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Council advances Ralston Avenue roundabout financing and property appropriation to move storm-sewer work forward
Summary
The Defiance City Council adopted a third-reading tax-exemption/TIF ordinance to help close funding gaps for the Ralston Avenue roundabout and considered an ordinance to appropriate an interest in 1203 Ralston Ave to install storm sewer; councilmember O'Donnell said the appropriation is needed to file in court to resolve title issues.
The Defiance City Council on Dec. 2 adopted a third-reading ordinance establishing a tax-exemption and tax-increment financing arrangement to cover remaining costs for the Ralston Avenue roundabout project and moved forward on a related property appropriation needed for storm-sewer construction.
Councilmember O'Donnell explained the financing vehicle as targeted to cover project costs not paid by grants or low-interest loans, saying it would capture 75% of the increased assessed value for 10 years for the Legacy Living senior development parcels. "This is the third and final reading," O'Donnell said, describing the proposed TIF as a way to apply increased property value to outstanding project expenses.
On the related property action, O'Donnell told council the city has title concerns for a parcel at 1203 Ralston Avenue and that passage of an appropriation ordinance is required "in order to take the next step, which is file a complaint in the court of common pleas," enabling the city to resolve ownership and move the storm-sewer work forward.
Council moved to adopt the TIF ordinance and recorded affirmative roll-call votes from the councilmembers present. The appropriation ordinance was presented as a third reading with council discussion focused on the legal step needed to permit the city to proceed with right-of-way and storm-sewer construction; council did not record further debate on conditions in the transcript excerpt.
The council's actions are procedural steps toward completing the Ralston Avenue roundabout: adopting the financing plan to fill funding gaps and authorizing an appropriation to address title issues on the parcel needed for storm-sewer installation. The city will use its next procedural steps to finalize acquisition and construction scheduling.
