MENTOR, Ohio – On March 17, 2026, the Mentor City Council convened to recognize outstanding public service and address key infrastructure projects. The meeting centered on the Mentor City Council Meeting March 17, 2026 highlights, which included the presentation of the VFW Public Servant of the Year award to Patrolman Jeremy Eplee, the awarding of the final contract in a city-wide sidewalk repair cycle, and the designation of special honorary days for Revolutionary War veterans John Reynolds and Garrett Brass.
Police Department Recognitions and Public Service Awards
Police Chief Ken Gunsch opened the session by highlighting recent accolades within the department. Patrolman Jeremy Eplee was specifically honored as the VFW Public Servant of the Year for his decade-long dedication to the force, including his roles as a SWAT sniper, field training officer, and his habit of helping fellow officers repair their personal vehicles off-the-clock. Additionally, Rich Gerber was named Officer of the Year and Rob Rodriguez was selected as Civilian of the Year for 2025.
Completion of the 14-Year Sidewalk Repair Cycle
A significant milestone was reached regarding the Mentor City Council Meeting March 17, 2026 agenda with the approval of Ordinance 26-016. This contract, awarded to TC Construction Company for $644,580, covers “Zone 1F” in the southeast corner of the city.
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Historical Context: This is the final contract in a 14-year cycle designed to inspect and repair every sidewalk slab in the city.
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Cost Efficiency: While the average slab cost $150 to replace at the program’s start, it now averages $310.
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Future Discussion: Council members discussed the possibility of expanding the program in the next cycle to bridge gaps between existing sidewalks to increase city-wide walkability.
Honoring Revolutionary War Veterans and America 250
As part of the upcoming America 250 celebrations, the city officially designated two honorary days via resolutions:
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March 18, 2026, as John Reynolds Day: Reynolds enlisted at age 15 as a musician and served at Valley Forge and Bunker Hill before becoming a local judge.
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March 29, 2026, as Garrett Brass Day: Brass was present in New York with George Washington during the British evacuation and later farmed in Mentor on Garfield Road.
Infrastructure and Road Repair Updates
The city moved forward with several major maintenance contracts to address wear and tear from a harsh winter:
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Asphalt Road Program: A $1.3 million contract was awarded to Phillips Paving LLC for resurfacing 19 city streets, including Carol, Sylvia, and Blackbrook.
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Concrete Road Program: A $2 million contract was awarded to A&J Cement Contractors for repairs on 11 streets, including Civic Center Boulevard.
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Water Slide Expansion: Council authorized a change order for the Civic Center Pool water slide project to consolidate mechanical components for a new splash pad, saving the city on construction costs.