Port Clinton advances plan to seek state and federal funds for water, sewer, revetment work and readies splash pad construction

Port Clinton City Council at its Dec. 9 meeting gave a first reading to Ordinance 36-25, which would authorize the director of safety and service to prepare and submit applications for planning, design, and construction funding for a bundle of water, sewer and shoreline projects. The ordinance names multiple funding sources including the Ohio Water Development Authority, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Department of Development, CDBG, WPCLF, WSRLA, the Ohio Public Works Commission and the ODOT State Infrastructure Bank. No vote was taken; the ordinance was scheduled for a second reading Dec. 23, 2025.

Law Director Shenker explained the purpose of an emergency clause when council questioned it: an emergency clause makes an adopted ordinance effective immediately upon the mayor’s signature rather than waiting 30 days. The exchange was procedural and confined to timing and implementation of any eventual ordinance.

Separately, Director of Safety and Service Mr. Sass provided operational updates: leaf collection is complete for the season and crews are transitioning trucks to salt spreading; he said salt costs $75.00 per ton and a salt truck carries five tons, and early snow/ice has required substantial use. Mr. Sass also reported the revetment work on West Lakeshore Drive is underway with poles and rock placement progressing to protect the shoreline. Regarding the Waterworks Park splash pad, he said most components have arrived, dirt has been placed at the site, and a pre-construction meeting was scheduled the following day.

The ordinance text submitted for first reading lists a wide set of potential projects that could be financed if funding is obtained, including: water meter replacement; water and sanitary sewer infrastructure improvements; Lakeshore Drive/SR-163 revetment improvements; Brooklyn Street sanitary pump station rehabilitation; Perry/Monroe/Harrison improvements; elevated water tank base improvements; wastewater treatment plant pump and heat/air exchange unit improvements; Laurel Avenue reconstruction including sanitary and storm sewer improvements; lead service line inventory and lead service line replacement infrastructure improvements.

What happens next: Ordinance 36-25 will move to second reading on Dec. 23, 2025. If Council adopts it later, the Director of Safety and Service would proceed with preparing and submitting applications to the listed funding programs and begin contract execution for planning and design as authorized by the ordinance text.

Key implementation details reported at the meeting: - Salt cost: $75.00 per ton; truck capacity: five tons (Mr. Sass). - Waterworks Park splash pad: most components received; pre-construction meeting scheduled (Mr. Sass). - FLIP funding: staff continue to work through multiple funding agency approvals before starting the bid process; bidding for garbage pickup expected to begin by mid-January 2026 (Mr. Sass).