Norwalk council adopts emergency budget change, approves sidewalk and park projects; several resolutions pass unanimously

Norwalk City Council voted unanimously on a package of ordinances and resolutions at its regular meeting, adopting an emergency supplemental budget measure and approving several public-works and administrative actions.

The council adopted an emergency amendment to the 2025 budget (ordinance 25-025) after suspending the usual two-reading rule, authorizing supplemental appropriations across multiple general-fund accounts. Finance Director details were read into the record and the council voted by roll call, with all seven voting members present voting yes. The council also approved a resolution of necessity to prepare plans and cost estimates for the 2026 City Sidewalk Program (resolution 25-022) and authorized advertisement to receive bids for the 2025 Miquelon Park parking-lot improvement project (resolution 25-023).

Council members also accepted the findings of the city’s Tax Incentive Review Committee and approved continuation of existing enterprise-zone tax-exemption agreements (resolution 25-024). Separately, the council authorized the mayor to submit an application to the State of Ohio Department of Transportation for a Pedestrian and Bicycle Special Solicitation grant to support a sidewalk on the east side of State Route 250 from south of Emerald Parkway north to the city limits at Lease Road (resolution 25-026).

All of those measures passed on roll-call votes recorded in the meeting; the motions were moved and seconded as stated in the minutes and recorded as passed by the council members present. The meeting record shows the clerk called roll for each vote and the council recorded unanimous yes votes on the listed items.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 25-025: Emergency amendment to the 2025 budget appropriation ordinance — adopted (motion moved, second recorded; roll call: unanimous yes by council members present). - Resolution 25-022: Declaring necessity and directing the Public Works Department to prepare plans/specifications/estimates for the 2026 City Sidewalk Program — passed (roll call: unanimous yes). - Resolution 25-023: Authorizing the mayor and public works director to advertise and receive bids for the 2025 Miquelon Park parking-lot improvement project and to enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder — passed (roll call: unanimous yes). - Resolution 25-024: Accepting findings and recommendations of the city Tax Incentive Review Committee and continuing all enterprise-zone agreements — passed (roll call: unanimous yes). - Resolution 25-026: Authorizing submission of an application to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Special Solicitation for a sidewalk project on State Route 250 — passed (roll call: unanimous yes).

Procedural notes

- For the emergency budget ordinance (25-025) the council voted to suspend the rules requiring two readings and then voted to adopt the ordinance in the same meeting; the emergency declaration language was accepted and the ordinance was adopted as recorded. The clerk read the ordinance text into the record prior to each roll call.

What the votes mean next

- The 2026 sidewalk program resolution directs Public Works to prepare plans, specifications and cost estimates; those plans will be filed in the clerk’s office and used if council later orders construction or assessment against abutting property owners as allowed by the cited law. - The Miquelon Park resolution authorizes the city to solicit bids and to award a contract to the lowest and best bidder as determined by the city’s procurement procedures; the actual construction contract will be executed after bid opening and council or administration action as required. - The ODOT grant authorization allows the mayor to apply; funding is not guaranteed and would require a future acceptance action if awarded.

The council’s roll-call votes were recorded in the meeting minutes; the clerk’s record shows the same voting membership was present for these items: Mr. Ooten, Mr. Schum, Mr. Lamb, Mrs. Luckel, Mrs. Wilhelm, Mr. Dowdy and Mr. Duncan. The council noted that one member (Mr. Fell) was excused and not present at the meeting.