Streets and Sidewalks Committee Meeting 4/20/26

The Medina, Ohio Streets and Sidewalks Committee met on April 20, 2026, primarily to discuss the city's sidewalk repair program and related infrastructure issues. A key procurement topic was the consideration of a $9,000 per year subscription service from Civil Transportation that uses lidar technology and AI to identify sidewalk defects and tripping hazards. The committee debated the value of this technology versus traditional boots-on-the-ground inspections, noting the technology could detect about 80% of defects and could also be used for street pavement ratings. They also discussed engaging Davey Resource Group to provide a comprehensive inventory of sidewalk and tree root issues to improve repair efficiency, with a pilot program proposed for Ward 1. The committee considered in-house grinding of sidewalks as a cost-effective alternative to third-party contractors, with plans to test this approach and gather data. They emphasized the need for a multi-year, continuous sidewalk repair program, including grant funding to cover city expenses without homeowner contributions. The committee planned to involve the law director to address liability concerns and aimed to schedule follow-up meetings after receiving cost proposals and pilot data. Additionally, there was a brief update on the square parking arrangement project, which is expected to take about four months for further development and stakeholder consultation.