Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Brecksville City Council convened on June 16, 2026, at 8:00 PM in the Ralph W. Biggs City Council Chambers. The meeting included committee sessions and a full council session. The council approved numerous items including the demolition of Central School, adoption of the 2027 tax budget, a regional firefighter grant application, and various contracts. A public commenter requested a Pride Month proclamation.
Second 2026. Do I hear any changes? They look great. Fantastic hearing. Then I move to approve as presented. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Next is discussion on the accepting of the bid for the central school demolition. Joe or Monica? Thank you, Councilmember Member Gannam. Um May 29th, the city held the public bid opening for the demolition of central school, and 10 bids were received. The lowest bid was for $683,000 by pro quality demolition, and we are seeking authorization to proceed with executing that agreement. Any questions for Monica? Brian? I know I'm not on the committee, but um there was a grant for this against this, correct? And the grant for was for 543. Well, so that's not the total. That's the total grant amount, but the grant will fund up to 80% of the total cost. Okay, perfect. So 80% of 683,000. So we're approving the 683, but there's a grant that's going to be used against that. Correct. Thank you. And if I could just add something really quick to that as well, just so you know, the people who are listening, we haven't started any discussions on what's going to happen to the property yet. There'll be time and a place for that. This exercise was just to get the building down. So there'll be plenty of time for public input at the time where we bring it forward. I think the plan at this point is to they are going to the contractor is going to grade and cede the property when they left. What when they're done, and it maybe over the next year or two years, we'll you know decide what to do with it and we'll engage the public when that comes. Oh, yeah, for sure. Sure. So the uh the pre-construction or I guess pre-de-construction meeting is gonna be held on Thursday this week, and then we're expecting um construction to begin after home days. Joe, I don't know if you have anything to add on that. Uh, estimating about two months. Yeah, remembering clearly. There's a there's a two-month uh allowance for them to complete the work, and um they do have to wait 10 days. So once we award the contract, they have to give 10 days notice to the EPA uh about the demolition, and then once that 10-day period passes, they can start work. Uh the first part will actually be just the abatement of all the asbestos in the building, so all the hazardous material has to be removed first before any demolition can begin. And our and our chiefs have been working closely with Joe to get an opportunity, which doesn't happen very often to do some let's say deconstru um deconstructive training. I don't think that's the right word, but they can go in and do some training, cut holes in walls and windows and roofs that they normally would never get a chance to do. So just just for the people who are listening, it's it's been sitting there how long