Ashtabula City Council set to vote on wastewater loan, tree removal contract; recent meetings remain without published minutes
Ashtabula residents are awaiting confirmation of several pending City Council actions — including adoption of a county hazard mitigation plan and approval of the 2027 tax budget — after a stretch of meetings where minutes have not yet been published. Meanwhile, Council has scheduled votes for July 20 on a wastewater facility loan agreement and a tree removal contract.
Recent Meetings: Agendas Only, No Confirmed Votes
Four public meetings were held between July 6 and July 17, but all are listed as agenda-only with minutes not yet published. That means no outcomes, vote tallies, or dollar figures from those sessions can be confirmed at this time.
The July 6 City Council agenda included several notable items slated for consideration:
- **Resolution 2026-124**: Adoption of the Ashtabula County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- **Ordinance 2026-129**: Approval of the 2027 tax budget.
- **Ordinances 2026-127 and 2026-128**: Municipal court employee compensation and wages.
- **Ordinance 2026-121**: Disposal of obsolete vehicles, round 2.
- **Resolution 2026-122**: Repeal of a prior resolution on accessory structures over 200 square feet.
The agenda also listed renewing a prescription benefit consultant contract, purchasing recycling containers, authorizing HVAC repairs at the Annex Building, and continuing public hearings on ordinances removing background check requirements for certain permits. None of these outcomes are confirmed until minutes are published.
A separate pre-council meeting on July 6 included administrative reports from the city manager, finance director, solicitor, and clerk, plus committee reports from five standing committees. No votes were scheduled.
Safety Forces Committee (July 9)
The Safety Forces Committee agenda called for monthly statistical reports from the Police and Fire departments for June, along with updates from the city manager and city solicitor. Minutes are not yet published, so the specific statistics are not available in the record provided.
Finance & Personnel Committee (July 17)
The Finance & Personnel Committee was scheduled to review the Finance Director's Income Tax Report, Statement of Cash Position, and Revenue and Expense Reports. The committee also planned to discuss developing a policy on General Fund borrowing practices. No outcomes are confirmed.
Coming Up: July 20 Council Meetings
Two City Council sessions are scheduled for today, July 20.
A pre-council meeting will include administrative and committee reports, discussion of new business, proposed legislation, and legislation on second reading.
The regular Council meeting includes votes on five ordinances:
- **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 a new codified ordinance chapter regarding tobacco sales to persons under 21.
The wastewater loan agreement and tree removal contract are the items most likely to affect city finances and services. Residents interested in the tobacco sale ordinance changes — which would establish new fines and license suspension criteria — may also want to attend.
No additional meetings are listed in the record for the next 14 days beyond the July 20 sessions.