Conneaut Council approves $5.16M water-tower replacement, multiple emergency ordinances and a land purchase

Conneaut City Council on May 11 passed a package of emergency ordinances and administrative measures that included a $5.16 million contract for a new water tower, an agreement with UH Conneaut Medical Center, the purchase of a small parcel from the county land bank, and a 2026 budget amendment.

The council unanimously approved Ordinance 53-26 to award the base bid and alternate for the Clark Street water tower replacement to Caldwell Tanks, Inc. for $5,163,300. City Manager Mr. Sanford said the project will be financed almost exclusively through Ohio EPA's Water Supply Revolving Loan Account over 20 years at 3.25%, with $78,000 for site uplighting to be paid from the Water Fund.

In related action, the council voted to:

- Pass Ordinance 44-26 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with UH Conneaut Medical Center (terms not specified at the meeting). The three-reading rule was suspended, the ordinance was declared an emergency, and council acted to approve it by unanimous roll call.

- Pass Ordinance 55-26 to purchase the former Farnham School parcel at 900 Center Road from the Ashtabula County Land Reutilization Corporation for $530.30 to be used as a secure satellite stockyard for Public Services; the motion was moved, emergency declared, and approved unanimously.

- Pass Ordinance 54-26 authorizing temporary traffic restrictions for the SPARC 5K on July 25 from 7–9 p.m.; and Ordinance 56-26 authorizing listed payments to vendors under Ohio law; both were suspended for emergency declaration and approved unanimously.

- Pass Ordinance 58-26, a 2026 budget amendment through appropriations and fund and interfund transfers; the council suspended the three-reading rule and approved the ordinance unanimously.

Ordinance 57-26, which would amend the city's Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) rules—raising minimum spend thresholds, establishing negotiation metrics for commercial/industrial applications, and creating a conditional extension process for architecturally or historically significant properties—was moved to second reading and was not adopted at this meeting.

Council members also received routine reports from city staff about water-main replacements on Wrights Avenue and Whitney Street, hydrant flushing with an interactive map for residents, and public‑safety procurement including an ambulance cot-loader grant estimated at about $73,000. Mr. Castrilla and Mr. Emery raised concerns about southern road conditions; Mr. Sanford said work and training efforts are underway.

What to watch next: Contracts and substantial capital projects like the Clark Street tower will proceed through procurement and construction schedules; council will consider CRA ordinance 57-26 at a future meeting. The council did not take a vote on any data-center moratorium at the May 11 meeting.