A city policy that any street improvements should be accompanied by curbs, gutters and sidewalks was debated Monday evening by Rossford City Council.

Council also questioned if residents should no longer be assessed for road projects–and if past assessments should be refunded to property owners.

Road paving is planned for Hawthorne Lane following water line work now being done there by Northwestern Water and Sewer District.

Council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would award a contract to Geddis Paving for the work.

Todd Audet, city engineer, explained to council that the designs include curbs and gutters but not sidewalks.

City administrator Allyson Murray added, “There’s no room for sidewalks on Hawthorne.”

However, Councilman Greg Marquette visited the neighborhood and believes “there’s plenty of room for sidewalks in those yards.”

He pointed out that councilmembers had a previous plan to always add walkways when streets are improved.

“We’ve got to stay committed to what we decided long ago,” he said. “I don’t know why we deviate from that all the time. We’re picking and choosing.”

Council member Caroline Zuchowski Eckel agreed, “I think there should be sidewalks, too.”

Mr. Marquette acknowledged that recent street improvements on Vineyard Drive could not include them because they would have been too close to the houses.

Several Hawthorne residents and neighbors told council they are opposed to sidewalks due to the small front yards along the cul-de-sac.

Bill Verbosky, former mayor, grew up on Hawthorne and said most residents now are retired, including his mother, and rarely walk in the neighborhood.

He suggested that council focus on adding sidewalks to streets that are more traversed, such as Jennings and Windsor.

Bonnie Honaker, of Hawthorne Lane, told council she bought her home for retirement because it doesn’t have sidewalks and she would not have to worry about maintaining them or shoveling snow.

Mike Garcia, who also lives on Hawthorne, said residents “will lose a lot of frontage with sidewalks.”

He is pleased to see curbs and gutters being added, but noted that the garbage trucks rarely drive around the cul-de-sac without “running over things” because of the narrow street.

He also presented council with several letters from neighbors opposed to sidewalks.

Mayor Neil MacKinnon III explained that they are part of the city’s five-year plan that also includes replacing all of its streets and adding curbs and gutters.

He supports adding sidewalks to the Hawthorne project.

“They’re a start,” the mayor said. “If you don’t put them in here, then at the next project, you don’t put them in.”

“I want it to be first class. I want it to be safe. I want it to be beautiful.”

Councilman Bob Densic said he would prefer to see plans for curbs, gutters and sidewalks be decided “on a case-by-case basis.”

He also believes that curbs and gutters are not necessarily needed on every street and is “a strong proponent” of letting stormwater run off through natural infiltration instead of through pipes.

Councilman Robert Ruse questioned why the engineering designs do not address the width of the pavement and on-street parking for Hawthorne, which was done with many other projects.

Mr. Audet said the work was rushed because the city is trying to complete it this year after NWSD finishes the water line work.

If it is delayed, there would not be time for pavement to be laid before asphalt plants close for the winter, he added.

Council previously had discussed assessing Hawthorne property owners for $58,000 of the $214,000 expense.

Councilman Ruse questioned whether that still was planned.

Mayor MacKinnon believes the city has sufficient revenues and no longer needs to assess property owners as was done on Hillside Drive.

“I don’t think we should assess Vineyard and Groce either,” he added.

The mayor said revenue collections are 62 percent higher than last year at this time.

“We have the money to do it,” he said, adding that past assessments paid by property owners could be refunded.

Ms. Murray said the city’s capital improvements fund has enough leftover dollars from other projects that came in under bid and that could pay for Hawthorne.

Council member Eckel asked whether assessments are planned for the upcoming Jennings Road work, but Mr. Audet noted that the designs “are just beginning on that.”

She asked for totals to be calculated if refunds were issued to property owners who had paid past assessments.

Councilman Densic said the finance committee also had asked for those totals.

Council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m., Monday, September 13, at the municipal building, 133 Osborn Street, and is open to the public.