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Council backs multiple grant requests and a loan amendment for waterfront and water infrastructure
Summary
Council moved multiple grant and appropriations requests forward — including a $2.9M federal request and several state community project applications totaling several million dollars for the Huron Municipal Boat Basin, a $1.875M raw‑water alternate intake and sludge lagoon rehabilitation, and a $2.743M state ask for the intake — and authorized a WSRLA loan amendment adding $56,650 to the water‑tank contract.
Huron City Council on March 24 approved a suite of grant applications and a loan amendment intended to fund waterfront and water‑system projects.
Council authorized submission of a congressionally directed spending request of up to $2.9 million for the Huron Municipal Boat Basin renovation (Resolution 20-2026), covering perimeter bulkhead work, riser systems and a concrete walkway. Staff said they had briefed a congressional field director on the scope and that the project remains on a competitive list for appropriations.
Two companion state community project applications (Resolutions 21-2026 and 22-2026) were advanced seeking up to $2.4 million each through the Ohio General Assembly to modernize waterfront infrastructure for public safety and regional tourism. Staff said the asks generally mirror the federal proposal (risers, bulkhead, walkway).
Council also advanced Resolution 23-2026, a request related to a raw‑water alternate intake and sludge lagoon rehabilitation in an amount not to exceed $1,875,000. Mr. Evans said the intake work would include a 36‑inch intake extended into the Huron River and a 20‑inch force main back to the water plant and that the project would help the city combat frazil ice, which has caused recurring operational problems at the plant: "This will help us combat the frazzil ice, which we deal with on an annual basis," he said.
Complementary state grant requests (Resolutions 24‑2026 and 25‑2026) seek up to $2,743,000 each for details of the raw‑water intake project. Separately, the council authorized a $9,425 local parks grant application to replace picnic‑shelter roofs at the boat basin (Resolution 27‑2026).
On financing, the council approved Resolution 28‑2026 authorizing the city manager to execute a WSRLA contract change order to increase the adjusted contract amount by $56,650, bringing the aggregate contract amount for the 2‑million‑gallon elevated water storage tank project to $8,469,650. Staff said the project financing is a 0% interest loan.
On a separate economic-development action, staff said they will follow the Erie County Tax Incentive Review Council recommendation to terminate the Breen Ridge/Central Ohio Paper tax abatement because the company never reached a contractual target of 28 jobs; staff estimated the abatement reduces city revenue by about $37,000 per year and noted there is no mechanism to claw back prior years' abated receipts.
