Several residents used the audience-participation portion of the Jan. 12 meeting to press commissioners on local concerns.

Marcia Cooper, a retired physician and Sandusky resident, asked whether a large nearby data center would strain the city’s water, sewer and electrical systems, citing published accounts that data centers can be heavy water and electricity users. City Manager John Orszak addressed the question later in his report: the data center is in Perkins Township, he said, and the facility uses a self-contained water-cooling system that requires up to about 1,000,000 gallons for initial fill but thereafter circulates and evaporates water rather than continually drawing that volume; the report received from Perkins Township indicated consumption is roughly 90% less than a former KBI facility. Orszak added that Sandusky’s plant produces roughly 3 million gallons a day more than the city’s peak use, and he said FirstEnergy and Perkins Township have coordinated required electric-grid infrastructure for the project. He directed detailed technical questions to Perkins Township contact Gary Boyle.

Tom Lamarc urged the commission not to hurry any disposition of the Beckling Building and asked why the 2026 budget did not contain money to secure or protect the structure. Lamarc said prior projects sat idle after promises were made; commissioners accepted his concern as public comment. The commission approved acceptance of the Beckling Building as a donation on the consent agenda earlier in the meeting.

Other residents asked that the new RAISE pathway on Cleveland Road be cleared after even small snowfalls so walkers and bicyclists can use it, and a newly appointed Oakland Cemetery Board member said she had been surprised by the appointment and wanted more information about the role. Barbara Clark, representing Sandusky NAACP, said the commission should consider voter preferences when choosing officers.

No formal decision was made on the public comments during the meeting; staff and commissioners offered to follow up outside the meeting where technical answers were required.