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North Ridgeville council approves $30,000 increase for drainage work tied to Drees Homes development
Summary
City council adopted Ordinance 2025-120 with an emergency clause to add roughly $30,000 to an existing drainage contract tied to the Crossings at French Creek development; vote was 6–1.
North Ridgeville City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-120, approving an additional allocation to complete drainage improvements tied to the Crossings at French Creek development and adding an emergency clause so work can continue immediately. The measure passed by a 6–1 roll-call vote.
The mayor moved to adopt the ordinance and to add the emergency clause; the motion was seconded by Councilman Abens. Council recorded a 6–1 vote to adopt 2025-120; Councilman Schaefer voted no. Clerk called the roll after debate and the mayor announced the ordinance as adopted with the emergency clause in place.
Council members and staff said the additional funds respond to an unrecorded 16-inch water main alignment the contractor encountered after work began. The city engineer told council crews discovered the unexpected water main location while constructing the storm sewer extension connected to the Drees Homes project and that redesign and additional construction costs followed.
Council and staff said the drainage project also responds to pre-existing drainage problems on property south of the Drees site. The city engineer said parts of the work are intended to route stormwater away from private properties that had previously received discharges, and that Drees made land available to avoid purchasing an easement from another private owner.
Council discussed who pays for the extra cost. Councilman Schaefer asked why taxpayer dollars were required if Drees is a large private developer; the mayor and other members replied that the city had already allocated funds for a related storm-sewer project and that Drees is contributing to the overall project costs. The engineer said the city’s original share on the books was about $90,000 and the ordinance increased the appropriation to $120,000, an additional roughly $30,000 to complete the work.
During discussion, Frank Codis was referenced by staff as a nearby resident who had previously raised concerns about stormwater discharging onto his property; council members said the present work will correct that condition.
The mayor and council members characterized the project as addressing an existing drainage problem in the area and said the additional appropriation will allow crews to complete the improvements without delay.
The ordinance text cited during the meeting describes the funding change as an amendment to the amount needed for construction under an earlier ordinance related to work with Drees Homes that benefits State Route 83 right-of-way and abutting residences south of Crossings at French Creek.
