asked for, and was given, Council’s approval for a bill to be paid in the amount of $8,595 to continue to provide for dash and body cameras for the police department, as well as for the software and hardware warranty, video storage and yearly software maintenance for the equipment.
Bryan also discussed with Council a pump replacement, by Buckeye Pumps Inc., in the amount of $5,378. He said the pump services Steeple Chase Condominiums and Townhouses. He said the two pumps serving the complex need replaced about every five years.
POLICE DEPARTMENT – POLICE CHIEF JOHN ZOLGUS
FIRE DEPARTMENT– FIRE CHIEF JASON BUSS
Under Chief Buss’ recommendation, Council approved the replacement of a storm warning siren, which will be mounted on a pole behind the fire station, with the siren to cost about $12,000.
During his report, Council also approved the purchase of the chase vehicle for the station and discussed the possible purchase of a new fire engine soon.
Buss additionally reported the fire station remodel project remains on hold, but a future meeting would allow for a new timetable to be set up.
“The current COVID crisis has definitely highlighted the limitations of the current station, and we look forward to resetting the timeline,” he said.
Buss reminds residents to contact the fire station if personal protective equipment is needed, as COVID-19 still is “a significant concern to many.”
Summit County has had more than 2,500 confirmed cases and is currently seeing a death rate from the disease of 8.4 percent, he said.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE – SUPERINTENDENT JASON WALTERS
Walters discussed flooding issues that exist after substantial rains, near Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, 10333 Northfield Road, impacting some of the businesses in the area.
“I would like to address it in a responsible way, quickly,” he said.
Walters is recommending the village create a “nicely landscaped mound,” parallel to Route 8, to combat the flooding that occurs. He said the mound would be 3-feet high and economical to put in.
REPORTS OF STANDING COUNCIL COMMITTEES:
ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS – JENNIFER DOMZALSKI
Councilperson Domzalski discussed with Council her desire to reevaluate how the village handles sewer billing when it comes to commercial properties. Her intent is to review all commercial property bills from the last billing cycle.
“Our funds coming in are not supporting what we need, and what we are going to need going forward,” she said.
Mayor Nehrez agreed, stating he would like to see a solid, fair plan put in place.
Domzalski would like any decision made on the matter put into effect Jan. 1, 2021.
She also talked about her desire to bring the sewer billing process in-house by Jan. 1, 2021.
Domzalski believes the billing can be done with the current staff in place and no longer should be outsourced.
FIRE AND SAFETY – RENELL NOACK
Under Councilperson Noack’s report, the police cruiser purchase was discussed and approved.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS – ALAN HIPPS
During Councilperson Hipps’ report, Council heard the second reading of legislation to amend the village’s codified ordinances regarding unclean premises and the first reading of legislation to amend the village’s codified ordinances regarding exterior property areas.