Rossford City Council approves sidewalk ordinance, EMS maintenance agreement, supplemental budget and annexation; disapproves county LGF plan

Rossford City Council on Jan. 13 adopted multiple emergency measures, approved a supplemental budget to distribute insurance proceeds to homeowners, approved an annexation, and voted to disapprove a Wood County plan for distribution of Local Government Fund (LGF) monies.

The council opened the meeting by approving minutes from Dec. 9 and adopting an amended agenda that added an executive session to consider the appointment of a public official under Revised Code 121.22(g)(1). Later in the meeting, the council received a presentation from a representative of the State Auditor's Office recognizing the city for a clean financial audit.

Lori Brody, a representative of the State Auditor’s Office, congratulated the city and singled out the finance staff and finance director: "I walked in right at the when you guys were moving out. So I'm back again for everybody that's been on council for a while and the mayor, and I'm here to say congratulations on behalf of state auditor Keith Faber." Brody said a clean audit requires no findings for recovery, material citations or significant deficiencies and noted the award recognizes meeting deadlines and accounting standards.

On ordinance business, council adopted Ordinance 2025-01 (first reading and immediate adoption) amending Section 905.13 (location of sidewalks) to accommodate a downtown pedestrian hybrid beacon project. The ordinance was read by title, the council voted to suspend the usual second and third readings, declared the measure an emergency, and adopted it on a unanimous voice/roll-call vote.

Council also adopted Ordinance 2025-02, authorizing the city administrator to enter into an agreement with Stryker to cover replacement and maintenance of emergency medical equipment and supplies over an eight-year contract period. Interim Fire Chief Andrew Vasek explained the contract would cover cardiac monitors, cots, LUCAS CPR devices and preventative maintenance; he said the total is "50 and change," which the minutes record as approximately $50,000. Council suspended further readings, declared an emergency and adopted the ordinance the same evening.

Ordinance 2025-03, a supplemental appropriation to add insurance proceeds for fire-damaged structures to the 2025 budget for distribution to affected homeowners, was also read, suspended for additional readings, and adopted. The transcript states the city received insurance proceeds for fire-damaged structures but does not specify the dollar amount.

On resolutions, council voted to disapprove the Wood County Budget Commission's proposed LGF distribution plan (listed in the agenda as Resolution 2024-32). Council discussion indicated the proposed county plan would reduce Rossford’s share; members moved to disapprove that plan and the motion passed.

Council then moved on to Resolution 2025-01 to complete the annexation of approximately 1.35 acres filed by Christopher and Brandy Hansen. Council had previously approved the annexation and the county commissioners had approved it; the resolution was read by title, the council suspended additional readings, declared it an emergency and adopted the resolution to accept the property into the city.

The council also held a brief executive session, authorized under Revised Code 121.22(g)(1), to consider the appointment of a public official. The motion to enter executive session passed on roll call. No appointment action was taken in open session during the portions of the minutes provided.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025-01 (amend Sec. 905.13 — sidewalks; allow pedestrian hybrid beacons): declared an emergency and adopted (roll-call recorded as unanimous "aye").

- Ordinance 2025-02 (authorize agreement with Stryker for EMS equipment/maintenance, 8 years): declared an emergency and adopted (roll-call recorded as unanimous "aye"). Transcript notes contract term 8 years and cost recorded as "50 and change" (approximately $50,000).

- Ordinance 2025-03 (supplemental appropriation — insurance proceeds for fire-damaged structures): declared an emergency and adopted (roll-call recorded as unanimous "aye"). Amount of insurance proceeds: not specified in the transcript.

- Resolution 2024-32 (Wood County LGF distribution plan): motion to disapprove the county plan carried (roll-call recorded as unanimous "aye" on the motion to disapprove).

- Resolution 2025-01 (annexation of ~1.35 acres — Christopher and Brandy Hansen): declared an emergency and adopted (roll-call recorded as unanimous "aye").

- Executive session (pursuant to Revised Code 121.22(g)(1) to consider appointment of a public official): motion to enter executive session passed on roll call.

What council discussed and why it matters

Council framed the sidewalk ordinance as a technical amendment needed so the city can proceed with a downtown pedestrian hybrid beacon project. The Stryker agreement was presented as a multi-year procurement/maintenance approach intended to lock in equipment pricing and provide preventative maintenance for life-of-contract service. Council members emphasized getting equipment replaced and maintained and the potential offset of some costs if other grant-funded equipment arrives.

The supplemental appropriation was described as distributing insurance proceeds to homeowners whose structures were fire-damaged; council did not specify the total payment amount in the minutes. The LGF vote was a direct reaction to a county plan that council members said would reduce Rossford's share of state-distributed funds. The annexation item completed a previously approved process; staff said the county commissioners had already approved the annexation and council’s action accepted the property into Rossford.

Council remarks and closing

Council members offered brief remarks, including a special congratulations to Finance Director Chris Kirk related to the auditor recognition. The meeting closed after audience remarks were called and the council voted to adjourn.

(Details: all quotations and attributions in this report are taken from the Jan. 13, 2025 Rossford City Council meeting transcript; if the transcript did not include a specific dollar amount or a speaker’s full given name, this article notes that information as not specified.)