City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. Welcome to the meeting of the Elyria City Council for Monday, April 20th, 2026. Before we begin, I would ask you to please turn your phone cell phones off or to silent and um we're going to take a moment of reflective silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. Amen. Um Ms. Davis, would you lead us in the pledge, please? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I think I forgot to turn my phone off. Mr. Clark, may we have roll call, please? Yes, Madam President. Mr. Sierra? Here. Mr. Van Wormer?

Here. Mr. Armstrong? Here. Ms. Rothgery? Here. Ms. Davis? Here. Mr. Tillotson? Here. Mr. Lippy? Mr. Oswald? Here. Mr. Donny? Here. Mr. Schneider? Here. Ms. Mitchell? Here. We have one absent. We do have an excused absent. No? We do not have an excused absence for Mr. Lippy for tonight's meeting. Thank you, Mr. Clark. Before we begin with the meeting, I want to let you all know if you are here regarding the annexation, it is not being discussed at this meeting this evening. So, I just want to let you all know that you're more than welcome to stay, but we are not discussing it. It's not on the agenda. So. You're welcome. Mr. Clark, do we have any public hearings? There are none. Can I get approval for our minutes, please? So moved. Second. It's been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? Question. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carried. We'll have remarks and reports from city officials. Mayor Breubaker. Yes, thank you, Madam President. Uh just one item. On Wednesday, I I forwarded you an email uh this afternoon of the flyer that will go out on social media uh probably tomorrow morning or Wednesday morning at the latest. Um the energy grant that you approved for us a month or so ago, the $100,000 from NOPEC um the energy fund. Uh we are kicking off the energy efficiency grants, which is to remind you will reimburse a homeowner in the 150% tile of medium income up to $10,000 for an emergency repair of their HVAC system or hot water tank. And this is being funded by NOPEC um through the finance director's office, but community development

office, the community development will be managing that program and reporting directly to NOPEC as they have worked out the details on how that reporting goes. Normally, they would have to report um each um individual that came through, but they're going to do it as a group. And again, it's it's $100,000 and we'll pay reimburse them up to $10,000. Of course, all permits through the building department have to be received. Licensed contractors have to be used um and community development will approve um all expenses as well as the recipients of this. So, it's an exciting time when you have $100,000 to help some of our most vulnerable residents uh particularly when it comes to HVAC and hot water tanks. Uh with that being said, that's all I have tonight, Madam Chair Madam President. Thank you. Safety Service Director Piwonka. Thank you, through you. Uh just want to share with you Parks and Rec has started uh preparing the fountain to be turned on for the season. They're out there today pressure washing and cleaning it and cleaning out some of the valves. It seems like every year there's a valve or two that has to be cleaned out or replaced. So, they're in that process. I haven't got a definitive date, but once we get closer and we know a definitive date, we'll share it with you so you know it's coming on. I know a lot of people look forward to that at the beginning of the spring. So, uh and then other than that, if you have any questions, be happy to answer them. Any questions for Safety Service Director? Thank you. Law Director, Ms. Deary. Good evening. Um through you, Madam President, I just wanted to bring to the attention of council, you know, that there was some discussion uh at the most recent meeting uh with regard to our uh noise disturbance ordinance uh and the fact that it refers to a time frame commencing at 12:00 p.m. uh

midnight. I did ask the clerk's office if they would pull previous ordinances to see what how the time was referred um in as far as the language in those previous ordinances. Based on my review of those going back to um late '70s, early '80s, um it does appear that progressively the uh start of what I will call quiet time was um progressively pushed back starting at 8:00 p.m., then to 10:00 p.m., and then to midnight. And that p.m. um appears at least to me that it is um a typo and therefore I will be referring to have that uh language um updated. Um it does clearly say midnight when um again, I did take a look at other communities uh language as well as state language pertaining to time frames. Uh many of their uh statutes uh and laws just simply say midnight. They don't list a number at all. I don't think that it is an issue for enforcement uh or for this uh the city again to have it on the books, but again, just to clean it up and looking at the fact um that it has not been um And I did also, I'm sorry, uh I did pull the original ordinance and it is in the original ordinance as well. Uh I also wanted to see if it was something that happened when we caught had it codified by the company that handles that. So, I will be um submitting that to get that cleaned up. Uh but again, I do not think it is an issue of um um you know, enforcing and then the substance of of that ordinance. Other than that, uh I do not have uh anything else, but um should any of you have questions, you you know where to find me

and you have my email and my phone number. Thank Any questions for the Law Director? Thank you. Finance Director, Mr. Paleski. Thank you, Madam President. Uh no report this evening, but happy to answer any questions you might have. Any questions? Thank you. Police Chief Wells. Good evening. No report but I'm happy to answer any questions. Any questions for the Police Chief? Thank you. Fire Chief Fargo. Ooh. Good evening, Madam President. Thank you, through you. I just want to come here and brief the administration and council, community members, and those that are watching. Um the fire department has never had an autism awareness program. This is something that Chief Welsh and his department do very well. And so, I got the inspiration from him last week. So, we're going to work with him and his department along with Heroes Helping Those With Special Needs. They're a nonprofit. They're going to come in. They're going to provide our members training. Then they're going to help us create a training program that we can utilize to continue to educate our firefighters. They're also going to help us create sensory bags. So, we do respond to members of the community that are severely autistic that we can provide these bags to help calm those members down and make it a more um I guess less stressful response for them. That's something that's very important. I'm proud of this and I thank Chief Welsh and his department for heading this. Lastly, um May 4th, Monday is International Firefighters Day. I intend to bring in food from a local business to station one at 11:30. We have a lot of young guys. I'd like to invite the administration and council members who would like to attend to perhaps come and break bread with our young firefighters and get to know them. Thank you, council. I appreciate it. Thank you, administration. Any

questions? Thank you. Any questions for Chief Fargo? Mr. Tillotson. Through you, Madam President. Not a question, but to both chiefs, what you're doing with these special needs is enormous and potentially maybe in the future it could even expand into the schools. It's a growing problem in our society and what you're doing, I I can't give you enough thanks. Very special. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Ms. Davis. Uh through you, Madam Chair. To the chief, what time did you state that this program will be going on on May 4th? Uh 11:30, ma'am. 11:30.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Any other questions for Chief? Thank you, sir. Chief Engineer Snyder. No report, ma'am. Any questions for Mr. Snyder? Mrs. Davis. You thought you were getting away, didn't you? Through you, Madam Chair. Mr. Snyder, I have is a project in the second ward, 744 and 748 West River. That project has been going on for several months now, and I'm trying to see where where is it at with this dirt piled up. They look like they're trying to complete uh an an apartment building there, so could you get me some updates to see what's going on there? I can look into that.

I can look into that and and and and get back with you. Yes, I unfortunately do do not know what this is about. All right, thank you. Um Mr. Snyder, I see they're doing work on um on Murray Ridge, past Lowell Street. I saw that on I I on Facebook today. Mr. Mayor. Yes, Madam President, thank you. Um I travel that road quite often, and as you know, there's delineators there on our side of the rail tracks. The other side of tracks is Elyria Township, and right there as you come across the tracks, there have been several potholes that have been filled multiple times by the street department. Um today, Mr. Strohsack met with the street department out there, and they're actually cleaning the the um uh the ditch right there. There was a pipe that was full of junk that they've cleaned out, and the water's not able to flow. So, once they complete that, uh they're going to cut out a small section where those potholes are when the asphalt plants open, and put hot patch in there versus continuing to throw on cold patch in there. Um so, I know Mr. Fortner was out there uh this afternoon as well, but that's what's going on there. Thank you very much. Anyone have any other questions for Mr. Snyder? Thank you. Thank you. I think I've got everybody. President's referrals and remonetizes. Item number one to community development. Item number two to finance. Three to finance. Four finance and utilities. Items five through seven received and placed on file in the clerk's office. Mr. Clerk, petitions and remonetizes from the lobby. We have one. Ms. Karen Johnson of 33 Lakeview Drive, Carlisle Township, in regards to

comments about mega site and potential future annexation concerns. Thank you. Please give your name and address for the record. It's Karen Johnson, 33 Lakeview Drive, Grafton, Ohio, and I'm in Carlisle Township. Go right ahead. This is meant to be a public service announcement, actually. Um it's about the airport mega site, because I'm aware of conversations that local governments have had involving concerns of possible future annexation to Elyria, considering that New Russia Township turned down the industrial rezoning. Um I understand that the annexation from petition petition from Amherst Township was withdrawn, but I want wanted you to know, and I wasn't sure if you were aware, that that land, if it should be resubmitted, actually touches the airport mega site, which could lead to a future annexation. Concerning the airport mega site, the infrastructure being discussed isn't ordinary. We're talking about miles of high-pressure sewer between Bomhardt Road and the airport, and a 3-to-4-ft water line from Avon Lake specifically to serve a single, uncertain, high-capacity end user at a mega site. These aren't general community improvements. They're speculative, high-cost investments. So, the question is, if the land for the mega site would be annexed in the future, would Elyria inherit these obligations? And does the city then become financially or operationally responsible for infrastructure that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars? The economic projections tied to this project continue to shift. We've heard 5,000 high-paying jobs, then a wide range of wages starting at $20,000. Then there were 1,200 jobs. Now it's 5 to 7,000 new homes to support a

workforce from somewhere else that may or may not materialize. That uncertainty matters, because infrastructure decisions made today will outlast any projection. There are over 5,000 Lorain County residents that have signed a petition against this mega site, with hundreds showing up at meetings. And in fact, the amount of people that showed up at New Russia would not fit in this room. Well, you would need two or three of these rooms. Multiple fire departments have raised safety and capacity issues, even stating a new fire station would be needed. Townships have passed resolutions against it. This wouldn't be a routine annexation. It could very well be a transfer of risk. If this project moves forward, and an annexation is petitioned, I urge you to require full transparency. Any discussions, commitments, or expectations tied to the mega site should be part of the public record before any annexation decision is made. And more importantly, I urge you to ask clearly and publicly what exactly Elyria would be taking on, because once that land would be annexed, the problem would no longer be theoretical. It would be yours. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. That's all um remonetizes from the lobby. Petitions and remonetizes from council members.

There are none. Reports of standing and special committees. There are none. Resolutions, first reading. Sponsored by finance, a resolution approving the list of submitted to the safety service director for the collection of delinquent inactive utility accounts, and directing the clerk of council to certify said accounts to the Lorain County Auditor. Mr. Tollett. Madam President, I ask that this resolution be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. Seconded by Mr. Sera. Is there any discussion? Question. On the suspension, all those in favor say I.

I. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carried. Resolution 2026-15. Excuse me, 14. My apologies, 14. [clears throat] Sponsored by finance, a resolution finding that the city has unfit for municipal use certain city property. Mr. Tollett. Madam President, I ask that this resolution be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. Seconded by Mr. Snyder. Any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I.

I. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carried. Resolution 2026-15. [snorts and clears throat]

Sponsored by finance, a resolution finding that the city has unfit for municipal use certain city property. Mr. Tollett. Madam President, I ask that this resolution be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. Seconded by Mr. Snyder. Any discussion? Question. All in favor say I. Opposed? On the pardon me, on the suspension, all in favor say I. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed? Motion carried. Resolution 2026-16. That's all of resolutions, first reading. Resolutions, second reading. There are none. Resolutions, third reading. There are none. Ordinances, first reading. Sponsored by finance, an ordinance authorizing the safety service director of the city of Elyria to dispose of city property that is unfit for municipal use. Mr. Tollett. Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. Seconded by Mrs. Davis. Any discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I.

I. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-48. Sponsored by finance, an ordinance authorizing the safety service director of the city of Elyria to dispose of city property that is unfit for municipal use. Mr. Tollett. Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. Seconded by Mr. Sera. Any further discussion?

Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-49. Sponsored by finance, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to purchase up to two 2026 Ford F-150 trucks and up to eight 2025 Ford Explorer Interceptor vehicles or similar type and necessary equipment for the same for the Leary Police Department through a participation participating purchasing program and authorized by the state of Ohio and declaring an emergency. Mr. Tollett Mr. Tollett Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Is there any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-50. Sponsored by Utilities and Finance. An ordinance authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for improvements to the East Branch Street over the East Branch of the Black River and declaring an emergency. Mrs. Davis Madam Chair, I ask that this passage that this ordinance be passed on its first reading with under the suspension of rules and declaring an emergency. Second.

Seconded by Mrs. Rothgery. Is there any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-51. Sponsored by Utilities and Finance. An ordinance authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of Second Street and declaring an emergency. Mrs. Davis Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed on its first reading under the suspension of rules and declaring an emergency. Second. Seconded by Mr. Armstrong. Any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-52. Sponsored by Utilities and Finance. An ordinance authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for construction of pedestrian improvements on Burns Road and declaring an emergency. Mrs. Davis Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed on its first reading under the suspension of rules and declaring an emergency. Second. Seconded by Mrs. Rothgery. Any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I.

Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-53. Sponsored by Utilities and Finance. An ordinance authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement for the Ohio Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of Murray Ridge Road and declaring an emergency. Mrs. Davis Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed on its first reading under suspension of rules and declaring an emergency. Second. Second. Seconded by Mrs. Rothgery. On the suspension, all in favor I'm pardon me, any further discussion?

Question. On the suspension um all in favor say I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-54. Sponsored by Utilities and Finance. An ordinance amending Section 2 of ordinance number 2425-68 which authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with Browning Ferris Industries of Ohio Incorporated DBA Republic Services of Elyria for solid waste container services and declaring an emergency.

Mrs. Davis Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed on its first reading under suspension of rules and declaring an emergency. Second. Seconded by Mr. Van Wormer. Any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-55. Sponsored by Finance. An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of not to exceed $5,200,000 of notes in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying a portion of the cost of construction constructing the Chestnut Commons Connector project including constructing and reconstructing streets, constructing sidewalks, water lines and related water supply facilities sanitary sewers and related sanitary sewer facilities storm sewers and related drainage facilities, installing light, signage and traffic signalization and relocating existing utilities as necessary. Mr. Tollett Madam President, I would ask that we waive the reading of the fiscal officer's certificate as well as pass this under suspension. Thank you. Give it a second. Second. Seconded by Mrs. Davis. Is there any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. Opposed.

On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-56. Sponsored by Finance. An ordinance amending ordinance number 2026-34 known as the 2026 permanent appropriations ordinance to change funds into various accounts. Mr. Tollett Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second. Second. Seconded by Mr. Van Wormer. Any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-57. Sponsored by Community Development and Finance. An ordinance authorizing amendment to the Community Reinvestment Area Number 1 CRA to consider the proposed boundaries and framework of CRA 1 in accordance with Chapter 3735 of the Ohio Revised Code as amended by Senate Bill 33 effective April 4th, 2023 to repeal any terms contrary to those set forth in Senate Bill 33 and declaring an emergency. Mr. Schneider Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second. Seconded by Mrs. Rothgery. Uh is there any further discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say I. Opposed. On the emergency, all in favor say I.

Opposed. On the passage, all in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-58. That's all of ordinances first reading. Ordinances second reading. There are none. Ordinances third reading. There are none. Committee calls. Community Development requests all committee members the mayor, the law director, finance director safety service director and engineers to meet in Council Chambers on Monday, April 27th, 2026 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Finance Utilities requests all council members or committee members the mayor, the law director, the finance director, safety service director and the engineer to meet on 4/27/2026 immediately following the Community Development meeting. Strategic Planning requests all council members, the mayor, safety service director, finance director, law director to meet in council chambers on Monday, May 4th, 2026 immediately following the full council. Thank you. Miscellaneous and unfinished business? Mrs. Davis? Madam Chair, after seeing no other business before this council, motion to dismiss. Second. It's been moved and properly second. All those in favor say I.

I. Opposed? Goodnight, everyone. Thank you.