[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_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",6160340,"mediaKeyId","5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8","parentId",5450634,"title","Residents press Defiance council to curb motorized bicycles on sidewalks; city staff to research options","audioSeconds",115,"startMs",1393000,"endMs",1508000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8&start=1393&end=1508","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8/thumbnail_1393000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6160340/Ohio/Residents-press-Defiance-council-to-curb-motorized-bicycles-on-sidewalks-city-staff-to-research-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160340-c4d9d3663edfe23c6680d40b445acd3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170159&Signature=Wjt4VBpzq5xXMBusS9togTPz5o5KhfeQjHwtFuumQzwvaRhIMnJ233DNc-eL3OnigL~w7Jnj8tqVFzjiKAvcdFJIFXEDv6j0K76iHpxGzTVDLeP2ceU5rAGF5B61AF71stN8rxDY8ts87aHT-qIRlkxk6F0SENXtyfjf3h6LDsWikfksqutKsNi0GmGCQlBhGsXUPChDk2ary8qLSmEhQeQ1QwaPM0rPnQwLmNn4l4-b1q9vCzOSzBjP-ONr~ZU9RelJ1YRybobjqRDhl94hXv6MP9OgfNhKuRnqnxznYYVxoGka-VEdxOw1tHv~GVDTY5GMDHq~1a~ySJ8dmx5IeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Defiance, OH ","date","2025-07-23T11:31:02Z","article","Residents told the Defiance City Council on July 22 that motorized bicycles riding on sidewalks and moving at high speed are creating safety hazards downtown and at neighborhood intersections.

“Something's gotta be done because it's getting hazardous out there,” resident Bonnie Posey said during public comment, describing near-miss incidents and people using sidewalks as throughways. Posey urged the council to address the problem after describing an incident near the Burger King where a rider on a motorized bicycle nearly struck pedestrians.

Mayor Joe McCann told the meeting that Chief Frank Herbert has identified sidewalk e-bike enforcement as a point of emphasis and that the police department is working with patrol officers on enforcement. City Law Director Mark O'Donnell said the city needs to check whether state law limits the city's authority: he noted the Ohio General Assembly has acted to define classes of electric bicycles in state statute and said he would research whether the city can impose stricter local restrictions.

Council members and residents discussed enforcement challenges: speakers said many e-bikes have pedal-assist modes that make it hard to tell whether a rider is pedaling or using the motor, and that speeds observed downtown appear to range up to 20–45 miles per hour on some devices. Councilmember comments cited safety concerns for pedestrians crossing alleys and at downtown intersections.

No formal ordinance was adopted at the meeting; O'Donnell said he would research preemption and local authority and report back. Mayor McCann and council indicated that the police department will pursue traffic enforcement in the near term while staff examine legal options.

The discussion combined public comment and council follow-up: residents asked for regulatory changes and enforcement; city leaders said enforcement and a legal review are the next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Defiance, OH Council Meeting 7.22.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents told the Defiance City Council on July 22 that motorized bicycles riding on sidewalks and moving at high speed are creating safety hazards downtown and at neighborhood intersections.","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},6160343,"Defiance swears in Frank Herbert as police chief",53,321000,374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8&start=321&end=374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8/thumbnail_321000.jpg","/articles/6160343/Ohio/Defiance-swears-in-Frank-Herbert-as-police-chief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160343-4b467f1d5196eaa88ba8e66cff359a90/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170159&Signature=mSAiBynhg8EFmTWixJgnvHC~uLm~1aedGyUZqxaJqyZYHcJT1dX5s6EdqUXBl~SYR~vk1N3F4a4suGrg7u3mAqphzlxO7ArKi0~GKyu236OScvGUbj2wtX9tKWuuZLjOlGtw-UkL5e7L6hZldl2bZVhA6mBCYS~Yl4KGHJmT6SDjwvWdA2Hkcq1jscNe2dWuwVxQwFqrBlRCPnOZR3VVXFwKzC6dewSW7Isyen95BA9LtBt5O683ctSF8eqAEzfWtAbKw8vzkx3dy-T0pvnyP~DC6FviZP-gYUyXAcugsqXXPAEgdqr4e7IkG5BR019Q~W8wts-BWJjXsfsZt08ONg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Frank Herbert was sworn in as chief of the Defiance Police Department during the Defiance City Council meeting on July 22, 2025. Mayor Joe McCann administered the oath, and council members and staff offered congratulations at the meeting that followed routine business.

The oath was taken at the council meeting; Herbert repeated the words, “I, Frank Herbert, do solemnly swear and affirm ... to support the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, the Constitution and laws of the State of Ohio and the laws and ordinances of the City of Defiance,” and affirmed he would “to the best of my ability discharge the duties of the office of chief of police.” Mayor McCann and council members then congratulated Herbert.

The swearing-in was presented as a ceremonial appointment on the council chamber floor; no separate council vote on the appointment was announced in the meeting transcript. City staff and council members remained in session to conduct other business and then recessed into an executive session later in the evening.

The new chief’s oath and the ceremony were followed by regular council items including project updates and public comment about public-safety matters.","Frank Herbert was sworn in as chief of the Defiance Police Department during the July 22, 2025, City Council meeting; Mayor McCann administered the oath and council and staff offered congratulations.",{"_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},6160325,"Council approves supplemental appropriations for training, probation grant and flood repairs",92,1159000,1251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8&start=1159&end=1251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8/thumbnail_1159000.jpg","/articles/6160325/Ohio/Council-approves-supplemental-appropriations-for-training-probation-grant-and-flood-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160325-064da658be9bc21833a5138c2eb69699/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170159&Signature=otgTV3~0yc0iCYhER~Vs8FIu01FQXjQlFQKeDSDONduzBnfZl0EEYhvHE2yPZwaGCxtq~IU30-FScCsLN3ssL6u0svcpGR-1XEzOgsrjAcbCVb0~8j02~cT9CYJwSNQMea2czlZd6jX-Khp1sbXF7K6ZmLsj0XvKMY-qEu0mwisv7~pdYU51m7nZAEZQHckm-Ac8YNPv9n8h0y9XMyPZeAD0uZjazWN9A2rZ1p~Y2VETWeeQWHMrkXO0qamXVCR7ZVN9eu4EfuYX6~9JrXk8TiCiVERBcFLD64WsYfIBuFODm3iKgRue~arf~MA2gN03BiuJlV9FZUUH1sBjjYFrTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Defiance City Council on July 22 approved supplemental appropriations and budget adjustments to cover an insurance shortfall, fund paramedic training, record a probation grant and replenish a capital-improvement line for flood repairs.

Finance Director (Miss Sprague) told council the general fund needs $4,200 to replenish a buildings-and-land line after an insurance claim; the city has received $3,188 from the insurer. The police and fire fund needs $30,000 to send two employees to paramedic school. A probation grant that began July 1 requires appropriations for the grant period through June of next year, and the transcript shows projected revenue of about $65,507 tied to those lines. Finally, a WPC capital improvements line was increased by $400,000 to cover flood-damage repairs while the city awaits a final determination from the property insurer. Sprague said one insurer (Travelers) denied a claim and the city is awaiting a decision from its property-and-casualty carrier.

Council recorded motions to suspend the rules and adopt the ordinance; the roll-call votes were unanimous in favor in the transcript. Councilmember Hancock moved to adopt; Mr. Maest seconded, and the ordinance was adopted.

Finance staff also noted a typographical error on an internal summary sheet (a line labeled \"water distribution\" that should read \"probation\"). The typo was limited to the summary sheet and did not appear in the ordinance text. City staff said they will circulate the budget timeline next week to begin the budget process.","Council adopted an ordinance to replenish several lines and appropriate funds for paramedic training, a probation grant and flood-related capital repairs; the council recorded unanimous votes to adopt the ordinance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":92,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6160330,"Council approves emergency land purchases, easements for Ralston Avenue roundabout project",148,1011000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8&start=1011&end=1159","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8/thumbnail_1011000.jpg","/articles/6160330/Ohio/Council-approves-emergency-land-purchases-easements-for-Ralston-Avenue-roundabout-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160330-464940e9421fa4a2da1d517eebf9347d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170159&Signature=a2K90EMU35dEMyj1NflIe~EP3IuR6b608jId7xRy8y8swts6H9XKdFfQyJotaUsylOrEAI-gcY2CIsAr5qYxRiAkLOkJpVNo8oRdZrZHh0-LvFUjKJl~9gGtsYWTp5de09lZcxOK75EdhDCZOAdF63GG6f0UvTlznbjgq-fqQu0U-khJ-XBX80QsshphFuoddPwQXspmLCz6jh4prtRl~2JtBqcLPtzAhlDcSdVxzJmeonBjjtJerbXb3LF0lg3AVHUl~jtorDIXK2BmNQqKpW5r96iVpstJlQWvgUTGO69E5w4tQbF2zybXqHP9LMe5-akM~CGaa-cHY0bPVwAXVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Defiance moved forward on property steps for the 2026 Ralston Avenue roundabout at its July 22 council meeting, approving the outright acquisition of a 0.021-acre parcel and two 12-month temporary easements needed to keep the project on schedule.

City Law Director Mark O'Donnell told council the city had secured more than $2,600,000 in grant funding from two sources for the roundabout project and sought approval to acquire Parcel 13 (general warranty deed, 0.021 acres) plus temporary easements for Parcel 11T and Parcel 19D. O'Donnell said total compensation to the landowners for those interests would be $5,100 and that acquisitions must be completed by September to maintain the project timeline.

Council moved to suspend the rules and adopt the ordinance by roll-call votes; motions to suspend and to adopt passed with unanimous yes votes recorded in the transcript. The ordinance was presented as an emergency to allow the city to proceed with scheduled property closings and design work.

O'Donnell said additional ordinances for property acquisitions tied to the Ralston Avenue project and the Ottawa Avenue corridor project will appear on future agendas as the city completes negotiations.","Council approved acquisition and temporary easements for small parcels needed for the 2026 Ralston Avenue roundabout project. The city said it has secured more than $2.6 million in grant funding and will pay $5,100 total to landowners for the parcels and easements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6160335,"Single bid for Jefferson Street paving comes in 24% over estimate; city uncertain on funding this year",193,628000,821000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8&start=628&end=821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450634-2e491042032c87874a089ab04ebc06b8/thumbnail_628000.jpg","/articles/6160335/Ohio/Single-bid-for-Jefferson-Street-paving-comes-in-24-over-estimate-city-uncertain-on-funding-this-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160335-22d46f7ff3ba5671aad8b9303a33e01a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776170159&Signature=XDU5Fbu1LSLKNDHyHYNt4A-GygqNHoQ9QgfFqnLHI29-y2zimeMm3xCN-GIZwGu5LqFuqUWVdyXRFmXsKnWtarQEH8gWZeGwm9enQuOUSWOkuYOJhFJ0Cm4w0koIVcVB4qc37WAeysSg8GugRiJ5iDKyx4qsjojC5tIwFax3QhtdHkMMm9bj1Fk-JRi94JGfbrdTfl7pcHSZztIHleLZOf30HUKN28V-ouLkm2c0R9AS-NwVj6k9SqI9zNbwevJacHsPO~wpV6LbGWlr10kPPayJ1a61~Mavf349dAGNfBt4Oz7I3dbPrcpggTrjviU-AE2gdnhYuptbK1umQXXweA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Defiance opened bids for the Jefferson Street paving project on July 22 and received a single bid from Gerken that was 24% over the engineer's estimate.

Mayor Joe McCann told council that the lone bid puts the project in a difficult position: “One bidder, Gerken, was 24% over the engineer's budget or estimate,” he said, and that outcome makes it “very unlikely that it will get paid this year.” McCann said staff had scaled back the project before rebidding it and that the city will review the line items to identify why the bid was high.

Councilmembers said the single-bid result makes it hard to gauge whether the city estimate or the market price is the outlier. Councilmember Mast noted the difficulty of assessing the bid without comparisons. City staff member “Dave” (identified in the transcript as reviewing line items) began parsing submitted line items against estimates to look for causes, and Public Works staff will continue that review when lead staff return from vacation.

Possible next steps discussed were rebidding, further scope reduction, or delaying the project until funding or additional bidders are available. No new funding appropriation or formal decision to rebid was made at the meeting; staff will continue to analyze the bid and report back.

The Jefferson Street project scope discussed was from just south of the roundabouts on South Jefferson to East Second Street; traffic-control needs for the project were cited as factors that increase costs.","Bids opened July 22 for the Jefferson Street paving project. Contractor Gerken was the lone bidder and submitted a price 24% above the engineer's estimate; city staff said the project likely will not be paid this year and will be reviewed further.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Defiance council to curb motorized bicycles on sidewalks; city staff to research options

Defiance swears in Frank Herbert as police chief

Council approves supplemental appropriations for training, probation grant and flood repairs

Council approves emergency land purchases, easements for Ralston Avenue roundabout project

Single bid for Jefferson Street paving comes in 24% over estimate; city uncertain on funding this year