Garnet Morris, a member of the Seaboard Township board, urged the Hiram City Council to use city funds to finish street paving and other incomplete work in Seaboard Township Phase 2, saying residents have lived with the deficiencies for about five years.
Cliff (staff) said the city solicited two bids and selected HNC as the qualifying contractor for the topping, curb and gutter, and other repairs at a price of $82,670. Paulding County previously accepted a developer performance bond of $72,625, leaving the city's estimated shortfall at about $9,000–$10,000 before contingencies. Cliff said the selection of HNC reflected staff checks of references and pricing; an alternative bidder, J1 Power, had an unexplained omission related to curbing and therefore was not chosen.
Staff reviewed an inspection report from Paulding County (inspection dates 01/22/2021 and 02/08/2022) that lists 13 deficiencies, including sidewalk replacement, topping replacement, binder deficiencies, curb and sidewalk repair, catch basin and storm structure work, and coordination with Paulding County DOT for drainage and signage. Council members noted homeowner complaints of flooding and damaged lawns and cited multiple unaddressed deficiencies.
City Attorney cautioned that intergovernmental immunities and precedent could limit the city's ability to recover money from the county or developer if the city pays the shortfall. He summarized a Court of Appeals decision addressing whether one government could recover funds from another for deficient service delivery and said state immunities would factor into any litigation.
Council reaction was split. Some members argued for immediate action to help residents and to proceed with the HNC contract so repairs could start; others asked staff and the attorney to explore legal recourse and options with Paulding County and the developer before the city expended funds. No binding vote to award or fund the work was recorded at the work session; staff indicated they will return with options, and some council members asked that the item be considered at the next regular meeting or sooner for a vote.