City renews coverage through Love Insurance Agency for $168,455
Ravenna City Council approved a 12.5 percent increase in the city’s insurance premium during a special meeting September 8, bringing the total cost to $168,455 for property and casualty coverage.
Finance Director Tami Lawrence explained the increase reflects broader market conditions affecting municipalities nationwide, with industry rates rising 7 to 14 percent. The city’s total insured property value has increased $13.5 million since 2022, a 25 percent jump that contributed to the higher premiums.
Despite the rate increase, Lawrence noted the city maintains favorable standing with a five-year loss ratio of 55.6 percent, well within the typical municipal range of 40 to 60 percent. The coverage includes cyber liability protection at $14,400 and drone aviation policies.
The renewal runs from September 15, 2025 through September 14, 2026, with Love Insurance Agency continuing as the city’s provider.
Council Advances $50,000 Annex Security Camera Upgrade
New system features 4K cameras, license plate detection capabilities
Ravenna’s Information Systems Committee moved forward plans to replace outdated security cameras at the city annex with a comprehensive $50,000 system featuring advanced monitoring capabilities.
The proposal includes nine 4K bullet cameras for outdoor use with license plate recognition, four AI-enabled 360-degree cameras, and specialized equipment for the recreation center. The system will provide 60 days of local storage through high-capacity drives while offering cloud-based remote access for city officials.
IT Director Jonathan Bender said the current camera system has been non-functional for years, with failed equipment and lost access credentials. The new UniFi system includes artificial intelligence features allowing staff to search footage using terms like “person with box” across all cameras simultaneously.
Installation will include point-to-point wireless connections to the rear garage and comprehensive cable management through a secured equipment rack. The system comes with a five-year warranty on all equipment.
City staff consulted with annex employees about camera placement to address privacy concerns while ensuring security coverage of all entry points.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Faces Contractor Setback
Second-lowest bidder now in consideration after withdrawal
A major wastewater treatment plant improvement project encountered an unexpected hurdle when the lowest bidder withdrew their $600,000 proposal hours after the city decided to move forward with their contract.
City Engineer Bob Finney told the Utilities Committee that after extensive discussions about the skater system project, the contractor pulled out due to a non-compete clause issue with their current employer. The city will now meet with the second-lowest bidder, priced at approximately $750,000.
The project remains well under the $1.3 million allocated budget and officials expect to expedite the contract award to maintain the construction timeline. Board of control will review the revised proposal following contractor meetings.
Despite the setback, Finney said the second bidder has established relationships with the water plant operations, which could benefit project coordination.
City Considers Fixed Gas Rate Amid Winter Price Uncertainty
Proposed 4.95 percent rate through March 2027
The Utilities Committee reviewed a proposal to lock in natural gas rates at 4.95 percent for city residents through March 2027, as current variable rates hover around 3.317 percent.
The fixed-rate option through energy aggregation would provide price stability during winter months, when natural gas demand typically increases heating costs. However, some council members questioned whether residents could find better individual rates through direct shopping.
Council member Cliff Soudil noted he found an 18-month rate of 4.19 percent through independent research, suggesting residents may benefit from individual rate shopping rather than the city’s group plan.
Approximately 2,000 city households participate in the current aggregation program out of an estimated 3,500 total residential accounts. Officials emphasized residents can opt out of the program to pursue individual contracts with energy suppliers.
The committee will advance the proposal for full council consideration, while encouraging residents to research individual options through the state’s energy comparison website.
Park District Seeks City Support for Crystal Lake Land Purchase
Access agreement needed for conservation project
The Portage Park District requested city support for a grant application to purchase property near Crystal Lake, contingent on developing an access agreement for the conservation area.
Park District representatives explained they need access through city-owned land under the railroad tracks to reach both Nature Conservancy property and private parcels they hope to acquire. The letter of support would not commit the city to any financial obligation.
The district plans to pursue acquisition funding first, followed by restoration grants next year to address storm water runoff from Route 5 and invasive species management. Officials from ODOT, EPA, and Kent State University have been consulted on environmental concerns.
Council President Rob Kairis clarified the access agreement would require separate negotiations and legal review, but supported providing the letter needed for the grant application. The Planning Committee will advance both the support letter and future access discussions.
Council Refines Public Comment Guidelines
Roberts Rules framework guides meeting participation standards
The Planning Committee began developing formal guidelines for public comment during city meetings, emphasizing organization rather than limitation of citizen input.
Committee Chair Christina West shared research on Roberts Rules of Order, noting that meetings belong to the governing body while providing structured opportunities for resident participation. The goal is creating consistent, transparent procedures across different meeting types.
Longtime meeting attendee Larry Selinius praised the current informal system, citing valuable contributions from regular participants over eight years. He urged against changes that might discourage citizen involvement.
West clarified the effort aims to organize input through multiple channels, including potential software solutions for residents unable to attend meetings in person. The committee will continue developing proposals to make public participation more accessible and comfortable.
The discussion followed a successful public comment about electric scooter regulations, where a resident and his nephew sought clarification on conflicting enforcement information from police officers.
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