First, while 2020 has been a trying year, the City of Stow is still moving forward with capital improvements and purchases in a measured way. The Administration and Council are all being mindful of the economic impact of COVID-19, however we are also aware that we have to continue to invest in our buildings, equipment and infrastructure or it will just cost more later. Last night Council approved an upgrade to our security for several city buildings to install a swipe cards system, and a new pickup truck for our Fire Prevention Bureau. Already in 2020 we approved the following capital improvements/purchases: a new Vacuum truck for our water/street department, 2 new Police Vehicles for our K-9 Units, roof replacement on our Safety Building, and replacement of a vehicle lift for our Service garage. In addition to the items that Council approved the staff in the City was able to be creative and make several other capital improvements that have remained under Council’s approval limit, such as repair of the surface of the SOAR playground, replacement of the Adell Durbin Bridge, and repair of the stairs at Adell Durbin. Our Finance Department also updated Council this week that Stow Municipal Court was able to pay for the operating costs of the Court and Clerk of Courts this past week. This is great news that they were able to make this payment to the City, otherwise, we would have to cover those operating costs from some other fund within the City. Along with Administration and Council, the Courts have also been mindful of this crisis and have been doing all they can to reduce their expenses.
Council approved the sponsorship of a Stow Munroe Falls High School Student to attend the Close-Up program in Washington DC in the spring. This is a program that allows high school students to visit Washington DC and allows them to see how our government operates and functions. I believe this is an important program to grow the interest of our youth in getting involved in our government from the local to national level. The donation will cover the cost of one student and was for $1,487.
The prior introduced legislation to re-name the Silver Springs Lodge after Ms. Leona Farris was withdrawn by Councilwoman Shaw as it was determined that City policy is that the Parks Board has the responsibility for renaming any parks buildings within the City and that no Council action is required unless there is a monetary donation involved with such naming. The Parks Board met on Wednesday before Council and had already approved this renaming prior to our Council meeting on Thursday.
Council also approved the update of several items in our Code related to changes required under the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). We also approved legislation introduced by Councilman McIntire that cleaned up our code as it relates to park building rentals and usage of park buildings by non-profit organizations. I know several members of this Council have spent time this year and will continue to spend time reviewing our code to make these types of updates that help clarify our code for the actual operations of our City.
Last, and certainly not least, the Election is on November 3rd, I encourage all citizens to get out and exercise their right to vote and have their voice be heard. You may vote absentee, early in person at the board of elections, or on election day, but now is the time to do so and be heard!
Council’s next meeting will be Thursday November 12, 2020 with Committee times to be announced closer to the date.