City manager updates: Eastside ADA ramps, water plant repairs, Westside water tower kickoff and POS change

City Manager Hamilton delivered a multi-item operational update at the Huron City Council meeting on Oct. 28, covering project timelines, recent repairs and planned changes to public payments and plant security.

Eastside sidewalks: Hamilton said ODOT requested redesign of ADA ramps on the Eastside sidewalks project. The project is fully funded and the city will replace the ramps to meet current ODOT standards; the contractor will redo ramps and the project remains scheduled for completion this year.

Point-of-sale and finance: Finance staff are pursuing a modern point-of-sale system that uses mobile card readers so boat-basin and event vendors can accept cards dockside. Hamilton said the city will begin passing the credit-card transaction fee to users — a 3% charge with a $2 minimum per transaction — and expects to save about $12,000–$15,000 annually in processing costs.

Water system operations and security: The city reported a main break on Ashland Avenue on Oct. 20; staff isolated the break, completed repairs, and lifted the boil advisory the following day. Hamilton also reported several security breaches at the water plant where people have entered through an eroding fence line. The city has increased patrols, added cameras and ordered lights; fence-repair quotes are under review. Hamilton said the Ohio EPA conducted a limited site visit and provided nonbinding suggestions.

Capital projects and parks: Project updates included the Westside Water Tower kickoff meeting with contractors and engineers on site; completion of dredging at the sludge lagoon; installation of six life-ring cabinets along the pier; installation of a fish sculpture at the boat ramp; and restocking of the Dancing Water Park pond with a revised mix of fish species.

Transformer and electrical bids: The city purchased a transformer scheduled for delivery on Nov. 7; staff have bid the related 15 kV construction and switch-gear work with bid returns expected Nov. 17. Hamilton said the project will progress toward bringing the new transformer and switch gear online in early 2026.

Why it matters: several items have operational or safety implications (plant security, boil advisory, ADA compliance) or budget implications (POS transaction-fee policy). The city identified immediate follow-up items (fence repairs, cameras, scheduling deliveries and implementing new payment terminals) for staff to complete.