Kevin Held

The regular meeting commenced with the swearing-in of four newly elected council members and one reelected City Treasurer. Key legislative actions included the first reading and subsequent passage of an emergency ordinance authorizing the City of Fremont to accept and deposit Adult-Use Cannabis Tax Revenue from the State of Ohio into the general fund. Additionally, the council reviewed and passed two other emergency ordinances: one authorizing the donation of city-owned real property that no longer serves a municipal purpose to the Sandusky County Land Reutilization Corporation, and another donating city-owned property to Sandusky County Habitat for Humanity for the benefit of citizens. A citizen thanked council for street improvements, and the meeting concluded after comments from council and elected officials.

The special meeting involved the second reading of a resolution concerning the application for and receipt of Ohio Brownfield Remediation Funds for the city-owned property located at 223 N. Prospect Street (Clauss Cutlery). This resolution designated the city as the lead applicant and authorized the Mayor and/or Safety Service Director to execute necessary application documents and certification. A motion to suspend rule 4 and a motion to adopt the resolution both passed with six affirmative votes.

The key discussion point was the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the expenditure and directing the Safety Service Director to enter into a contract not to exceed $2,351,032.21 with Underground Utilities for the San-CR-19 Oak Harbor Road Project, which was declared an emergency. The meeting also included time for Council Comments, Committee Comments, and Public Comments.

The regular meeting addressed several first readings of ordinances, including one to amend appropriations across General Fund 101 and Water Operating Fund 510, another concerning the inclusion of certain ordinances into the Codified Ordinances of Fremont, Ohio, and one authorizing a contract with Midwest Compost, Inc. for sludge disposal. Council also considered an ordinance for temporary appropriations for the 2026 Fiscal Year (January 1 through March 31) and a resolution to apply for Ohio Brownfield Remediation Funds for the property at 223 N. Prospect Street. Discussions included scheduling a special meeting for a specific agenda item, the status of the temporary budget pending a permanent one by year-end, progress on the Industrial Park promotion in investment guides, the start of construction on a new hotel and the Fremont Federal Credit Union project, and remembrance of recently deceased community members.

The meeting included a presentation from the Executive Director of Mental Health and Recovery Services detailing local fund receipts and expenditures for the Fremont Connections Project and Sandusky County Task. Key actions included the reappointment of Jason Jennifer to the Board of Zoning Appeals for five years. Council passed several ordinances on third reading: amending appropriations within General Fund 101, Water Operating Fund 510, and declaring an emergency; approving the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances into the Codified Ordinances, including updates to Traffic and Fire Prevention Codes; authorizing a contract with Midwest Compost, Inc. for sludge disposal; and making temporary appropriations for the 2026 Fiscal Year (January 1 through March 31). Additionally, ordinances regarding the pay scale for part-time employees and pay increases for non-union employees were passed on second reading, both under suspension of rules. First readings and subsequent approvals were given for an ordinance authorizing a fund transfer and another amending appropriations across multiple funds. Finally, a resolution adopting a cybersecurity program for the City was adopted.