Sandusky City Commission ratifies firefighter contract, approves demolitions, bridge bid process and other measures

The Sandusky City Commission on April 14 ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Sandusky Fire Department's bargaining unit, approved several demolition contracts and intergovernmental agreements, and directed staff to advertise for bids on a replacement bridge at Mills Creek.

The commission approved the three-year firefighter contract covering Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, that the ordinance text attached to the agenda described as the collective bargaining agreement between the city and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 327. The city’s legal representative summarized the financial terms as 5%, 5% and 5% wage increases over the three years and said the number of firefighters in the department did not change under the agreement. "The percentage of increase in wages are 5 5 and 5. And the other stuff was, minor changes in the contract," Mr. Orzech, a city staff member, told commissioners before the roll call vote.

Why it matters: The contract sets pay levels for frontline emergency personnel and was approved under the city charter’s emergency-adoption procedure so the pay changes take effect immediately.

The agenda included multiple infrastructure and property-management items. The commission awarded a contract to Ed Berdue and Company LLC of Sandusky for demolition at 1528 Columbus Avenue and approved a separate demolition contract with ABA Demolition of Norwalk for the 2025 Demolition Project No. 1, which the city identified as covering structures at 717 Warren Street, 1224 Severs Way and 530 Lockwood. City staff said the 1528 Columbus Avenue property had a long nuisance history and that utility providers had been coordinated for safe removal. Commissioners were told a pre-construction meeting…