Kristi Babcock

The agenda for this Committee of The Whole/Finance meeting includes several proposed ordinances requiring City Council action. Key discussions involve amending city ordinances for income tax receipt allocation and authorizing expenditures for food, meals, or refreshments for various events. Numerous ordinances deal with authorizing the Director of Public Service to procure power, enter into contracts for Fiber To The Home (FTTH) project services (management and network/operational support), and secure bandwidth for CityLink operations from various vendors. Other significant items include authorizing payments for credit card processing fees, utility bill postage/mailing services, solid waste tipping fees, and multiple actions related to the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Reduction Project, Primary Digester Cover Project, and Durling Park Culvert Replacement Project, which involve securing loan agreements and advertising for bids. The agenda also covers authorizing contracts for parking lot construction at Friedt Park, continuing design services for the State Route 94 and East Reimer Roundabout, the 2026 Street Improvement Program, and engineering services for general aviation. Furthermore, there are proposals for a supplemental appropriation, establishing a Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) agreement for the Downtown Improvement Project, authorizing land sale/lease agreements with the Wadsworth Community Improvement Corporation, abating a public nuisance at 179 Grandview requiring demolition, and returning used life pack heart monitors to Stryker.

The meeting agenda for the Public Service Committee included a presentation by Bob Golden regarding the Efficiency Smart program, specifically focusing on its success in Wadsworth since 2011 and a proposed renewal for 2026-2028. Key project updates were scheduled for Water, Wastewater, and the Fiber Project. A significant portion of the agenda addressed legislation for utility rate increases across Electric Service Rates (5% increase), Water Service Rates (28% increase), and Sewer Service Rates (8.5% increase), all effective January 1, 2026. Additionally, the committee was scheduled to review and adopt the City of Wadsworth's Cybersecurity Policy as required by Ohio House Bill 96, discuss a WCTV wage adjustment, and review departmental updates including CityLink subscriber statistics and construction activity reports.

The meeting included a public hearing on Ordinance 25-176 regarding amendments to zoning codes. Committee and commission updates were provided, covering Public Service, Public Safety, Public Ways, Economic Development & Planning, Airport Commission, Stormwater Commission, Shade Tree Commission, Planning Commission, Cemetery Board, Cable TV Commission, and Senior Citizens Commission. Legislation was discussed and acted upon, including resolutions and ordinances related to sidewalk repairs, compensation adjustments, contract authorizations, supplemental appropriations, income tax receipts, fee establishments, and engineering services for a new MARCS radio communication tower. Further discussions involved storm water, water, and sanitary sewer improvements, appropriations for current expenses, volunteer fire service and EMS service compensation, wage increases for city officers and employees, seasonal flushing of hydrants, compensation for the Playback Technician, and park levy placement on the ballot. The council also addressed the provision of cable, internet, and fiber services, a development and tax increment financing agreement, and the appointment of the Wadsworth Community Improvement Corporation as an agent for selling a parcel of land.

The committee discussed various park projects, including updates on the Friedt Park project, Brickyard Park improvements, ballfield maintenance, and the E J Young Memorial. They also reviewed street, sidewalk, and parking lot projects, such as the Wintergreen Streets/Sidewalks project, Southwest Parking Lot, City Hall East Parking Lot, and the SR-SR-94 & East Reimer Road Intersection Improvement Project. Additionally, airport-related topics were addressed, including FAA grants assistance, apron project updates, PAPI project status, and the AWOS project status. The committee also reviewed the proposed 2026 budget, covering airport funds, parks, streets, and general capital projects.

The committee meeting included project updates on water, wastewater, and the fiber project. Water updates covered the Low Side Water Tower RFQ, the Good and High waterline projects, the Tolbert Street Improvement Project, the Bulk Water Fill Station, the Lead Service Verification Project, and the General Water Looping. Wastewater updates focused on the 2025 SSO Reduction Project. The Fiber Project update included information on installations, completed work, and targeted installation areas. Discussions also took place regarding utility bills, specifically addressing issues with the Water Meter Improvement Project and billing discrepancies. Legislation requests included a resolution to auction vehicles and other items and a Lead Service Line Loan Application. The committee also reviewed operating budget tables and discussed scheduling a separate budget meeting. Additional topics included a rate study, electric department updates, and a CityLink subscriber update.