NEWS

Streetsboro stage, natural gas aggregation program, more up for discussion Monday

Kaitlyn McGarvey
Record-Courier
Streetsboro welcome sign.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story stated Streetsboro City Council will discuss plans for a permanent stage at City Park. This story has been corrected to reflect that discussion will actually pertain to a temporary stage for the 2022 Streetsboro Bicentennial Celebration. Incorrect information appeared in a story in Saturday's paper. A reporter erred.

A temporary stage for Streetsboro's Bicentennial Celebration, the natural gas aggregation program and more are up for discussion at Monday's Streetsboro City Council meeting.

The city is prepared to enter into a contract with energy company Constellation to supply natural gas to residents enrolled in the natural gas aggregation program. The contract is for the duration of one year, commencing Oct. 1. 

More:Streetsboro’s natural gas aggregation price will drop 36 cents per mcf in 2021

More:Streetsboro poised to name company for community stage conceptual plan

During the 12 months of the contract, the monthly rate will be $2.78 per mcf. According to documentation submitted to council, residents utilizing the program will not be charged by Constellation if they choose to leave the program early.

On Monday, council will also discuss options for a temporary stage for the 2022 Streetsboro Bicentennial Celebration. The Streetsboro Family Days stage that used to stand at City Park was demolished previously. A new, permanent stage will not be ready in time for the event.

Discussions about a permanent stage have been ongoing for some time, however.

In June, progress was made when city council authorized a contract with The Thrasher Group, Inc. for a community stage conceptual plan. According to a proposal submitted to the city by the company, it asserts it is the right firm for the job because it has served communities across the Mid-Atlantic region for nearly 40 years.

Council will also hear from the Streetsboro Parks and Recreation Department, which wants to move ahead with the process of purchasing a mini bus for its Senior Center.

According to a memo to council, the process initially began in 2020 but was placed on hold that year with along with other various projects and capital purchases. A city mechanic recently helped locate a vehicle for the city to consider, though.

Streetsboro City Council was provided the specs for a 2017 Ford Eldorado National. According to documentation, the 14-passenger bus is also wheelchair accessible. It has a mileage count of 56,000 and is quoted at $38,000.

Parks and Recreation Director Greg Mytinger estimated new graphics for the sides of the vehicle will cost less than $1,000 depending on design and size. In total, the department asked $40,000 be allocated for the purchase.

Streetsboro Chief of Police Tricia Wain said the police department was notified it was awarded a Drug Use Prevention Grant. The grant, totaling approximately $8,300, will help offset the cost of the local D.A.R.E. program as well as the cost of a school resource officer.

The grant must be accepted by Sept. 13. Council is anticipated to vote to accept it immediately on Monday.

In other funding news, council will also vote on a resolution to request, apply for and/or receive its share of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. In mid-June, a fund in the city's budget was created specifically in anticipation of those federal dollars.

The 2021 act is a $1.9 trillion economic COVID-19 stimulus package that was signed into law in mid-March. ARPA provides additional relief to address the continued impact of the pandemic on the country. Through it, $350 billion is being provided to state and local governments.

Streetsboro Finance Director Jenny Esarey previously said the city expects to receive about $3.4 million over a two-year period. Streetsboro anticipates receiving around $1.7 million in 2021 and a similar amount in 2022 as well.

Streetsboro City Council will meet on Monday, July 26 at 7 p.m. in council chambers, 555 Frost Road Suite 100. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the city's YouTube page.

Contact reporter Kaitlyn McGarvey with Streetsboro news by email at kmcgarvey@recordpub.com or on Twitter at @kaitlynmcg_rc.