Council sets up CHIP grant funds, waives readings to expedite home-repair program

FOSTORIA — The council suspended the three-reading rule and adopted an ordinance to appropriate funds and set up administration for Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) grant awards covering the City of Fostoria, the City of Tiffin and Seneca County.

The finance director told council the municipalities were awarded another CHIP grant cycle. The ordinance establishes the CHIP 2024 and CHIP 2018 funds so the city can draw down grant payments as projects are completed and forward proceeds to contractors. The city will act as the fiscal agent while GLCAP (also referenced as GLAP/GLCAP in meeting remarks) administers intake and eligibility screening.

Why it matters: The CHIP program provides home-repair funding for economically disadvantaged residents (roofing, furnace repair and other safety-related repairs). Council moved quickly to set up the funds so the agency can begin drawing down grant reimbursements as work finishes.

Council action: Council moved to waive the three-reading rule and then adopted the fund-setup ordinance (Ordinance 2025-37) by roll call; the clerk recorded unanimous affirmative votes.

Program details and process: The finance director said the grant is not reimbursable in advance; the city will draw down funds after projects are completed and the state agency reimburses the city, which then pays contractors. GLCAP handles applicant screening and quotes; Fostoria’s role is fiscal administration.

Next steps: With the ordinance adopted, the grant administrator can begin intake and project work. The finance office will set up accounting for the CHIP funds and report back to council as projects proceed.