Contract for waterline construction based on $2.35 million bid

by Dan Holland

April 5 village council meeting

Richfield Village Planning and Zoning Director Brian Frantz reported that the Cleveland Water Department was prepared to sign a contract with Fabrizi Trucking & Paving to construct a water line in the central historic district.

Plans call for a restricted water main to extend west along Route 303 from Town Hall to Eastwood Preserve and along Broadview Road between Richfield Woods Park and Grant Street.

Fabrizi submitted a bid of $2.35 million for the project, which includes a 10% contingency fee, according to Frantz.

During a June 29, 2021 special meeting, village council members agreed to allow the city of Cleveland to rebid the project in hopes of obtaining a lower price while factoring in a number of cost-reducing options. The lowest bid at that time was $2.33 million, and the estimated cost for property owners to tie into the line was $181 per front foot.

At a Jan. 12 meeting, council approved supplementing the cost of the project to lower the cost to property owners.

“The village dedicated $325,000 in COVID relief funds as well as $300,000 in village funds through our TIF fund for a total of $625,000 going into the project,” said Frantz. “Right now, we’re looking at a cost [to property owners] of around $113 per front foot.’’

Estimating the project would take four months to complete, Frantz said, “Unfortunately, pipe contractors – manufacturers and orders – are backlogged about four to five months, so we’re still not expecting to see the waterline project start until probably early September.”

Once all the details are in place, Frantz said he would initiate meetings with affected property owners to provide information and extoll the benefits of connecting to the new waterline.

ODOT repaving Route 303 through the village is scheduled for 2022. “We didn’t want to have the center of town torn up twice,” Frantz said. ODOT agreed to reimburse the village for paving that is done after the waterline is installed, so the roadway will be torn up only once.

Frantz said Cleveland Water is accepting bids for the water tower and pumping station to be constructed off of Brecksville Road. It is estimated that project will take 18-24 months.

It’s a great project for the village,” Frantz said. “Professionally, I’m, very proud of it and proud that the village is getting it, since it’s been decades in the making.”

 Safety forces

Mayor Michael Wheeler swore in Shane Williamson as a part-time police officer. Williamson attended the University of Akron’s Police Academy. Police Chief Michael Swanson said the appointment is necessary because of recent retirements.

Wheeler also swore in two part-time fire medics: Daytona Stiegelmeyer and Daniel Crawford. Both earned Associate of Applied Science degrees in Fire/EMS from Cuyahoga Community College.

Fire Chief George Seifert reported that the department had 104 emergency runs during March, approximately 20-25 more than the same time last year. He said the department is on pace to handle 1,500 calls in 2022.

Mayor’s report

Wheeler said his executive assistant, Laura Toth, gave her notice as interim parks director, but that she would remain in the position until a replacement is found. The administration has been in talks with the Richfield Joint Recreation District board about sharing a parks director, as RJRD Park Director David Green resigned in March.

Resolutions

Resolutions were passed unanimously to solicit bids for a sidewalk extension along the east side of Broadview Road from Emerald Boulevard to Giant Eagle, which would include a crosswalk near Richfield Heritage Preserve, and a crosswalk across Route 303 at Town Hall to Humphrey Road.

A motion failed that would suspend two readings on an amended resolution to solicit bids for the Grant Street extension/library drive access/public parking lot project. Councilperson Rick Hudak voted no and Councilperson Ralph Waszak abstained.

Subsequent readings were moved to a special online meeting April 7 and an April 13 work session.

Before the vote, resident Pat Healey urged members to vote against the resolution, citing costs, parking, traffic safety and pedestrian safety.

“I’m asking you to abandon the plans for the two new roads,” she said. “Please vote no, or at least delay going out for bids for these two new roads, one which you’re trying to downplay as the library drive. If you have to call it something it isn’t, then you’re trying to soften the reality of it.” ∞