Huron City Council adopts weed‑enforcement ordinance, approves insurance premiums and a concrete change order

The Huron City Council on Nov. 12 adopted an ordinance that tightens enforcement of the city’s weeds and vegetation code, approved annual insurance premium payments and authorized a change order for street repairs.

Councilor Artino moved to place Ordinance No. 2025‑28 on third and final reading and the measure was adopted. According to Mr. Hamilton, who summarized the ordinance, the amendment revises chapter 557 to streamline enforcement by allowing one annual written notice to serve for the year; subsequent offenses can then be addressed more quickly. Hamilton said the city will recover contractor minimum call‑out charges from property owners, charging vendor fees at 125%, with first‑offense recovery at 150% and later recoveries at 200%: “Basically, what we're trying to do is increase the pain on these offenses, and make it more streamlined for staff and make it easier to keep on top of these,” he said.

The council also approved Resolution No. 77‑2025 authorizing the city manager to make the Bureau of Workers' Compensation premium payment for the 2026 policy year not to exceed $75,790. Staff acknowledged the billed amount appeared substantially larger than prior statements but said the seasonal billing cycle and prior rebates often produce large swings; staff noted prior rebates of about $13,000 in one recent year.

On Resolution No. 78‑2025, the council placed on first reading authorization for payment to the Public Entities Pool of Ohio for the 12/01/2025–11/30/2026 policy period, not to exceed $140,344, with staff explaining increases were partly driven by rising asset values and claim experience.

Council also approved Resolution No. 79‑2025 to authorize Change Order No.1 with DL Smith Concrete LLC for additional concrete base work on Oakhurst Drive and Wilborn Avenue. Hamilton told the council crews found roughly 3 inches of concrete over dirt and directed deeper excavation, new stone base and 6 inches of new concrete; the change order added $7,326, bringing the contract to $82,240. A council member asked whether earlier developer‑installed roads had been adequately inspected; Hamilton said the city had, in some past cases, accepted roads without the desired level of inspection.

Separately, the council waived the three‑reading rule to place Resolution No. 80‑2025 on first reading, authorizing the city manager to enter a revocable license with the U.S. Coast Guard for use of a submerged electrical cable and switch gear to power the Huron Harbor Lighthouse floodlights through March 30, 2029. A guest speaker noted the Coast Guard still owns the lighthouse and has shifted some lighting to solar, so the city will assess long‑term options before committing to infrastructure replacements.

The council set a public hearing for the proposed fiscal‑year 2026 municipal budget for Dec. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2025‑28 (weeds/vegetation): adopted (unanimous roll call). - Ordinance 2025‑30 (off‑street parking definition): placed on second reading (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 77‑2025 (BWC premium, up to $75,790): adopted (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 78‑2025 (PEP premium, up to $140,344): waived three‑reading rule and placed on first reading (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 79‑2025 (DL Smith change order, +$7,326 to $82,240): adopted (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 80‑2025 (revocable license with U.S. Coast Guard): waived three‑reading rule and placed on first reading (unanimous roll call).

The meeting closed with routine announcements and an adjournment. The council did not enter executive session and no litigation or appointments were taken up during this meeting.