Jefferson Village Breaks Ground on Park, Hires New Detective, Approves $704K Wastewater Deal

Jefferson Village Council met Tuesday, Sept. 8, shifting from its usual Monday schedule because of Labor Day. Members heard updates on a new inclusive park, approved two personnel moves in public safety, and passed several pieces of legislation, including a large wastewater treatment contract. Site Work Underway at Imagination Village Mayor Steven Sekanina told council that crews from Simak Trucking and Excavating began work at Memorial Field the week after Labor Day. The contractor set up security fencing around the site and plans to deliver equipment within the next few days. Excavation is expected to start the following week and could take two to four weeks to complete. The project, known around the village as Imagination Village, will bring an inclusive playground to Memorial Field. Council approved contracts with Simak back in June after the company turned out to be the only local contractor willing to bid the work. Sekanina said Simak has done business with the village for decades and offered a fair price that covers its own costs. Funding for the project comes from several sources. Council previously directed proceeds from the sale of Walnut Street property toward the park, and pipes and fittings for the site have already been delivered. A local community development group granted the village about $500,000 toward the project earlier this year and is supplying small playhouses that have already been built off site. That same group offered to pay for a professional project manager to help oversee construction, an offer officials said was not part of the original budget. Sekanina emphasized that the project manager cannot approve any changes without sign off from the village. He pointed to a rotted beam discovered during an earlier restroom renovation as an example of how those approvals work in practice. Council previously created a park committee to help oversee the project, and Sekanina plans to schedule a project meeting soon after ground work begins, along with a small event to mark the occasion. What Comes After the Park's Site Work Once site preparation wraps up this fall, the village plans to seek bids on a splash pad that is already fully funded. Sekanina said the village's engineer recommended sending that project out to bid over the winter, between the end of site work and the return of warmer weather. Village officials said fundraising will continue for other parts of the project and that they intend to recognize everyone who has contributed once the work is far enough along. New Patrolman, Promoted Firefighter Approved Council approved two personnel recommendations during the meeting. Acting on Police Chief Chris Mackensen's recommendation, members voted to hire John Cudnik to a full time detective and patrolman position, pending his physical examination and background check. Mackensen's written recommendation said Cudnik brings nine months of law enforcement experience from the Painesville Police Department. Council also approved Interim Fire Chief Joe Edison's recommendation to promote David Robinson from a new hire with no certification to volunteer firefighter. Robinson completed his firefighter training and earned his state certification over the summer. Edison's letter to council called him a great asset to the department. August Police and Fire Numbers Mackensen reported that the department responded to 256 calls for service in August, including 58 medical calls. Officers made 7 arrests, worked 5 crashes, conducted 62 traffic stops, and issued 21 citations. He also told council the department finished setting up its new solicitor permit identification system, which uses a background check and photo badge to identify approved door to door solicitors working in the village. Edison reported 26 fire department runs in August, split between Jefferson Township, Jefferson Village, Lenox Township, and mutual aid calls. Two firefighters completed academy training and earned their state certifications during the month, and another department member earned additional emergency services and fire instructor certifications. The department is also partnering with the American Red Cross on a program that provides and installs free smoke detectors for residents who sign up online or call the station. A live burn training exercise involving neighboring departments is planned for Sept. 20 on Route 46. Council Approves Wastewater Contract, Cybersecurity Policy Council adopted Resolution 3459, awarding a $704,000 contract to Union Industrial Contractors for phase two of clarifier improvements at the village's wastewater treatment plant. Members also gave first reading to Resolution 3462, supporting a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program aimed at reducing serious roadway crashes across the village. Other legislation included the third reading and adoption of Ordinance 3450, which supplements the village's current budget for the fiscal year. Council gave first reading to Resolution 3461, authorizi