Ashtabula, OH

Public Works/Public Utilities/Cable/Schools Committee

City Council

Ashtabula City Council will vote on supplemental appropriation changes for the General Fund and other city funds. The body is also considering the establishment of a Commission for Thriving Communities and support for a yacht club grant application.

• Ordinance No. 2026-172: Establishing the Ashtabula City Commission for Thriving Communities
• Resolution No. 2026-173: Supporting Ashtabula Yacht Club's application for the SFY 2027 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant
• Ordinance No. 2026-174: Supplemental changes to appropriations in the General Fund and other funds
• Resolution No. 2026-175: Accepting budget commission rates and authorizing tax levies
• Ordinance No. 2026-176: Replacement of US and SR shield and mile marker signs along SR 11 and SR 84

City Council

The City Council will meet for a pre-council session to receive administrative and committee reports. The body is scheduled to discuss a draft council cell phone policy.

• Discussion of Draft Council Cell Phone Policy

Finance & Personnel Committee

The committee will review several financial reports from the Finance Director. Members will also discuss a new cell phone policy for councilors.

• October 2026 Income Tax Report
• Quarterly Cash Basis Investment Report
• Cell Phone Policy for Councilors

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss a specific ordinance. The body will consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into a change order with Koski Construction Co.

• Ordinance No. 2026-170: Change Order #1 with Koski Construction Co. for the 2026 Paving Project

City Council passed Ordinance No. 2026-170 to authorize a change order with Koski Construction Co. for the 2026 Paving Project. The work involves milling and resurfacing Main Avenue from West 44th Street to the railroad tracks, funded entirely by the Appalachian Community Grant Program.

• Approved Ordinance No. 2026-170 for Main Avenue resurfacing (6-0)
• Authorized Change Order #11 with Koski Construction Co. not to exceed $165,000 (6-0)

Safety Forces Committee

The Safety Forces Committee will meet to receive reports from the Police and Fire Department chiefs. The discussion will focus on statistics from September 2026.

• Police Department September 2026 stats
• Fire Department September 2026 stats

Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Committee

The Community Development, Economic Development, and Parks & Recreation Committee will meet to receive a presentation from the Ashtabula Police Department Homeless Task Force. The meeting also includes reports from the City Manager and the Parks & Recreation Committee.

• Presentation by Ashtabula Police Department Homeless Task Force

City Council

Ashtabula City Council meets Monday, October 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at 4230 Lake Avenue for its regular meeting. The agenda includes six ordinances up for passage covering codified ordinance updates, a change order for the W. 19th Street resurfacing project, an OPWC grant application for the Minnesota Avenue storm pump station replacement, a property purchase, and two road deck repair contracts. The meeting also includes citizen comment, councilor reports, and consent agenda items approving September 21, 2026 meeting minutes.

• Ordinance 2026-165: change order #1 with Koski Construction Co. for the W. 19th Street resurfacing project
• Ordinance 2026-166: application to Ohio Public Works Commission for Minnesota Avenue storm pump station replacement funding
• Ordinance 2026-167: purchase of property from Ashtabula County Land Reutilization Corporation for up to $384.74 for recreational park purposes
• Ordinance 2026-168: contract with Wilkinson Paving & Excavating for various road deck repairs Round 6
• Ordinance 2026-169: contract with Rocky Road Paving for various road deck repairs Round 8

The Ashtabula City Council approved several ordinances, including contracts for road deck repairs and the Minnesota Avenue storm pump station project. Council also voted to draft a resolution supporting the Ashtabula Yacht Club's federal grant application and confirmed the lateral hiring of a new police officer.

• Approved ordinances 2026-164 through 2026-169 (5-0)
• Approved lateral hiring of Elijah Monroe for Police Department (5-0)
• Voted to draft resolution supporting Yacht Club grant application (5-0)
• Approved September 21 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Convened executive session for personnel contract negotiations (5-0)

City Council

Ashtabula City Council is scheduled to hold a pre-council meeting on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at 4230 Lake Avenue. The agenda consists of procedural items: opening, roll call, visitor welcome, reports from the President, City Manager, Finance Director, City Solicitor, and Clerk of Council, plus committee reports. It also lists time slots for discussion of new business and proposed legislation and old business/legislation on for a second reading, but the agenda text does not identify any specific ordinance, contract, rezoning, or dollar amount. No votes or decisions are described in the supplied agenda.

• Pre-council meeting only; no specific legislation, contracts, or dollar amounts are listed in the agenda text
• Administrative reports scheduled from the City Manager, Finance Director, City Solicitor, and Clerk of Council
• Committee reports listed for Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation, Finance & Personnel, Public Works/Public Utilities/Cable/Schools, and Safety Forces
• Agenda includes time for discussion of new business/proposed legislation and old business/legislation on for 2nd Reading, with no items named
• Meeting location: Council Chambers, 4230 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula, OH 44004

The Pre-Council meeting focused on administrative updates regarding sanitation routes, road repairs, and grant applications. Council members discussed upcoming infrastructure projects and public safety concerns. One resolution was formally approved to recognize a local garden club.

• Approved resolution recognizing Garden Trails Garden Club (5-0)

Public Works/Public Utilities/Cable/Schools Committee

The Ashtabula City Council Public Works/Public Utilities/Cable/Schools Committee is meeting with a routine agenda. The meeting includes a city manager's report, a water pollution control report, and a public works report, but no specific proposals, contracts, or public hearings are listed. The next meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2026.

• Water Pollution Control Report
• Public Works Report
• City Manager's Report
• Next meeting set for October 27, 2026

The committee received operational reports on winter preparations, water pollution control projects, and sanitation route changes. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the meeting.

City Council

This is a pre-council meeting agenda with no substantive legislative items listed. The agenda consists of standard administrative and committee reports, along with scheduled meeting dates for council committees. No specific ordinances, contracts, or public hearings are listed for discussion.

• Committee meeting schedules listed for Community Development, Finance & Personnel, Public Works, and Safety Forces
• Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission reports on agenda
• Discussion of new business and proposed legislation (no specific items listed)
• Discussion of old business and legislation for second reading (no specific items listed)

Council voted to reappoint Maria Fowler to the Board of Health for a five-year term. Members discussed potential city-issued cell phones for councilors and reviewed reports on streetlight outages and local redevelopment.

• Reappointed Maria Fowler to the Board of Health (5-0)

City Council

The City Council will vote on several ordinances, including a contract for fire department radios and an employment agreement for Carolyn Sheldon. The council also plans to review replacement legislation for codified ordinance 131.02 and return ordinance 2026-158 to the Planning Commission.

• Ordinance 2026-159: Contract with Northeastern Communications for fire department portable radios
• Ordinance 2026-160: Contract amendment with Amendola Engineering Inc. for outfall 001 studies
• Ordinance 2026-161: Disposal of obsolete vehicle round 4
• Ordinance 2026-162: Emergency employment agreement for Ms. Carolyn Sheldon, commencing September 1, 2026
• Ordinance 2026-155 and 156: Repeal and replacement of codified ordinance 131.02

City Council approved several contracts for fire department equipment, engineering studies, and public works repairs. The council also authorized an emergency employment agreement and the disposal of obsolete vehicles. Two ordinances regarding codified ordinance 131.02 were tabled.

• Approved purchase of portable radios for Fire Department from Northeastern Communications for $16,830.64 (5-0)
• Approved contract amendment with Amendola Engineering Inc. for mixing zone studies (5-0)
• Approved disposal of obsolete and unneeded vehicles Round 4 (5-0)
• Approved emergency employment agreement with Carolyn Sheldon starting Sept. 1, 2026 (5-0)
• Approved contract with Petro’s Services, LLC to repair a Public Works case loader (5-0)
• Tabled Ordinance No. 2026-155 and 2026-156 regarding codified ordinance 131.02 (5-0)
• Returned Ordinance No. 2026-158 (Comprehensive Plan) to Planning Commission for review (5-0)

Finance & Personnel Committee

The Ashtabula City Council Finance & Personnel Committee is meeting to receive the Finance Director's report, which includes income tax, cash position, revenue, and expense reports, along with the City Manager's report. The agenda lists no specific action items, only routine financial updates and a special guest presentation.

• Finance Director's report: income tax, cash position, revenue, and expense reports
• Expense report with encumbrance detail
• City Manager's report
• Special guest presentation
• Next meeting scheduled for October 16, 2026

The Finance & Personnel Committee met for an informational session, receiving reports from the Finance Director and City Manager. No formal motions or votes were taken; the meeting adjourned into executive session for personnel matters.

• No formal decisions or votes recorded
• Meeting adjourned to executive session for personnel discussion

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council is holding a work session to discuss the city's comprehensive plan. The agenda includes opening formalities, visitor acknowledgement, discussion of the comprehensive plan, questions, and public comment at the council's discretion. No votes or formal actions are listed on this agenda.

• Discussion of the Comprehensive Plan
• Public comment at Council's discretion

The Ashtabula City Council held a work session to discuss the Comprehensive Plan but took no formal votes or decisions. The plan is a non-binding guide, and the council discussed corrections, land use, zoning, and implementation timelines. The plan will return to the Planning Commission for approval before coming back to Council.

• No formal decisions or votes taken during the work session
• Discussed corrections to the Comprehensive Plan, including bike lane and street name typo
• Noted plan will return to Planning Commission for approval after corrections
• Confirmed all moratoriums remain in place until zoning code update (expected June/July 2027)

Safety Forces Committee

The Ashtabula City Council Safety Forces Committee will meet to hear reports from the Police and Fire Departments. The meeting includes updates from the City Manager and City Solicitor.

• Police Department August 2026 statistics report
• Fire Department August 2026 statistics report
• City Manager's report
• City Solicitor's report

The Ashtabula City Council Safety Forces Committee met on September 10, 2026, and received updates from the police and fire chiefs and the city manager. No formal decisions or votes were taken; the meeting was informational only. Topics included August crime stats, a delayed traffic enforcement unit, fire department staffing and training, and the upcoming delivery of a new ladder truck.

• No formal votes or decisions taken; meeting was informational only
• Police traffic enforcement unit delayed due to staffing, expected to start in September
• Fire department received radio upgrade donation from Molded Fiber Glass
• Fire chief to obtain pricing for two boat storage options
• City manager to provide update on additional police vehicles from Geauga County
• New ladder truck delivery on track for October; disposal options for old truck discussed

City Council

The City Council will consider several ordinances, including a contract for road deck repairs and an application for a state brownfield remediation grant. The council will also vote on a resolution opposing gas and electric rate increases from Enbridge Gas Ohio and FirstEnergy.

• Contract with Melnik Concrete & Excavating for road deck repairs (Ordinance 2026-150)
• State of Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program grant for former City Hall (Ordinance 2026-151)
• Resolution opposing Enbridge Gas Ohio and FirstEnergy rate increases (Resolution 2026-152)
• Emergency employment agreement for Carolyn Sheldon (Ordinance 2026-153)
• Reappointment of Tim Dibble to Parks & Recreation Board

Council approved several items by consent agenda, including a contract with Melnik Concrete & Excavating for road deck repairs, a grant application for the former City Hall remediation, a resolution opposing Enbridge Gas Ohio's rate increase, and an income tax interest and penalty policy. Two ordinances (2026-155 and 2026-156) were pulled from the consent agenda and will receive a second reading on September 21, 2026. Council also approved an emergency employment agreement for Carolyn Sheldon, authorized hiring an assistant finance director at $42.88/hour for 30 days, and reappointed Tim Dibble to the Parks & Recreation Board.

• Approved road deck repair contract with Melnik Concrete & Excavating (unanimous)
• Approved application for Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program grant for former City Hall (unanimous)
• Approved resolution opposing Enbridge Gas Ohio rate increase (unanimous)
• Approved emergency employment agreement with Carolyn Sheldon (unanimous)
• Approved income tax interest and penalty policy (unanimous)
• Pulled Ordinances 2026-155 and 2026-156 from consent agenda; second reading set for Sept. 21
• Authorized hire of assistant finance director at $42.88/hour for 30 days (unanimous)
• Reappointed Tim Dibble to Parks & Recreation Board (unanimous)

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council is holding a work session to discuss a draft ordinance creating a Thriving Communities Commission. No final votes are scheduled; the session is for discussion and public comment at the council's discretion.

• Discussion of the Thriving Communities Commission draft ordinance

City Council

This pre-council meeting includes administrative reports from city officials and reviews of upcoming committee schedules. No specific legislation or new business items are listed for discussion in this agenda.

• Administrative reports from City Manager, Finance Director, City Solicitor, and Clerk of Council
• Review of upcoming Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation committee dates
• Review of upcoming Finance & Personnel committee dates
• Review of upcoming Public Works/Public Utilities/Cable/Schools committee dates
• Review of upcoming Safety Forces committee dates

The Ashtabula City Council held a pre-council meeting on September 8, 2026, and took several actions. It approved a motion to hold a work session on September 14 to discuss concerns about the comprehensive plan's proposed Gulf Connector Harbor bike route. Council also moved two ordinances out of committee for the agenda, including one to reduce the Finance Director's surety bond, and placed a proposal for City-issued cell phones on the agenda for a first reading. No final votes were taken on these ordinances during the pre-council meeting.

• Scheduled work session on comprehensive plan bike route (unanimous)
• Brought Ordinance 2026-155 and 2026-156 out of committee (unanimous)
• Placed City-issued cell phones proposal on agenda for first reading (unanimous)
• Moved to bring forward resolution opposing PUCO rate increases (unanimous)
• Appointed Ward 1 Councilor Scott DeCola to Safety Forces Committee (unanimous)
• Convened executive session for personnel employment (unanimous)

Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Committee

The Ashtabula City Council's Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Committee is meeting to receive a presentation from the Ashtabula Downtown Development Association, hear the City Manager's report, and review August meeting minutes. The agenda includes no specific proposals, contracts, or ordinances for decision.

• Special guest presentation by Ashtabula Downtown Development Association
• City Manager's report
• Parks & Recreation Committee August meeting minutes
• Next meeting scheduled for October 7, 2026

The committee heard reports from the Ashtabula Downtown Development Association and the Parks and Recreation Board, covering storefront lighting, an October property showcase, a 2027 Halloween event, and park improvements. City Manager James Timonere provided updates on code enforcement, streetlight projects, and a Lake Avenue waterline project estimated to cost the city upwards of $2 million. No formal votes or decisions were taken at this meeting.

• No formal votes or resolutions taken at this meeting
• Heard ADDA report on storefront lighting and October 8 property showcase event
• Heard Parks Board report on proposed 2027 downtown Halloween event
• Heard update on Lake Avenue waterline project, budgeted for 2027
• Heard update on 48 code enforcement letters and 5 properties ordered vacated
• Heard report of ~30 veteran grave markers stolen from Veterans Memorial Park
• Heard announcement of cenotaph installations scheduled for September 8, 2026

Public Works/Public Utilities/Cable/Schools Committee

The Public Works/Public Utilities/Cable/Schools Committee is meeting to receive reports from the city manager, water pollution control, and public works. No specific decisions or proposals are listed on the agenda.

• Water Pollution Control Report
• Public Works Report
• City Manager's Report

The committee received reports from the City Manager on water pollution control, public works, and infrastructure coordination. No formal motions, resolutions, or votes were taken during the meeting. Discussions covered staffing changes, sewer repairs, paving, and utility coordination.

• No formal decisions or votes recorded
• City Manager to follow up on streetlight outage at Pennsylvania Avenue and West 9th Street
• City Manager to investigate utility cut settlement on West 5th Street
• City Manager to remind crews to monitor goose droppings at Smith Field walking track

Finance & Personnel Committee

The Ashtabula City Council Finance & Personnel Committee is meeting to receive the finance director's report on income tax, cash position, revenue, and expenses, along with the city manager's report. The committee will also consider a surety bond for the finance director. The next meeting is scheduled for September 18, 2026.

• Finance Director's Report: income tax, cash position, revenue, expense reports
• City Manager's Report
• New Business: Surety Bond for Finance Director
• Next meeting set for September 18, 2026

The Finance & Personnel Committee voted to prepare a resolution opposing pending utility rate increases before the PUCO, and reduced the surety bond amounts for the Finance Director and Assistant Finance Director to $10,000 each. The committee also discussed financial updates, including improved income tax collections, a large tax refund claim under review, and fund balance corrections. No action was taken on a request for $200 toward Leadership Ashtabula County training.

• Prepared resolution opposing utility rate increases (3-0)
• Reduced Finance Director and Assistant Finance Director surety bonds to $10,000 (3-0)
• Tabled no formal action on $200 Leadership Ashtabula County training request

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council is holding its regular meeting with several items for passage, including contracts for road deck repairs, security camera installation, and insurance coverage. The council will also consider disposing of obsolete equipment and making supplemental appropriations. A resolution honoring a retiring finance department employee is on the agenda.

• Ordinance 2026-144: Contract with Rocky Road Paving for road deck repairs (Round 4)
• Ordinance 2026-145: Change order #1 with ProLine Technology for city annex security cameras
• Ordinance 2026-146: Law enforcement liability insurance with Acrisure and Kinsale, $186,765 for one year
• Ordinance 2026-148: Liability, property, and casualty insurance via PEP through Acrisure, not to exceed $302,889
• Ordinance 2026-147: Disposal of obsolete equipment from Water Pollution Control Department

The Ashtabula City Council unanimously approved six ordinances by consent agenda, including contracts for road deck repairs, security camera change order, law enforcement liability insurance, property/casualty insurance, disposal of obsolete equipment, and supplemental appropriations. The council also passed two ordinances on second reading regarding building number placement. No substantive decisions were made beyond these approvals and a resolution honoring a retiring employee.

• Approved contract with Rocky Road Paving for road deck repairs Round 4 (unanimous)
• Approved change order #1 with Proline Technology for city annex security cameras (unanimous)
• Approved law enforcement liability insurance with Acrisure/Kinsale at $186,765 for one year (unanimous)
• Approved property/casualty insurance with PEP through Acrisure at up to $302,889 for 2026-2027 (unanimous)
• Approved disposal of obsolete equipment from Water Pollution Control Department (unanimous)
• Approved supplemental appropriations for 2026 (unanimous)
• Adopted replacement ordinance 1329.03 on placement of numbers on buildings (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution honoring Carolyn Sheldon on retirement (unanimous)

City Council

This is a pre-council agenda for the Ashtabula City Council meeting on August 17, 2026. The meeting is primarily procedural, featuring administrative reports from the city manager, finance director, solicitor, and clerk, along with committee reports. No specific legislation, contracts, or dollar amounts are listed for discussion or action.

• Administrative reports from City Manager, Finance Director, City Solicitor, and Clerk of Council
• Committee reports from Community Development, Finance & Personnel, Public Works, and Safety Forces
• Discussion of new business and proposed legislation
• Discussion of old business and legislation on second reading

The August 17, 2026 Ashtabula City Council Pre-Council meeting was a discussion-only session; no ordinances or resolutions were voted on. City Manager James Timonere presented proposed contracts for road deck repairs, police liability insurance, and general liability insurance, plus a change order for annex cameras and disposal of obsolete Water Pollution Control equipment. Council also heard updates on the Main Avenue sidewalk project, an East 23rd Street nuisance cleanup, recycling container rollout, and court caseloads. The next Regular meeting is Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

• No votes or final actions recorded; items were presented for consideration only
• Proposed contract with Rock Road Paving for road deck repairs, not to exceed $23,100 (Funds 503 and 412)
• Proposed $668.80 change order to Proline Technology contract for an additional annex camera mount (Fund 412)
• Proposed one-year law enforcement liability insurance with Acrisure and Kinsale, not to exceed $186,765 (Fund 101)
• Proposed one-year general liability and property/casualty insurance with Public Entities Pool of Ohio, not to exceed $302,889 (Funds 101, 225, 503)
• Proposed disposal of obsolete Water Pollution Control equipment (round two)
• Proposed supplemental appropriations of $116,917.79 across various funds
• Resolution honoring Carolyn Sheldon on her retirement from the Finance Department proposed

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council is holding a work session to discuss a draft ordinance creating a Thriving Communities Commission. The agenda includes opening procedures, visitor acknowledgment, and discussion of the proposed commission, followed by questions and public comment at the council's discretion. No final decisions are scheduled, as this is a discussion-only session.

• Discussion of the Thriving Communities Commission Draft Ordinance
• Work session format with no voting items listed
• Public comment allowed at council's discretion

The Ashtabula City Council held a work session to discuss a draft ordinance establishing a permanent Thriving Communities Commission, but took no formal action. Council members raised concerns about the commission's size, membership eligibility, and scope, and the City Manager requested a change to the records-keeping provision. The session ended with agreement to schedule another work session with formal public comment.

• No formal decisions made; discussion only
• City Manager's request to change records retention to Clerk's office accepted by Ward 3 Councilor Holman
• Additional work session to be scheduled with formal public comment

Safety Forces Committee

The Ashtabula City Council Safety Forces Committee is meeting to receive monthly reports from the police and fire chiefs, including July 2026 statistics, along with reports from the city manager and solicitor. The agenda is largely routine and informational, with no specific action items listed.

• Police Department Chief's Report with APD July 2026 stats
• Fire Department Chief's Report with AFD July 2026 stats
• City Manager's Report
• City Solicitor's Report

The Safety Forces Committee met on August 13, 2026, and received reports from the police and fire chiefs, the city manager, and the city solicitor. No formal votes or decisions were taken; the meeting was informational, covering July statistics, equipment updates, and ongoing issues. The committee discussed the denial of a grant request for boat engine replacement and the status of the Coast Guard station reopening.

• No formal decisions or votes taken; meeting was informational
• Discussed denial of Stone Garden grant for $40,000 boat engine replacement
• Noted intent to hire at least one firefighter from certified list
• Discussed potential adoption of new state hiring flexibility, pending further definition

Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Committee

The committee will hear a presentation on data center impacts from Policy Matters Ohio and discuss a proposed data center moratorium.

• Presentation by Molly Bryden, Policy Matters Ohio, on data center impacts
• Discussion of a data center moratorium

The committee heard a presentation from Policy Matters Ohio on data center impacts, including fiscal costs, water use, and grid strain. No formal action was taken, but members discussed strengthening a proposed moratorium with substantive policy language before advancing it to Council. The City Manager stated he does not wish to see a data center in Ashtabula and noted the zoning update will address the issue regardless.

• No formal votes or resolutions taken; discussion only
• Consensus to strengthen moratorium with substantive policy language before advancing to Council
• City Manager stated opposition to data center in Ashtabula, citing land constraints
• Assistant City Solicitor to research NDA prohibition for City employees and officials
• Committee agreed to present homeless outreach task force report at future meeting
• Tax abatement policy revisit anticipated for September or October meeting

City Council

The Ashtabula City Council will meet to decide on several ordinances, including a tax incentive agreement for new residential dwellings at 725 E. 15th Street and a contract to purchase a Ford Maverick. The council will also vote on adopting a budgetary reserve policy and making supplemental appropriations for road maintenance.

• ORDINANCE NO. 2026-136: Tax incentive agreement with River & Rail Development, LLC for 100% abatement for 7 years at 725 E. 15th Street
• ORDINANCE NO. 2026-137: Contract with AM Ford for purchase of a Ford Maverick
• ORDINANCE NO. 2026-139: Adoption of the City of Ashtabula Budgetary General Fund Reserve Policy
• ORDINANCE NO. 2026-140: Supplemental appropriations for 205 State, County, Municipal Roads fund
• ORDINANCE NO. 2026-134 & 135: Updates to tobacco sales regulations for under-21 individuals

Council approved a Community Reinvestment Area tax incentive agreement with River & Rail Development, LLC, granting 100% tax abatement for 7 years for new residential dwellings at 725 E. 15th Street. The vote was 4-2, with Ward 3 Councilor RoLesia Holman and Ward 5 Councilor Jane DiGiacomo voting no. Council also passed several other ordinances, including a Ford Maverick purchase, a victim advocate hiring, a budget reserve policy, and supplemental appropriations, all by unanimous consent. Two ordinances regarding building number placement were introduced for first reading, and two tobacco sales penalty ordinances were adopted on second reading.

• Approved CRA tax abatement agreement with River & Rail Development, LLC for 100% abatement for 7 years at 725 E. 15th St. (4-2)
• Approved contract with AM Ford for purchase of a Ford Maverick (unanimous)
• Approved hiring of Emily Bussanich as Victim Advocate and additional paid vacation leave (unanimous)
• Adopted budgetary General Fund reserve policy (unanimous)
• Approved supplemental appropriations to the 205 State, County, Municipal Roads – Public Works Fund (unanimous)
• Adopted new tobacco sales penalty ordinance and repealed old one (unanimous)
• Introduced ordinances to repeal and replace building number placement section 1329.03 (first reading)
• Approved minutes of July 20, 2026 meetings (unanimous)

City Council

The agenda consists of procedural boilerplate for a pre-council meeting. The session includes administrative reports and committee updates.

The Ashtabula City Council held a pre-council meeting on August 3, 2026, reviewing several ordinances for future consideration, including a Ford Maverick purchase, supplemental appropriations, a General Fund reserve policy, and a prior-service credit for a city employee. No formal votes were taken; all items are scheduled for the regular meeting on August 17. Council also discussed a tax abatement request for a new residential construction on E. 15th Street, with some members expressing opposition.

• Reviewed ordinance for $28,995 Ford Maverick purchase from AM Ford for Planning Dept (no vote)
• Reviewed ordinance for $35,000 supplemental appropriation to Roads/Public Works Fund (no vote)
• Reviewed ordinance enacting General Fund Reserve Policy with 2-month minimum balance (no vote)
• Reviewed ordinance granting prior-service credit to Victim Advocate Emily Bussanich (no vote)
• Discussed tax abatement for E. 15th Street project; no action taken
• Scheduled work session on Thriving Communities Commission before Aug. 17 meeting

Public Works/Public Utilities/Cable/Schools Committee

The committee will meet to receive reports from the City Manager, Water Pollution Control, and Public Works. No specific legislative actions or contracts are listed on the agenda.

The committee discussed a potential $9,000/month lease for a split rear loader truck for combined refuse and recycling collection, and considered issuing a separate bid for sidewalk replacement on Collins Boulevard after a $130,000 change order. The city manager noted the paving levy yields about $800,000 annually, while a full rebuild of Lake Avenue would cost over $2 million. No formal votes or approvals were taken; all items were informational or discussed.

• No formal votes or approvals were taken during the meeting.
• Discussed potential lease of a split rear loader truck at $9,000/month for combined refuse and recycling collection.
• Discussed issuing a separate bid for sidewalk replacement on Collins Boulevard after a $130,000 change order.
• Noted that the city's annual paving levy yields approximately $800,000, while a full Lake Avenue rebuild would cost over $2 million.
• Heard that the EPA raised questions about mixing zone study data for the Outfall Relocation Project; response being prepared by Amendola.
• Heard that the lateral push camera was damaged and will cost about $6,000 to repair versus $15,000 to replace.
• Heard that the county completed striping on multiple corridors using six barrels of white paint; one additional barrel ordered for touch-ups.
• Heard that the next round of tree removal was approved by Council and contractor work is pending.

City Council

The City Council will meet to receive administrative and committee reports. The agenda includes time for the discussion of new business, proposed legislation, and legislation on second reading.

Council approved committee reassignments prompted by the resignation of Ward 1 Councilor Kym Foglio, with Vice President Russell Simeone moving to the Community Development/Economic Development/Parks & Recreation Committee and Ward 4 Councilor Jodi Mills moving to Finance and Personnel. Council also approved a resolution to honor retired Assistant Finance Director Carolyn Sheldon. No ordinances were voted on; several were presented for future consideration, including a $23 million wastewater loan application and a CRA tax abatement for a residential project.

• Approved committee reassignments (5-1, Holman nay)
• Approved resolution honoring Carolyn Sheldon (unanimous)

City Council

Ashtabula City Council will vote on contracts for tree removal and the disposal of obsolete vehicles. The body is also discussing a loan agreement for wastewater facilities and updates to ordinances regarding tobacco sales to persons under 21.

• Ordinance 2026-131: Contract with Brobst Tree & Stump Service for tree removal
• Ordinance 2026-132: Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) agreement for wastewater facilities
• Ordinance 2026-133: Disposal of obsolete and unneeded vehicles
• Ordinance 2026-134: Repeal of tobacco sale penalties for persons under 21 to impose new fines and license suspension criteria
• Ordinance 2026-135: Adoption of new codified ordinance chapter regarding tobacco sales to persons under 21

Council unanimously passed three ordinances: a $23 million Water Pollution Control Loan Fund agreement for wastewater treatment plant work, a contract for tree removal, and disposal of obsolete vehicles. A first reading was held on updated tobacco/vaping penalties for retailers, with fines increasing up to $1,000 and possible license suspension on fourth offense. No votes were opposed on any action.

• Approved $23M WPCLF loan for wastewater treatment plant (6-0)
• Approved contract with Brobst Tree & Stump Service for tree removal (6-0)
• Approved disposal of obsolete vehicles round 3 (6-0)
• First reading of ordinance increasing tobacco/vaping retailer fines (6-0)