Portsmouth Council approves emergency riverfront contract and advances several ordinances

Portsmouth City Council on March 3, 2025 approved an emergency contract authorizing the city manager to enter into a $3,902,188 agreement with Allard Excavations LLC for riverfront boating-facility work and advanced several other ordinances during a regular meeting at the Hut Croaker Innovation Hub at Shawnee State University.

The action on the riverfront project was taken as an emergency ordinance so the city can obligate and spend Ohio Department of Natural Resources funds before a stated deadline. City Manager Sam Sutherland told council, "The Department of Natural Resources money has to be spent by the end of this year. So if we don't spend it, we're gonna lose it," and described rising construction costs and an additional Appalachian Regional Commission grant secured to cover the increase in the project estimate.

Why it matters: council members said the riverfront work — which officials described as replacing the old Court Street boat ramp and adding parking and lighting — must proceed quickly to avoid losing grant funds and to keep that portion of a larger riverfront redevelopment from becoming an eyesore. Council approved the contract by roll-call vote, with all members present voting aye.

Key details and discussion: council discussed timing, permitting and funding. Manager Sutherland and other speakers said the original grant award had been for a smaller amount and that COVID-era cost increases pushed the project toward the current $3.9 million estimate; Tracy (staff) was credited with securing an ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) grant to help cover the difference. Council members asked whether Army Corps of Engineers approvals and other permits were in place; the reply was that permitting remains in process and that the city must enter the contract to obligate the ODNR funds. One council member summarized the outcome as providing "a safer, more beautiful access to the public." No amendments to the contract were discussed on the floor.

Other ordinances advanced: council recorded unanimous roll-call votes to constitute first readings or to pass other measures during the meeting. Those items included an ordinance transferring $10,530 from the general fund (Fund 101) to the Police Department law enforcement trust fund (Fund 225) to correct a prior deposit; an ordinance adopting replacement pages to the city's codified ordinances that was introduced and passed as an emergency per council procedure; a first reading on a property-related matter (details not specified in the meeting record); and a first reading to vacate Vine Alley, the alley between Fifth and Sixth Streets behind Martin's Building and the new Edward Jones office, with the city reserving easements.

Public comment and miscellaneous business: during the period for items not on the agenda, resident Katie Cochran of 2820 Cedar Street criticized the council's silence about a scandal involving Scioto County officials and the county Department of Economic Development, saying, "Silence in the face of such allegations sends a message, and that message is that accountability is optional." Councilmembers and staff delivered routine reports and thanked community partners and students who assisted with proposed resolutions and local projects.

Votes at a glance: the contract with Allard Excavations LLC (add-on ordinance 7e) passed by roll call, 7–0. The codified-ordinances replacement pages ordinance (7b) was passed as an emergency, 7–0. The fund-transfer ordinance (7a), the property-item first reading (7c), and the Vine Alley vacation (7d) were advanced with unanimous roll-call votes to constitute first readings.

What's next: the riverfront contract will move forward with the city manager authorized to execute it; staff and council noted permits and pending work with state and federal permitting authorities will continue to be required. Several items were at first-reading status and will return for further consideration in later meetings.