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Council approves $80,000 contract to develop urban-ag planning using USDA grant; 9-2 vote
Summary
The council authorized a contract not to exceed $80,000 with AgriTecture LLC to support urban-agriculture planning funded by a USDA UAIP grant after debate about public presentations and whether to send the item to committee.
Lorain City Council voted 9-2 to authorize a contract with AgriTecture LLC for up to $80,000 to support urban-agriculture planning in the city, using funds from a USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) grant.
The ordinance, introduced by Councilman Nutt, directs the safety service director to enter into the contract and was passed as an emergency after debate about whether council should send the item to committee for a presentation from the contractor. Council Member Springowski moved to send the legislation to committee but withdrew when the motion failed; the defeated motion to send to committee preceded a final vote that approved the ordinance 9-2 (no votes: Springowski and Henley).
Council members sought clarifications on funding and timing. City staff said the UAIP planning grant totals approximately $207,000 and that the $80,000 contract is a planning expenditure rather than a programmatic payment; staff said no general-fund dollars are required and the local match is staff time. “The entire grant allocation was $207,000 and some change… it’s a planning grant,” a city staff member said during the discussion.
Several council members asked that the public be briefed before or shortly after contract execution so community members could weigh in on site selection, potential nuisances and zoning changes. Council agreed the safety service director could proceed but publicly stated an intention to schedule a presentation for council and the community; the director said the city could proceed with the contractor while holding off on executing any notice to proceed pending further engagement.
Council members also discussed timeline concerns: staff said the work under the planning grant requires a roughly 12-month schedule to produce zoning recommendations, an urban-ag plan and outreach materials. The council directed staff to schedule a committee presentation and to ensure community engagement as the planning process proceeds.
