Fairport Harbor council advances waterfront planning, approves infrastructure, personnel and public-safety measures

Fairport Harbor Village Council members selected a new council pro tem, heard public comment calling for public review of an RFQ for the waterfront water-plant parcel, and approved multiple infrastructure and personnel measures at their Jan. 7 regular meeting.

The council nominated and confirmed Frank as council pro tem after a brief closed-door discussion and a public motion and second; the appointment was approved by roll call. Village Administrator Lucas summarized upcoming work including updates to a vacant property registration program and the village’s participation in a Grand River to Lake Erie Corridor active transportation plan led by Lake Development and funded through an ODOT grant. Andrew, the village engineer, told council the water tower electrical work is wrapping up and the tower is expected to be placed into service within about a month. Administrator Lucas also said Ohio Rural Water has begun a free water-rate study for the village; the last full study was completed in 2014.

A member of the public during the open-comment period urged the council to publish guiding principles for the RFQ on the water-plant property and to ensure broad public engagement. The commenter said options should be fully vetted and that interim uses could be considered while a longer-term plan moves forward. Council members and staff responded that the RFQ would be brought back to council before it is released, that prior planning work and public documents exist from earlier efforts, and that a steering committee and planning commission input would be part of the process.

Council business included the first reading of Ordinance 2025-4 to let the Tree Commission establish a residential tree-planting rebate program; the mayor said the ordinance contains language that should be cleaned up and…