[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6107095,"mediaKeyId","2778998-3c436159b9cb3f98697e6d18eeaa573b","parentId",2778998,"title","Council hears reports of overgrown lots and a potentially unsafe downtown overhang; nuisance board and inspections cited","audioSeconds",75,"startMs",1185000,"endMs",1260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778998-3c436159b9cb3f98697e6d18eeaa573b&start=1185&end=1260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778998-3c436159b9cb3f98697e6d18eeaa573b/thumbnail_1185000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6107095/Ohio/Council-hears-reports-of-overgrown-lots-and-a-potentially-unsafe-downtown-overhang-nuisance-board-and-inspections-cited","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107095-e3e1f4011b60212beb843bf62c476139/orig.mp4?Expires=1773279563&Signature=RiN-VECJvtafIINo0fbVE2n21DehgWb2RrDGwsbrd2Bnj4NR4tH4rQS4j1RozkZKgnFGH-nuarykszhx8Xbt2Za4QfKi2s5sZfDJM3dMm5Myqg6aGQrspcckreAdoK~JGEN2GITZEx7NwOjmT9YfXDeoWCl46difQPTpHMMeMGK2wZr69s7JdQmEd1NU~ZQpZxSRTwakyEw9LclFW0q3u1rcF1KTkRO5xKjl3lPQ2gw-U0RovH2RzA62YuTlbxLYb6yMLIX9erfkH2QW2DkKtOxZx26OIIrY56bJ5Ky8duDaLL6aDYdwSIQXEShf6sTO~-NROecqHaceQi0-d~cjcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Defiance, OH ","date","2025-03-26T19:36:15.923Z","article","Councilors used the March 25 meeting to press staff about property-maintenance and building-safety issues across the city.

Councilor Wexler and others said some properties flagged in 2024 remain overgrown; staff said several properties have already been referred to the nuisance abatement board. Councilor Wexler asked that the city move quickly before the spring growing season makes enforcement harder; staff said crews have started work on multiple properties this year and reiterated the city’s nuisance-abatement processes.

Councilor Crutch reported a citizen complaint about a brick overhang detaching from the building at 220 Clinton Street, between a bicycle shop and a storefront described in the record as a custom T-shirt business. The caller expressed concern that the brick above the overhang is pulling away and might fall onto the sidewalk. Council asked staff to inspect the building and take any necessary safety measures.

Councilor Rusty reported residents’ complaints that new sidewalks on Ginter Road near the Boy Scout entrance are retaining water; city staff said they identified a particularly bad section and that engineer Belinda (named in the record) is working on it.

No formal enforcement actions were taken on the record at the meeting; councilors were told the nuisance board has active matters and staff will continue inspections and follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Defiance, OH Council Meeting 3.25.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors flagged several nuisance and safety concerns, including overgrown properties discussed with the nuisance abatement board, a reported deteriorating overhang at 220 Clinton Street and ponding at new sidewalks on Ginter Road; staff said some matters are already with nuisance abatement and others are being inspected.","taxTitle","Defiance City Council , Defiance, Defiance County, Ohio","taxId",71646,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6107100,"Council members raise safety concerns over loose OmniFiber cables; staff to follow up",64,423000,487000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778998-3c436159b9cb3f98697e6d18eeaa573b&start=423&end=487","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778998-3c436159b9cb3f98697e6d18eeaa573b/thumbnail_423000.jpg","/articles/6107100/Ohio/Council-members-raise-safety-concerns-over-loose-OmniFiber-cables-staff-to-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107100-63f5373f097b169cdbba10f2ebf55ea4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773279563&Signature=jb2DGVQRsBos1hBkDcp1VEQ~M1U3fagSA3ZQxJfs1LoyVAWHIOoX7VlpeCePws8xm2abXeqFJHBqbRm6MBe~qTKSRKlsFzdRs3wsi62Jvmh4DYcwKtgm-2CsEBo4gaX8nB5er9ybYW6ZYJKN7IpPskgyVRmx81QuUSIwas85BRomQ8JA7WelL441GqxPCs2wnRbjsWv8b-RKKQepgaYP1eM-Tm2l8wv8rrIAqO5KZzlIGsUxEp8t-kiIjty0rTfh26KZqVsL6NiYGU2Ory0LUxk9jNsoOsDvKtWsGbSj07ZubtnqRtsZ3oRPEySu9Ovu8HL8SYSFo3VVH5Qh-RDOWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several council members and a resident raised public-safety concerns March 25 about bundles of fiber and junction boxes left hanging from utility poles and in some cases lying on the ground.

Councilor Mast presented photographs of loose cable and junction boxes at multiple locations, including Ayersville Avenue and Williams Street. Mast asked whether the visible installations were the city’s OmniFiber system; staff said they would investigate and contact the company. Mayor’s staff asked council members and residents to send specific addresses so the city can approach OmniFiber with a list of locations.

Resident (identified in the record as Mrs. Scratch) told council that fiber and cables behind her house and near a neighborhood pool are numerous and said OmniFiber representatives told residents they might leave some cable in place for possible future expansion. She said neighborhood children have tried to grab the cables. City staff said bundles hanging on poles are often acceptable when attached properly, but loose cable on the ground would be investigated and addressed.

Councilor Rusty asked whether the city should initiate complaints for the wires; staff said the usual procedure is for the city to make the initial complaint and that staff would follow up. Council members asked the clerk to forward Mast’s photographs to the appropriate staff member to begin outreach.

Council members urged residents who see loose cable or junction boxes to provide addresses to the clerk so city staff can package complaints and seek remediation from the company.

Ending: City staff committed on the record to look into the locations identified by council and to take complaints to OmniFiber as a grouped set of addresses to request cleanup or clarification of what is permanent work and what needs correction.","Councilors and residents reported loose fiber and junction boxes around town tied to OmniFiber installations; staff said they will compile addresses and contact the company to request cleanup.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6107105,"Council adopts electric-aggregation renewal, emergency wheel-loader purchase and backs state Issue 2; second reading delayed",186,1000000,1186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778998-3c436159b9cb3f98697e6d18eeaa573b&start=1000&end=1186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778998-3c436159b9cb3f98697e6d18eeaa573b/thumbnail_1000000.jpg","/articles/6107105/Ohio/Council-adopts-electric-aggregation-renewal-emergency-wheel-loader-purchase-and-backs-state-Issue-2-second-reading-delayed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107105-67fb04403081a45a4a50ecf36fb5ed47/orig.mp4?Expires=1773279563&Signature=L-H6mhQ4pMCkmzpOYmYMq0wqnFyMN-9qsIFX42dPSYleyEESEExpCYwClvnGgs9d4gbS8CIzIYA3ZCyteHv89SchnGkZ0Yknu9nvFUP56uJOIk212ODkQcqdXslnF4sC32zDNvqQSiC0ot3fJwpSC-7GXV9-96Lz24sCKMiX5okRwKl-cu5C5bT7VbqYQCM2sY~-nV9CCR62SOhzG7bdfFRByuUAOoUX3kZcFctvUD45iyUKfowB1gOfokFSxaxx1dRosLR~zTqd4023eLVL9RpFWJzRzGWXYQ3ak-GSMXClxu7eM14VXEPr2z9kJPaHb7QDPgmC797VhRD--iBLFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Defiance City Council members voted March 25 to renew the city’s electric-aggregation certification with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, to authorize an emergency purchase of a wheel loader for the streets department and to adopt a resolution supporting the May 6 statewide ballot issue known as State Issue 2. A separate ordinance amending chapter 109 of the city’s qualified ordinances was postponed to a third reading.

The electric-aggregation ordinance authorizes staff to file the city’s renewal application with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio before the June 21 deadline. City attorney O’Donnell told council that Section 4928.08(C) requires competitive retail electric service providers to renew certification biennially and that the ordinance is the paperwork the commission requires. Councilor Wexler moved to suspend the rules and call the question; the motion was seconded and council then adopted the ordinance by roll-call approval. The ordinance was adopted.

The streets department asked council to declare an emergency and approve purchase of a wheel loader that the city has been renting. Streets and water distribution superintendent DJ Zdike said the city’s existing loader has more than 27 years of service and about 10,000 engine hours; the engine is down and estimated repairs exceed $80,000. City staff said buying the loader through the state cooperative purchasing program would secure a favorable price; council approved the emergency purchase.

Council also adopted a resolution expressing support for the proposed State Issue 2, a constitutional amendment that would let Ohio issue $2.5 billion in general-obligation bonds for local infrastructure projects. City attorney O’Donnell said the program has provided the city with more than $9 million in grants and more than $4 million in loans since the program began.

Separately, council held a second reading by caption only of an ordinance amending chapter 109 of the city’s qualified ordinances. Council voted to \"let lie,\" postponing further action until a third reading at a future meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance: Renewal of electric-aggregation certification with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio — motion to suspend rules and call (mover: Mr. Wexler; second: Mr. Uresti). Outcome: adopted (roll-call recorded as all present voting in favor).
- Order/Ordinance: Authorize contract/purchase of wheel loader and declare emergency — outcome: adopted (emergency declared).
- Resolution: Support renewal of the Ohio State Capital Improvement Program (State Issue 2) for the May 6 ballot — outcome: adopted.
- Ordinance: Amend chapter 109 of the Qualified Ordinances of Defiance, Ohio — second reading; motion to \"let lie\" until third reading (postponed).

The meeting record shows all council members present for the March 25 session; council took the votes listed above during the business portion of the meeting. The adopted measures were announced on the record at the meeting and are now reflected in the council minutes.","Defiance City Council on March 25 approved renewal of its electric-aggregation certification, approved an emergency purchase of a wheel loader, and passed a resolution supporting the proposed state capital-improvement ballot issue; a separate ordinance (chapter 109) was tabled to a third reading.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears reports of overgrown lots and a potentially unsafe downtown overhang; nuisance board and inspections cited

Council members raise safety concerns over loose OmniFiber cables; staff to follow up

Council adopts electric-aggregation renewal, emergency wheel-loader purchase and backs state Issue 2; second reading delayed