South Russell Suffered Minimum Storm Damage

August 14, 2024 by Sherry Gavanditti 

Unlike neighboring townships and villages, South Russell Village suffered minimal damage during the rash of storms Aug. 6 that brought high winds, torrential rain and even tornados across parts of Northeast Ohio.

“We were very lucky,” said South Russell Police Chief Mike Rizzo during the Aug. 12 South Russell Village Council meeting.

“The winds were substantial, but other than debris in the road, there was no substantial damage,” Street Commissioner Tim Alder added.

Mayor Bill Koons lauded FirstEnergy and said they were in constant communication.  Incidentally, there are plans to update the village tornado siren from analog to digital in the near future, Rizzo said.

“The old one was built in the mid 90s,” he said, adding while it is fully operational, the improvement will mean more megahertz.

In the meantime, there is a backup plan should there be a malfunction in the old system, Rizzo said.

In other business, South Russell Village residents Kelly Estes and Carrie Schloss approached council and the mayor about starting a bicycle and pedestrian committee for residents and invited the village to get involved.

“(We) are excited to announce the formation of a committee to gather interested individuals from our community to discuss an organized process for safe pedestrian and bicycle transportation in South Russell Village,” Estes said, adding the committee would be called the Mayor’s Committee for Safe Bicycle and Pedestrian Transport.

She proposed the first meeting at 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at South Russell Village Hall and expressed hope anyone who enjoys biking or walking will attend and community members will sign on and get involved.

When council member Ruth Cavanaugh pressed Estes for more details, she explained the goals

of the committee are to develop a safe bike and pedestrian access plan, to engage the community to learn their bicycle and safety needs, to make recommendations to council to select/submit pedestrian and bicycle projects for state and federal funding opportunities, and to work with village staff to promote biking and walking as safe and healthy modes of transportation. This would include promoting safe routes to schools, assisting staff in planning opportunities and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the village.

Koons suggested forming an ad hoc committee utilizing members of the village park committee. “We are really excited to hear what the community is looking for,” Schloss said. “We are avid bikers and love to see people out all the time and see what their ideas are and bring them back to you.”

Council also approved the following items:

• Hiring Impullitti Landscaping LLC, DBA Artistic Solutions, for up to $14,862 for tree planting on Manor Brook mound in accordance with the approved landscaping plan submitted by CT Consultants;
• The project and fee proposal with CT Consultants for up to $19,000 for criteria architect services regarding a design build project delivery for new construction of a salt storage building.
• An ordinance with CXT, Inc. and the village for the Double Rocky Mountain Restroom delivery and setup for South Russell Village Park, not to exceed $116,551. The restrooms will now have solar lights and fans.
• A proposal from Richard A. Beck & Associates for architectural services not to exceed $2,500 for a new detached garage being planned to house the South Russell Police Department’s “drone mobile.”

Council also noted for anyone wishing to utilize the village park and pavilion on Sept. 3, 17, and Oct. 1,8, the Chagrin Falls Cross Country team will be utilizing the space from 3-6 p.m.