Council approves new vehicle purchase

by Dan Holland

Oct. 16 city council meeting

Members of Broadview Heights City Council at their Oct. 16 meeting passed a resolution approving the purchase of a new 2022 Ford F-250 pickup truck with a Reading Classic II steel service body from Sarchione Ford for use by the city’s service department at a cost of $47,732.

The vehicle will mainly be used by the sign department, according to David Schroedel, director of public service.

“They go out and replace mailboxes and all the signs in the city,” he said following the meeting. “We were going to put it in our budget for next year, but when we were out picking up the pickup truck we purchased for this year, the foreman and assistant foreman saw this truck. It was a good deal for a 2022 model with everything equipped on it already that we needed. It had been sitting on the lot, and we were able to secure a very good price from the dealer.”

In the long run, Schroedel said he believes the city will save money by purchasing the truck now, especially with the auto workers strike and not knowing what is going to happen in the future with truck prices.

Council also passed a resolution approving extensive repair work for a 2014 10-ton Western Star snowplow truck at an estimated cost of $21,385. The work will be performed by Cummins Inc.

“It has turbo problems on the engine and it’s an extensive repair,” said Schroedel. “I do feel that it’s worth repairing, as we should be able to get another ten years of service out of it. Council agreed, so they passed the resolution to pay for that repair. We use those trucks for a variety of purposes within the city.”

City Engineer leaving

City Engineer Gary Yelenosky, who has been with the city for nine years and was appointed city engineer in 2016, tendered his resignation as of Oct. 20. He will assume his new position as township administrator with Olmsted Township beginning the week of Oct. 23.

“I felt it was a natural progression; the next step in my career, with more responsibility and managing more people,” Yelenosky said. “It’s hard to leave here though, with all of the relationships I’ve built over the years. I think the thing I will remember most is just interacting with the public, trying to help out where I could and listening to people’s needs and trying to solve problems.”

Members of city council and Mayor Sam Alai expressed their appreciation to Yelenosky and wished him well in his new position.

“Gary, you did a really tremendous job, and we cannot thank you enough for all the time and long hours you put in – all of the seven o’ clock meetings at residents’ houses – we appreciate all of it.” Said Council President Robert Boldt.

Additional business

Council also approved a resolution to enter into a two-year contract with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health for public health services in the city for calendar years 2024-2025. ∞