Defiance City Council approves purchase, right‑of‑way and construction contracts in emergency readings

The Defiance City Council on Aug. 5 adopted four emergency ordinances approving a purchase of a blighted house, multiple right‑of‑way acquisitions for a roundabout project, a contract for a new sidewalk on Ayersville Avenue and a contract to replace an ageing waterline on State Route 281.

The measures were presented as emergency items to speed work on public‑safety and infrastructure needs and were approved by council members during the meeting. Council members also authorized two executive sessions under Ohio Revised Code to discuss public‑employee compensation and collective bargaining.

The most immediate item was the purchase of a deteriorated house at 734 Harrison. Mayor McKinnon said the house was found to be uninhabitable and that the occupants have been relocated to the city’s North Side. The city has a purchase agreement for $10,000. McKinnon said the administration plans to demolish the structure and market the vacant lot for redevelopment once utilities and other site issues are addressed. The mayor credited members of the fire division, the Humane Society and local social‑service staff for rescuing animals and assisting the residents; she thanked Brandon Case and Amy Simonis of Job and Family Services by name.

A second ordinance authorized acquisition of multiple parcels and easements needed for the Ralston Avenue roundabouts project. Administration staff told council the acquisitions are funded from roughly $2,600,000 in grant funding secured for the project and that the acquisitions are being processed as an emergency so the city can meet a September deadline to secure property rights. The administration described a mix of permanent acquisitions and temporary 12‑month construction easements. The total acquisition cost was not specified in the meeting record (an aide said during the meeting, “I threw that away before the meeting. $22.55.”), so the article does not state a definitive purchase total.

Council also authorized a contract to build a 4‑foot concrete sidewalk along the southwest side of Ayersville Avenue between Logan Street and Tahoney Road. The administration said the project is fully funded by state grants administered through the Ohio Department of Transportation (Transportation Alternatives and Highway Safety programs). The lowest and best bid was from Fencing Contracting LLC for $1,279,447.50; council had budgeted $1,500,000 for the project. The city engineer (present remotely) later clarified that the sidewalk alignment may jog from one side of the road to the other in places because of culverts or other existing features, but the work will only be on one side of the corridor.

Finally, council approved a contract to replace a 65‑year‑old waterline that runs from the General Motors plant to the Camp Libby area along State Route 281. The administration said the replacement was identified while negotiating a potential supply agreement with the village of Holgate; staff recommended proceeding regardless of that intergovernmental negotiation. Underground Utilities submitted the low bid of $961,282.38; the project was budgeted at $1,600,000 and will be paid from the city’s water funds. The administration noted the bid opening occurred July 16 and that the contract must be awarded within 60 days of the bid opening to stay on the construction schedule.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance to purchase property at 734 Harrison (emergency): adopted by council; purchase agreement price stated as $10,000 in the meeting record; plan is demolition and marketing of the lot. (Presented by Mayor McKinnon.)

- Ordinance to acquire parcels/easements for Ralston Avenue roundabouts (emergency): adopted by council; funded from the city’s approximately $2.6 million in grant awards for the project; total acquisition cost not specified in the meeting transcript. (Presented by city administration.)

- Ordinance to contract construction of Ayersville Avenue sidewalk (emergency): adopted by council; low bid Fencing Contracting LLC, $1,279,447.50; project funded by ODOT grants; budgeted amount $1,500,000. (Presented by city administration.)

- Ordinance to contract replacement of waterline on State Route 281 (emergency): adopted by council; low bid Underground Utilities, $961,282.38; funds from city water funds; budgeted amount $1,600,000. (Presented by Mayor McCann.)

The meeting also included two motions, both approved, to enter executive session under Ohio Revised Code section 121.22 to consider (1) compensation of a public employee (ORC 121.22(g)(1)) and (2) bargaining sessions with public employees concerning compensation and terms (ORC 121.22(g)(4)). Council recessed to hold those executive sessions before adjourning.

Other business

Administration reported on employee wellness participation tied to the city’s insurance consortium: 82% employee participation in the wellness component produced a 1% renewal credit on the city’s insurance renewal. The administration said the requirement was implemented through the consortium and applied to all employees.

What the meeting did not resolve

Council declared the ordinances to be emergency measures and adopted them; several implementation details—most notably the final total cost of the Ralston acquisitions and specific demolition timelines for 734 Harrison—were not specified in the public record during the meeting and will be set by subsequent administrative actions.

The council’s actions move the projects into procurement, acquisition and construction phases; staff will return with contracts, maps and other implementation details as those items progress.