Rossford City Council has reversed its decision to purchase a parcel of land at 545 Glenwood Road from former mayor Louie Bauer.

At a June 14 meeting, council reconsidered an ordinance to pay $170,000 for the property and unanimously decided against it.

The vote was 0-4 with Council members Bob Densic, Jerry Staczek, Caroline Zuchowski Eckel and Greg Marquette voting no.

Councilman Robert Ruse abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest, and Councilmen Larry Oberdorf and Chris Heban were absent from the meeting.

After the meeting, Mayor Neil MacKinnon noted that the property will go up for sheriff’s sale in July because the Wood County prosecutor’s office filed foreclosure action on it with $30,000 in taxes due.

“We could always show up at the sale, if that’s what council wants to do,” he said.

The mayor said council had agreed to Mr. Bauer’s asking price of $170,000 without doing an appraisal.

He explained that council members changed their minds and “also felt the offer was becoming disingenuous.”

Mayor MacKinnon described the property as “a very important and strategic piece of land going forward.”

“In the city’s hands, there’s a better chance for it to be developed and successful than as it sits today.”

Law Director Kevin Heban said council has the authority to revote on an ordinance if one of the council members who voted in favor of it asks that it be brought back on the table and reconsidered.

Finance Committee

Councilman Densic said the finance committee recently reviewed cost estimates for expenses approved by council:

•Additional patrol officer, $72,000 to $75,000 for the remainder of the year.

He noted that overtime costs are $130,000 so far this year.

“The additional officer should help reduce overtime costs,” the councilman added.

•24-hour fire/EMS coverage, based on a rate of two staff members, $78,000.

“The administration is looking at the possibility of offering a limited benefit package for those who work over 29 hours per week,” Councilman Densic said.

The committee recommended budgeting $100,000 for the balance of this year.

•Annex building, $270,000 construction costs did not include a contingency, and Mr. Densic suggested adding 10 percent extra due to increasing material costs.

Public Safety Committee

Council member Eckel reported that the fire/EMS department only has one ambulance available due to mechanical problems with other vehicles.

“[One medic unit] is out of service at Brondes waiting on a transmission part that is not scheduled to ship for a few weeks,” she explained. “The tower [fire engine] is down and waiting for gauges. Engine 29 needs to go into the shop for scheduled maintenance as well.”

The public safety committee also discussed options for handling dogs.

“The police department is looking for new options for boarding dogs that have been picked up running stray,” Ms. Eckel said. “There has been conflicts between Monica [of Monica’s Canine Castle] and the public.”

In another matter, Police Chief Todd Kitzler discussed with the committee the possibility of creating a new parttime position to maintain the evidence and property room.

“Currently we have one sergeant that handles everything on top of his other duties,” Ms. Eckel explained.

The chief would like to fill the position with a retired officer to come in once or twice per week.

“They would not be a sworn officer,” she added. The committee asked Law

The committee asked Law Director Kevin Heban to look into the matter to start the process.

Marina Traffic

Councilman Staczek informed council that “a flood of boats has been coming to the marina.”

He commended the marina guards for their outstanding work, noting “they have been very busy.”

Mr. Staczek said many out-of-town and out-of-state boaters have visited.

Rossford’s marina is included on a national website of “marinas you should see that are hidden gems,” he added.

The councilman said there also is a lot of interest in the kayak launch currently under construction.

He hopes that kayak racks also can be installed.

Additionally, “jet skiers are interested in the drive-up jet ski docks,” Councilman Staczek said.

“We have some good momentum going on down there,” he noted.

Councilman Densic said the Rossford Business Association had raised the idea of adding better signage throughout the city directing traffic to the marina.

He also believes a bulletin board should be added to the marina that would feature local businesses, especially with menus from restaurants.

Councilman Staczek said the marina committee, which he chairs, also recently discussed “no wake” buoys placed in the Maumee River along the Eagle Point Colony shoreline.

The buoys are owned by the city and were not authorized for placement, he explained.

“The city has no method of enforcement for no wake zones nor policies in place for enforcement,” Mr. Staczek said.

The city could be liable for damage should a collision occur from a boat striking a buoy, he added.

The mayor directed that the buoys be removed.

Other Business

In other business, council:

•Learned from City Administrator Allyson Murray that the auction of items in the old Eagle Point Elementary School, now owned by the city, brought in $14,446, and the auction of Indian Hills items brought in $6,905, after all sale expenses were paid.

•Approved an agreement with Ohio First Responders’ Grants LLC to write a grant submission for an aerial ladder truck for the fire department, at a rate not to exceed $1,500. The company will receive a 3 percent bonus if the city receives the grant. •Heard from Ms. Murray

•Heard from Ms. Murray that due to I-75 construction, the northbound ramp from Buck Road to I-75 and southbound ramp to Miami Street will be closed until July 16. “And then the northbound

“And then the northbound Wales Road entry ramp will be closed for 30 days,” she added.

•Heard congratulations from Mayor MacKinnon on the new $400 million Peloton factory coming to Troy Township. “With that and First Solar

“With that and First Solar planning a 2 million square foot additional factory in Lake Township, that’s over 1,000 new jobs that will be added to the market,” he said.

•Learned from Bob Watrol, clerk of council, that a liquor license is being transferred from Ashland Bancroft LLC, doing business as Buck Road Sunoco, to Barney’s Convenience Mart, at 1133 Buck Road.

“It now has an Amoco sign instead of a Sunoco sign,” Mr. Watrol noted.

Council did not request a hearing on the transfer before the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.

•Heard from Councilman Staczek that he received a complaint about broken swings in the tot lot park in the Rossburn Avenue neighborhood.

The public works staff fixed the swings immediately, he added. Chief Kitzler said resi

Chief Kitzler said residents should call the police when vandalism occurs so they can respond and document it.

•Met in executive session to discuss personnel but did not take action afterward. Council’s next meeting is

Council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m., Monday, June 28, at the municipal building, 133 Osborn Street, and is open to the public.

They voted to cancel the second meeting of the month for July and August, as is done most years.