Findlay council approves up to $200,000 for 1800 Tiffin Avenue utilities improvements after debate over developer payments

Findlay City Council on Jan. 21 approved Ordinance 2024-150, authorizing the mayor, service safety director and/or city engineer to advertise for bids and enter contracts for the 1800 Tiffin Avenue access and utilities project and to appropriate funds, with an amendment adding a not-to-exceed (NTE) $200,000 limit.

The measure, introduced as a project to reconfigure the driveway on Tiffin Avenue, relocate signage and islands, move hydrants, clean and rationalize water and sewer service lines, and address grease and other issues in the sanitary line near the property, drew extended debate over whether the city should pay a private developer for infrastructure located on or affecting private property. "We're assisting with demolition for the benefit of a developer," Councilmember Miss Frisci said during the discussion, pressing for clarity on what the city would pay for and why. City Engineer Jeremy Kalb described the work as public infrastructure improvements — sight-distance and stopping-distance improvements on a state route, hydrant relocations for fire protection, consolidation of multiple fittings and abandonment of an old service line — and said the city has requested some changes to protect the public utility network.

Mayor Christina Mearn and other councilmembers said the city is coordinating to secure corridor improvements that will benefit neighboring properties and public safety. Councilmember Greeno said the improvements sit within public utility easements and remain a public responsibility: "This is a public utility within a private property that is in our easement that we are ultimately responsible for," he said.

Several councilmembers raised concerns about financial oversight. Councilmember Stashek (auditor) requested documentation and the opportunity to review invoicing and contracts before any payment is made. The city attorney, Rob Feitner, said contracts must be reviewed by the appropriate staff and legal counsel before execution. Councilmember Webster moved to add NTE language; Councilmember Palmer seconded the amendment. The amendment passed with a recorded dissent from Miss Frisci. The final ordinance, as amended, was then adopted on a recorded vote. The ordinance authorizes the administration to pursue contracts and commit funds up to the $200,000 cap; the legislation delegates contract execution to the administration but includes commitments for inspection and invoice documentation.

The council recorded the final adoption after debate and procedural motions. A portion of the discussion emphasized that city staff will inspect contracted work and that documentation will be required from the developer before payments are issued. City staff and the auditor agreed to coordinate on the payment flow and contract review before disbursement. The record shows the ordinance passed on council's roll call (adopted as amended; recorded vote indicated in meeting transcript as 7–2). The mayor and administration said a formal contract identifying the entity to be paid and detailing invoicing and inspection terms would follow and be subject to review.

The council and administration also discussed potential related financing mechanisms, including reinvestment or abatement tools, and said the city will seek to ensure that the city's expenditures fund public-purpose improvements that otherwise would require the city to act.

The ordinance text and subsequent contract documentation will determine final responsibilities, timing and how the city’s funds will flow; the council directed that appropriate legal and fiscal review take place before payments are made.