Sylvania City Council voted 6-1 on Monday to reject an initiative petition proposed ordinance titled “Sylvania Resource Conservation and Equal Access Ordinance,” first proposed during the council’s April 20 meeting. After receiving a response from the Initiative Committee, there was no change in their position to discuss amendments.
Council President Mary Westphal said the proposal received careful consideration before the Committee of the Whole recommended rejection during its May 4 meeting because it did not serve the best interests of the city.
In addition. Westphal noted that the overall intent of the proposed ordinance is currently addressed in the city’s existing policies.
New project contracts
In other business, council approved several recommendations from Service Director Joe Shaw relating to upcoming city projects and contracts.
American Structurepoint was awarded a $93,733 contract to provide engineering and surveying services for the Central Park, Garden Park, and Rosewood Place Waterline Improvement Project.
The Collaborative was selected to conduct a facilities master plan study for several city-owned buildings. The company’s $229,500 proposal includes two if-authorized tasks for structural scanning services for buildings lacking sufficient construction plans and enhanced visualization renderings for any recommended options.
Council also awarded Helms and Sons Excavating a $4,526,522 contract for Phase 2 of the Downtown Transportation Improvement Project.
A $20,000 proposal from Tetra Tech for professional lighting design services connected to the US-23/Monroe Street interchange project also received approval. According to Shaw, a gap was discovered in the project’s lighting plans for surface street areas, and the engineering work will be used to generate a photometric analysis to confirm all roadway areas will be sufficiently lit and supplement the ARCADIS lighting design with additional lighting where needed.
Council approved Shaw’s request to pay Erik and Elaina Kenney $300 for a temporary construction easement related to the Erie and Monroe streets roundabout project.
New equipment
Members also authorized the purchase of a salt brine production system from Kalida Truck Equipment Inc. for $116,500.
Council approved a third contract amendment with Sylvania Compost and Recycling, LLC, doing business as A&J Landscape, extending the city’s green yard waste drop-off contract for an additional three years. The company has operated the service since 2023 after a composting site in Michigan, north of Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery, closed.
Bid requests
Shaw also received authorization to solicit letters of interest for design and engineering services for the Highland View, San Benito Drive, and San Reno Drive Waterline ​Project. In addition, he was authorized to advertise for bids for curbside refuse and recycling contracts. The city’s current contract with Republic Services expires Sept. 1, 2026, and city officials noted it has been 10 years since bids were last requested. Republic has served as the city’s contractor since 2006.
The next Sylvania City Council meeting is scheduled for June 1 at 6:30 pm.