Port Clinton council adopts dockage agreement and personnel-code fixes; emergency crane purchase set for second reading

Port Clinton City Council voted on several routine and time-sensitive items at its Feb. 10 meeting, adopting a resolution and multiple ordinances and scheduling further action on an emergency equipment purchase.

Resolution and dockage agreement: Council adopted Resolution 26-2, authorizing the sale of personal property by internet auction. It also adopted Ordinance 2-26, authorizing the director of safety and service to enter into a dockage and warp agreement with Sassy Sal Charter Service Inc.; the emergency clause was retained and the ordinance was adopted by roll-call vote.

Personnel code and residency correction: Council considered Ordinance 6-26, which amends portions of Chapter 139 of the codified ordinances. Staff said earlier amendments inadvertently removed firefighter uniform language and incorrectly altered the residency requirements for the safety service director. Council voted to waive readings, retained the emergency clause and adopted Ordinance 6-26 to restore the firefighter provisions and reinstate the residency requirement for the safety service director consistent with the Ohio Revised Code (the council noted the code allows the council to waive residency when necessary).

Emergency crane truck and debate: Council heard a staff explanation of Ordinance 5-26, which would authorize the director of safety and service to purchase a specialized utility crane truck from QT Equipment without formal bidding due to an emergency rendering the current vehicle unsafe. Staff said the truck is specialized, few manufacturers make the equipment in the state, and the city's existing crane has reached the end of its useful life. One council member asked whether the truck had been "totaled" and questioned putting nearly $189,000 into a 2007 vehicle; staff (including Dave Basak and Mr. Sass) said the crane was unsafe, some pumps now exceed the lift capacity of the older truck and replacement is necessary for safe operations. The ordinance was not adopted on Feb. 10 and was scheduled for second reading at the Feb. 24 meeting to allow further review.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 26-2 (sale of personal property by internet auction): adopted (voice/roll-call; vote recorded as unanimous where recorded). - Ordinance 2-26 (dockage and warp agreement with Sassy Sal Charter Service Inc.): emergency clause retained; ordinance adopted (roll-call vote recorded as unanimous). - Ordinance 4-26 (NFA engineering study for wastewater/FLIP project): readings waived, emergency retained, ordinance adopted (roll-call vote recorded as unanimous). (See separate article for project details.) - Ordinance 5-26 (purchase of utility crane truck from QT Equipment without formal bidding): introduced; moved to second reading on Feb. 24, 2026 (no final vote at this meeting). - Ordinance 6-26 (amend Chapter 139; restore firefighter uniform provisions and safety service director residency language): readings waived, emergency retained, ordinance adopted (roll-call vote recorded as unanimous).

Council comments and next steps: Council members who questioned the crane purchase requested cost details and confirmation that appropriations exist; staff said funds could be appropriated and that manufacturing and delivery would take some lead time. For the residency correction, staff cited the Ohio Revised Code and said council retains the ability to waive the residency requirement for an interim appointment.

The meeting concluded with routine committee scheduling, a reminder of community events and adjournment.