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GIRARD -- KO Consulting has helped the city secure $2.15 million in grants in the nearly three years the city has had a contract with them.
Kristen Olmi, CEO/owner of KO Consulting, a community economic development firm, and other company officials met with Girard City Council this week to discuss establishing more transparency between the firm and the city over what grants are being sought.
"Grants are a volume game. We look at getting the city more money by looking at what grants Girard needs to be going after. We want the city to go after any grant it can. Don't turn down any grant opportunity," Olmi said.
Councilman John Moliterno, D-3rd Ward, said he appreciates what KO Consulting has done "chasing after every grant for the city'' and wants to have more communication with the firm so officials are more aware of what is taking place.
Olmi said she will provide a list of what grants KO Consulting has obtained for the city, how much and what the local match will be.
She said KO Consulting billed the city $106,000 for three years for their services with a very viable return on investment of securing $2.1 million in grants for the city.
The company has received grants for the Ohio Leatherworks property and cemetery grants.
"You are one of our most successful municipalities,'' Olmi said.
Councilman Thomas Grumley, D-4th Ward, said officials simply want more transparency since some grants require matching funds and the city needs to know where to get that from.
Plans are for a member of council to attend a KO Consulting meeting with city officials.
Gina Magazine, account representative for the city, said she is currently seeking grants to benefit the cemetery.
ENGINEERING PROJECTS
In other business, new city engineer Zack Teter said among the projects the city has secured funding for are $125,000 in Ohio Public Works Commission grants for Churchill Road sanitary sewers from Shannon Road to Dravis Avenue; $120,000 in Community Development Block grants for fire hydrant replacement; and seeking funds for the Highland Avenue replacement project from Morris Avenue to Churchill Road with plans for an 80-20% federal grant for that project to be done in 2031.
Teter said bids are also being prepared for work at the Wellman Theater.
Also, police Chief John Freeman and fire Chief Jim Petruzzi were asked to also submit to council a list of grants their departments have received.
Freeman said in recent years, the police department has secured $80,000 in grants, including for a domestic violence reduction program focusing on reducing the number of domestic violence and sexual assaults in the city.
Freeman said meetings have been held with Someplace Safe, Trumbull County Children Services and Girard Municipal Court for their input on helping victims.
Petruzzi said he has secured grants for fire equipment and protective gear.
He said in recent weeks school bus drivers have received training with police and fire on crash protocol.
Also, council:
• Heard from Councilman Todd Latell about having the Rust Belt Trail Coalition meet July 29 at Girard Lower Lake to see if it is feasible for a mountain bike trail to be placed on the property.
• Announced the streets committee will meet at 6 p.m., economic development at 6:20 p.m. and the buildings and grounds committee at 6:40 p.m. July 27.
• Heard from Councilman Keith Schubert, D-1st Ward, on plans to be discussed for work at the city's four parks -- Tod, Liberty, Stambaugh and Hartzell.