Finance committee approves liens, equipment disposals and project authorizations; tables employee pay study for two weeks

The Elyria Finance Committee on Oct. 14 considered a slate of routine and higher‑cost items and approved most measures by voice vote while tabling a proposed citywide employee compensation plan for two weeks to allow staff to provide additional financial details.

The committee approved certification of 42 delinquent utility accounts totaling $18,967.63 to the Lorain County Auditor for collection via property tax, following a report from the utility superintendent. Committee members asked about multi‑unit properties listed and were told the county had begun attaching the amounts after July payments were due.

The committee also voted to certify demolition‑related costs for 130 Cedar Street in Elyria. Chief building official Farkas told the committee the city incurred demolition and related minor asbestos evaluation costs "to the tune of $169,061" and had attempted collection; the law director said the city will place a lien on the property tax duplicate and pursue a civil action under state law to attach other locally and out‑of‑state real property where owners may hold assets. The committee approved a resolution directing the clerk to certify demolition costs to the county auditor.

Public‑safety equipment: The committee declared nine self‑contained breathing apparatus cylinders unfit for city use and authorized disposal or donation; the safety service director said the cylinders are obsolete for Elyria’s upgraded system and estimated value at about $200 each. The committee also declared a 2012 Ford Expedition used as a backup fire command vehicle unfit for service and authorized disposal, citing severe engine issues and the vehicle's age.

Wastewater and water projects: The committee authorized pre‑purchase of aeration diffusers for the WWPC consent‑decree aeration basin project to avoid a 26‑week lead time and hit a required project completion date of Dec. 31, 2026; staff said the diffusers are manufactured in Germany. The committee approved Amendment No. 12 to AECOM's wet‑weather program manager agreement for $995,000 for calendar year 2025‑26 to continue consent‑decree work, including design work for aeration and dye testing in Eastern Heights. The committee approved Amendment No. 2 to the professional services agreement with Black & Veatch (increase in scope by $408,000) for design services relating to high‑service pump valves, variable frequency drives (VFDs) procurement and related design work for the water treatment plant; that action covers design only and construction would return for later approval.

The committee authorized advertising and contracting for roof replacement of the old pump building at the Elyria Water Treatment Plant; staff reported a structural evaluation and estimated project cost of $650,000 and recommended full tear‑off and replacement rather than patching.

Transportation and pedestrian projects: The committee authorized the mayor to enter into a Local Public Agency (LPA) agreement with ODOT for an Oberlin‑Elyria road diet project funded by NOACA; NOACA funding was reported at $966,994 and the city's match at $241,686 from the Municipal Motor Vehicle Fund. The project will reduce four lanes to three, add bike lanes between Middle Avenue and the corporation line, and make intersection changes at West Avenue and Oberlin‑Elyria, including removing a traffic signal and installing two‑way stop control and improved crosswalks where federal guidance associated with the funding required changes. The committee also authorized the Safe Routes to School LPA agreement and separate advertising for bids and awarding a contract for the Safe Routes project; the Safe Routes project is a 100% ODOT grant with an estimated total cost of $470,000 and will fund sidewalks, speed radar signs, relocated crosswalks and rectangular rapid‑flashing beacons near Eastern Heights, Hamilton and Northwood schools.

Sewer charges and ordinances: The committee approved updates to Elyria Codified Ordinance Chapter 9.37 (sewer charges) that insert the already‑adopted 2025–2027 rates, add hauled waste/septic fees, clarify appeal procedures, reduce lien certification for unpaid sewer charges from 90 to 60 days to align with recent water legislation, and increase the industrial monitoring fee from $0.25 to $0.50 per 100 cubic feet (an increase not adjusted since 1992).

Legal expense appropriation: The committee approved amending an ordinance to increase the not‑to‑exceed authorization for legal expenses in the DVR Commercial Realty LLC v. City of Elyria litigation after staff reported cumulative outside counsel billing this year of $256,963.32; the committee amended the authorization to a $300,000 not‑to‑exceed amount and passed the ordinance.

TIF and revenue sharing: Council authorized negotiating an amended revenue‑sharing agreement with Midview Local School District for the Chestnut Commons TIF after bond retirement; staff explained bonds that funded public improvements have been retired and the parties will renegotiate the split for ongoing TIF distributions.

Employee compensation study tabled: The committee reviewed a Gallagher compensation study that recommends moving from 37 salary grades to 16, adjusting five job families that appeared under market (public works supervisor, public works coordinator, assistant city engineer, IT analyst and fire chief), and an annual market‑index approach to future adjustments. Staff estimated the annual cost of implementing the recommended structure at about $470,000 with a $188,000 general‑fund impact; the finance director noted the general fund cash balance is down roughly $1.98 million year‑to‑date and asked for further analysis including pension impacts. The committee voted to table final action for two weeks so staff can provide additional pension and total‑cost figures.

Public Works Complex financing: The committee authorized the finance director to mature notes for the Elyria Public Works Complex project, setting maximums of $20 million in long‑term bonds and $5 million in one‑year bond anticipation notes; staff recommended issuing roughly $16 million long‑term and rolling $5 million short‑term given current bond market conditions and pending final bid timing.

Speakers and documents presented at the meeting will form the basis for follow‑up items the committee asked staff to return with more detailed financial breakdowns and pending permitting/variance outcomes.