City taps NOACA for sidewalk grant funding

Sept. 15 city council meeting

by Melissa Martin

Sidewalks on a stretch of state Route 82 between Cinnabar Drive and Riverview Road could soon be a reality now that Brecksville City Council has approved emergency legislation authorizing the administration to apply for a funding grant through the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency.

“This is a classic, really attractive place to put a sidewalk because it is connecting two backbones in the community,” said Councilmember Mark Jantzen. “It has strategic value so that is really good.”

Purchasing Director Monica Bartkiewicz told council the funding is available for the project, which would also include pedestrian improvements to the Chippewa and Riverview roads intersection, through NOACA’s Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative.

“We actually submitted this same application back in 2023 and, unfortunately, we were not awarded,” she said. “We are looking to go for these funds again in hopes we can construct a sidewalk along that stretch of state Route 82.”

Bartkiewicz told council the TLCI grants are distributed on a reimbursement basis, and NOACA will issue awards funded at a maximum 80% of the total project budget. If awarded, the city would be required to provide 20% of the funding.

In the event a partial award is granted, Bartkiewicz said the city would be responsible for funding the remainder of the project.

Councilmember Brian Stucky said he believes the grant is an important one for the city to secure, particularly in terms of timing.

“We’ve been talking about this for years,” he said.

Roughly 88% of homeowners in the area affected have completed utility tie-ins in recent months following newly completed culvert replacements and other sewer projects in the area. Scott Packard said there are still nine properties in the area that have yet to connect, with two located on the north side of the roadway where the proposed sidewalk would be installed.

“If we get this grant it would be almost perfect timing if we get these other people to get their tie-ins and then we put this sidewalk in,” Stucky said. “So this looks really good to me.”

The grant funding will be available in fiscal year 2028, which begins July 1, 2027, Bartkiewicz said.

“If we are awarded the grant, this will be a conversation for next year’s budget,” said Mayor Daryl Kingston.

In other news, the city’s law department is drafting amendments to the city’s noise and animal ordinances following complaints by city residents this summer regarding loud crowing roosters.

The request to tighten the city’s code was issued by council’s legislation committee in August after Councilmember Ann Koepke informed the rest of council that she had received several noise complaints in recent months regarding a crowing rooster in a nearby coop.

While the city code prohibits frequent and habitual barking by dogs, loud parties and amplified electronic devices, city officials say the code, as it is written, lacks explicit clauses for roosters.

Assistant Law Director Lisa Sabol told council that she has since amended the legislation to address excessive noise by roosters, along with unsanitary conditions and backyard odors caused by chickens and other fowl.

Koepke said she believes the new clause strengthens the city’s existing noise and animal ordinances.

“It will give it teeth to allow help for residents who need it,” she said. “This sets some guidelines that will allow us, and specifically the animal warden and police, to cite somebody if it is necessary to deal with noise from animals.”