Mentor City Council paid tribute to retiring Finance Director Dave Malinowski during their June 3 meeting, recognizing his 29 years of service to the city. Malinowski, who oversaw 10 consecutive years of perfect audits and helped secure the city’s current top financial rating, officially retired May 30.
“The residents of Mentor have been very fortunate to know that their tax dollars have not only been invested wisely but they’ve been watched carefully and diligently for all 29 of those years,” City Manager Ken Philippia said during the emotional send-off.
Malinowski’s tenure included raising the city’s bond rating and securing tens of millions in bonds for major projects. The finance department under his leadership received auditor awards with distinction for the past decade and Government Finance Officers Association awards annually. He began his career with the city April 15, 1996, as assistant finance director and became full-time finance director in February 2006.
In his farewell remarks, Malinowski revealed he started his working life 50 years ago at Mentor Plastics as a factory worker before becoming an accountant. He graduated from Cleveland State University, became a CPA, and obtained his MBA from Baldwin Wallace College.
“Right now our city is probably in its strongest financial condition in its history,” Philippia said, crediting Malinowski’s stewardship. The outgoing director filed the city’s unaudited financial statements on his final day, May 30.
Acting Finance Director Bonnie Lingerfeld presented the evening’s financial legislation, marking the transition in leadership.
Major Infrastructure Projects Approved
Council approved three significant infrastructure contracts totaling over $2.6 million during the meeting:
Civic Center Park Improvements – JTO Inc. of Mentor received the $1,648,888 contract after submitting the lowest of six bids ranging from $1.6 million to over $2 million. The project includes construction of a 162-space parking lot, moving basketball courts, adding pickleball courts, and creating walkways. Parks and Recreation Director Dave Swigger said the parking lot completion is scheduled for September 5, with remaining work including court construction finishing November 14.
Corduroy Road Resurfacing – Carvo Companies Inc. of Stow was awarded a $370,820 contract for asphalt pavement resurfacing on Corduroy Road from the south end of the causeway to Garden Lane. The engineer’s opinion estimated $410,000 for the project, which secured a $245,500 Ohio Public Works Commission grant covering up to 50% of costs. Three bids ranged from the low of $370,820 to a high of $430,129.
Sidewalk Safety Program Controversy – Despite public opposition from the lower bidder, council awarded A&J Cement Contractors Inc. of Euclid a $1,010,415 contract for Zone 4D sidewalk repairs and pedestrian safety improvements. The project covers approximately 38,000 square feet of sidewalk work with stops at the civic center and senior center, including heated sidewalk installation at the senior center entrance.
Lake County Landscape and Supply owner Sharon Hagen addressed council, stating her company’s bid was $90,000 lower than the selected contractor. She questioned why the city would cost taxpayers extra money when her company had successfully completed a 59,000 square foot sidewalk project in 2018 with no traffic issues or liquidated damages.
City Manager Philippia defended the decision, explaining the administration considers not just the lowest bid but the best bid based on recent experience, project size, and ability to complete work on time. He cited concerns about pedestrian safety when sidewalk slabs remain open for extended periods.
Car Wash Opposition Intensifies
Strong public opposition emerged regarding Express Wash Concepts’ proposed car wash at the former Boston Market location at 9361 Mentor Avenue. Four residents spoke against the project during the meeting, citing severe traffic concerns at the already congested Route 20 and Heisley Road intersection.
Tammy DeCarlo of Brier Cliff Court described the intersection as “overloaded to the point” where she worried about new drivers navigating the area. She noted that even her 90-year-old father-in-law commented on the heavy traffic during their visit to the area that day.
“The stretch of Route 20 between Target and Meijer is already overloaded,” DeCarlo said, arguing the proposal fails multiple criteria for conditional use permits including harmony with neighboring properties and public safety.
Suzanne Woodbury of Mentor Lawn Drive called the proposal excessive, noting “two car washes kitty corner at that intersection is too much” and “three car washes within two miles is not necessary.”
Council President Sean Blake acknowledged receiving 30 emails and 15 phone calls about the issue personally, calling it the most correspondence he’s received on any subject in his 10 years on council.
The conditional use permit remains tabled pending planning commission review of an amended site plan scheduled for June 12. Law Director Joe Zean noted outstanding issues including recorded easements and traffic study concerns. Blake pointed out the traffic study was conducted April 2 on a 59-degree drizzly Wednesday, questioning its accuracy for typical traffic conditions.
School Resource Officer Agreement Progress
City Manager Philippia provided detailed updates on the long-awaited school resource officer agreement with Mentor schools after nearly a year of negotiations. The original plan for the school district to hire officers directly was abandoned due to Ohio Revised Code compliance issues.
The revised agreement makes officers part-time city employees rather than school district employees, following the existing SRO model at the high school. The school district will bear all costs for the program.
“The goal was to have four officers in the schools by the next school year,” Philippia said, noting most officers would likely come from retired Mentor Police Department ranks and be rehired as part-time employees.
The agreement incorporates policy work developed over the past year and updates the 20-year-old SRO program terms. Chief of Police Dave Gunch confirmed school safety remains a top priority, stating “where our schools go our community goes.”
Two residents spoke supporting expedited passage. Lynn Mazika urged council to pass the agreement quickly to allow time for the required 40-hour training period before the August school year start. David Lima noted the school board plans a special meeting June 27 to potentially act on the agreement.
Council President Blake challenged administrators to have the agreement ready for the June 17 council meeting. Philippia said they would deliver the draft to the school board immediately for their review.
Fire Levy Relief Proposal Sparks Discussion
Councilman Scott Marn proposed a one-year moratorium on the fire levy, worth $2.15 million annually, as a way to provide relief to all residents. Citing the city’s strong financial position and recent major expenditures including $3.15 million for civic center pool slides and $1.6 million for park improvements, Marn suggested using general fund money to cover the levy cost.
“We could help every citizen in the city by paying that $2.15 million for next year,” Marn said, noting the proposal would require administrative review before moving forward.
Council President Blake suggested exploring alternatives such as increasing the city’s contribution to waste management fees rather than suspending voter-approved fire funding. Blake called the fire levy “sacred” since voters passed it by a large margin to make it permanent.
“Maybe we could look at comparison instead of touching the fire levy, maybe go with something similar like moneywise but for the yard waste,” Blake suggested, noting the city currently contributes about half of residents’ waste management bills.
Emergency Services and Personnel Updates
Council approved purchasing a 2025 Ford F550 4×4 chassis Braun ambulance from Penare Inc. for $389,940 to replace Station 3’s 2018 International chassis with over 160,000 miles. Fire Chief Zach explained the purchase completes the department’s transition from diesel to gas engines for frontline rescue squads.
The switch to gas engines, driven by factors including fuel costs, maintenance costs, and diesel exhaust fluid requirements, has “drastically reduced” maintenance time and out-of-service periods since 2019, according to the maintenance division.
Fire Lieutenant Ken Wy was recognized for his retirement after 25 years of dedicated service, effective June 6.
Infrastructure and Community Updates
City Manager Philippia reported that Phillips Paving began milling operations Monday on several roads including Foothill Drive, Bernard Drive, Biltmore Road, and Forest View Avenue as part of the Asphalt Road Repair Program. Additional streets scheduled this week include Beaver Creek Drive, Colony Court, Edwards Street, and Curtis Street. The project is expected to be completed by August 29.
Concrete repair work begins June 9 citywide and will be completed by August 30.
Two new businesses were announced: The Stretch Zone at 8900 Mentor Avenue and Ohio State Fire Protection at 7840 Tyler Boulevard.
The Mentor Rocks concert series kicked off Monday night with 20 Ride, a Zac Brown tribute band, marking the 100th show at the amphitheater this season.
The Mentor Senior Center announced an open house June 30 from 3-4:30 p.m. for residents 55 and older. Pre-registration is required at 440-974-5725.
Safety Village Funding Discussion
Councilman Marn provided updates on additional funding for the Mentor Safety Village, noting conversations with volunteer coordinator Ron Wasom about potentially $30,000 in improvements to the city-owned property. Marn said Wasom would provide more precise cost estimates for council consideration at either the July 1 or August 20 meetings to complete the project in early fall.
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