Geneva Council Approves Downtown Streetscape Grant, Advances 2026 Budget

Perfect! I’ll revise the article to refer to unverified citizen speakers as “a resident.” Here’s the corrected version:

Geneva Council Approves Downtown Streetscape Grant, Advances 2026 Budget

City progresses on West Main Street construction as paving crews work to complete project before winter

Geneva City Council held its regular meeting November 10, addressing infrastructure projects, budget matters, and voter concerns about polling location signage.

West Main Street Project Nears Completion

City Manager Joseph Varckette provided an update on the West Main Street Phase 1 construction project, noting that paving crews began work this week with plans to continue through the weekend. The contractor released a detailed schedule showing day-to-day activities Monday through Saturday as crews race to complete work before winter weather arrives.

The city needs approximately two more weeks of favorable weather conditions to finish the project. In the best-case scenario, contractors will complete both the intermediate and final coats of asphalt, allowing two-way traffic to resume throughout winter. At minimum, the city aims to have the intermediate coat completed on both north and south lanes before winter, which would still allow two-way traffic even if the final coat must wait until spring.

Varckette emphasized that while driveway disruptions will continue during this final phase, most inconveniences will last only hours rather than the 10-day windows noted on contractor notices. The schedule indicates that Monday will be the most difficult day for traffic flow as curb pavement is installed.

Downtown Streetscape Funding Approved

Council unanimously approved Resolution 3650, authorizing the city manager to enter into an Appalachian Community Grant Program agreement with Eastgate Regional Council of Governments for downtown revitalization streetscape improvements. The resolution was declared an emergency measure.

Varckette reported that all paving, drive aprons, curbs, parking lot islands, and sidewalks for the phase one project behind the community center are complete. Remaining work includes pouring four concrete bench pads and installing benches, plus line striping. The deadline for this phase is November 16.

The project received bids from Perk Company Inc. of Cleveland, with the low bid of $557,644.50 accepted by council in September. This phase represents the first part of a larger downtown revitalization effort that will eventually include improvements to Depot Street.

Budget and Contract Matters

Council conducted the second reading of Ordinance 3394, the 2026 appropriations budget totaling $17,862,685.27. The Finance Committee unanimously recommended approval of the budget, which will come up for final vote at the next meeting.

Council also approved emergency contracts with the Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association for both sergeants/patrolmen and dispatchers. The contracts include a one-year wage adjustment plus an 8% increase over the three-year contractual period covering 2025-2027. Varckette explained that the adjustment was made to retain current officers and attract new ones, though the city still has several openings.

Water Infrastructure Projects Progress

The city’s SR 84 Waterline Replacement Project has been recommended for funding by the Ohio Public Works Commission. The estimated project cost is $508,000, with OPWC providing $304,800 ($154,800 grant and $150,000 loan). The city’s local match for the project is $203,200.

Additionally, Ashtabula County received bids October 3 for a joint water tower project. Great Lakes Crushing Ltd. of Willowick submitted the lowest conforming bid of $3,598,052. The county has accepted the base bid, with Geneva’s obligation set at 35% of the cost, approximately $3.9 million. The project year is 2028.

Stormwater and Other Infrastructure Updates

Varckette met with the new planning team from Verdantas, now headed by Mark Delisio, to review the Stormwater Master Plan program. Phase 1 involved base mapping, phase 2 covered problem identification, and phase 3 focuses on project identification, prioritization, and cost estimating. The city has completed phases 1 and 2, with phase 3 estimated to cost $32,700 and anticipated to be a twelve-week effort.

The city continues working on procurement processes for the Appalachian Community Grant streetscape facade project, with Eastgate engaging Verdantas to assist. LDA has been asked to finalize all project scopes with applicants and provide cost estimates.

Spire Institute Park Project

Varckette provided an update on the Spire Institute community park plan that Spire presented to council in September. The project requires a 15-year durable lease between the city and Spire. Once an acceptable lease is finalized, council will review it for approval.

The city must complete a project information package and submit it to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. After ODNR approval, the city will receive a contract to bring back to council. The $250,000 grant was originally part of a larger 2022 collaborative project with Spire that was later revised.

Insurance Costs Increase

The city received its property casualty insurance renewal showing a 12.4% increase from $97,000 last year to $109,362 this year. The increase was partially driven by appreciation in buildings and equipment values discovered during an audit, which increased coverage levels on top of normal market conditions.

Finance Director Tracy Welch and Varckette met with the insurance agent to request a review for potential premium reductions, but no lower rates were available. Varckette noted that when the city switched to its current provider three years ago, the previous plan cost over $330,000, so even with increases, rates remain favorable.

Community Improvement Corporation Presentation

Bob Russell, president of the Community Improvement Corporation, presented an overview of the CIC, which was established in 1997 to advance economic and community development in Geneva and surrounding areas. Ohio Revised Code allows municipalities to create CIC entities for economic development activities. The CIC Board has fifteen members, five of whom are held by city staff. Russell provided an overview of economic development projects the CIC has completed and noted that the CIC also serves as the fiscal agent for local entities as a 501(c)3 organization.

Polling Location Concerns Raised

Councilman William Baker brought up an issue reported by poll workers at the Geneva Recreation Center during the recent election. Many voters arrived at the rec center thinking it was the community center, as there is no large sign identifying the community center building. Some voters who couldn’t immediately find the correct location left without voting due to work schedule constraints.

Baker requested that both facilities be better identified before the next election to prevent voter confusion.

Citizens Address Council

A resident spoke regarding Councilman Griffiths’ social media post.

A resident inquired about the $53,000 needed for the Safety Grant. Varckette stated the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant requires a community share. The grant is in the amount of $212,000, with the required match being $53,000.

A resident read the City of Geneva’s mission statement as well as an excerpt from the Code of Ethics and Section of the City’s Policy on social media.

Public Recognition of Safety Forces

During the citizens portion, a resident thanked the city’s police and fire departments for their response to a medical emergency involving his father several months ago. He praised the kindness, attentiveness, and expertise demonstrated by Geneva’s safety forces.

Committee Reports

Councilman Griffiths reported that the Planning Committee met October 20 to discuss the Zoning Rewrite and Flood Damage Mitigation Regulation changes. The committee had a healthy conversation with Sarah Jammal, Verdantas Planner in attendance. Questions and recommendations were posed, and Jammal will provide additional information and answer questions by the next council meeting. A second committee meeting will be scheduled. Schenk reiterated questions regarding the language for Home Occupancy Permit for a farm stand and where the items are required to be grown.

Councilman Rosebrugh reported that the Finance Committee met October 23, at which the city presented the Operating Budget for 2026. The Finance Committee unanimously recommended to approve the budget for 2026.

Councilman Griffiths reported that the Sustainable and Shade Tree Commissions met. The commission is tentatively talking about possible dates for tree planting this fall on Marvin and Cox, and clean-up of the community garden at the Library. Barbo and Griffiths were part of a planning team that hosted the first Sustainability Summit in Ashtabula County this past Friday at Kent State Ashtabula. The Summit had sponsors from NOPEC, Eastgate Council of Governments, Keybank and Ashtabula Regional Medical Center, Western Reserve Land Conservancy and others. Griffiths provided an overview of the Summit.

Executive Session

Council adjourned into executive session to discuss pending legal action. No action was taken following the closed session.

The next Geneva City Council meeting will be held November 24.