Road Repairs and Salt Brine: What Council will Talk about Oct. 27

Stow City Council will meet at 7 p.m. at to consider legislation regarding the purchase of $91,000 worth of road equipment and the establishment of a fourth Community Reinvestment Area in the city.

Council will consider:

• Spending $61,654 on a Duraco DuraPatcher road patching machine at the request of Director Dano Koehler. The DuraPatcher is billed as a cost-efficient, cost-effective and long-lasting method of repairing potholes. Koehler said the machine “will considerably reduce costs associated with using cold patch to fix potholes” throughout the year. He said the machine will be especially helpful during the colder months.

• Spending $29,892 for the purchase and installation of a 1,600-gallon brine tank and distribution system on a city-owned cab and chassis (a former street sweeper) at the request of Koehler. He said the city has been using more salt brine on roads the past couple years because it is much cheaper than road salt. The “new” brine truck “will probably pay for itself in the first year,” said Koehler.

• Spending $39,000 on the purchase of various fasteners, hydraulic hoses, fittings and other miscellaneous hardware supplies for the service department at Koehler’s request.

• Establish a fourth Community Reinvestment Area in the city to encourage renovation and redevelopment of existing commercial facilities, primarily in the center of Stow. Rob Kurtz, assistant director of the Planning & Development Department, said council’s approval of the the CRA IV would allow the city to apply for state approval. The district would encompass both sides of S.R. 91, from south of the commercial areas on both sides of Kent Road north to the city center area, stopping at Lillian Road ().

• Entering into one-year contracts with two companies for the city’s general insurance coverage at a combined cost of $180,000. John Earle, director of budget and management, is recommending a contract with Wichert Insurance Services Inc. for the city’s building, electronic data processing, automobile, general liability, EMS and umbrella coverage. He is recommending a contract with Love Insurance Agency for the city’s law enforcement, public official liability and related insurance policies.