City Council recently selected Leopardo Companies, Incorporated to prepare an energy conservation report for the city. The measure was unanimously adopted at the November 20 City Council meeting.
Ultimately, the city is looking to reduce operating costs through energy conservation improvement projects. “We’re always looking to reduce our energy costs,” said Mayor Bob Stefanik. At a Mayors and Managers meeting earlier this year, Stefanik learned about an opportunity through a presentation that was made by Leopardo Companies, Incorporated. The company offered a free energy audit, in which the city participated, looking at all city buildings and focused on things such as lighting and heating unit efficiency.
With the results of the initial audit, the city then advertised for companies that would be interested in submitting a proposal for a more extensive audit and report, which include the implementation of the energy conservation measures. After the time regulated by the Ohio Revised Code, the city then sent out a request for proposal to the companies that responded, according to Stefanik. The request for proposal stated the following list of goals and objectives:
“1. Reduce operating costs to reinvest in deferred maintenance areas
2. Improve environmental conditions for employees and visitors to the facilities
3. Improve maintenance and operation of the facilities
4. Provide better working conditions in the identified facilities
5. Preserve capital funds for other requirement”
According to the request for proposal, the company must provide “comprehensive design-build construction, building management and energy services, including, but not limited to, the performance of investment grade energy audits, the program design by in-house professional engineers, selection of energy conservation measures, and installation of energy efficient systems, ongoing support and training services, assistance in securing financing for the transaction, and accountability for system performance, measurement and verification, and cost of operations savings.”
Stefanik said that four companies submitted proposals, which were reviewed by a panel of four, including North Royalton Finance Director, Eric Dean, and Community Development Director, Tom Jordan. The proposals were scored and submitted to Council, who then chose Leopardo Companies. Stefanik said that once the report is completed, City Council will review and approve which projects that the city would like to address and those projects will be bonded out.
The city facilities included in the audit are City Hall, the Police Stations, Fire Station #1 and #2, Service Center, Animal Control, Cemetery Maintenance Building, Parks Maintenance Building, Wastewater Treatment Plants A and B, the YMCA and city-owned street and traffic lights.
Stefanik said that focus would probably be items such as heating/cooling, roofing and lighting. Although there is no time frame on the measure, he said he would “like to do it as quickly as possible.” Dean said that the cost of the improvements will be realized through the energy savings down the road. “It will be nice to find where we can spend a little now and get it back later.”

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer