Finance committee advances grant request, Bluffs on Rockside dedication and Rockside MOU amendment

Finance opened at about 6:14 p.m. and Director Gerson briefed the committee on three items the department asked the council to place on tonight's full agenda.

On grants, Director Gerson said the city plans to reapply for a county community development block grant to fund restroom renovations. "We're gonna be asking for 99,000 of anticipated 150,000 construction for the men's and women's bathrooms upgrade," Gerson said, and staff noted an application deadline of May 5 and that a public meeting had been held.

On the Bluffs On Rockside, Gerson described acceptance of residential phase 1 — 82 of the planned 150 lots — noting pavement and a signed plat are in place. He said some work remains secured by bonds or guarantees (sidewalks, signs, striping) and cited a 10% maintenance bond on roughly $3,000,000 of improvements (about $300,000) plus escrow deposits for tree and park fees.

Finally, staff presented an amendment/MOU related to the Rockside development agreement with LSB 7 Hills LLC. The MOU would accept the poured hospital footers as substantially complete so southern residential development may continue; staff reported footers are poured, an elevator shaft is erected and that "there needs some time up to 45 days for the cement to cure." The amendment was presented as assurance that the hospital component — described as the project's economic driver — is moving forward.

For each item the committee moved to add the measure to tonight's full council agenda and to waive the 24-hour rule as an emergency; each motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The grant application, the Bluffs On Rockside dedication resolution and the Rockside MOU amendment will appear on the full council agenda for formal consideration.

What happens next: Staff will file the grant application by the stated deadline; the dedication and MOU items will be placed on the full council agenda for final action.