Huron City Council approves vendor license, connector design contract, lighting grant application and easement to serve Konagra site

Huron — The Huron City Council on June 23 approved multiple resolutions and emergency ordinances advancing waterfront operations, transportation planning, public‑works enforcement and a land‑use easement tied to the Konagra site.

Council placed and adopted Resolution 51‑2026 authorizing the city manager to execute a two‑year license/lease with Paddleshack LLC for commercial rental operations and on‑site storage at Nickel Plate Beach for a combined fee of $750 per year. Parks/recreation staff described the vendor as a long‑standing, third‑party operator that rents non‑motorized watercraft and beach gear. "We're going into our 10th year with the Paddleshack at Nickel Plate Beach," said Mr. Steinward, describing the arrangement as a local partnership the city values.

The council also approved Resolution 52‑2026 to hire OM Advisors for professional engineering design and surveying for the Lake Erie Parkway Connector (Project P‑12500) at a cost of $12,730. City Manager Hamilton said the work is intended to connect the Lake Erie Electric Trail to a proposed multi‑use path on US‑6 and that the city has secured $533,000 from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the project. Hamilton warned that right‑of‑way negotiations with private property owners could extend the schedule and said construction is currently targeted for 2027.

Resolution 53‑2026 will direct staff to send notices ordering repair of public sidewalks in specified District 1 locations; property owners will have 30 days to complete repairs before the city solicits bids to do the work, invoices owners and — if unpaid — assesses the cost to property taxes.

Council placed Resolution 54‑2026 on first reading and authorized application for up to $100,000 in EPIC funds for a Huron Boat Basin waterfront lighting and public‑safety improvement initiative. Staff estimated replacing roughly 38 lights at an estimated cost of about $99,000 and said a 50% local match would be required if the grant is awarded.

On emergency measures, the council adopted Ordinance 2026‑14 granting the city a perpetual easement from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources over a 1.12‑acre parcel so the city may construct, maintain and run utilities to serve the Konagra site; staff said the easement fulfills a prior land‑swap agreement. Council also accepted Ordinance 2026‑15 to dedicate a public access street (temporarily called Access Street) at the former Konagra site; staff said internal development roads will remain private while a perimeter walkway easement will be perpetual public access.

The council adopted Resolution 55‑2026, which endorses the Erie County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan; Chief McGrath told council that the countywide plan is required to preserve FEMA grant eligibility and to provide a coordinated approach to floods, tornadoes and other ranked hazards.

Separately, Resolution 56‑2026 — declaring certain lighting improvements necessary and adjusting the related collection rate — passed after staff described the fund's status and said the proposal would modestly reduce the rate of collection for the next three years; staff estimated a house valued at $200,000 would pay about $31.50 in the year under the proposed rate.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 51‑2026 (Paddleshack license) — adopted (roll call recorded as yes on final adoption). Resolution 52‑2026 (OM Advisors contract) — adopted (final roll-call yes votes). Resolution 53‑2026 (sidewalk repair notices) — adopted. Resolution 54‑2026 (EPIC grant application) — placed on first reading and adopted (roll‑call yes). Resolution 55‑2026 (hazards mitigation plan) — adopted. Resolution 56‑2026 (public‑places lighting) — adopted. Ordinance 2026‑14 (ODNR easement) — adopted as emergency. Ordinance 2026‑15 (street dedication at Konagra) — adopted as emergency. Ordinance 2026‑17 (codified ordinances update) — adopted as emergency.

Council members did not significantly alter the proposals during debate; staff answered questions about right‑of‑way negotiations, ODOT processes and match funding for grant opportunities. The meeting concluded with staff and council remarks and a motion to adjourn.

The council's next meetings and hearings include a public hearing on the 2027 municipal tax budget and subsequent scheduled meetings in July.