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Council approves emergency land purchases, easements for Ralston Avenue roundabout project

5450634 ยท July 23, 2025
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Summary

Council approved acquisition and temporary easements for small parcels needed for the 2026 Ralston Avenue roundabout project. The city said it has secured more than $2.6 million in grant funding and will pay $5,100 total to landowners for the parcels and easements.

The City of Defiance moved forward on property steps for the 2026 Ralston Avenue roundabout at its July 22 council meeting, approving the outright acquisition of a 0.021-acre parcel and two 12-month temporary easements needed to keep the project on schedule.

City Law Director Mark O'Donnell told council the city had secured more than $2,600,000 in grant funding from two sources for the roundabout project and sought approval to acquire Parcel 13 (general warranty deed, 0.021 acres) plus temporary easements for Parcel 11T and Parcel 19D. O'Donnell said total compensation to the landowners for those interests would be $5,100 and that acquisitions must be completed by September to maintain the project timeline.

Council moved to suspend the rules and adopt the ordinance by roll-call votes; motions to suspend and to adopt passed with unanimous yes votes recorded in the transcript. The ordinance was presented as an emergency to allow the city to proceed with scheduled property closings and design work.

O'Donnell said additional ordinances for property acquisitions tied to the Ralston Avenue project and the Ottawa Avenue corridor project will appear on future agendas as the city completes negotiations.