North Ridgeville Council adopts multiple ordinances, approves emergency clauses; several contracts and appropriations advanced

North Ridgeville City Council adopted several ordinances and one resolution at its Oct. 6 meeting, approving emergency clauses for items the mayor and administration described as time-sensitive and advancing a mix of infrastructure, finance and administrative measures.

The measures adopted included an agreement related to the Race Road grade separation project, an increase to the 2025 full depth concrete pavement replacement contract, an amendment to the city's 2025 appropriations and a resolution clarifying the city's intent to provide a 1% income tax credit if voters approve a 0.75% increase on Nov. 4. Council also approved amendments to the agreement with the North Ridgeville Community Improvement Corporation and adopted multiple operational ordinances including custodial services and water-meter lien authority.

Most motions were moved by the mayor and seconded by council members; several items were adopted with the emergency clause to meet deadlines or allow ongoing work to be completed, per the mayor and finance director.

Votes at a glance (selected items adopted Oct. 6):

- 2025-130: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute agreements with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Ohio Rail Development Commission for the Race Road grade separation project. Motion to dispense with second and third readings and to adopt with the emergency clause was moved by the mayor and seconded by Winkle. Roll call as recorded: Swank: Yes; Schaefer: Yes; Abens: Yes; Winkle: Yes; Awig: Yes; De Vries: Yes; Jacobs: Yes. Outcome: adopted.

- 2025-132: An ordinance increasing the not-to-exceed contract amount for the 2025 full depth concrete pavement replacement project to $1,120,000. The mayor said additional work outside the original scope required the increase. Motion to dispense with readings, add the emergency clause and adopt was moved by the mayor and seconded by Awig. Roll call as recorded: Swank: Yes; Schaefer: Yes; Abens: Yes; Winkle: Yes; Havens: Yes; De Vries: Yes; Jacobs: Yes. Outcome: adopted.

- 2025-138 (amended): An ordinance amending 2025 appropriations. The finance director said the amendment covers repairs to a fire engine, additional street-light electric costs, compensatory and overtime payouts, additional funding for the concrete replacement work, sidewalk-deposit refunds and purchase of three trees for the Memorial Tree Program. Council amended the ordinance by substitution before dispensing with readings, adding the emergency clause and adopting. Roll call as recorded: Swank: Yes; Schaefer: Yes; Abens: Yes; Winkle: Yes; Awig: Yes; De Vries: Yes; Jacobs: Yes. Outcome: adopted (amended).

- 2025-104 (amended): An ordinance designating the North Ridgeville Community Improvement Corporation an agency of the city under Ohio Revised Code section 1724.1 and authorizing an agreement and plan. Council amended Exhibit A to require at least one CIC board member be a council member designated by the council president. Motion to adopt the amended ordinance passed on roll call, 5-2 (votes recorded in the meeting transcript). Outcome: adopted (amended).

- 2025-140 (resolution): A resolution confirming that a 1% income tax credit will be provided should voters approve the 0.75% income tax increase on Nov. 4. Council dispensed with additional readings, added the emergency clause and adopted the resolution. Roll call as recorded: Swank: Yes; Schaefer: Yes; Abens: Yes; Winkle: Yes; Awig: Yes; De Vries: Yes; Jacobs: Yes. Outcome: adopted.

- 2025-115: An ordinance amending Chapter 628 (Fair Housing) of the North Ridgeville general offenses code. Motion to adopt was moved and seconded; roll call recorded unanimous Yes votes. Outcome: adopted.

- 2025-122: An ordinance to advertise for bids and enter a 12-month custodial services contract with renewal options. Motion to adopt passed on roll call as recorded. Outcome: adopted.

- 2025-125: An ordinance amending the water meter service charge ordinance to permit the water meter charge to be part of the lien process. Motion to adopt passed on roll call as recorded. Outcome: adopted.

- 2025-126: An ordinance authorizing a contract addendum with the vendor working on the zoning code update; council added the emergency clause and adopted. Outcome: adopted.

What passed was primarily procedural and operational: contract adjustments, appropriations and administrative authorizations the administration described as needed to meet deadlines or complete projects already underway. Several items were adopted with emergency clauses; councilmembers repeatedly cited project schedules or impending maturities as reasons.

Administration and council members noted that some projects remain subject to later steps (for example, the Race Road grade separation project will require future actions as it advances). Several items were introduced that night but were not acted on (first readings or items presented for future consideration). The clerk called the roll for each adoption; recorded votes are summarized above.

Ending: Minutes distributed at the meeting list additional items that remain pending or at earlier reading stages, including equipment purchases and wastewater-plant upgrades introduced that night for future action. Council scheduled its next regular meeting for Oct. 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.