Public Service Committee to apply for AMATS funds; approves consent package including water-main ratification and workplace messaging contract

The Public Service Committee advanced a package of transportation and operations items, approving an application to the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) for multiple infrastructure projects and placing three ordinances on the consent agenda.

Service Director Chris Leto told the committee the AMATS application is the city’s annual submission and listed the projects the city is seeking funding for: a full reconstruction of Waterloo Road from Allendale to Arlington; resurfacing East Exchange Street continuing to East Market; resurfacing Lakeshore Boulevard from South Street to Ira; improvements tied to the Akron Peninsula Trail from the Riverwoods project; and Rubber City Heritage Trail Phase 4. Leto told the committee that, "this money will not come available till 2030," and said the legislation authorizes the mayor or designee to apply for and, if awarded, accept and expend the funds.

Committee members voted to suspend the rules so the AMATS ordinance could be advanced immediately. The committee also approved three consent items: an ordinance authorizing the director of public service to contract without formal advertising with Core & Main LP for curb meter pits and related parts (the parts are sold back to developers to ensure system compatibility); an ordinance ratifying the director’s emergency contract with Wingfoot Rental and Development Company Inc. to repair a 24-inch PCC water main at East South and Grant (Leto said the contractor removed about 70 feet of pipe, installed new pipe and repaired an adjacent storm sewer; the work is complete and an invoice was presented); and an ordinance to enter a five-year agreement with S3 Technologies LLC to install 12 message boards at the public works facility tied to snow/ice cameras and fleet management to improve employee communications and training.

All procedural suspension motions and the consent agenda items were adopted by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The committee placed the ordinances on the consent agenda to be reported favorably.