Council OK’s purchase of new cruisers

by Dan Holland

Sept. 5 city council meeting

Members of Broadview Heights City Council at their Sept. 5 meeting approved a resolution for an agreement between the city and Ken Ganley Ford for the purchase of four 2024 Ford Police Interceptor Explorers at a cost not to exceed $50,000 per vehicle.

According to Police Chief Steven Raiff, the purchase is necessary to replace four cruisers that each have 100,000–120,000 miles on them. The department currently has 13 police cruisers in its fleet.

“We’re due four cars next year,” Raiff said. “Last year, the bidding process was only open for a short period of time, so we needed to get orders in place. They’re going to start the order banks this year in September probably for a week, and if you don’t have a purchase order in place, they won’t give you a VIN number. So, normally we would be ordering the cars next year, but fall is when we order and need to have a purchase order in place.”

According to Raiff, Ken Ganley Ford will match the price of any state bid price. He expects the cars to cost approximately $45,000 each. Added police accessories such as light bars, onboard computers and additional equipment will cost between $6,000-$7,000 per vehicle along with additional installation fees.

Additional safety equipment

Council also approved resolutions authorizing an agreement with Cleveland Communications Inc. to upgrade fire department radios to properly connect to the city’s dispatch center at a cost of $14,560, according to Fire Chief Jeffrey Hajek. Council also approved a separate resolution to order a new Power Cot CPO Power System 2 from Stryker at a cost of $36,000.

In other actions, council approved resolutions:

• Authorizing an agreement between the city and private residents in connection with an easement at the corner of Hollylane Drive and Briarwood Drive in connection with the Chippewa Creek Flood Reduction Project near Echo Lane. In a separate related resolution, council approved a reimbursement agreement between the city and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District for the project.
• Authorizing the city to submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Programs for Avery Road. If received, the grant would pay costs toward the project, along the south end of Avery Road between Royalton and Oakes roads, which would include an 8-foot multi-walking usage path, new water line, relining of sanitary sewers, new storm sewers and reconstruction of the pavement.
• To accept a $20,000 Ohio Ambulance Transportation Program Grant from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management. In a separate related resolution, council authorized the mayor the use of Ohio American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Ohio Ambulance Transportation Program.

Under miscellaneous business, council members approved a motion to allow alcohol sales at the Broadview Heights Firefighters Clambake on Oct. 7.

City Engineer Gary Yelenosky reminded residents that ongoing resurfacing work on West Royalton Road from Seneca Boulevard to the North Royalton city line will continue through the end of October. ∞