YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s board of control signed loan and grant agreements with state agencies for two $9 million water projects and two projects, costing more than $1 million each, for street improvements.

The board voted 2-0 Thursday on the agreements. Finance Director Kyle Miasek was absent from the meeting.

The joint loan agreements for the two $9 million water projects are with the Ohio Enviro nmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Water Development Authority.

One project would upgrade the Webb Road pump station, which is needed before repair work can be done to a 48-inch main waterline that supplies the site. That station distributes water to most of Austintown and Canfield townships through four pumps, said Water Commissioner Harry L. Johnson III.

This project would add another station with another two additional pumps, he said. The new pump station is being built off-site and should be finished in about 12 to 18 months, Johnson said.

The work is needed to repair corroded pipes that are in danger of failing, he said.

The other project is to replace the Crandall Park water main that is on Gypsy Lane from Logan to Goleta avenues on the city’s North Side, as well as replacing about 470 lead waterlines on Fifth Avenue, Tod Lane, Belmont Avenue and Gypsy Lane, Johnson said.

Half of the loan, which is up to $9 million, would be forgiven by the state upon completion of the project, Johnson said.

Numerous water breaks occur on that section of Gypsy Lane, Johnson said.

In a separate 2-0 vote, the board entered into an engineering services agreement for up to $297,500 with Arcadis, a national firm that has done extensive work for the city, for the Crandall Park and lead waterline replacement project.

STREET IMPROVEMENTS

The board signed off on project grant agreements with the Ohio Public Works Commission for street improvement work.

One project includes Gibson Street from Poland to Indianola avenues, Liberty from Atkinson to Bolt avenues, and Shehy from Lincoln Park Drive to Loveless Avenue.

The project is estimated to cost $1,157,923 with the state paying $625,278 and the remaining $532,645 coming from the city.

The work includes paving, pavement markings, curb ramps and traffic signs.

The other project is estimated to cost $1,502,047 with the state paying $481,258 and the city’s share being $1,020,789. But the city expects to have its share reimbursed through the State of Ohio Surface Transportation Block Grant Program.

The streets are Wood Street from Belmont to Wick avenues, McGuffey Road from Jacobs Road to state Route 616, Sheridan Road from state Route 170 to Powers Way, and Powers Way from Sheridan Road to the Pine Hollow Bridge.

The work includes resurfacing, drainage rehabilitation, new curb ramps, signage and road striping.

AUDIT AGREEMENT

The board also signed a $120,000 agreement Thursday with the Ohio auditor to conduct a performance audit on the city’s police and fire departments.

City council voted June 18 to pay for the audit.

City council on March 5 provided a letter to Finance Director Kyle Miasek asking him to request the state auditor review how the two departments manage their resources, including equipment and vehicles; analyze staffing levels with a focus on scheduling and overtime practices; the management of contracts; and compliance with established policies and procedures.

The request comes after The Vindicator reported Feb. 8 that 15 city police officers made more than $50,000 in overtime in 2024.

In a June 9 email to city council, Aaron Shaw, deputy director of the state auditor’s performance team, wrote the “performance audit will identify recommendations for improved economy, efficiency and / or effectiveness.”

The audit would take nine to 12 months from the start to complete, he wrote.

His team “will issue a final report, which will include background information, findings, recommendations and a summary of financial implications,” Shaw wrote.

The estimated cost is $120,000 with a “subsidized billing rate for local governments” of $41 an hour, Shaw wrote. That would be more than 2,925 work hours.

The audit would review five categories at the two departments, according to Shaw’s letter.

That includes reviews compared to peer and / or best practices for staffing and deployment, overtime management, fiscal management, contract management, and equipment and fleet.

CITY HALL WORK

The board of control on Thursday also approved a $380,500 contract with Brock Builders of North Lima to renovate the former clerk of courts space on the second floor of city hall into new offices for the community planning and economic development department.

The space has been empty for about seven years.

City council on March 19 agreed to authorize the board of control to spend up to $290,000 for the project.

The city’s estimate for the work was $403,000 with Brock Builders’ bid, which was the lowest, coming in at less than that. It is, however, over council’s authorized maximum price.

Charles Shasho, the city’s deputy director of public works, said the project will either be scaled back or the administration will request council to increase the amount.