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CORTLAND -- City officials will meet with different firms to see who may be selected for building a safety complex.
Local firms will attend a work session at 6 p.m. April 22 to discuss the building project and what they can offer the city for doing the work. Officials said they are expecting at least three firms to attend and make a presentation.
Mayor Deidre Petrosky and other local officials traveled last month to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials to see what funds might be available for a $5 million safety-service complex.
Petrosky has said the city is seeking funds for that and other local projects.
Plans are to build the complex at 400 N. High St. to house the fire and police departments and administrative offices. Officials said they want to see construction begin in 2025.
In February, Petrosky went to Columbus to meet with state officials as part of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber's annual Columbus Drive-In. She said the city is seeking capital budget funding, strategic community investment funding and Ohio Department of Development project funding.
Officials said the city has received statements of qualifications from 10 architectural and engineering firms interested in the project that will be reviewed. The selected firm would handle the building and site design.
"We had a good response. I have never seen such a response to a project," Petrosky said.
In addition to the $5 million being sought for the complex, other dollars are being sought for a hydro herbicide mitigation to combat invasive algae and other invasive aquatic species at Mosquito Lake and for new water meters.
"We hope we are able to secure some funding," she said.
Petrosky said the city should hear by summer of any state funds for the center and by next year of any federal funds.
THEFT OF CHECKS
In other business, police Chief David Morris said there was a recent incident where individuals were caught on camera taking mail from an outdoor drive-up blue postal box, taking 30 checks from some of the letters.
Morris said Pennsylvania State Police were able to locate the vehicle and the individuals involved. He said cameras were able to get an image of the vehicle.
Morris advised residents who see anything suspicious at mailboxes to contact the police. He also advised taking mail inside the post office.
Councilman Scott Rowley said it is a concern when someone gets inside a postal box.
Also during the meeting, Petrosky said there was $10,000 left over from 2023 for the business facade grant program. She said last year, three businesses were able to use the grant funds.
Petrosky said the leftover 2023 funds can be rolled over to this year, bringing the total to $25,000.
Law Director Patrick Wilson said when the city renews the program, it should be put in writing that any funds not used in one year can be rolled over to the next year.