GIRARD — City officials are considering adding a mountain bike trail in the city and plan to check out other trails to get a better sense of what works.

Councilman Todd Latell, D-at Large, said at Monday’s council meeting he wants a meeting to discuss the idea. Creating a mountain bike trail will cost the city nothing and could also be used as a walking trail, he added.

Resident Tonya Carpenter will speak at 6:15 p.m. May 26 to council and the public about a trail. Carpenter also has invited city officials to visit the Lake Milton Mountain Bike Trail at 3 p.m. June 9 to explore ideas for a mountain bike trail in Girard.

STREET CONDITION

In other business, city council plans to seek Ohio Public Works Commission funds for needed repairs for several streets in 2027.

Councilman Thomas Grumley, D-4th Ward, said PGM was hired to do a study of the condition of the roads and found 60% needed work done to improve them.

He said those streets in the worst condition are Beaver, Tod, Iowa, Ohio, Plymouth, Mosier and South Lorain.

Councilman James Clark, D-2nd Ward, said some streets in the city have sinkholes that need to be filled for safety. He said cold patching is not the solution.

Holmes said a list is being compiled of streets in the worst condition.

Residents can call the city building with concerns about streets.

Resident Mike Costarella said years ago there were holes on the sides of Dravis Street that were big enough for children to fall into. He said they fill up with rainwater, and someone could fall into them and drown.

Also, Holmes said the city has interviewed three candidates for city engineer, with additional interviews set for 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Dennis Meeks is currently serving as a part-time engineer after 30 years with the city.

Members of council said they were informed by the former safety service director that Meeks was retiring.

Councilman John Moliterno, D-3rd Ward, said council was told at the meeting that Meeks was retiring, and then he came back.

“We never received an email or letter stating that Meeks was coming back. We were told he was retiring,” Moliterno said.

Auditor Julie Coggins confirmed that Meeks received a check for engineering services.

Councilman Keith Schubert, D-1st Ward, said he is concerned that the city has been spending taxpayer money not only for Meeks but also for MS Consultants for engineering services.

He said Meeks has been handling engineering plans for the Girard Lakes property.

Schubert said council is reviewing a $45,000 bill from MS Consultants. He said previously that $19,000 was approved earlier this year.

“We need to curtail this spending,” Grumley said.

The city has spent $100,000 on engineering with Meeks and MS Consultants this year, Grumley said, and in 2025, spent more than $350,000 for various engineering services.

Schubert said a new engineer needs to be hired.

CAT PROBLEM

Also at Monday’s meeting, resident Annette Minniti cited continued problems with cats in the Stambaugh Street neighborhood.

She said a woman traps cats, gets them tested and fixed and releases them back into the neighborhoods.

Minniti said she is concerned with residents who feed the strays, which brings them back to the neighborhoods. She said people should be given warnings about the cats and to not take care of them.

Council President Reynald Paolone, D-at Large, said Holmes and Mayor Mark Zuppo will address the matter since city officials want the cats caught and fixed to reduce the stray population.

Also, Police Chief John Freeman said he received a “Put a Lid on It” grant for bike helmets for children. He said minors on e-bikes are required to wear helmets.