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HVAC repair bids sought in Niles

NILES — City council took emergency action Tuesday during a special meeting to seek bids for replacement of the heating and air conditioning system at the Safety Services building.

Funding for the repairs will come from a $1.6 million bond council approved last year for critical repairs to a number of city buildings. The HVAC system in the Safety Service building works in some places, but not in others, Service Director Ed Stredney said.

However, in order for the Niles Municipal Court’s new body scanner — secured through grant funding from the Ohio Supreme Court — to be installed, a functioning air conditioning system is necessary because of the heat the unit will generate. Security upgrades are expected to begin in the building in the coming months.

“The most pressing issue right now in that building is the HVAC system,” Stredney said.

The HVAC replacement, as well as structural foundation work, are part of Phase 2 of upgrades to the Safety Services building, and council also heard a first reading Tuesday to authorize Phillips Sekanick Architects, Inc. to serve as project manager of the projects. This ordinance failed to pass as an emergency because Councilman Al Cantola, D-4th Ward, voted against suspending the three-reading rule and with Councilman Michael Lastic absent, there weren’t enough votes to suspend the rules.

Three firms presented requests for qualifications to oversee the project, Law Director Terry Swauger said.

Cantola questioned whether having Phillips Sekanick, Inc. oversee the project is a good idea considering the frustrations the city encountered with the first phase of the building repairs that they also oversaw. Phase 1 of repairs at the Safety Services building consisted of roofing repairs, and a number of unforeseen problems, leaks and delays were encountered along the way.

“They were the manager of the roof project which took months when it was going to be done before Christmas,” Cantola said. “I struggle a little bit if this is what we want to continue to do.”

Stredney and Councilwoman Linda Marchese, D-3rd Ward, said the problems encountered with the roofing job at the Safety Services building were the result of years of neglect and issues with the construction company that did the work, not the architectural firm that oversaw the project or analyzed the work that needed to be done.

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