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 will be scheduled and a demolition timeline provided in the manager’s report when available.

The commission also approved a memorandum of understanding with the village of Kelly’s Island to provide plan review and building inspection services for commercial, residential and public buildings on Kelly’s Island. City staff described the arrangement as a revenue-generating cooperative service and said it should not detract from existing city services.

Housing and grant programs: During an early consent-item question, resident Tim Schwong asked what the CHIP partnership with Erie County would fund. Colleen Gilson, a city staff member, said the CHI P/Home program runs through GLCAP and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and that the Sandusky allocation equals $350,000 for Sandusky homeowners. "This is the portion that provides $350,000 to City Of Sandusky homeowners," Gilson said, and she noted GLCAP maintains a waiting list for home-repair assistance.

Ceremony and housing note: The commission paused the agenda to recognize Hannah Smith, one of the first buyers in the city’s Welcome Home Ohio program. Smith, a Sandusky resident who said she works for Sandusky City Schools, told commissioners she was "super excited" to be one of the first purchasers through the program.

Mills Creek bridge: The commission adopted a resolution declaring the necessity to proceed with the proposed Mills Creek Golf Course bridge replacement project, approved specifications and directed advertising for bids. Staff described the planned span as at least 60 feet and said steel lead times make construction unlikely before late fall. Engineering staff told commissioners they had considered using tractor-trailer flatbeds — an idea raised by a member of the public — but rejected that option for this site because the span exceeds commonly available flatbed lengths and because the bridge needs a more robust, engineered solution to withstand water flow and debris. "I have not designed any using a trailer," Mr. Wirling, a city staff member, said. Commissioners asked staff to continue exploring cost-saving options for future projects, but accepted the engineers’ recommendation to proceed with the advertised design for this replacement.

Votes at a glance (selected items approved) — all measures adopted under the city charter unless noted: - Ordinance ratifying collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 327 (firefighters), 01/01/2025–12/31/2027: adopted (motion to adopt under suspension; roll call recorded as yes by the commissioners present). - Resolution accepting Tax Incentive Review Council recommendations: adopted (roll call recorded; one abstention recorded for Mr. Koontz on initial vote). - Ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 19-216 and canceling the enterprise zone agreement with Market Street Collective LLC (317 E. Washington St.): adopted. - Ordinance authorizing purchase of a 2024 Avant 760 GT loader through Sourcewell for the Forestry Division: adopted. - Memorandum of understanding with Kelly’s Island for building inspection services: adopted. - Contract with Ed Berdue & Co. LLC for demolition at 1528 Columbus Ave: adopted; pre-construction schedule to be posted in the manager’s report. - Contract with ABA Demolition for 2025 Demolition Project No. 1 (717 Warren St., 1224 Severs Way, 530 Lockwood): adopted. - Resolution declaring necessity and approving specifications for the Mills Creek Golf Course bridge replacement; staff directed to advertise for bids: adopted. - Amendment to license agreement with Sandusky Central Catholic School for priority use at Dorn Community Park (fields for baseball/softball through May 31, 2025): adopted (staff noted dates in ordinance reflect current/prior use and will be incorporated into future agreements). - Consent agenda (items a–j) including new liquor licenses (Ohio Beverage LLC; Seoul Venice LLC), codified ordinance replacement pages, professional services payment, Welcome Home Ohio purchase and sale contracts, CHIP partnership agreement with Erie County, Amtrak ADA upgrades agreement, Wonderware support/maintenance, asphalt purchase from Erie Materials, and permission to submit an ODPS grant application for summer enforcement: all approved as presented.

What commissioners said: Several commissioners praised the Welcome Home Ohio program as a tangible step toward adding housing stock. On Mills Creek, one commissioner urged that capital expenses for the golf course be amortized in accounting to give a clearer picture of the course’s finances; staff acknowledged the point but did not change project scope.

Next steps: The city manager and department staff will schedule a pre-construction meeting for the 1528 Columbus Ave demolition and provide a timeline in the manager’s report. For the Mills Creek bridge, staff will advertise for bids; engineers indicated the earliest practical construction window likely falls in late fall after procurement and material lead times.

Ending: The meeting concluded after public comments that raised additional questions about the Beckling building ownership, downtown curb designs and requests for periodic updates on the Recreation Center and the State Theatre; commissioners asked the city manager to provide available updates at the next meeting.