Mayor Mahoney touts infrastructure upgrades, utilities projects and recreation improvements in State of the City address

Mayor Mahoney delivered the State of the City address to the Napoleon City Council, highlighting 2024 accomplishments and priorities for 2025, from water agreements and major street projects to parks improvements and public‑safety equipment purchases.

The address summarized investments and service upgrades across departments and why they matter to residents: water and wastewater infrastructure tied to business and neighboring communities, pavement and sewer work on multiple streets, renovating Glenwood Park, new plans for pickleball courts, and equipment and staffing upgrades for fire, police and utility operations.

The mayor noted partnerships both inside and outside the city. "I'm truly grateful that the City of Napoleon has the resources to provide water and support to one of our neighboring communities," he said, referring to a July 2024 agreement to provide water to the village of Holgate. He also cited a separate August 2024 agreement to accept and process domestic wastewater from Campbell Soup Company, with engineering work under way for a pump station and related sanitary connections along East Maumee Avenue.

Why it matters: those water and sewer agreements and the related infrastructure work affect utility capacity, local business operations and the timing of construction in neighborhoods where lines and streets will be rebuilt.

Highlights and specifics cited in the address included: the Parks and Recreation Board and Wildcat Youth 32 athletics raised funds to renovate Glenwood Park youth baseball and softball facilities, adding field turf, LED lighting, stadium seating, new fencing and a restroom/concession building; the Napoleon Golf Course posted record revenue after new online tee times and expanded memberships; and pickleball courts are planned at Swearington Park with private donations and additional city funding being discussed.

Public‑safety and utilities details included: the fire department responded to 1,709 calls in 2024 (about five calls per day), began replacing turnout gear to meet NFPA compliance, and is planning to order a new fire engine. The wastewater department completed a treatment-plant renovation, rehabilitated the Palmer Ditch lift station, and plans to restart a biosolids land-application program and optimize process controls in 2025. The water department reported extended membrane life at the treatment plant and listed pump and valve work planned for 2025.

Engineering accomplishments cited included paving 28 streets (described in the address as 56 blocks), replacement of nearly 1,000 feet of sanitary sewer and 5,000 feet of water line as part of an Oakwood Avenue project described as a $4.1 million undertaking; the mayor said part of that work was covered by grant funding (amount cited in discussion was not specified). Upcoming engineering priorities named were Newark Lane and Becca Lane reconstruction, East Washington sanitary-sewer and street reconstruction, and a Fifth Street water-line replacement project.

The mayor acknowledged department heads and staff by name and thanked municipal employees for high retention and service. He singled out the finance department for earning the Auditor of State award with distinction and the police department for maintaining recertification by the Ohio Collaborative Board on Police and Community Relations.

Council members responded to the address and asked follow-up questions about project timing and community concerns, including the planned repurposing of the skatepark area for pickleball courts. Parks staff said the skatepark equipment could be dismantled and stored while alternatives are explored; the council and Parks & Rec Board plan further discussion.

The speech lasted about 20 minutes, according to a council member’s remark after the address, and set the agenda for detailed council business later in the meeting.