City Commission - Regular Meeting

Welcome to the April 27th, 2026 meeting for the Sunduski City Commission. We'll have an invocation offered by Commissioner Coun followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lord, we come to you today once again grateful to be in the land of the living, grateful to be in the presence of others who are just as grateful to be here. We also come here humbly. Humbly to operate in the land of the living and to make decisions that will affect not only the generation that is living now in the city of Sanduski but future generations to come. We want to give you thanks for giving us one of the greatest gifts that we rarely talk about and that particular gift is the ability to be creative, to be innovative and to be creators. We pray that you strengthen us, give us insight so we can see ahead and be visionary in doing the very best by the citizens we serve. All of these things we pray to you.

Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. 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. Miss Meyers, will you call the role? Mr. Coons here. Mr. CrarAel here. Miss Pujo, Mr. Pujo here. Mr. Tucker here. Miss Fargo. Mr. Wington here. Miss Wilson here.

President Vargo is out of town at a work function all week. May I have a motion to excuse her? Mr. Chair, as we were notified at the last meeting, I move that we excuse Kate Vargo from the meeting this evening. Second. There's been a motion and a second. Discussion. Without objection, uh, this motion will pass. And hearing no objection, this motion is passed. Commissioners, you have before you the minutes of our April 13, 2026 meeting. What is your pleasure? Mr. No, go ahead. Mr. Chair move that we accept the minutes of the meeting and dispense with the formal meeting.

Second. There's been a motion and a second. Discussion. Without objection, the motion will be approved. And hearing no objection, that motion is approved. Uh tonight we have a public hearing on our 2026 CDBG action plan. As is customary, the presentation will be delivered by our program administrator, Nicole Growy. Hi, good evening. Tonight we're going to talk about the 2026 CDBG action plan. The community develop block grant is a grant that the city has. It's we are an entitlement community which means that the city receives the funds directly from the department of urban development. And with these funds, the city is allowed to carry out certain activities. And it has to be one of these three objectives. It has to benefit low to moderate income families, aid in the prevention of slum and blight, or serve as a community urgent need due to disaster or the year 2026. The year runs from July 1st to 2026 this year to June 30th of 2027. This year, the city anticipates an allocation of 705,819 in entitlement funds. The city also has $18,5639 in program income and $17,169.69 in prior year resources. So, the total annual budget is $831,551.78. just a brief schedule of the program. Uh right now we're at the second public hearing. The whole thing started off in January, so we're getting towards the end. At the next meeting, we'll consider

adoption of the plan. So under this grant, there are certain requirements that have to be adhered to. There are certain caps on different funding categories. So under this, we have to have 70% or more of our projects must benefit ML LMI households, which is low moderate income households. So that would be $494,000 73 $49473.30. And then 20% max can be budgeted into program administration and planning, which would take us at $141,163.80. and then 15% maximum can be budgeted into public service which is $105,872.85. Throughout this process, there's been public outreach and then there are some subreients that were chosen already this year. I'll go over that in a second. So during the public comment period which ran from March 25th through today, there were no comments received. There was also a public hearing or well the staff met with the advisory committee on February 10th. Comments were received or discussed at the last public hearing in February. And then there was a public hearing that was held in February on the 23rd. It was suggested that the city consider using CDBG funds for playground equipment improvements at Sanduski Bay Pavilion and for rental assistance. As far as the subreients, these are nonprofits and different groups that apply for funding throughout the year. This year, we had two applicants for the program. We have the Erie County Senior Center Meals on Wheels program, which is going to receive $25,000. And then Father's Heart Church. They have a senior essentials program, and that's also 25,000. So this is a chart of the overall program and what's recommended for this

year. Overall the program administration and planning it is recommended that $80,000 be put in that category and then 9,500 for fair housing consultant. So that altogether makes $89,500 for administration for public facilities and improvements. Um the public works category is street resurfacing. It's $282,000 this year. And then for community development projects, there's $58,540. Under code enforcement, it's recommended that $50,000 be allocated. Under public services, which are the subreients I just mentioned, that's $50,000. Under youth programming, it's $54,000. And then rehabilitation, there's a lead paint removal program. It's recommended that we do $81,779 in that program. Then healthy homes to do 30,000 in that. And then the last category is clearance development acquisition. It is recommended that we put 10,000 in entitlement funds in there. And then we had some carryover funding and program income that was also rolled into there. And I think at this point we can open it up for questions.

Sure. Thanks, commissioners. Any questions or comments for Miss Growy?

Any public? Uh yeah, the public gets an opportunity as well. Um and this is the public's opportunity. Now, any resident who would like to um comment or have a question? step on up to the podium. Miss Tim knows name and address. 362 chef you away. You're doing a pretty good job for first for the first meeting you're doing. Okay, give me some time.

So So give me some time. So I was the gentleman who brought up this Dusky Bay pavilion for this money for 2026. uh as we all know that it was taken out like five, six years ago and I think I mentioned here if meeting that that facility is the lowest used facility as far as pavilion rentals because there's nothing there to do because the equipment's been taken out. Now on tonight's agenda, I'm seeing agenda item number one for Central Park. Guess what we're using for funds? CDBG. So, I'm still once again a plug for this uh Suski Bay Pavilion. And also another park that came to mind today on my way here is uh Venice Park behind uh all the condos. Uh that was taken out 2, three years ago and uh I know the people out there. I know some people that live in the condos out there uh they have grandkids that come out all the time and they would like to have something to play on in replacement. So maybe we can get that that done as well in 2026. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Schwanger. Anyone else like to comment on this public hearing? Well, thanks a lot. Um the I expect that that those um comments will be um addressed at some point during the meeting. Um but with that, having said that, um I declare this public hearing closed.

Thank you. Next, we get to the public comment on the agenda portion of the um of the meeting. So, now any residents who would like to comment on any agenda item, please step up, state your name and address, and um just if you could just limit your comments to 3 minutes or less, that'd be great.

Should have sat in that seat back there. You guys already have my name right. Uh my comments are on items uh JK and L which all have to do at Battery Park. Uh L is a perpetual easement for uh Sunduski Park, Battery Park, Sunduski, which pertains to the Sunduski Bay Pavilion. I see the planning department's not here tonight, but hopefully someone could give an a detailed explanation on what that's all about. Uh same way with uh letter J, which is the uh transfer of uh uh some financial assistance or the port authority for the port authority to do something with uh the Patter Park private development through Maruse. Uh don't know if Maruse maybe doesn't have enough funding and that's why they're going to try to do bonds or whatever whatever the explanation is. Um, and the other one is item K, which is Meg Street Auto Court and peer access. Have no idea what that even means, but maybe a detailed explanation. I know it's got to have something to do with uh the foot of Meg Street, maybe part of the Sunduski Bay Pavilion. We don't know, but explanation on that'd be great. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Schwanger. Anyone else that would like to comment on any agenda item? How are you?

Chris Weedle, 403 East Adams. I would like the commissioners to consider removing items B, items J, items L from the consent calendar. All three of these are presented as a consent thing to be giving emergency from the residents. As I read item B, it reads that it could be interpreted that the tiff committee could approve any further or any continuation of any tiff without it coming back to this commission for approval. I think that violates the charter. You cannot grant a a separate commission financial authority. The way it is worded, it could be interpreted that way and I think that needs to be clarified. On item J, I understand why this is happening. Maruse cannot secure financing in six years to do battery park. They have not been able to do it. They don't have the equity position to get a commercial lender to approve it. So this is an endound to try to grant subleas to someone else. Maruse also cannot bring in another developer to help share the burden, share the expense because their past history of defrauding other developers who they've been in an equity position with. Nobody wants to work with them and there are few subcontractors that want to work with them. They've had six years to secure financing to do this project. They have not been able to do it. This endound by granting it appears the port authority

headed by Mr. Whoopser to issue bonds for this is another way to take public funds meant for the development of economic jobs for an area and use them for housing and retail. That is not what Port Authority funds are designed to do. There was a runaround on that on the Falcon Street lofts because they brought in the fact that it was going to be used as classrooms in a dormatory. and we both know that neither one of those have come to happen. It is so bad that BGSU will not release any information on the number of people enrolled in that program or how many people have actually graduated from it. Item L again, a firm that has never not been able in six years to successfully pull off the development of Battery Park should not be given any more land to throw in so they can claim more of an equity position so they can possibly get financing. And I know this just says it's an easement, but you know as well as I do easements as well as a 99-year lease, which is what the commission gave Dearuse is the same as ownership. They have unencumbered use of that forever. I don't think these three items deserve to be on a consent calendar. I think they need full examination, not only by this commission, but by the residents of the city. Thank you,

Mr. Weedle. Is there anyone else who would like to comment on anything on the agenda tonight?

Greetings everyone. Tom Lamar at 2064 Street. Um I'm just going to reiterate uh what's been brought to your attention already. Item J is a bad deal. There's no reason for the developer uh to be putting his hand out to put this into or for the city to put it under the port authority so then they can commence to selling bonds uh or at least uh floating the idea to sell bonds. Um back in about 198586 uh I got this crazy idea about putting together a development too. Um and uh we had to do it with our own money. Imagine that. And I know Louie Biliter has built a ton of homes and condos around this area, the Tri County area, and he always had to do it with his own money. Um, and there's no reason why we can't see the color of the Marus's money at this time. 6 years is a long time to be fussing around with Battery Park. It's either time to change players or make them step up to the plate. Um, so please bring that back to or put it to the table for further discussion. Um the perpetual easement for Battery Park for Maruse, I'm not quite understanding where that lies even though I see it on the on the drawing. Um and it shows also that uh that easement is going to acquire about 69 uh or 7/10 of an acre of land of that Nusky Bay uh pavilion property. What's the reason for that? Uh it seems like again we're doing something and taking land away from the citizens or at some point they may be able to put up a a wall or maybe they're going to put a building on it because it's a perpetual easement. I don't know. Um one other item that came to mind when I was

looking at um the Clay Street and the Putinham Street and the four street resales. Uh, I love what you're trying to do and I understand that it's uh it was a $280,000 cost per unit and then they were getting the $100,000 uh grant to reduce it to $ 160,000. Um, but we're showing it as 285 each now and 160,000. So, there seems to be a shortage of funds there and uh so I'm kind of curious as to how we're going to work that out. Maybe we'll take it from another department. I don't know. Um I had one other comment and it was in reference to some of these easements. Um or the tiffs. Uh the tiffs are supposed to be or permitted to be used for public improvements downtown. And so why aren't we using the tiffs to have someone within the city uh start negotiating with the acrimans on the alleyway between the uh I'll call it the dies parking lot and Columbus Avenue because that alleyway is now closed with a screen uh by the acrimans because of potential liability some from some bricks that are turned up in that alleyway. So why don't why doesn't the city get some uh discussion going there with the acrimans to relieve them of the liability, let them maintain ownership and um fix it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Lamar. Is there anyone else who would like to comment on tonight's agenda? Thank you for your comments. Uh many of these issues will be addressed as the legislation, you know, comes before us. Um commissioners, you have before you

several communications from staff recommending various legislation. Can I have a motion to accept these communications? Second. There's a motion and a second discussion. Mr. Chair, Mr. scoots

uh as it relates uh to the um approval of the tax incentive review. As you all are aware that I'm abstaining from the votes um of that nature, but uh because of the questions raised as well um perpet uh perpetual is one that's always a scary term for me as well. Now, it's my understanding that we can talk about that later, but I feel like um I need to abstain from that as well until I get some clarification about what that really is. Thank you, Mr. Couns. I see it. Commissioner Couns.

Any other discussion? Um without objection, that motion will be approved. And hearing no objection, that motion is approved. Um now we're going to move to the consent agenda. Uh the ordinances and resolutions from our April 13th meeting were not voted on for passage. Uh therefore, that legislation will return tonight for consideration. Um, commissioners, we have 13 items on the consent agenda this evening. Would any commissioner like to move any items from the consent agenda to the regular agenda?

Mr. President, I would like to move item J from the consent to the regular agenda. Thank you, Commissioner Wilson. Uh item J will be moved to the regular agenda and become item one. Are there any other items that any commissioner would like to move from the consent agenda to the regular agenda?

Okay. Thank you. Uh Miss Myers, will you please present the consent agenda?

Item A, approval of National Opioid Settlement Agreement. Item B, approval of tax incentive review council's recommendations. Item C, approval for purchase and sale of 1827 Clay and 1730 Putnham, Welcome Home, Ohio. Item D, approval for purchase and sale of 1804 Fourth Street, Welcome Home, Ohio. Item E, approval of change order 1 and final to the 2025 demolition project with Ed Berdo. Item F, approval to purchase asphalt from Eerie materials for miscellaneous street repairs and projects. Item G, approval of emergency big island waterworks plant, water intake pump and piping equipment rental. Item H, permission to dispose of unneeded item. Item I, approval of 2026 local street reservicing grant with ODOT. Item J, approval of buy and between agreement with ODNR for Meg Street Auto Court and Pure Access. Item K, approval of perpetual access easement to Battery Park Suski. Item L, approval of temporary access easements for Battery Park and Sunduski Sailing Club.

Thanks. And for clarification, item J is now a regular agenda item, correct? Yes. Thank you. Um, commissioners, having heard the resolution and these ordinances, uh, what is your pleasure? Mr. Chair, I move to accept the consent agenda items A through L, either ordinance or resolutions as presented with section 13 or 14 of the city charter. Second.

There's been a motion and a second discussion. Commissioner President, um I just wanted to um note that we can still have conversations about any of these items that are on the consent agenda. They don't have to be moved to the regular agenda to have conversations. So,

correct. Um, I just wanted to um ask our city manager if you would please to comment on what is now uh item K, approval of the perpetual e access easement to Battery Parks and Dusky and what is that and why is it on the agenda?

Yeah, fine. Um so up on the screen here um wanted to uh inform the public and the commission these were all uh approved through the final platin uh PUD process through the planning commission back in October of last year. Excuse me. So, these were in the documents um where uh where it says building number two um next to the marina there. Uh the auto court that is not on record is basically the extension of Meg Street. So, it extends Meg Street um from Water Street all the way north to the pier. Um the reason that the parcel is included is if you look on the auditor's website, there's a portion of the rightway that goes on Meg Street and about halfway down and then the parcel for the uh pavilion park is part of Meg Street and attached to that. So that's why the parcel's um included in that. Uh basically what already there is exist is going to be um a new auto court so to speak that uh the is not in uh final uh design design. It's in design but it's not uh been approved and and it's been shared with staff. So item or building number two is where their um planned parking garage is going to go. Um item uh or excuse me, building four is where the marina services building and the condos and retail are going to go. And um building one's the hotel. Uh building six is retail. Building seven is apartments and retail. And then building eight is a parking structure. So basically what this um easement is allowing them to or is allowing to happen is they're about halfway down on

the Meg Street corridor. There's going to be an entrance to get onto their property uh that uh is giving them the easement. They're not building on any of our parcels. Um none of the development is going on our parcels. It's just allow them um access and uh an easement across our parcel. um we will still own the parcel and all the rightway and all that. Um it has no impact on that. Um also gives people access to the pier um to the to the very north of the property. So that's basically what the permanent easement um is allowing to happen in this situation. Um and if I can touch on the other ones if you don't mind. Um so that was a perpetual easement. Um the item M which is a temporary easement is back on um next to the police station to behind the skate park. So as part of the um demolition and remediation that's going on right now. They're um going to have to shut off a part of that driveway access for that exists for the sailing club right now and their main entrance. We're giving them an easement across uh the grassy area just to the north of the skate park and um the entrance to the sailing club will be there temporarily while they do uh utility work which is electric gas uh and uh water and those type of things in order to um to feed the uh sailing club and keep their utilities working. So, it's a temporary um once the uh gravel's um done and they open it back up, they'll uh repair it and make sure that it's uh back up to uh seated and all that. Excuse me. And then lastly, um item K is

a buy in between agreement which um Maru said uh received funding through um ODNR uh half a million dollars to do the um mag street uh auto court that they're calling it for improvements to that area. And um we are basically a pass through and a fiduciary um that ODNR requires in order for them to um do that project and and receive the funds. Um I don't know if Colleen has anything else on that. You covered it. Okay. So those are basically the uh steps for um the battery park project and then item J I can I'll just address when it comes to that um on the regular agenda if you want or I can talk about it now. It's a

Mr. Chair Mr. I'd like to make a note of uh notice also that the SNK bay pathway I know there's what somebody mentioned 7/10 of an acre part of that you know encroaching on that we got a million dollars that we set aside to do that was one of the requirements for us to do that correct yeah for the that for that part and uh to this day I've asked over the years I still don't know what's going to go there right you know it's like a big I don't want to say a secret but uh I'd sure like to know what it is so I could get behind it. You know, when people ask you about it, what's going to happen there? I don't know. You know, it's like and that's a beautiful park. I mean,

yeah. So, we plan on doing uh some planning and um and improvements on that next year um this year uh with all the construction and things going on. And we also want to make sure that it uh meshes with with the uh development that goes on there. So, um, we, uh, we'll do a pro process for that and, uh, that'll be coming next year. Thank you.

Just just a quick comment on my part. Uh, a follow on to our city manager's uh, comments. The the auto court uh, is is kind of a new thing. U,, some staff might argue that, but, at least it was new to me. Um, and that is it's simply a a a location where automobiles can come into the property in between between the corner of water and mag the existing corner of water and mags and the pier and either angle park in there or drop people off at the end. There will be kind of a a circle of sorts at the at the pier end of that little area. They can drop people off and then come right around and come back out again. Um I don't think this, correct me if I'm wrong, but this was not part of the original scope. Am I correct on that? This isn't part of their development or scope. No. Um and I don't know if you mentioned it but there is going to be um parking on both sides of that that uh

right parking going in and out and then also coming out. So

um and with regard to the port authorities uh being involved in this, it's not unusual that a port authority is involved. Um port authorities are used for uh financing and and a whole number of things. But one of the things port authorities do that I don't think has been mentioned and please again correct me uh if anyone finds this to be wrong. Stu's over here very very nervous about what I'm about to say. But uh port authorities uh one of the other things is that when they become involved then the developer when they buy concrete and steel and materials they don't have to pay sales tax on it. Okay? Because it's coming through the port authority. Uh so it's one of the advantages of engaging the port authority and especially in a project of this scope. I mean it it it's no small thing. So um I just wanted to make those simple little comments.

Thanks Commissioner Crrael and I think we'll even talk more about that when we discuss item J on the regular agenda. Any other discussion, Commissioners?

On item B, uh the tax incentive review committee. uh I serve on that and that we meet with the the committee meets with the the uh uh county auditor and all we do is review all the current tiffs to make sure that the and they go back a long ways a number of years to make sure that they're in compliance with all the agreements on those if I might and correct me if I'm wrong but the Turk uh the tax event incentive review committee does does not have authority over any of our tiffs other than to simply make sure that the terms and conditions are being lived up to and that's why you get the recommendation back to the commission. Right.

Thanks, Commissioner Tucker. Any other discussion on the consent agenda? Miss Myers, will you call the role? Mr. Coons? Yes, with the exception of B for which I'll be abstaining. Mr. Crabel, yay. Mr. Pujo, yes. Mr. Tucker. Yes. Mr. Wington. Yes. Miss Wilson. Yes. That was on the motion. Now on the resolution in the ordinances. Mr. Coons. Yes. With that extension. Mr. Crabel. Yeah. Mr. Vau. Yes. Mr. Tucker. Yes. Mr. Wington. Yes. Miss Wilson. Yes.

That resolution and those ordinance is ordinances have passed. Miss Meyers, will you present um item number one on the regular agenda now? Uh which I believe is what was formerly item J of the consent agenda. Correct. It is requested an ordinance be passed authorizing and directing the city manager to execute a consent agreement to ground sub lease relating to the Battery Park and Battery Park Marina property and declaring this ordinance shall take immediate effect in accordance with section 14 of the city charter. Commissioners, having heard this ordinance, how would you like to proceed? Mr. Chairman, Commissioner Wington,

I move for the adoption of this ordinance under suspension of the rules in full accordance with section 14 of the city charter. Second. There's been a motion and a second. Discussion. Uh, yes, Mr. Chair. I asked that this be uh moved to the regular agenda because I wanted to give in my era I wanted to give the city manager the opportunity to discuss the matters of it.

Thank you. Uh so the port authority is involved um as Mr. CrarAel said on all kinds of different projects uh not only in Erie County but they have like a 5count radius um that they have been doing uh financing and projects for the uh it's um a standard thing that they have to be involved in the uh chain of uh lease or um or or the property. So uh that's a standard thing that's required of them in order to for them to uh get funds. The uh lease agreement doesn't supersede anything. It's uh more of a paper uh trail than anything. They don't have any authority over the development. Um they can't do anything with the development. They're basically um using their uh using their financing to uh finance a portion of it. And and then um to what Commissioner Crrael said, um a lot of times they use them for sales tax. They use it on projects uh recently with Tooffs Dairy with their expansion. So um my understanding from uh talking to Matt Lasco was there's 20 or 30 of them uh currently in the pipeline or or in in that have been processed that are all the same exact uh manner. So, it's basically um something that's required of uh them in order to get the um financing and uh credit sales tax credit that um a lot of the u large developers use.

Thanks. Um in my understanding, we're just consenting to allow the sub lease to happen. Correct. That's correct. And um we're uh not able to deny it unless there's something extravagant. uh that takes place. So, it's um part of their lease agreement already that's in place. Are there any city property rights that are being transferred in this? No, absolutely not. Thanks. Any other discussion? Commissioner Coons.

Yeah, Mr. Chair. Um this question is for our law director um because I want to make sure that I'm operating within the will of what I think has happened. So, um, are there any additional implications or concerns related to tax credits, TIFFs that I should be aware of as it relates to this particular move that we're making? Well, they're not related to this particular move. No. Okay. Um, there are there's separate legislation regarding TIFFs. All right. I thought as far as tax credits, then it wouldn't be going to the school district. No, this would not be affecting the school district. Commissioner Cradle.

Yeah. Uh just as a a matter of you know the 10,000 foot level on this um when the when the city agreed to a development agreement with uh the Maruse organization um they then began the the efforts to put together the financing and to get the drawings done and to go through all of the approval process with you know the various entities within the city. Um, so it's not a surprise that these kinds of things come along because they're part of that process of finalizing financing. Um, you know, they've they've applied for state grants. They've all all different types of state grants and Miss Gillson can probably uh cite the long list there. But they've they've gone through a very long process. But as part of that, we have obligations that we then have to follow in terms of giving them access, you know, approving the sub lease for the for the port authority and uh approving the taxing uh the u uh the tiff funding and that sort of thing. So that's why these things keep coming up from time to time. It's just part of the normal process for a project of that scope.

Mr. Chairman, Commissioner W. I'd like to see the city manager, Miss Gillson. Um, when's the TUD money come up again? Is that Isn't that this summer sometime? Mhm. Uh, they applied for it last week. Right now. They applied for it last week. They put a stamp on the envelope this time. Yes, they did. Great. Okay. There's There should be an award in um announcement in July from what we And then the second round will be in October probably. Yeah, it'll be later this year in the fall. 20 20 million I believe. So, wow. Okay. Good luck. Okay. All right. Thanks, commissioners. Any other discussion on this agenda item? Miss Myers, will you call the role on the motion? Mr. Coons? Yes. Mr. Crabel? Yay. Mr. Bou, yes. Mr. Tucker,

yes. Mr. Wington, yes. Miss Wilson, yes. Now on the ordinance. Mr. Coons, yes. Mr. Crabel, yay. Mr. BJO, yes. Mr. Tucker, yes. Mr. Wington, yes. Mr. Wilson, yes. Mr. Wilson. That ordinance is passed. Miss Meyers, will you present the next item on the regular agenda?

New item number two. It is requested an ordinance be passed authorizing and directing the city manager to expend funds for the purchase and installation of playground equipment and amenities from Game Time DWA Recreation Incorporated of Harrison, Ohio through the Omnia Partners purchasing program for playground equipment at Central Park and declaring this ordinance shall take immediate effect in accordance with section 14 of the city charter. Mr. Chairman, I move for adoption of this ordinance to take immediate effect in accordance with section 14 of the state charter. Second. There's been a motion and a second. Discussion. Missy, will you call the role on the motion? Mr. Coons, yes. Mr. Crabel,

yay. Mr. Bjo, yes. Mr. Tucker, yes. Mr. Wington, yes. Miss Wilson, yes. Now on the ordinance. Mr. Coons, yes. Mr. Crrael, yay. Mr. Bou, yes. Mr. Tucker. Yes. Mr. Wington, yes. Miss Wilson, yes. That ordinance has passed. Miss Myers, will you present the next item on the regular agenda?

It is requested an ordinance be passed authorizing and directing the city manager to enter into a contract with August Corso Suns Incorporated doing business as August Flower and Garden Center of Seduski, Ohio for the 2026 USDA tree planting project. in declaring this ordinance shall take immediate effect in accordance with section 14 of the city charter. Commissioners, having heard this ordinance, how would you like to proceed? Mr. Chair, Mr. Commissioner, move for approval of this ordinance under item three. That would be now, right? Um, in full accordance with section 14 of the city charter. Second.

There's been a motion and a second. Any discussion? Miss Myers, will you call the role on the motion? Mr. Coons, yes. Mr. Crabel, Mr. Bjo, yes. Mr. Tucker, yes. Mr. Wington, Miss Wilson, yes. Now on the ordinance, Mr. Coons, yes. Mr. Crabel, Mr. Bjo, yes. Mr. Tucker, yes. Mr. Wington, Mr. Miss Wilson, yes. That ordinance has passed.

Uh, Miss Myers, will you um present the final item on the regular agenda? It is requested an ordinance be passed declaring a 2005 Chevy truck is unnecessary and unfit for city use pursuant to section 25 of the city charter authorizing and directing the city manager to purchase a 2026 Ford F550 chassis and regular cab from Valley Ford Truck Incorporated of Cleveland, Ohio through the state of Ohio Department of Administrative Services Cooper Cooperative Purchasing Program, their division of parks and recreation and division of property and facility maintenance and declaring this ordinance shall take immediate effect in accordance with section 14 of the city charter.

Commissioners, having heard this ordinance, how would you like to proceed? Mr. Chair, Commissioner Wilson, I move for the adoption of item four as presented and in the full accordance with section 14 of a city charter. Second. There's been a motion in a sec. In a second. Any discussion? Um, I guess I would I would like to thank um our city mechanics um for keeping the the prior vehicle in in service for 21 years. That's a that's a job well done. Um and hopefully we get the same number of years out of this one. Yeah, we heard it was 206 or 210,000 miles. It's that's pretty amazing. That's good.

Miss Meyers, will you call the role on the motion? Mr. Coons, yes. Mr. Crrael, yes. Mr. Mr. Bhjo. Yes. Mr. Tucker. Yes. Mr. Wington. Miss Wilson. Yes. Now on the ordinance. Mr. Coons. Yes. Mr. Crabel. Yes. Mr. Bjo. Yes. Mr. Tucker. Yes. Mr. Wington. Miss Wilson. Yes. That ordinance has passed. And that concludes our regular agenda. And we will now turn to our city manager uh for his report. Good evening, commissioners, audience, and staff. We have a $1,000 donation for the police department from the Fraternal Order of Eagles. get a motion to accept that donation. Second. There's been a motion and a second. Any discussion?

Without objection, the motion will be approved. And not hearing any objection, that motion is approved. And then Park and Rex would like to thank the Leo Frierson family for donating popsicles uh to Racket Mills. Made a motion to accept that donation. Second. There's been a motion in a sec. In a second. Any discussion? Without hearing any objection, that motion is approved. Uh, commissioners, do you have any questions for Mr. Orzac? I still have a bunch to read. He's he's got another 15 minutes. He's not done yet.

Um, Code Compliance continues to expand online services through Govwell. On April 16th, the Division of Code Compliance went live with accepting applications through Govwell for short-term transient rentals, long-term rentals, and maintenance bond applications for vacant foreclosed properties. To access these registration portals, please visit the city's website. Public works, this uh Cleveland Road Safety Improvement Project. As everyone knows, Cedar uh Point Drive has been closed at Cleveland Road to all vehicular traffic um to allow the work to happen. Cleveland Road is restricted by directional one lane. Work is expected to be completed May 8th and detour routes have been posted. So, it's uh coming along nicely. Um April 27th um on Monday starts the West Monroe Street uh detour. It's a camp to Decar for eastbound traffic. Westbound will be maintained. Locals are encouraged to use familiar routes around this section of Monroe. Trucks and through traffic should follow the signed detour. This restriction affects eastbound traffic only. Uh with pro projects ramping up as the weather improves. Stay updated on the various project as they progress by visiting the city's website at www w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w ww w. Sunduski uh.com/pros. Residents can also sign up for traffic alert emails at www.c city of sunduski.com/signup. The asphalt plants are open for the 26th season. All are encouraged to report street issues, including potholes and dead animals, by calling 419-627-5829 or submitting them online at www.c cityofsuski.com/report. And water crews will commence flushing fire hydrants next week. Periodic flushing of water manes is required to ensure high quality portable water. Crews will move through zones in

consecutive order starting with zone one. It takes approximately one week to complete each zone. For questions, call contact the water plant at 419-627-5805. That concludes my report. Happy to take any questions. Thank you, Mr. Orizac. Any questions? I have no questions, but just a quick follow on comment if I may. Sure.

Thank you. Um, one of the things that the public might take note of is uh that a lot of the the road work that is being being done, not just this year but in prior years, but the but the Monroe Street uh uh detour uh kind of refresh this for me is being done in part to separate storm and sanitary water. Okay. And that's a very big deal because right now uh or in the past basically every storm sewer, every bit of rain that fell, hit the streets, ran down the driveway, whatever was being treated at the wastewater treatment plant. Um what we're trying to do is redirect that flow so that it's not going through the wastewater treatment plant. So, we're saving chemicals, we're saving capacity, and hopefully the EPA will be looking favorably on us and give us a blessing in the not too distant future. Thank you, Commissioner Crrael. Any other comments for Mr. Warz?

Any items of old business to discuss, Mr. Chairman? Commissioner Wington. Uh last week we had the uh Arbor Day celebration at the city greenhouse and I'd like to thank uh city manager uh Orzac uh Mr. CrarAl and then Mr. Tucker for stopping out. Uh I was on available for the heavy uh picking of the trees. So we were there. Yeah. So they did a good job. I thought that's uh neat. And then to see tonight on our agenda items that more we're getting more trees for the coral project. One item, there was over 200 students involved in that, too, which was was outstanding. They had a big participation in it. And they really got involved.

They really were. They were right in there. Great. Any other items of old business? Any items of new business to discuss? Mr. Chairman, Commissioner Wington.

Okay. I talked with Mr. Rozac uh earlier about this and uh I talked to former uh uh Commissioner Murray uh Pali who's I served with in the past and there's some talk right now through I guess GSP that they want to change the uh areas for the farmers market uh from uh Washington row out here now which I like because we have the social security office you can walk down it's easy access to get down to especially uh older people. I'm one of them now. And then the uh they wanted to move it to Columbus Avenue. And I don't know if uh maybe if I heard correct today with our conversation, John, uh some of them the vents were going to stop at Market, but there could be some that go down uh to Water Street. Correct. And I just think that's a long stretch. Um on a Saturday, that's the main artery coming into, you know, downtown. And I don't know if they made contacts with the business owners, you know, you know, as far as uh what their thoughts were because I've had that in the past and then I check into it on my own and you know, they it's like uh you know, trust and verify, I guess. You know who you talk to. So, uh but any and I also talked to some of the commissioners too about this earlier today. I just think it's a neat spot over there. You got trees. It's in the shade with the buildings. And if you put it on Columbus Avenue, you know, we got a lot of stuff events on the bikes, you know, the motorcycle stuff. We got other, you know, things in the past, car shows. But

yeah, thank you, Commissioner Wington. Commissioner Crael.

Yeah, I I just want to echo uh Commissioner Wington's uh comments. Um, it the farmers market really goes well on Washington Row. Um, and I'm not quite sure what the the reason would be to move it to Columbus Avenue. Maybe to give it a higher profile or something. I don't know. Um, but Columbus Avenue, and I'm just expressing my own personal opinions here. This is um the main artery through our downtown. And if we're wanting to encourage the businesses that the storefront businesses, the brickandmortar businesses, uh, that are there, um, I think we we don't want to be closing the street and and that that would concern me. Um, so again, I would hope before that occurred that maybe there would be some more discussion of this and more information come forward as to why we would be doing this. Just my thoughts.

Thanks, Commissioner Crrael. Mr. Chair, Commissioner Coots.

Uh, yeah, I wanted to bring this up again. um particularly as the liaison for the Sanduski community circle which is once a month. Um the very first one we had was a pretty good turnout about 18 residents and one of the primary concerns that came up was with regard to data centers and um Commissioner Crabel and I talked briefly about this as the liaison uh in contact with our legislators. um we thought that it might be something to entertain because the question will come up. I know that there are some students and there are some um adults as well in our community who are concerned about that. Um I had a student that asked me to actually attend a county commission meeting. Um she said I would be okay not to attend a trustee meeting, but I told her I would. Um, and so I'm only bringing this up because the the number one question that people have is they want to be assured by any studies that were done. They want uh transparency as it relates to those studies, the environment, how it affects the environment, how it affects the rhythm of people's heartbeats. Uh, all of those issues. Um, I've read a little bit about all of those um in some studies. And I think the least we could do um from my perspective is show um just basically show the residents that we care just as much about those things as they do even though that data center is across the boundary of Perkins A and right it's in Perkins but it affects us. It's really closer to our school than it is Perkins High School. It's closer to Sandusky High School um than it is to Perkins High. It's it's probably closer to Mills than it is to Perkins High School. So, we have schools that are right there. Um, and I think it would it would do wonders for the people to know just what kind of impact does that really have? And I know it's difficult to say because a lot of times we'll hear

about studies, but we really won't know what does it really mean. But at least from studies that have been done. And I don't necessarily know if a study that has been done through an entity that's agreed to have it done is the only one that you need to have done. If that makes sense, right? Because how do you determine if you don't have an outside entity that also performs a study that says, "No, wait a minute. That particular study didn't talk about this." Right? So, I just wanted to put that on the table um for us to discuss or to think about. It's not something that we need to actually uh go into some solidquy about right now, but I think that we need to have that discussion because it will come up again.

Mr. Chair, well, thank you, Commissioner Couns. Uh, Commissioner, just just comment on his real quickly. I I've attended two sessions on data centers uh sponsored by different organizations which I think uh Miss Meyer sent to us and uh I agree with Mr. Coun. It's it's uh there's two sides to this and that would be something we need to be talking about. A very good friend of mine is a township uh trustee over in adjoining county and they just voted to stop it and uh we talk pretty regularly on that. But I I think we should follow up with that. Thank you, Commissioner Tucker.

Commissioner Crrael. Uh let me just point out kind of on the heels of um uh Commissioner Coun's comments um yes uh our schools are closer than Perkins schools are. Um but let me point something out that um is is extremely evident when you think about it. Our population, our residents live closer than any other residents, right? Um I mean stones throw closer than any other residence. So yes, I think we um you know having having uh some kind of public discourse on this is a good idea.

Mr. Chair, real quick uh the housing uh se seminars where the city held that came up at one of those at at length. It did. Thank you. Commissioners, any more new business? Thank you. Any residents now uh with any comments regarding city business, this is your opportunity to step to the podium um and share with us. As always, if you could just give your name and address and limit it to five minutes or less for this portion, sir. Thank you.

Good afternoon, honorable commissioners. Good to be in front of you this morning, this afternoon. Um, I want to uh I'm Larry Canauer. I live at 304 East Adams Street at the corner of Adams and Hancock and uh also am part owner in the uh Sand City development program which you all are very familiar with, I know. So, anyhow, um I'm come to you today with a concern that Columbia Gas notified us last month that they intend to come through and rip up all of the sidewalks on Adam Street and on um Hancock. And the stones in front of my 1838 historic home are 190 years old. Those stones do not freeze in the winter. They provide an easy shoveling process. They're much better than concrete and replacing those with concrete will be detrimental to the value of the property and detrimental to the historic value of the city of Sunduski. There's roughly 50 of those stones valued at well over $200 a stone. So, you know, that's a lot of cost to try to replace. They can be lifted and they can be put set aside and put back in place. They do not have to destroy those stoves. I went through this in 198 or in 2018 with the city when the city engineer said he was going to come through and rip up all the sidewalks for for the tree abatement issue and city commissioner or the um uh city manager at the time, Eric, helped me work through that and make sure that those stones were not ripped up at that time. So, I'm asking again for your assistance in curbing the the uh Columbia gas folks and making sure that they protect the historic value of our city and and value of of the properties around our city. And I I

personally have a very bad history with Columbia Gas. In 2016 15 when we bought the house actually 14 we bought the house Columbia Gas came through and said we got to remove by federal law have to remove your meter from your basement and put it out on the street. They did that and in the process did multiple thousand dollars of damages to my home by misrilling the new gas line into the house. Major headache that I had to fight with them for. So I do not want Columbia Gas touching my stones. Thank you.

Thank you for your time. And please if you could give your name and number to to chief or to Mr. Orzac.

No. No. And uh he'll be in touch. Is there anyone else who would like to comment on any city business? Kevin Schwanker, 362 Sheffield Way. Just had a question. Uh last agenda there was there was an item about the Sunduski Bay. I'm sorry. Sunduski bow ramp replacing the docks for bid and I noticed it's not on the agenda tonight. So, we're still trying to work through that or is that something that is not going to happen this year or what what do we know about that? Anything? I don't know if you want to answer tonight or

Yeah. Mr. Orzac, could you give a a brief whatever we know about that?

Yep. Um the uh item that was on there uh I had uh recommended that we pull and uh rebid it because of some issues that with the competit competitive bidding process. Um so we're in the process of getting the specifications and all of that. Um they won't be installed this year, but uh we do plan on putting our new RFP out. Um uh basically the uh docs that we had uh wanted was specific for certain things and um we have to uh make sure that the competitive processes uh followed. Uh so uh companies will be able to bid on the RFP uh once it gets issued. Again, we've been in consultation with ODNR and Heron um with their docs and their doc system. So, uh, we'll have, uh, that, um, probably within the next month or two, um, ready to go back to RFP. Um, but we don't want to, uh, do something that's, uh, not good for competition.

Sure. Sure. Uh, the the other question was if, if I could take a couple more minutes, please. Um, the recreation center, uh, $14 million from tourist tax. The bid came back approved at 10 million. what we issued bonds for 9 million. Uh and I so I question where the other four million's going that's left from the commitment from Cedar Point's agreement. So apparently we're going to use that extra $4 million to pay down the debt which I don't quite agree with, but if that's what the city decides to do, that's what they're going to do. But by now we should know because they've started construction. We keep hearing, we've heard it for like the last five months from the rec board, uh, that there's going to be a water feature, but there's no plans that have come forward. And, uh, out in the community, what we're hearing is they want a pool, which we're not going to probably have that, but if it's going to be a splash pad, a decent size splash pad, hopefully, that there's no reason why we couldn't also have a a waiting pool. I'm not talking about we're not the community is not talking about an Olympic pool where you can swim laps, but at least some kind of a waiting pool that would go along with that splash pad. So, I don't know where we're in the process of making a commitment as far as what we're going to have there for a uh water feature, but we probably should have one pretty soon. I would think that somebody's working on that. If anybody knows anything about that, that'd be great. We could share that tonight.

Thank you, Mr. Schwanger. We'll work to get you those answers. Thank you. Is there anyone else who'd like to comment tonight? May I ask a question?

Sure. Um to the gentleman's inquiry on um East Adams, East Adams and Hancock. Um, what about underground boring as opposed to tearing everything up and using a backhoe and and that sort of thing? Because you see under this underground and and maybe this is a question for for Mr. Snider here, but you see it be that technology being used everywhere. Uh, and maybe they wouldn't want to do it the entire length of Adam Street or what have you, but in deference to histo, you know, an historic you know, accutrant to your property rather than tearing it up. Uh, I wonder if that might not be a possibility.

If I might add, just for a quick moment, Miami is probably the one with the most stones being impacted, but there are a number of homes along. I'm sure there are. So, it's not just my property. So, I I throw that question out there and maybe it's something that Mr. Schneider can or or Mr. Orzac can address at some future point. So, thank you. Any other public comment? If not, I guess I just want to say thanks.