West Carrollton council approves PACE financing for solar, accepts brownfield remediation subrecipient agreement and authorizes River District funding bid

The West Carrollton City Council at its meeting took a series of unanimous votes to enable property-assessed clean energy financing for several downtown parcels, accept a brownfield remediation subrecipient agreement tied to a nearly $1.9 million grant, and authorize the city to assist a county transportation district in applying for state funds for River District Phase 2 construction.

The council approved Resolution 16-2025 to permit a PACE (property-assessed clean energy) special assessment on properties listed in the measure so the owner may finance roof repairs and a roof-mounted solar array through a special assessment. City staff explained the measure is a pass-through enabling mechanism: the city would authorize the special assessment but would not construct the project. "This is the first step in facilitating property assessed clean energy financing or PACE financing for a roof and solar panel array project on the property," Miss Holloway said when the resolution was introduced. The resolution cites Ohio Revised Code Section 3706.051 for the assessment mechanism.

Council also approved Ordinance 37-97, the second legislative step linked to the same PACE project, describing the city's determination to proceed with acquisition, construction and improvement related to the air quality facility and declaring an emergency. Miss Holloway described the ordinance as "the second and final legislative step for facilitating the property assess clean energy or PACE financing for a roof and solar panel array project" at the same addresses.

The council approved Resolution 17-2025 authorizing the city manager to negotiate and execute a brownfield remediation program subrecipient agreement among the city, the Montgomery County Land Bank, and Patriot Engineering for environmental work at the former wastewater treatment plant at 4000 Hydraulic Road. Miss Holloway told council that the Montgomery County Land Bank was awarded brownfield remediation funds totaling $1,898,678 on behalf of the city and that the city's budget includes a 25% match; the transcript records the project cost figure as 2,548,000.000. She said the project scope will include additional assessment, soil excavation, capping, and demolition of dilapidated structures, and that the subrecipient agreement is required to access grant disbursements.

Council also approved Resolution 18-2025, authorizing the city manager to assist the Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District in applying to the Ohio Department of Transportation's Transportation Improvement District funding program for River District Phase 2 construction and to execute necessary documents to administer the funding program.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to amend the agenda to move an executive session before approval of minutes — moved by Mayor Barnhart; second by Mrs. Freiman; roll-call vote: Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to recess to executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 121.22(g)(3) for attorney-client conferences on pending or imminent litigation — moved by Mayor Barnhart; second by Mrs. Bridal; roll-call vote: Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes. Outcome: approved; council recessed and later returned to regular session.

- Approval of regular meeting minutes of 03/11/2025 — moved by Mrs. Treiman, seconded by Mr. Boyle; roll-call vote: Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes. Outcome: approved.

- Take Resolution 16-2025 from the table — moved by Mayor Barnhart, seconded by Mrs. Grama; roll-call vote: Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of Resolution 16-2025 (PACE special assessment authorization) — moved by Mayor Barnhart, seconded by Mr. Dobson; roll-call vote: Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes. Outcome: approved.

- Take Ordinance 37-97 from the table — moved by Mayor Barnhart, seconded by Mrs. Bridal; roll-call vote: Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of Ordinance 37-97 (determination to proceed, declaring emergency) — moved by Mr. Tilton, seconded by Mr. Boyle; roll-call vote: Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of Resolution 17-2025 (brownfield remediation subrecipient agreement authorization) — moved by Mrs. Tomlin, seconded by Mrs. Zenny; roll-call vote: Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes. Outcome: approved.

- Approval of Resolution 18-2025 (assist Montgomery County TID in applying for ODOT TID funding for River District Phase 2) — moved by Mrs. Bridal, seconded by Mr. Boyle; roll-call vote: Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes. Outcome: approved.

After the motions on the agenda, council recessed to a work session to discuss items on the agenda, a move approved by roll call (Tilton yes; Tomlin yes; Boyle yes; Zenny yes; Dobson yes; Freiman yes; Mayor Barnhart yes).

Background and next steps

- The PACE actions permit property owners at the listed Elm Street and Pierce Avenue addresses to finance energy-related improvements through a special assessment and reference Ohio Revised Code Section 3706.051. City staff said the property owner requested the PACE financing and that the city would act only to enable the special assessment.

- The brownfield project is tied to a Montgomery County Land Bank award of $1,898,678; council was told the city budget includes a 25% match and that the project will include assessment, excavation, capping and demolition. The subrecipient agreement is required to receive grant disbursements.

- The River District action authorizes the city to work with the Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District and apply for ODOT Transportation Improvement District funding for construction of River District Phase 2.

Council and staff did not expand on specific construction timetables during the meeting; staff indicated additional negotiating and documentation steps for the brownfield agreement and the ODOT application will follow.