Rossford city officials are still open to suggestions for the former Eagle Point Elementary School property.

At the September 12 city council meeting, Mayor Neil MacKinnon III confirmed that no decision about use of the property has been made.

“The administration doesn’t have an opinion right now,” he said. Council has discussed options such as a park or dog park, senior housing and a pool. Councilman Greg Marquette said the facilities committee recently discussed options and is eager to hear from a developer who could recommend plans for the property. “I support keeping as much green space as possible,” he said.

Council President Caroline Zuchowski Eckel said she thought city leaders already had committed to using the property for a park and not housing. Councilman Marquette said three or four residents suggested the idea of senior housing. “A developer could bring an idea forward,” he added.

Mayor MacKinnon said he believes it is “the perfect spot for a city pool.” The facilities committee asked that a request for proposals be issued by the city.

Glenwood Road Parcels

Councilman Marquette said the facilities also discussed the parcels at 545, 527 and 529 Glenwood Road, owned by former mayor Louie Bauer and his wife.

Council previously voted to purchase some of the land, later decided against it, then offered another bid for the land but could not reach a deal with Mr. Bauer. Councilman Marquette said all three parcels were appraised for a total of $92,000 by an independent appraiser. Mr. Bauer, attending the committee meeting, was asked for his price, but “began shouting the city was engaged in dirty games and had cost his family money.”

“Mr. Bauer interrupted and again began shouting the appraisals were corrupt, the city had refused to give him the information and name of the company providing the appraisals.”

Mr. Marquette repeated his question on the price desired by Mr. Bauer.

“Rather than giving an amount, Mr. Bauer kept shouting that everyone was corrupt and that perhaps he should bring a suit against the city for not purchasing his properties last year,” the councilman explained.

Councilman Robert Ruse and Mr. Marquette again asked Mr. Bauer the price he wants for his properties, but Mr. Bauer “continued shouting about being able to sell his properties for senior condos for more than the city had offered him.” Councilman Ruse made a motion to purchase Mr. Bauer’s properties for $100,000, Councilman Marquette seconded the motion and all committee members voted yes. However, Mr. Bauer told the committee it was going to cost the city “a whole lot more than that” to buy his properties.

“All members of the committee as well as [city administrator] Ms. Murray suggested that Mr. Bauer sell his properties to a developer for senior condos, as the city did not wish to stand in the way of his property sale,” Councilman Marquette said.

The facilities committee also reviewed two other ideas:

•Councilman Ruse would like the city to look into a preliminary plan to build a walkway from the John Folcik Park pickleball courts to the bridge on Glenwood then on to the pickleball courts by the post office.

He urged the work be completed by June 1, 2023, in time for the national pickleball tournament.

A plan for a new footbridge across the creek with connecting trails is still the long-term goal for connecting the pickleball courts, but cannot be completed by then, Councilman Marquette said.

•Ms. Murray will continue to look for a solution for the fountain in front of city hall prior to spring 2023, and will also continue to plan for updates to city council chambers.

Mr. Ruse noted council could meet at the library or at the Mark Zuchowski annex building while the updates are completed.

Other Business

In other business, council: •Welcomed back Mayor MacKinnon for his first council meeting since undergoing surgery this summer. “I feel great–I feel like I’m almost 100 percent,” he told council, thanking everyone for their get well wishes and prayers. He also thanked Council President Zuchowski Eckel for serving as acting mayor in the interim. “You did a great job,” the mayor said.

•Learned that a small increase in rates at the recreation center is being considered by the parks and recreation committee.

Toby Ledesma, parks and recreation director, told the committee there has not been an increase in five years.

•Authorized the final payment and buyout of a lease on a 2018 JCB backhoe loader for the public works department, at a cost of $56,294.

•Approved a one-year agreement for general liability and property insurance coverage for the city from USI Midwest, at a cost of $69,314, which is a 15 percent increase from last year.

•Heard the first reading of an ordinance providing health care benefits for city employees.

Ms. Murray asked council to postpone a vote on the agreement while she works with the benefits provider to see about better rates for the coming year.

Council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, September 26, at 6 p.m., in the municipal building, 133 Osborn Street, and is open to the public.