Clyde City Council approves emergency purchase at 521 Brown St., sells 1.437-acre parcel and OKs street resurfacing agreement

Clyde City Council on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, voted to buy a residence at 521 Brown Street under an emergency ordinance, approved the sale of a 1.437-acre surplus parcel to County Road 175, LLC, adopted updates to the city’s public-records language and master fee schedule, and authorized the city manager to sign a State of Ohio Department of Transportation agreement for resurfacing and pedestrian improvements on Maple and Race streets.

The votes came at a regularly scheduled meeting at Clyde City Hall where council suspended the normal waiting period to immediately pass emergency Ordinance 2025-23 authorizing the purchase of property at 521 Brown Street. City staff said the purchase price was adjusted after negotiations: the city will pay $7,000 and the property owners offered a $5,000 charitable contribution toward the transaction, which together match the $12,000 total shown in the ordinance. City manager Mister Leben said the purchase agreement is already prepared and that the closing is expected within roughly two weeks. "We authorized the purchase of this property at the last meeting. We made them the formal offer of 6,000 and 6,000, and they came back with, can we do it 7 and 5? So hence the adjustment," Leben said.

The council also adopted Resolution 2025-24 to sell a 1.437-acre parcel (Sandusky County parcel ID 3260000027-01) to County Road 175, LLC for $12,000, with the buyer agreeing to pay incidental transaction costs. City staff identified the buyer as Roger Darr of Darr’s Cleaning and said the property will provide access and a sewer connection for the buyer’s business. The resolution declares the parcel surplus and waives competitive bidding under Section 2-1 of the city charter.

On housekeeping matters, the council adopted Ordinance 2025-16 to amend Chapter 107 (public records) of the codified ordinances to align with Ohio House Bill 315 and to add a law-enforcement video processing fee. The council also adopted Ordinance 2025-17 to compile and update the city’s master fee schedule — including zoning fees that staff said had not been updated since 1997 — and to move multiple fees into a consolidated schedule; staff said several fee items also will go to the planning commission for review where required.

Council approved Resolution 2025-25 authorizing the city manager to enter an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for resurfacing and pedestrian improvements on Maple and Race streets. Staff said the project includes crosswalk and signalization changes and is tied to a grant-funded local public agency project agreement; staff noted one change under consideration would remove an unwarranted streetlight and adjust traffic control at that intersection.

All roll-call votes for the measures were unanimous. After the formal actions the council moved into an executive session "to consider the purchase of property," saying no formal action would be taken in that closed session.

Votes at a glance

- Emergency Ordinance 2025-23 — Rescind Ordinance 2025-11; authorize purchase of 521 Brown Street (two parcels, including a 0.059-acre parcel). Motion to suspend rules and adopt was moved by Councilman Shea and seconded by Vice Mayor Black. Vote: Mayor McAuley — aye; Councilman Chris Shea — aye; Vice Mayor Scott Black — aye; Councilman Greg McMaster — aye; Councilwoman Meek — aye. Outcome: adopted (emergency).

- Ordinance 2025-16 — Amend Chapter 107 (public records) to reflect Ohio House Bill 315 and add law-enforcement video processing fee. Motion moved by Councilman Shea; second by Vice Mayor Black. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance 2025-17 — Update and compile comprehensive fee schedule (zoning fee updates, master schedule consolidation). Motion moved by Vice Mayor Black; second by Councilman Shea. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 2025-24 — Authorize sale of 1.437-acre surplus parcel (Sandusky County parcel ID 3260000027-01) to County Road 175, LLC (Roger Darr) for $12,000; buyer to pay incidental costs; bidding waived under Charter Sec. 2-1. Motion moved by Councilman Shea; second by Councilwoman Meek. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 2025-25 — Authorize city manager to execute ODOT local public agency agreement (project no. 42305) for resurfacing/pedestrian improvements on Maple and Race streets. Motion moved by Councilman McMaster; second by Councilwoman Meek. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: adopted.

Context and significance

City staff described the 521 Brown Street purchase as a continuation of an offer the city made at a prior meeting; the adjusted terms were presented as a compromise to finalize the sale quickly. The sale to County Road 175, LLC was described as providing a sewer connection and supporting an existing local business, Darr’s Cleaning. The ODOT agreement advances a resurfacing and pedestrian-safety project that staff said is nearing construction and tied to external grant funding.

What the record shows and what it does not

- The ordinance text and staff remarks identify a $12,000 total value for the Brown Street transaction, split into a $7,000 city payment and a $5,000 charitable contribution from the owner. The ordinance itself rescinds Ordinance 2025-11 and includes an emergency clause. - The sale resolution names County Road 175, LLC and references Sandusky County parcel ID 3260000027-01; the record states the buyer will pay incidental costs, but specific closing dates and road-name decisions mentioned by staff (possible names such as Weaver’s Way) were presented as discussion items, not final council action. - The ODOT agreement was authorized by resolution; staff noted grant involvement and described anticipated changes (crosswalks, signalization, removal of an unwarranted streetlight) but did not provide detailed engineering plans at the meeting.

Next steps

Staff said the purchase at 521 Brown Street has a purchase agreement ready and anticipated completion in about two weeks; the council moved to executive session later in the meeting to consider property purchase details, and no formal action was taken in closed session.

Ending

Council completed the evening’s business with unanimous votes on the listed measures and then entered executive session on a property matter; no further public action was recorded for that closed session.