Finance committee authorizes DEFA loan applications and bid advertising for multiple sewer and storm projects; approves legal services agreement

Elyria’s Finance Committee on March 31 authorized several borrowing and procurement steps aimed at repairing and upgrading the city’s wastewater and storm infrastructure and approved a professional legal-services agreement for ongoing litigation.

The committee approved ordinances authorizing the mayor to apply for loan agreements through the Ohio Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance (DEFA) for two projects: the Gulf Road Pump Station project (formerly referred to as the Windward siphon project), a project staff described as roughly $4.5 million in scope; and the Lowell Street sanitary sewer extension project, described as a $1.7 million project to extend and upsize sewer lines toward the Open Door Church and adjacent areas. Engineer Schneider told the committee that required easements for the Gulf Road work had been secured.

The Gulf Road project was described as an emergency repair to replace a failing siphon and install a pump station to move flow to the wastewater system. Schneider said the siphon was “in very, very poor condition” and that the city does not expect grant forgiveness for the DEFA funding; staff requested emergency clauses to keep in time with the loan and bid cycles. The committee voted in favor of applying for the loans and requested emergency treatment so bid and loan schedules could be met.

The committee also authorized the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for:

- the Gulf Road pump station project (bid advertising and award authorization), - the 2025 emergency sanitary and storm sewer repair contract (the permanent budget included $350,000 for this effort), and - the 2025 street-sweeping program (annual solicitation).

Engineer Schneider said the city’s existing emergency sewer repair contract was largely exhausted and that the department budgets $350,000 in 2025 for that work. On street sweeping, Schneider said increased bidder competition over the past two years has driven prices down; committee members noted occasional poor performance by prior contractors and discussed enforcement for vehicles parked during sweep notifications.

The committee approved a professional services agreement with the law firm Squire Patton Boggs for legal work relating to the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas case State v. DVR Commercial Realty LLC and the City of Elyria. Law Director Derry said the firm offered a blended government rate of $575 per hour covering partner, paralegal and IT costs and recommended a not-to-exceed amount of $100,000 for 2025. The ordinance authorizing a contract and the emergency clause passed on a voice vote.

The committee also approved a resolution and ordinance declaring several city-owned items unfit for municipal use and authorizing their disposal: a 2008 Sterling truck, a 2012 trailer described in the referral as a vac trailer, and 24 large planter pots. The committee report included weights and model years; the items were ordered to be disposed of “by the best means possible.”

Several committee motions were carried by voice vote. The committee recorded no roll-call tallies in the transcript; motions were followed by unanimous “Aye” responses on multiple items.

Ending: The actions authorize loan applications, advertise for construction bids, authorize contract awards and establish procurement steps; applications to DEFA will proceed and bid publications will follow emergency scheduling to preserve loan/bid cycles.