City of Tiffin

The council meeting addressed several operational and legislative matters. Key discussion topics included committee reports on recreation and public property projects, reports from city officers regarding Arbor Day planning, street paving projects, and energy aggregation programs. Financial matters were discussed, including budget amendments for police and fire department equipment. Additionally, the council discussed a proposed moratorium on the establishment or construction of data centers, with an opportunity for public comment regarding these facilities and their potential impact on the community.

The council reviewed committee reports concerning the Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) program, a temporary moratorium on data centers, and a farm lease agreement for city-owned land. Personnel matters were discussed including longevity pay and vacation policy adjustments for police and fire chiefs, as well as appointments to various boards and commissions. The council also addressed a property transfer for a memorial site, downtown development incentives, and administrative cleanup regarding definitions of full-time employment and benefit payouts. Additionally, the first public hearing regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was held, and the Mayor announced that Tiffin was named a 2025 Tree City USA.

The City Council meeting included committee reports, specifically regarding personnel appointments to various boards and commissions. The Mayor provided updates on water main break contacts and clarified the city's updated dog leash regulations. The council received an Auditor of State Award for financial transparency and passed a proclamation recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Additionally, a local student presented findings from a survey on dental health access and affordability within the county.

The Tiffin City Council meeting agenda included committee reports from Finance, Law & Community Planning, Materials & Equipment, Personnel & Labor Relations, Recreation & Public Property, Streets, Sidewalks & Sewers, and Economic Development & Downtown Planning. Officer reports were scheduled from the Mayor, Clerk of Council, Director of Finance, and Director of Law. Written communications included several Mayor's Requests for Legislation concerning tax incentive review recommendations, longevity pay for Police and Fire Chiefs, the CHIP Program 2026, appointments to various Boards and Commissions, a temporary moratorium on data centers, a farm lease agreement, and an appointment to the ADA Advisory Committee. The Finance Director also requested legislation to amend the 2026 Budget Ordinance and provided a letter regarding unclaimed funds. Pending legislation listed several Resolutions (2026-29 through 2026-36) primarily concerning appointments to various commissions and boards, such as the Thomas Connor Memorial Commission and the Julia M. Weller Memorial Commission. Ordinances listed included one amending codified ordinances for holiday pay (Ordinance 2026-13), one authorizing application for the NOPEC Energized Community Grant (Ordinance 2026-15), one adopting replacement pages for codified ordinances (Ordinance 2026-18), one accepting the dedication of a street extension (Ordinance 2026-19), and one amending the 2026 Budget Ordinance regarding City Hall funds (Ordinance 2026-20).

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, establishing a quorum. Committee reports were presented, with no reports from Finance, Community Planning, Materials and Equipment, Personnel and Labor Relations, Recreation and Public Property, or Street, Sidewalks, and Sewers committees, though a report was expected from Materials and Equipment. The Mayor provided an end-of-year review for 2025, thanking residents for passing the road and bridge levy, noting completed utility projects, ongoing EPA-mandated sewer work, downtown renovations (Gibson Hotel and East Tower), and strong local economy indicators. The Mayor also announced the continuation of the Citizens Police Academy. The Finance Director requested legislation to amend the 2026 budget ordinance to appropriate donations received by the Fire Department ($50 from G&P Shear) and the Parks and Recreation Department ($10,000 from Tiffen Community Foundation for a pump track and $1,000 for a memorial bench). The Law Director presented his annual report, detailing the significant workload of the municipal court prosecutor's office (handling hundreds of misdemeanor, OVI, and traffic cases), the lack of civil litigation, extensive real estate work including easements and land acquisition, and legislative activity (110 ordinances and 51 resolutions). Future plans for the law office include updating codified ordinances, developing a welcome packet for new council members, and potentially hiring an intern instead of a part-time prosecutor. The City Administrator praised the Law Director's performance. Several Mayor's requests for legislation were assigned to committees, including those concerning a Juneteenth holiday, sewer projects, easements for a fieldhouse, and board appointments. Two resolutions were passed: Resolution 2026-1 reappointing the Clerk of Council, and Resolution 2026-2 appointing John Hayes as President Pro Tempore due to a vacancy. Resolution 2026-3, authorizing the sale of municipally-owned personal property via internet auction during 2026, was introduced, suspended its reading rule, and passed.