Council approves purchase agreement for Water Street property and short lease extension for sellers

Tiffin City Council voted 5-0 to approve a purchase agreement with the sellers of property on Water Street and declared an emergency to allow immediate action related to the site that will house the city's future high-rate treatment facility.

Councilor Kyle Dougherty moved for immediate passage of Resolution 2025-29, and Council voted unanimously to suspend three-reading rules and pass the resolution that authorizes closing and related terms. Law Director Zachary Fowler explained the background, saying the city previously closed on the property and “the city granted to those sellers, Gary and Teresa Stevens the right to store personal property in that existing building for 6 months from the date of closing. Closing is 12/17/2024. So June 17 is that deadline. They are not yet ready to move their property out of there.”

Fowler told council that because sellers remain in the building the administration recommended a short extension with terms to encourage timely removal. The resolution authorizes the city administrator to extend the sellers’ occupancy for 30 days without additional rent; after that period the city administrator may charge up to $500 per month until the sellers vacate. The law director characterized the extension as a pragmatic step while the city continues design work for the treatment facility.

Council discussion included reminders that engineering design work is ongoing for the high-rate treatment facility and that the building does not need to be cleared immediately for construction. The resolution passed 5-0 for both suspension of the three-reading rule and emergency passage.

The council asked staff to monitor the sellers’ move-out schedule and to notify council if additional extensions or rental charges become necessary. No other modifications to the purchase terms were made during the meeting.