Twinsburg capital projects, items to cost at least $7.52 million

TWINSBURG – Replacement of the roof and PoolPak at the fitness center, a new aerial ladder truck for the fire department and Dooridge Drive water line improvements are among major capital improvement items planned for the city in 2023.

The capital improvement board recently wrapped up its month-long review of capital needs. Recommended items totaling at least $7.52 million, including $5.03 million for infrastructure projects, were to be reviewed by the finance committee and City Council on Sept. 13.

Every year in August and early September, the CIB looks at requests from department heads for projects and purchases. This year’s panel consisted of chairman Charles Kane and Bryan Waldorf, Shelly Shipley, Sharyn Price and Eric Hornyak.

David Post represented Council in the weekly meetings, where department heads explain to the panel the reasons for their requests.

“I think our panel did a great job of talking things out this year,” said Kane. “I think it’s a good idea to visit city facilities so as to better understand what projects need to be done and what items need to be purchased.”

“I don’t see any frivolous spending on next year’s list,” added Hornyak. “Everything on it is needed. We’ve pushed off much spending in recent years, and at some point we just can’t do that any longer.”

Waldorf praised the help that finance director Sarah Buccigross provides during the capital improvement review process, while Kane called her “a superstar” and added, “we love working with her.”

“I depend on the department heads to help me out,” responded Buccigross. “And I appreciate the job you [the panel] does. It’s not easy looking at and analyzing all the requests in such a short span of time.”

The fitness center’s roof/PoolPak replacement project is estimated at $2.3 million, but that figure is not included in the overall capital expenditures total because Buccigross said the exact amount has not been determined and the city is looking at financing options.

Aquatics and camp superintendent Branden Burns said those facilities are deteriorating after more than two decades, and “this project must be done.” He noted the new facilities should have a life expectancy of about 25 years.

Fire Chief Tim Morgan said the city has two similar ladder trucks. One is in pretty good shape, while the other has some issues. “The latter could be refurbished, but at considerable cost,” said the chief. “It is 22 years old and replacement is the better option.”

The cost is estimated at about $1.75 million, with payments to be made over 10 years. Morgan said it takes several months to build fire trucks, so the new vehicle might not be ready for service until early 2024.

The Dooridge water line project is estimated to cost about $2.19 million. It originally was scheduled to be completed this year, but engineer Amy Mohr said bids came in too high and city officials decided to postpone and rebid the project.

Other infrastructure projects include road paving ($1.47 million), road striping ($200,000), Cannon Road upgrades ($500,000), Ravenna Road sanitary sewers ($516,000), Four Corners right-of-way ($100,000) and emergency repairs ($50,000).

Buccigross praised Mohr for her “hard work” looking for alternative project financing sources such as grants and loans, which reduce the amount the city has to pay.

At the fitness center, a new natatorium scoreboard ($53,000), flow meters ($11,500), a handicapped lift chair ($9,050) and the fifth payment in a five-year leasing plan for equipment ($38,000) were other proposed capital spending items.

A new sludge hauling truck at $198,000, Vactor truck frame repairs at $40,000 and No. 3 effluent pump at $29,000 are among capital items at the wastewater treatment plant, as is a new mower at $55,000 for Gleneagles Golf Course.

Other fire department items include a new vehicle for the chief ($70,000), the fourth payment of 10 for a pumper truck ($82,000) and the second payment for an EMS squad ($152,000).

Among police items are two administrative vehicles ($74,000), the second payment of five for the 911 communications system ($50,000), a Getac video system ($5,500) and leases of four detective cars ($22,000).

The city’s share of playground upgrades and restrooms at Glen Chamberlin Park would cost $225,000. That would be Phase I of upgrades made possible by an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant. New water park furniture and concrete repairs also are planned at $113,000.

A pedestrian bridge on East Idlewood is proposed to be installed in 2023 at an estimated cost of $195,000. Tree planting is proposed at $30,000, and the sidewalks program is budgeted at $50,000.

Purchases planned for the service department include two 5-ton trucks ($160,000 for the first of three payments), a 4-wheel drive truck with plow ($60,000), two 2-wheel drive trucks ($100,000), two chip boxes ($120,000), two zero-turn mowers ($36,000), fuel dispensers ($40,000), HVAC controls upgrade ($25,000) and a rooftop AC unit ($22,000).

The second of three lease payments for an IT department access control system would amount to $105,000, and a vehicle for the building department is budgeted at $32,000, as is a patio structure worth $25,000 at the senior center.

Contact the newspaper at twinsburgbulletin@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Twinsburg capital projects, items to cost at least $7.52 million