Napoleon council approves first reads, awards Industrial Drive bid and directs staff on tank abandonment

At its April 20 meeting, Napoleon City Council approved a package of procedural and budget items, advanced multiple first-read ordinances and resolutions by suspension, awarded a construction contract and directed staff to draft legislation on two operational matters.

Among votes and procedural actions, the council:

- Passed ordinance 006-26 (creating a non-bargaining electric line foreman position) on first read with suspension. The measure was introduced as an internal staffing change to support succession planning in the electric department.

- Advanced resolution 008-26 to remain in the Maumee Valley East Chip Consortium and submit an application for FY26 Community Housing Improvement Program funds, a pass-through program focused on owner-occupied health-and-safety repairs.

- Passed ordinance 009-26 and ordinance 010-26 (supplemental appropriation and appropriation transfers) on first read with suspension to close out first-quarter budget items, including a small capital reallocation tied to a pending economic development project and a $10,000 transfer contingent on future action.

- Advanced resolution 011-26 authorizing periodic fund-balance transfers under ORC 5705.14 for FY26 cleanup and fund reconciliation.

Procurement and operations:

- The council awarded the Industrial Drive pavement replacement contract to Hornbrink Excavating LLC, the low bidder at $219,642.99 (engineer’s estimate $270,000), and approved the award by roll call.

- Public works and fire staff asked the council to direct the law director to draft legislation allowing the city to abandon two underground fuel tanks at the fire station in place. Public works noted the state approved the abandonment in this instance because of site constraints (proximity to foundations and buried utilities). The consultant proposal cited an estimated cost of $79,500; monitoring wells and soil testing were listed as time-and-materials items and could adjust the final cost. Council directed staff to pursue drafting the legislation.

- Staff requested direction to pursue road-salt purchasing through the Ohio Department of Transportation cooperative contract before the May 1 deadline; council directed staff to prepare the legislation.

What happens next: Many of the budget and ordinance items were advanced on first read with emergency suspension and will return for final readings as required. The Industrial Drive award will move into contracting; staff will return with legislation on tank abandonment and road-salt procurement for formal approval.