Ravenna City Council approves all city improvement ordinances, talk downtown revitalization
The Ravenna City Council passed all its city improvement ordinances Monday night in part of its continued effort to revitalize the area.
Members of the city council touched upon various aspects of the agenda and responded to recommendations offered by private citizens.
The meeting began with a Fair Housing awareness video presented by Portage County Regional Planning Commision Todd Peetz.
“It’s to familiarize them and make them know we’re available if they hear fair housing issues or know of them so we can know them.” Peetz said. “And that way we can resolve any issues they have within their community.”
One of those issues brought before Peetz was the inclusion of service animals and the criteria behind designating an animal for service. Members of the city council presented Peetz a hypothetical question regarding whether a parrot could constitutes as a service animals.
“It’s up to the proper authorities to determine what constitutes as a service animal.” Peetz responded to the council members.
Increased youth sports funding, along with repainting buildings at the wastewater treatment plant and new police radio equipment, are some of the issues that were approved.
The council approved a $1,200 sale of used exercise equipment to Cuyahoga Falls.
The money will be added as a park capital improvement fund to improve local parks and walking trails.
City council members accepted a $12,000 donation from the local non-profit Neighborhood Development Services to help aid sports programs.
The council approved the mayor to apply for new radio equipment for the Ravenna fire department.
MARCS, which stands for Multi-Agency Radio Communication System, is a 700/800 MHz radio and data network that that provides statewide public wireless communication for public safety and first responders.
We were able to get radios from Ohio Turnpike; they were giving those away to agencies around the turnpike. I asked for some and I got 88 of them.” Ravenna’s Chief of Police Jeff Wallis said.
“30 of those are going to go to the Ravenna Police Department, eight of those would go to the Fire Department, eight would go to the township,” Wallis said. “Six would go to the other townships departments.”
Wallis made an emphasis that creating an inventory for replacing radios in the future would benefit the city as the radios have an estimated life of “five to 10 years.” Wallis stated.
City council members agreed to appropriate $2,000 from the capital improvement fund to purchase two new computers for the police department.
The repainting of the press building and the micro screen building in at the wastewater treatment plant passed.
The mayor will enter into a contract with JSS Construction and Painting, LLC for the new cosmetic improvements.
City council agreed to appropriate $2,600 from the sewer fund to cover the cost of damages caused by a sanitary line backup at 244 Stevens St.
There was a actually a blockage in the line and it got back up in their basement.” Ravenna Mayor Frank Seman said. “There was extensive damage that was done to the property but nothing we can’t fix from the floodings.” Ravenna Mayor Frank Seman said.
The backup caused significant damage to the homeowner’s basement earlier this month.
The council didn’t have new issues to discuss, but they did cite new city improvements, specifically the new downtown movie theater that is nearing construction.
“It makes me happy that things are getting built in town,” said Bruce Ribelin, representing the community and economic development committee.
Live Tweeting:
Ravenna City Council meeting opens up with a video about fair housing mistakes. #JMCRPP
— Rachel Duthie (@racduthie) December 5, 2017
Bruce Ribelin from community and economic development suggests possibility of medical marijuana tax, notes recent dispensary applications #JMCRPP
— Rachel Duthie (@racduthie) December 5, 2017
The Ravenna monthly city council meeting continues as several ordinances ranging from the painting of buildings to the purchase of computers have been adopted. #JMCRPP
— Rob DiFranco (@DiFranco_Rob) December 5, 2017
Council passes a $12,000 donation to Ravenna Parks and Recreation Department. The money will be used to support sports programs. #JMCRPP
— Rachel Duthie (@racduthie) December 5, 2017
CouncIlman Ribelin comments on the new theater being built in town, hoping the roof is put on soon so they can begin construction on the inside. #JMCRPP
— Rob DiFranco (@DiFranco_Rob) December 5, 2017
The meeting is adjourned. All proposed ordinances passed. #JMCRPP
— Rachel Duthie (@racduthie) December 5, 2017
Rachel – attended meeting, wrote story
Angelo – attended meeting, wrote story, photography
Rob – attended meeting, video and audio
