[0:00] Mr. Wojo, roll call. Dokes. >> Here.

[0:02] » Oberdorf. >> Here.

[0:03] » Echo. >> Here.

[0:05] » Tinney. >> Here.

[0:06] » Owen. >> Here.

[0:07] » Skoczylas. >> Here.

[0:08] » Reynolds. >> Here.

[0:12] » Is there a motion to approve the minutes for the April 13th, 2026

[0:17] regular council meeting? >> Second.

[0:21] » All those in favor of approving the minutes of April the 13th, please say

[0:24] aye. >> Aye.

[0:25] » Any opposed?

[0:29] Is there a motion to approve the agenda for the April 27th, 2026 regular council

[0:34] meeting? >> Motion to amend the agenda to add zoning

[0:38] and facilities minutes. >> Second.

[0:42] » All those in favor of accepting the agenda as amended, please say aye.

[0:46] » Aye. >> Any opposed?

[0:49] Okay. Committee reports, public safety.

[0:52] » Thank you. Uh public safety met Monday, April 20th. Uh meeting started at 5:00,

[0:58] we ended at 5:35. In attendance was myself, Zach Owen, Larry Oberdorf, uh

[1:03] Allison Murray, and Chief Revell. Uh police department, they're continuing to

[1:08] address concerns over the e-bikes. Uh officers are trying to educate riders

[1:12] regarding safety. E-bikes are allowed on sidewalks as they are not being

[1:16] throttled as long as they're being used as a pedal bike. The uh marina flood

[1:20] camera is still waiting approval for Edison to use the pole for mounting. The

[1:25] company contacted Edison, no reply replied back. Uh Allison was going to

[1:29] reach out to Edison. Going to discuss some extra patrol for

[1:33] the marina area, Jennings Road area with more activity at the park with the uh

[1:38] improving weather conditions. Discussed setting a hard close time for basketball

[1:42] park area at the marina. Recommended parks facilities review closing times.

[1:49] Uh Allison was going to reach out to uh that committee to notify them.

[1:53] Uh fire department didn't have anybody there, but we discussed as a group uh

[1:57] the new chief vehicle not being any type of markings on them.

[2:01] Committee feels for representation and safety vehicles should have some type of

[2:05] identifying markings. We're going to discuss that further with the fire

[2:08] department. >> Okay.

[2:13] Zoning. >> Zoning committee meeting minute meeting

[2:17] minutes, sorry about that. April 14th, 2026 5:30 p.m. Members present, Bob

[2:24] Toth, Rachel Tinney, Mark Sakowski, Rob McConaughey, Jennifer Abner.

[2:29] One, noxious weed ordinance RMC 555-01. Committee recommends updating section

[2:36] 555.01 to align with the current state of Ohio

[2:40] law. The state revises its list of noxious weeds every 5 years while the

[2:45] city's current code specifies a fixed list.

[2:49] This discrepancy creates potential conflicts with Ohio Department of

[2:52] Agriculture regulations under Ohio administrative code

[2:56] 901.5-37. Updating the ordinance to reference the

[3:01] state's definition will ensure ongoing compliance. This recommendation has been

[3:05] forwarded to Mr. Heben for legal review. You'll see it on the agenda for today.

[3:10] And the committee wants to thank Mr. McConaughey for his work on that matter.

[3:15] Short-term rental ordinance, um this would be Airbnbs, verbos. The committee

[3:19] has submitted a draft ordinance regulating short-term rentals.

[3:23] Mr. Heben to Mr. Heben for review. The proposed ordinance would address things

[3:27] like ownership requirements, inspection standards, enforcement provisions.

[3:32] The committee anticipates the final draft to city council in the near

[3:35] future. Want to thank Mr. Sakowski for his

[3:38] contribution. The next will be data center zoning

[3:41] classification. The committee felt the need to address the subject due to the

[3:45] feedback from the committee of the whole meeting that took place on March 23rd,

[3:49] 2026. The committee recommends that council

[3:53] council consider designating data centers as special use under RMC 1132.02

[4:00] and review refer the proposed amendment to the planning commission for review

[4:04] and recommendation. This would create create a new permitted

[4:08] use category for data centers and require a zoning text change to chapter

[4:12] 1132.02. This change would strengthen the zoning

[4:17] code and keep it current for changing times.

[4:20] The committee would like to state this proposal does not promote or oppose data

[4:24] centers. Instead, it ensures that such a use is proposed in the near future. The

[4:29] city of Rockford has a clear legally sound process to evaluate it on a

[4:33] case-by-case basis with appropriate safeguards in place. I have attached

[4:38] kind of what we were looking at with the data centers. Right now, M1, M2,

[4:43] manufacturing heavy and light, and planned one industrial.

[4:46] Um, you could see that maybe a data center could use

[4:50] be used under permitted use there. Um, it creates a little ambiguity and

[4:54] limits the city's ability to apply targeted standards or oversight.

[4:59] We don't feel exclusionary zoning is the way to go. We don't think that number

[5:03] one is probably legal. Um, cause so many legal challenges and appeals and places

[5:08] have a right to go where zoning is permitted.

[5:12] For these reasons, many communicate communities regulate data centers

[5:15] through specific standards and review processes rather than outright bans.

[5:20] So, proposed zoning solution to strengthen the city's zoning code and

[5:24] maintain control, the zoning committee recommends creating a defined land use

[5:28] category for data centers and designating it as a special use within

[5:33] the following districts. M1 light manufacturing, M2 heavy manufacturing,

[5:38] and PI planned industrial. This would require zoning text amendment

[5:42] to chapter 1132.02 matrix of permitted and special land

[5:47] uses.

[5:50] Special use designation means the use is not automatically permitted but may be

[5:55] approved if it meets specific criteria, undergoes review by the planning

[5:58] commission and city council. This approaches allows flexibility while

[6:03] ensuring appropriate oversight. You could ask for things like closed loop

[6:07] cooling systems, pre-treatment of any coolant discharge unless existing

[6:11] capacity is a fit um sufficient, implement implementation of noise

[6:16] migration, sound barrier walls, energy requirements including a minimum

[6:20] percentage from renewable resources and long-term carbon reduction goals,

[6:24] evaluation of impacts on public safety services, EMS, fire, police,

[6:29] infrastructure and the environment. Maybe something like a decommissioning

[6:33] bond or surety to ensure the city is protected if a data center leaves. And

[6:37] of course anything additional conditions as determined by the review process.

[6:41] This allows the city to address infrastructure demands, environmental

[6:44] impacts and community compatibility. And then just below is the steps that

[6:49] required. So tonight I'm going to ask for a motion that we send this to the

[6:53] planning commission for their um recommendation.

[7:00] » Kevin, they just need a second and and a

[7:04] » And a vote. It doesn't have to be in writing or anything.

[7:07] » Second. >> Do I have to go to the audience?

[7:11] » I do not. >> Okay.

[7:13] » Um

[7:16] voice voice vote >> I would do a voice vote.

[7:20] » Just >> I'm sorry, individually.

[7:22] » Individually. >> Okay, vote on the motion to refer uh the

[7:26] data center zoning amendment to the planning

[7:29] commission. Uh

[7:31] Tinney? >> I.

[7:33] » Eckel? >> I.

[7:34] » Oberdorf? >> I.

[7:35] » Toth? >> I.

[7:37] » Reynolds? >> I.

[7:38] » Stotsenburg? >> I.

[7:39] » Owen? >> I.

[7:42] » Thank you. Um again, this is not to say we're opposed or against. We just want

[7:45] the city to have some say, be transparent, not be in the position of

[7:51] what's going on in these other communities who didn't have a chance to

[7:54] be proactive about it. We have a chance to be proactive. That's all. Our next

[7:58] meeting is May 12th, 2026 at the Mark G. Zukowski Safety and Planning Building at

[8:02] 5:30 p.m. Thank you. >> Okay.

[8:06] Uh I'm going to give my time and Allison's time to

[8:09] » the same thing. >> You got

[8:11] » the same thing. >> Parks Recreation Facilities.

[8:12] » Oh. My apologies.

[8:17] » The Parks Facilities and Marina Committee met April 23rd, 2026 at 3:00

[8:22] p.m. In attendance were Bob Toth, Rachel Tinney, Brenda Reynolds, Carrie

[8:26] McConaughey, Toby Ledesma, Chief Greg Revell, and Jennifer Havener.

[8:31] Marina Security. A security camera with panoramic view and surveillance sign

[8:36] will be installed in the park to improve marina security. We are just waiting for

[8:40] Toledo Edison to agree to wire it in via their pole.

[8:43] That's Park Basketball Courts. The Police Department continues to receive

[8:47] complaints about behavior at the basketball courts. Because the courts

[8:50] are grant-funded and in a public park, they are subject to certain rules and

[8:54] cannot be closed when the park is open, nor can they be restricted to certain

[8:57] groups. The committee discussed increasing police presence to monitor

[9:01] activity and encourages people to call the non-emergency number if they see

[9:05] anything that is illegal or disorderly. Marina Sign Replacements. Signs have

[9:10] been replaced in the marina and boaters are encouraged to contact the committee

[9:13] if they see any others that need to be replaced. The pump-out station is fully

[9:18] functional and ready for the boating season and it has a card reader for easy

[9:22] payment. Indian Ridge Tot Lot Playground. Results from the park survey

[9:26] showed that tot lots are still being used and Indian Ridge is the most

[9:30] popular. A new structure was ordered and is being paid for in part with grant

[9:34] funds secured by Mr. Ledesma, which should arrive in the fall. A path will

[9:38] also be constructed on the site for accessibility.

[9:42] Repairs to the rec center, the showers in the locker rooms required repairs to

[9:46] the pipes and will be done over the summer. In lieu of replacing the entire

[9:49] shower system, the pipes will be accessed through a hole in the wall and

[9:53] paneling will cover it once it is done to ensure future access.

[9:57] Pedestrian hybrid beacons, the bases for the beacons are currently being

[10:01] installed with staging at the Rite Aid building. Once the poles arrive, the

[10:04] project will be completed. Clark Drive hotel sign, the sign is

[10:09] finished and the hotel logos were installed on 422.

[10:12] Public Works moved to Wales Road. Work continues on the building and once the

[10:17] variance has been received in writing from the building inspector, the the

[10:21] city will move forward with the lean-to portion of the build. Road closures and

[10:25] detours, ODOT is set to begin their bridge project over Grassy Creek on May

[10:29] 4th. The local detour will be Eagle Point to Colony Road and ODOT should be

[10:34] contacted with any questions. The meeting adjourned at 3:34 p.m.

[10:39] » The complaints about the basketball courts, according to the police

[10:44] department, we haven't had any and neither have

[10:48] the the marina guards who aren't on duty yet, but have been around there.

[10:52] » It sounds like it's a few of the >> I live I live there.

[10:55] » It sounds like it's a few of the same people who have concerns. So, the police

[11:01] just said that they're going to be cognizant of that as the weather gets

[11:04] nicer and more people will be using the park.

[11:07] » Interesting. Okay.

[11:11] » Kevin, with regards to

[11:16] says the park is open, are we allowed to change the times that

[11:20] it's open? If the park is open until 11:00, can we

[11:23] like Island View's open from to dusk to dawn till dusk?

[11:27] » Correct. >> Could we make that the same case for

[11:30] Vets? >> Absolutely. We actually have that in

[11:32] place now. >> Yeah, I think I think that's what the

[11:34] signs say. >> Yeah, we haven't had issues with the

[11:37] basketball courts in about 5 years. >> I don't know. I've been down there and

[11:41] have had have seen some things that I wouldn't

[11:45] be happy with, so. >> Yeah, same.

[11:47] » Well. >> Well, you got to believe what you're

[11:49] what you see or what you're told. >> I I see it cuz I'm I live right there.

[11:55] » I understand that, but there's a lot of other people that do as well. That see

[11:59] things. I'm not

[12:01] opening for an argument. I'm just saying.

[12:05] » Okay. Beth.

[12:11] » Hi everybody. Uh Mayor, council members, I want to

[12:15] thank you for your continued support of the Rossford Convention and Visitors

[12:18] Bureau. We truly appreciate your partnership. Um I provided a few things

[12:23] to you, um some information for sponsorships and uh vendor opportunities

[12:28] for the Balloon & Fireworks Fest. And if you know anyone, companies, and

[12:32] individuals you want to share those with, I'd appreciate that.

[12:35] Um So, our role is simple. Uh bring outside

[12:40] dollars into Rossford, and I think that we're showing that that's working. In

[12:44] 2025, um the hotel uh revenue uh was nearly $900,000,

[12:51] and that's a 15% increase, and that's the total. Our portion of that is a

[12:55] quarter of that, so uh just over $220,000

[12:59] that the CVB received, which is a 15% increase over 2024. So, it exceeded our

[13:04] expectations and our budget. Um Even more importantly, that visitor

[13:09] spending saved the average Rossford household about $319 last year by

[13:13] helping fund city services. Um we're also driving real activity in

[13:18] the community with events like the Balloon & Fireworks Fest and Stroll the

[13:21] Street that brought in a lot of people last year. If you were there on Friday

[13:25] night at the Balloon & Fireworks Fest, you know we quite a crowd, more than we

[13:28] even anticipated. We had a little rain on Saturday, so it was a little bit

[13:32] later, but hopefully we'll have a great weekend this year. If you're not aware,

[13:36] we are moving the event location. Um we were not able to get the field uh

[13:42] behind Meijer between Toca and All These again because it had to be planted.

[13:46] There's a huge tax increase if it wasn't planted

[13:50] this year um for the property owners. Uh six figures, I'm told, because they go

[13:55] back 3 years to assess that uh difference. So, we are going to be at

[14:01] the intersection at the light at Bass Pro's main entrance in the southeast

[14:05] corner. So, it's across from um the Tractor Murphy Tractor in that in

[14:11] that location. So, we've been working with all the uh people on Bass Pro

[14:15] Boulevard there to secure parking for for our VIPs and our volunteers,

[14:21] vendors, and so forth. Um I think it's going to be a great

[14:23] location. You know, it's a lot of logistics changes, but we're heading out

[14:27] there tomorrow to kind of go over a lot of the things that will be

[14:31] needed to go over. Um

[14:33] we're already getting a lot of very positive feedback for the event. I've

[14:37] actually got a bus coming from Michigan, a bus full of people coming. I've

[14:41] already got a bus next year that wants to come from Minneapolis. So, tour

[14:45] groups coming in for that that event. Um we've got over 50 bus tours coming to

[14:51] our hotels already scheduled for this year. So, that's exciting news.

[14:56] Um and at the same time our and that and that also provides, you know, not only

[15:00] people staying in our hotels, but they're dining in our restaurants and

[15:03] supporting local businesses. Um at the same time we've generated over

[15:08] 43 million impressions with our advertising and marketing dollars last

[15:12] year uh putting Rossford in front of potential visitors across the region.

[15:17] Uh so, I believe tourism is working for Rossford. It's growing our economy,

[15:21] supporting our businesses, and enhancing quality of life for the residents. Um

[15:26] I also provided you with This is a coloring book that the America 250 Wood

[15:31] County Committee put together. We've got a

[15:34] uh ad on the back for the Balloon & Fireworks Fest. This was uh distributed

[15:38] to all the elementary schools in the county, and then it's also being

[15:41] distributed for uh various events throughout the summer. Um we'll be

[15:46] distributing it at Stroll the Street, and if any are left, we'll distribute

[15:49] them at the Balloon & Fireworks Fest. The other piece of information I gave

[15:54] you is the full um annual report, which I'm going to let

[15:58] you take your time to go through and enjoy. And um once again, I thank you

[16:03] for your support and leadership. Um Rossford is not just a place that people

[16:08] pass through, it's a place that they choose to visit, stay, and return to,

[16:12] and we appreciate your continued partnership as we build on this

[16:16] momentum. Thank you.

[16:19] » Thank you, Beth. >> One question, Beth.

[16:21] » Yes. >> Stroll the Street starts when?

[16:23] » Oh, Stroll the Street starts uh the day after Memorial Day, which is May 26th.

[16:28] It goes for 12 weeks till August 11th. Thank you.

[16:32] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[16:36] » Okay, Mr. Watson, any correspondence? >> None.

[16:39] » Introduction of ordinances. Is there a motion to read ordinance 2026-31

[16:46] by title only? >> So moved.

[16:48] » I'll second. >> All those in favor of reading by title

[16:52] only, please say I. >> I.

[16:53] » Any opposed? 26-31

[16:57] is an ordinance authorizing the repeal of Rossford Municipal Code Section

[17:02] 555.01, requirement to cut weeds, and enacting a

[17:07] new Rossford Municipal Code Section 555.01,

[17:11] requirement to cut weeds, and declaring an emergency. This is a first reading.

[17:16] » Can Kevin, do you know the difference between our previous ordinance and this

[17:20] one? >> Yes, so if council looks at the first

[17:23] section there >> Mhm.

[17:24] » section one um

[17:26] 012 is what we have now.

[17:30] And if you look at the next page, 012 is changed from defining it to referencing

[17:36] the Ohio Department of Agriculture. I thought you were going to ask me if I

[17:40] know what a Russian thistle is. I >> They change the list every 5 years. They

[17:45] can update it every 5 years. >> So it changes the definition of noxious

[17:50] weeds to reference the revised administrative code.

[17:55] » Okay. Um

[17:58] » Move suspension of the second and third readings.

[18:00] » Second. >> Does anyone in the audience would have a

[18:03] problem with us passing this this evening or any questions in regards to

[18:06] it? No.

[18:09] » All those in favor of suspending with the second and third reading, please say

[18:13] I. >> I.

[18:14] » Any opposed? >> Move to declare an emergency.

[18:18] » Second. >> Second.

[18:21] » All those in favor of declaring an emergency, please say I.

[18:24] » I. >> Any opposed?

[18:26] » Move adoption. >> Second.

[18:28] » Vote on the motion to adopt ordinance 2026-31.

[18:33] Echo? >> I.

[18:34] » Tinney? >> I.

[18:35] » Owen? >> I.

[18:36] » Startzman Bach? >> I.

[18:37] » Reynolds? >> I.

[18:38] » Toth? >> I.

[18:39] » Oberdorf? >> I.

[18:42] » Is there a motion to read ordinance 2026-32

[18:45] by title only? >> So

[18:47] » Second. >> All those in favor of reading by title

[18:51] only, please say I. >> I.

[18:53] » Any opposed? 2026-32

[18:56] is an ordinance authorizing the city administrator to work in conjunction

[19:01] with the Rossford Convention and Visitors Bureau on the balloon and

[19:04] fireworks event and declaring an emergency. This is a first reading.

[19:10] Caroline? >> Move suspension of the second and third

[19:13] readings. >> Second.

[19:14] Is anyone in the audience who would have a problem with us passing this this

[19:17] evening or any questions in regards to it?

[19:20] No. All those in favor of suspending with

[19:24] the second and third reading, please say I.

[19:26] » I. >> Any opposed?

[19:28] » Move to declare an emergency. >> Second.

[19:31] » All those in favor of declaring an emergency, please say I.

[19:34] » I. >> Any opposed?

[19:36] » Move adoption. >> Second.

[19:39] » Vote on the motion to adopt ordinance 2026-32.

[19:43] Echo? >> I.

[19:44] » Oberdorf? >> I.

[19:45] » Toth? >> I.

[19:46] » Reynolds? >> I.

[19:47] » Stotsombach? >> I.

[19:49] » Owen? >> I.

[19:50] » Tinney? >> I.

[19:52] » Is there a motion to read ordinance 2026-33

[19:56] by title only? >> So moved.

[19:58] » Second.

[20:03] » All those in favor of reading by title only, please say I.

[20:06] » I. >> Any opposed?

[20:09] 2026-33 is an ordinance approving the purchase

[20:13] of sodium chloride rock salt under the agreement with the Ohio Department of

[20:18] Transportation for the winter contract 018-26

[20:23] and declaring an emergency. This is a first reading.

[20:27] Any Go ahead, Chris. >> This This authorizes the city to

[20:31] purchase up to 1,000 tons of rock salt for the 2026-2027

[20:38] season, next plowing next plowing year. >> Move to suspend with the second and

[20:42] third reading. >> Second.

[20:44] » Is anyone in the audience who would have a problem with us passing this this

[20:48] evening or any questions in regards to it?

[20:50] No. All those in favor of suspending with

[20:53] the second and third reading, please say I.

[20:55] » I. >> Any opposed?

[20:58] » Move to declare an emergency. >> Second.

[21:02] » All those in favor of declaring an emergency, please say I.

[21:05] » I. >> Any opposed?

[21:07] Motion to um

[21:11] approve. >> Second.

[21:14] » Vote on the motion to adopt ordinance 2026-33.

[21:18] Owen. >> I.

[21:19] » Tinney. >> I.

[21:20] » Eckel. >> I.

[21:21] » Oberdorf. >> I.

[21:23] » Toth. >> I.

[21:24] » Reynolds. >> I.

[21:25] » Stautzenbach. >> I.

[21:27] » Is there a motion to read resolution 2026-11

[21:31] by title only? >> So moved.

[21:33] » Second. >> All those in favor of reading by title

[21:37] only, please say I. >> I.

[21:39] » Any opposed? 2026-11

[21:42] is a resolution naming 155 Superior Street, Rossford, Wood County, Ohio the

[21:48] Carolyn Ross Connection Hub. This is a first reading.

[21:52] » I was wondering if it would be possible to change it to connection point.

[21:56] Are we able to do that? >> If there's a motion to amend,

[21:59] absolutely. >> Okay. I would make a motion to amend it

[22:02] to Carolyn Ross Connection Point. >> Second.

[22:06] » Who seconded it? >> Carolyn.

[22:08] » Okay.

[22:10] Vote on the motion to amend um 2026-11

[22:15] changing hub to point. Uh Reynolds.

[22:19] » I. >> Stautzenbach.

[22:20] » I. >> Owen.

[22:21] » I. >> Tinney.

[22:23] » I. >> Eckel.

[22:24] » I. >> Oberdorf.

[22:25] » I. >> Toth.

[22:26] » I.

[22:36] » So >> Suspend with the second and third.

[22:40] » Motion to suspend with the second and third reading.

[22:42] » Second. >> Is there anyone in the audience who

[22:45] would have a problem with us passing this this evening or any questions in

[22:49] regards to it? >> I think Mrs. Sikorski had a little bit

[22:52] to say about Carolyn Ross. >> Okay. I was going to save it for last,

[22:57] but get it over with. Um

[23:01] Mayor, Council, you know, when you see me it's usually because I want

[23:05] something. But I'll try and uh

[23:09] sell you on this idea. Brenda and I talked about

[23:13] the park and I agree Carrie Rossford

[23:18] played very important part here in Rossford.

[23:21] Even though she kept herself kind of low-key and didn't make a big thing

[23:26] about the things that she did accomplish here.

[23:30] She well deserved a park named after her. We've kind of always made the fuss

[23:35] over Edward, but Edward would not be Edward if it weren't for, you know

[23:41] the thing about the women in the back of the good men.

[23:45] Um She

[23:48] married Edward she at the age of 19 and he'd already been married and his wife

[23:54] had died with in childbirth leaving two small children behind. So when Carrie

[24:00] married Edward she raised those children as her own and

[24:05] she loved them and she was a good mother to them. Then when they got older she

[24:09] did get active in the community and the things that came up, but she didn't make

[24:13] a fuss about it. She didn't need a headline. She just did what needed to be

[24:18] done. But she did one of the biggest things

[24:21] here that few people know about. Um Edward loved band music.

[24:27] He'd have this big band show up in his yard in this beautiful neighborhood on a

[24:35] Sunday blasting this music and Carrie finally said, "Look

[24:40] the neighbors don't like this." So she got an idea of building a

[24:45] building here in Rossford. That very building became

[24:49] the Ford Club. It's one of the few buildings that

[24:53] really is still strong and standing and it's absolute Look at Look at the

[24:58] history behind that building. She never took credit for it, but in the

[25:02] history that I've read about her, she deserves credit for that because had

[25:07] it not been for her trying to save

[25:11] the neighborhood and wanting to give her some her husband

[25:15] a nice gift, she deserves credit for that.

[25:19] So, even when we were doing the Centennial

[25:24] she was only meant She may be slightly because the whole show was about Edward.

[25:28] But, I think now is the time and I talked to Brenna about this. Um

[25:34] I think it's time for us to give her a little credit where credit's due.

[25:38] And I loved the thought of naming a park after her and this shouldn't be the only

[25:42] thing we should do. I think she's got a little more

[25:46] coming to her. But, um

[25:50] I will give you I'd like to give you the history. Here's some of the history you

[25:54] could read on her on your own. And

[25:57] » Oh, Brenna gave us this. >> Brenna gave us that.

[25:59] » Brenna gave us that. >> Pardon?

[26:01] » Brenna Yeah, mhm.

[26:03] » How about on that side? >> Yep.

[26:05] » We're good. >> Okay. So, there's her picture.

[26:11] May I have close to the picture? >> You sure can. I got one also.

[26:15] » Judy. >> Well, yours was supposed to be the

[26:16] yellow one. >> The yellow one? Okay. Is it different?

[26:20] » It is. >> Judy.

[26:22] No, no. I'm just kidding. Is it different than this one?

[26:24] » Yeah, I think you can take it and see this.

[26:26] » Take the bears. >> Of course, this was done a very, very

[26:29] long time ago. We have to give credit where credit's

[26:32] due. Um

[26:34] I also had one more little tiny favor to ask.

[26:38] We can't go every 5 years and have a big event for Edward Ford. I think we ought

[26:44] to really name August 28th as Edward Ford Day because that's the day that

[26:51] they turned over the first spade of dirt to build Libbey Owens Ford.

[26:56] And um it's kind of nice to keep that

[27:00] out there and give us one more reason to celebrate something. And I think it's

[27:04] good for Rossford. It's good for the community and it's good for the kids.

[27:09] So, August 28th, I would love to see that named permanently Edward Ford Day.

[27:15] Okay? >> Okay.

[27:16] » Thank you for listening. Thank you, Brianna, for getting me wound up about

[27:20] this. >> Thank you.

[27:22] » Okay, I believe we have a first and a second. Is anyone in the audience would

[27:26] have a problem with us passing this this evening?

[27:29] » That was Judy. We already did that. I'm just asking if there's anybody else

[27:32] in here. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay.

[27:34] » Uh all those in favor of suspending with the second and third reading, please say

[27:38] I. >> I.

[27:39] » Any opposed?

[27:42] » Motion to adopt resolution 2026-11. >> Second.

[27:48] » Vote on the motion to adopt resolution 2026-11.

[27:52] Reynolds? >> I.

[27:53] » Stautzenbach? >> I.

[27:55] » Owen? >> I.

[27:56] » Kinney? >> I.

[27:57] » Eckel? >> I.

[27:58] » Obendorf? >> I.

[27:59] » Tove? >> I.

[28:02] » Is there a motion to read resolution 2026-12

[28:07] by title only? >> So moved.

[28:09] » Second. >> All those in favor of reading by title

[28:13] only, please say I. >> I.

[28:14] » Any opposed? 2026-12

[28:17] is a resolution authorizing participation in the ODOT road salt

[28:22] contract for winter salt contract O18-26 declaring an emergency. This is a first

[28:29] reading.

[28:32] » Move to suspend the second and third reading of resolution

[28:35] 2026-12. >> Second.

[28:39] » Does anyone in the audience have a problem with us passing this this

[28:42] evening or any questions in regards to it?

[28:45] No. All those in favor of suspending with

[28:48] the second and third reading, please say I.

[28:50] » I. >> Any opposed?

[28:52] » Move to declare resolution 2026-12 an emergency measure.

[28:56] » Second. >> All those in favor of declaring an

[28:59] emergency, please say I. >> I.

[29:01] » Any opposed? >> Move for adoption.

[29:04] » Second. >> Vote on the motion to adopt resolution

[29:08] 2026-12. Oberdorf.

[29:10] » I. >> Eckel.

[29:11] » I. >> Tinney.

[29:12] » I. >> Owen.

[29:13] » I. >> Stotsenbach.

[29:14] » I. >> Wells.

[29:15] » I. >> Toth.

[29:16] » I. >> Is there a motion to approve resolution

[29:20] 2026-13 by title only?

[29:24] » So moved. >> Second.

[29:27] » All those in favor of reading it by title only, please say I.

[29:30] » I. >> Any opposed?

[29:33] 2026-13 is a resolution to approve the mayor's

[29:37] appointment of Adrian Menarcin to the Board of Zoning Appeals and declaring an

[29:41] emergency. This is a first reading. >> Move to suspend with the second and

[29:46] third reading. >> Second.

[29:48] » Is there anyone in the audience who would have a problem with us passing

[29:51] this this evening or any questions in regards to it?

[30:01] » Diane Wolf, 264 Jennings. Uh may I ask why we have vacancies on the Zoning

[30:06] Appeals Board? >> Uh sometimes terms end and also

[30:11] sometimes people ask not to be uh

[30:13] » Well, I guess I'm asking more specifically not for sometimes, but why

[30:17] do we have vacancies? >> People's terms ended.

[30:21] They're set by the revised code. >> Okay, I'm just making sure that their

[30:24] term was up when they ended rather than just

[30:27] like I I want to know if somebody's leaving for a disc

[30:32] like a disagreement or whether somebody has chosen to leave, their life doesn't

[30:38] allow it anymore, their term was up, whatever. I'm just making sure.

[30:41] » No, I mean the are volunteers. >> Oh, I understand that. But volunteers

[30:46] can be let go. >> Um

[30:49] this administration has never let a volunteer go.

[30:51] » thank you. >> Not once.

[30:53] On any board.

[31:01] » Um All those in favor of suspending with

[31:04] the second and third reading, please say aye.

[31:06] » Aye. >> Any opposed?

[31:08] Move to declare an emergency. >> Second.

[31:11] » All those in favor of declaring an emergency, please say aye.

[31:14] » Aye. >> Any opposed?

[31:17] Move adoption. >> Second.

[31:20] » Vote on the motion to adopt resolution 2026-13.

[31:24] Owen? >> Aye.

[31:25] » Stotsonburg? >> Aye.

[31:26] » Reynolds? >> Aye.

[31:27] » Toth? >> Aye.

[31:29] » Oberdorf? >> Aye.

[31:30] » Eckel? >> Aye.

[31:31] » Tinney? >> Aye.

[31:33] » Is there a motion to read uh resolution 2026-14

[31:39] by title only? >> Move.

[31:41] » Second.

[31:46] » All those in favor of reading by title only, please say aye.

[31:49] » Aye. >> Any opposed?

[31:52] 2026-14 is a resolution to approve the mayor's

[31:55] appointment of Thomas Krulovic to the Board of Zoning Appeals and declaring an

[32:00] emergency.

[32:04] » Motion to suspend second and third reading.

[32:07] » Second. >> Is there anyone in the audience who

[32:10] would have a problem with us passing this this evening or any questions in

[32:14] regards to it? No.

[32:18] » All those in favor of suspending with the second and third reading, please say

[32:21] aye. >> Aye.

[32:22] » Any opposed? >> Motion to declare an emergency.

[32:26] » Second. >> All those in favor of declaring an

[32:30] emergency, please say aye. >> Aye.

[32:32] » Any opposed? Move adoption. >> Second.

[32:36] » Vote on the motion to adopt resolution 2026-14.

[32:41] Owen? >> Aye.

[32:41] » Stotsonburg? >> Aye.

[32:43] » Reynolds? >> Aye.

[32:44] » Tinney? >> Aye.

[32:45] » Eckel? >> Aye.

[32:46] » Oberdorf? >> Aye.

[32:47] » Toth? >> Aye.

[32:49] » Okay, council remarks. Councilman Toth? >> Nothing.

[32:53] » Councilman Oberdorf? >> I enjoyed attending the Arbor Day tree

[32:57] planting ceremony. It was a nice ceremony and I can

[33:01] thank the people that were involved in it.

[33:03] » All right. Councilwoman Eckel? >> Um

[33:06] Chief Revell, with the detours that go around town this summer,

[33:12] um I hope that the no semi trucks passing

[33:17] through town thing can be enforced. Um I know most of them will see the detour

[33:22] and follow it, but there'll be those guys that won't want to and it's just

[33:27] just dangerous to have those big trucks on the residential streets.

[33:30] Um secondly, I'd like to thank Daryl and public works. Um

[33:35] the fence that that's looks really nice on the playground side. Thank you.

[33:42] » Councilwoman Tinney? >> Nothing, thank you.

[33:45] » Councilman Owen? >> I'd like to commend our police

[33:48] department. Uh there was an individual who was not from Rossford that got very

[33:54] close to home when I came home from a baseball practice and found

[33:58] a vehicle in the yard next to us and the police apprehended that individual and

[34:03] it was a a scary situation and I wasn't home with my family at that time, so I

[34:07] commend them for their quick response and taking care of that bad situation.

[34:12] » Councilman Stotsonburg? >> Uh nothing.

[34:15] » Councilwoman Reynolds? >> I just want to give a huge shout out to

[34:18] Troop 62, um the scouts who did an awesome job

[34:23] cleaning up Island View Park. So, thank you to them for their work.

[34:28] » Okay, audience remarks.

[34:40] » This is not about data centers first, but my name is Brandon Elliott. I'm at

[34:43] 2652 Stanford Drive and Rossford special because I moved up here from Atlanta to

[34:49] join a startup company called Falcon Forge and I lived in Rossford at the

[34:53] True Hilton for 3 weeks. So I brought sport coats only and no

[34:58] jackets like an idiot. So I ended up going to the Bass Pro Shop that you guys

[35:02] have thank goodness and loaded up on Bass Pro and I'm made it through the

[35:06] winter. But what we do is we do tech pre-approved training

[35:12] for AI spoofing and teaching on on all sorts of uh

[35:16] dealings with AI in terms of AI safety and we're here in Toledo

[35:21] and it's at a net zero cost to city councils and townships and we're already

[35:25] working with Freedom, Spencers, Springfield, Monclova, and Swanton.

[35:31] And we also do House Bill 96 compliance with all of the budget requirements that

[35:36] came up. So we're new to Toledo. We'll be at the chamber tomorrow. I think

[35:40] Rossford chamber's meeting tomorrow. There's some kind of networking event.

[35:43] But I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Brandon Elliott. If you hear our

[35:46] name, see an email from me or whatever, we'll send you some information, but

[35:50] we'll come do briefings and tell y'all what's going on in neighboring townships

[35:53] with AI spoofing, which is pretty scary including townships as close to you as

[35:58] Springfield that have uh had attempts and and fortunately survived. But um um

[36:04] just all over Lucas County and Wood County and we're meeting with the city

[36:07] of Port Clinton tomorrow. So um that's what we do and I wanted to let y'all

[36:12] know who uh I am and like I said, Rossford was the first township I was in

[36:17] when I got to Toledo. I kind of didn't want to be exactly in Toledo and I came

[36:21] up and and I I enjoyed it, but thank you very

[36:24] much and um I wanted to give you this

[36:28] to the city administrator. Um, yes.

[36:31] » You should probably go over to to him. >> Okay. Yeah.

[36:34] » Is that all right to you guys? >> Sorry. Yeah.

[36:36] » And I appreciate your time. >> Thanks, Brandon. We appreciate you.

[36:39] » Excuse me. Do you have a card? Thank you.

[36:42] » Is there anyone else?

[36:52] » I'm Beverly Zapalski and I am a teacher, so I have handouts,

[36:58] council.

[37:02] » You're in trouble, Carolyn.

[37:10] » Hello, my name is Beverly Zapalski and I have lived at 3 Riverside Drive in

[37:16] Rossford for 30 years. I am here to let council know there's a

[37:21] spite fence next door to my house.

[37:26] The spite fence is on the property of 5 Riverside Drive.

[37:30] Spite fence is a recognized legal term in property law and civil litigation. It

[37:35] refers to a structure, including traditional fences or natural barriers,

[37:40] like a row of trees that is constructed or maintained with malicious intent

[37:46] to annoy or injure an adjoining neighbor.

[37:49] » I apologize. Can I have a copy?

[38:01] » Okay. Sorry. >> No, it's all right.

[38:04] » Um >> I got the wrong agenda this evening,

[38:07] too.

[38:10] » Okay. A spite fence return refers to a structure, including traditional fences

[38:15] or national natural barriers, like a row of trees that is constructed or

[38:19] maintained with malicious intent to annoy or injure an adjoining neighbor.

[38:25] Ohio does not have a statewide spite fence statute like the states of

[38:29] California or Washington, but cities such as Carrollton, Ohio, have sections

[38:34] ex explicitly titled spite fences. There

[38:38] are three typical reasons for spite fences: view obstruction, planting a row

[38:43] of trees specifically to block a neighbor's scenic view such as lakes or

[38:47] mountains, shadowing gardens, tall hedges that prevent a neighbor from

[38:52] growing a vegetable garden or enjoying sunlight in their yard, and retaliation,

[38:57] trees planted immediately after a dispute such as a disagreement at a

[39:02] zoning board meeting. On May 16th, 2022, my husband denied the property owner at

[39:09] 5 Riverside a fence permit to put up an 8-ft tall board-on-board fence,

[39:17] noting that only 42 in is allowed in the front yard and 6 ft in the back yard.

[39:23] And you can see that copy of the um zoning.

[39:27] This is when my neighbor started his retribution by planting the Green

[39:33] Giant Arborvitae. These are fast-growing trees that will grow to a mature size of

[39:38] 25 to 60 ft tall and 12 to 18 ft wide. I filed a complaint with the zoning

[39:46] office on April 13th, 2026, concerning the height of the hedges at 5 Riverside

[39:52] Drive. I have not received a response. The front yard has bushes up to 18 ft in

[39:58] the front where Rockford City Code only allows 42 in.

[40:03] It is important to note that there is a safety concern with the hedges blocking

[40:07] the vision of a driver backing out of the driveway and for a car traveling on

[40:12] Riverside to see the car exiting the driveway. In the back yard, the growth

[40:17] is 18 to 20 ft where Rossford city code requires a maximum of 6 ft.

[40:24] The total length of the hedge is about 370

[40:27] ft. This hedge fence is only on the east

[40:31] side of the property. There are more than a dozen bushes that

[40:36] are dead and have turned brown. Most of the bushes are so tall they are blocking

[40:40] sunlight to my garden and sections of the lawn under the tree canopy have

[40:46] turned to mud. It's a mess. I put up with this mess for 4 years and

[40:51] it is time the city code is enforced and the mess is cleaned up.

[40:56] I don't want to spend another summer looking at this mess instead of the

[41:00] sunset. This mess has only cause has not only

[41:04] caused damage to my property, but it is having a major impact on my property

[41:09] value and blocking the sunlight lowers the

[41:12] desirability of my home's market value. I heard that the property owner has been

[41:18] allowed to appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

[41:22] Allowing for someone who doesn't follow the rules

[41:26] uh to have a hearing is not fair and equal treatment, which is what the

[41:30] citizens of Rossford expect and deserve. Thank you for listening.

[41:36] I just wanted city council to be aware of my situation.

[41:40] » Thank you. This uh dispute was brought to my attention uh last week. Uh Law

[41:45] Director Heben knows about it. Kevin, do you want to

[41:48] » Sure. So So, your complaint was forwarded on to our compliance

[41:51] coordinator who went out and uh viewed the premises and talked to the neighbor

[41:56] um and then came back and reported to me um

[42:00] the neighbor indicated also that they felt there may be some

[42:04] zoning issues on on your property. Um so, I talked with our compliance

[42:10] coordinator last week. We decided that it's best to go out of city with this

[42:15] because the compliance coordinator works with your husband.

[42:19] Um and I think his your husband has talked to him about this situation. So,

[42:24] um we have engaged today um a independent uh zoning inspector.

[42:30] Um his name's Jacob Barnes. Um Jacob works as a zoning inspector part-time

[42:35] for a number a number of municipalities, um Whitehouse, Delta, Springfield

[42:40] Township. And what he does is rather than these communities rather than

[42:45] getting it employing a full-time, they employ him part-time. He gets paid I

[42:50] think about $15,000 a year by these municipalities. So, this is what he

[42:54] does. So, we actually um Mr. McConaughey and I talked to him this morning. Um

[42:59] took us a while to get in touch. It's my understanding is Mr. McConaughey uh

[43:03] talked to him this afternoon, also sent him all the information. So, he will be

[43:08] investigating, coming up with the report. Um if there's going to be a

[43:12] nuisance violation issued um for either or both both, we will be recusing

[43:17] ourselves also as prosecutor. We'll get a special prosecutor in that situation.

[43:24] So, that's where we're at. >> I just don't understand. It's not like 2

[43:28] ft. These bushes ex- don't just exceed by a

[43:32] little bit. They exceed by >> The question is

[43:35] » double or triple what the height should be allowed. And I don't understand why

[43:40] we've been preaching fair and equitable to everyone in town with these zoning

[43:45] enforcements, but then in this case, we're going to

[43:50] do all this special treatment because >> No, the question is whether it's a hedge

[43:54] fence. >> Oh.

[43:56] » That's the question. The tree There's no limit on the on the height of trees.

[44:02] Right? >> Well, no. I mean, there's been several

[44:04] properties in town who had um trees and bushes that exceeded the

[44:09] height of their fence and they were told to to cut them down. I know the corner

[44:13] of Windsor they were told that. I know of several alleys that had trees and

[44:16] bushes that exceeded the side of the fence

[44:19] uh the size of the fence have been told to cut the plants down that are along

[44:23] the fence. It's happened several times. >> What it is is a triangle our code

[44:27] provides for a triangle at an intersection. Um for instance Handem

[44:31] Avenue the that's an easy example when you're going out to Eagle Point you've

[44:35] got the rose bushes on both sides. They and sometimes they exceed that and

[44:41] they have to go out and they cut the rose bushes down

[44:44] to to go down to that level. But there's no maximum amount of it The question is

[44:50] whether these whether this is a fence or whether it is if whether it is it's a

[44:56] hedge that's not it doesn't you don't there's no height

[45:00] restriction on a hedge. I mean these trees out here are what 40 ft tall and

[45:04] they're right on the street. So the question is whether it's a fence.

[45:08] » One one tree as opposed to you 15 ft deep in trees. I mean

[45:13] that's that's my concern. I mean I understand getting other communities

[45:18] involved. I just think we tell some people who have uh plants growing along

[45:24] the property line that they're too tall. >> I've never seen that before.

[45:27] » We've done it and there's probably I mean people call in cuz I mean there's

[45:31] all kinds of people in town who have had that happen all over since since Rob's

[45:36] been compliance officer that he's made people trim the plants on the property

[45:40] line down because they exceeded the size of the fence.

[45:43] » If that's a fence not if it's not if it's just a shrub.

[45:48] If you have a fence if I have a fence >> So I can plant I can take my fence down

[45:53] and plant a 20 ft tall shrub between myself and Officer Kitzler's house and

[46:00] that would be allowed as I didn't even have a fence. He's the one who had the

[46:04] fence. So, there's two sets of rules going on here

[46:09] and that's disappointing to me. >> Yeah, I I'm sorry but I disagree with

[46:13] you. If you If you plant a 20-ft arborvitae on your property line,

[46:20] the city can't tell you to knock it down to 42 ft. It's It's a tree. It's a

[46:25] plant. >> And if you plant

[46:27] 300 of them? >> That's the issue that we're Is this a

[46:31] hedge fence? That's the question. Our code defines a hedge fence. It says it

[46:36] is that it's 20 Anything that is uh

[46:41] 75% opaque

[46:44] » Okay. >> is considered a hedge fence. So, that's

[46:46] the question here. Are these It's my understanding that when they

[46:50] were planted, they were obviously independent. Now, they've grown

[46:53] together. So, the question is is it a hedge fence where it would have to

[46:57] conform to the height requirements. If it's just a bunch of shrubs growing

[47:02] there, then it's not a fence and we don't limit that.

[47:05] » So, if it's determined by the outside entity

[47:09] that it is 75% opaque, it'll have to be cut down.

[47:14] » Uh well, they get a no- nuisance violation notice. Um that

[47:18] property owner owner would have the right to go to the BZA and ask for a

[47:21] variance if they'd like and if they don't um

[47:25] they don't get the variance or they don't apply for the variance, then our

[47:27] code provides for criminal citations for those violations. Yes.

[47:32] » Okay. >> All right. Is there anyone else?

[47:36] » Well, and it's not just one row. Our I think he's got double and triple rows

[47:42] all back to back. >> Well, real real real quick, I

[47:45] apologize. We're not going to solve it tonight. So, why don't we

[47:49] » Okay. That's fine. >> Yeah, you'll have a chance to talk to

[47:51] Jacob. >> Okay.

[47:52] » He's going to go out there and take pictures.

[48:00] » Hi Rossford City Council. My name's Lauren Brillacamp and I'm a Perrysburg

[48:04] resident. I'm just over here as a concerned neighbor. Um, I um

[48:09] spoke uh a couple weeks ago at the Perrysburg Township meeting uh regarding

[48:14] my concerns about the data center. So this is about data centers. Um,

[48:18] but um it's more um just to

[48:22] uh um share um about uh my professional

[48:26] background as a as an international communications professional. I worked in

[48:30] Washington, D.C. with front row seats to the current political

[48:35] and uh technological forces that are shaping the moment that we're in. I know

[48:39] that uh Rossford has had a couple of community meetings about um

[48:44] about data center development and um the real threats to uh the community health

[48:51] that um that are being presented in in the with

[48:55] multiple data centers that are being proposed for Wood County.

[48:59] And I um just curious if um if you're all aware

[49:03] uh aware of this concept called accelerationism.

[49:07] And because it is the political and

[49:10] technical technological philosophy that um

[49:14] that holds that the best way to bring about radical change is to speed up

[49:17] existing systems, even harmful ones, without restraint or democratic

[49:22] accountability. And in Silicon Valley, this manifests as

[49:26] something called effective accelerationism, the belief that

[49:29] unrestricted AI and technological development is a solution to all human

[49:34] problems and that regulation, community input, and democratic governance are

[49:38] obstacles to be dismissed or routed around. So, uh Marc Andreessen, Sam

[49:43] Altman of uh OpenAI, uh Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, these are some of the

[49:49] wealthiest and most powerful venture capitalists in the world and they're

[49:52] leading funders of that center infrastructure who publicly champion

[49:57] this view. And

[50:00] um they uh

[50:03] they also um

[50:06] believe in something called transhumanism where they believe that

[50:10] technology will transcend humanity and that the future belongs to a post-human

[50:15] digital intelligence that the >> I apologize. That's I mean, we're a

[50:21] we're a municipality. We're a small municipality, but we're a very

[50:25] sophisticated municipality with very complex accomplished city council

[50:30] people. That That's That's not our role.

[50:34] » No, I I I appreciate that. And And um I I'm in a professional leadership

[50:40] » know if I get in a pause. This city council just passed

[50:45] uh a great ordinance that gives any type of data center or something like that uh

[50:51] due process. >> Um are there are there publicly

[50:56] available um minutes or is that is that a available

[51:00] to the >> did it this evening.

[51:02] » You just did it this evening. >> get I'll get it to you by email.

[51:04] » Thank you so Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. When we were at the

[51:07] township at the township meeting, um the town the Perrysburg Township Council was

[51:13] very hesitant at um at

[51:17] uh you know, potentially doing passing something similar.

[51:20] Um or or disrupting the development of a proposed a potentially

[51:27] undisclosed proposed data center for the township, saying that in the event that

[51:31] they turned it down that Rossford would just simply annex the property and

[51:35] absorb that. >> We're going to do what's We We want to

[51:38] be great neighbors, and we have great relationships with both Perrysburg

[51:42] Township and Northwood. The leadership of those communities are actually

[51:47] personal friends of most of the people in this room.

[51:51] But, we're going to do what's best for Rossford.

[51:56] » I hope so. Um and

[51:58] » no. We're going to do what's best for Rossford. That That wasn't a commitment

[52:03] either way. It's just when it comes down to our future

[52:08] and investing in our future, uh

[52:11] we're going to do what we think is best for Rossford.

[52:15] It's It's It's always Rossford first. And

[52:20] that's the way I see it. >> I I appreciate that so much. I just

[52:24] And what what we realized through that

[52:27] meeting, uh because uh

[52:30] the township trustees were handed just minutes before that meeting a a legal

[52:35] opinion that basically threatens them with class or let's see, first-degree

[52:40] misdemeanors if they are to disclose information about

[52:44] » And this isn't arrogance or ego. A lot of people are responsible for

[52:48] this. We're leading the entire region in economic development.

[52:52] We've been very, very smart about it. We've not given

[52:57] our income tax away. Everybody has to follow our zoning codes. We dot every I

[53:04] and and we cross our T. Um and

[53:08] these folks can only be council members of one city at a time, and I can only be

[53:14] the mayor of one city at a time. Though I do care

[53:18] what goes on in Perrysburg Township, um I don't try to influence what goes on in

[53:23] Perrysburg Township. >> I'm I'm I'm glad to know that. I I just

[53:27] realized that the that this law that was passed this past year keeps people keeps

[53:33] public officials from any municipality or any township trustee from really

[53:36] sharing details about what they're being offered and and how they're being

[53:42] they're essentially being pitted against each other with these deals.

[53:45] » I don't know anything about that. >> Sure, it's so it's Ohio Revised Code

[53:50] 9.60. >> know I don't know of any conversations

[53:53] like that with us in Northwood of Perrysburg Township. Uh we do meet with

[53:58] them on a regular basis. We talk about safety. We talk about infrastructure.

[54:04] And we talk about economic development. You know, what would what would be best

[54:08] and where and how to do it. We are in uh negotia- not negotiations with them. I

[54:13] take that back. We are in talks with them and we have been in talks with them

[54:17] about doing basically joint economic development

[54:21] zones. And if we were to partner with them in

[54:24] those types of zones, then they would keep home rule. They would keep their

[54:30] sovereignty. They would keep their autonomy. And they would have a say, but

[54:35] they would also have a revenue stream um that they never would have access to.

[54:41] And that would go towards infrastructure and safety and beautification and

[54:45] recreation and and uh amenities. >> Thank you. Um they also told us that the

[54:52] with regards to the uh power um utility that the basically the energy

[54:59] utilities that are providing the behind the meter energy infrastructure, for

[55:03] example, for the one that's going in the township, the metadata center, that

[55:08] they're not subject to zoning requirements.

[55:11] » That's not true in Rossford, Ohio. >> No, okay. That's

[55:15] » Cuz Kevin, we don't have anything about that.

[55:16] » a certain extent, what they're talking about is they're PUCO reg- regulated.

[55:20] » Right, but nobody can come in and just build a power plant.

[55:23] » Yes, they still have they still have to be in the correct

[55:26] zoning classification, but you're right, we don't regulate their construction.

[55:30] That's the PUCO. >> Ri- right, so that so so that's that's

[55:34] why where the data center that's going into Middleton was pledged and to be run

[55:41] on renewable, they simultaneously applied to put a 350 megawatt gas power

[55:46] plant behind the meter, and nobody really knows it's happening. And the

[55:49] public comment to the Ohio >> everybody knows it's happening.

[55:52] » People Everybody knows that a 350 megawatt power plant is going in the

[55:56] Middleton data >> Yeah, I've heard about it for

[55:59] almost a year. >> I mean, we I'm going to be honest with

[56:02] you, yes, we do talk. Like, I've talked to Middleton Township trustees. We're

[56:05] friends with one of the Middleton Township. So, we do understand. Hence,

[56:09] why we're trying to be proactive >> Yeah.

[56:11] » and have something in place. I think that might be the difference between

[56:15] what's going on in Middleton and what we hope won't go on here in Rossford.

[56:18] » I'm glad to know that you're all having conversations because there are there's

[56:22] a group of concerned citizens that are very concerned that this Ohio Revised

[56:26] Code 9.660 is creating a lot of fear between public officials from keeping

[56:31] them from actually discussing about what this impact could be.

[56:35] » I can only speak for myself, but I have no fear.

[56:39] » Um I guess the the only other thing that

[56:42] that I realized came out with it just within this past month is a University

[56:46] of Cambridge study on hyperscale data centers. They studied over 6,000 of them

[56:52] for that have been in operation over the last 20 years around the world, and they

[56:56] found that the land temperature increases anywhere between 3

[57:03] to 16° Fahrenheit within a 6-mile radius of one of these facilities.

[57:08] And Wood County is already in a drought, and I just think that more than one in

[57:13] Wood County would have a severe detrimental impact and impact everybody.

[57:17] So, I'm not sure if people are aware that that information that science just

[57:21] came out. >> I've said this publicly, so it's no

[57:24] secret. Rossford is not

[57:27] looking to gain a hyperscale data center.

[57:32] But, data centers come in more than one size.

[57:37] But, the big fear was Rossford's getting a hyperscale data center. We're not

[57:41] getting one. I've talked to uh data center developers and builders, and it's

[57:47] just it's not feasible here. It It doesn't fit. Our mission here is jobs

[57:53] and industry and investment. Rossford's not getting a hyperscale data

[57:59] center. Now, would we look at something on a

[58:02] much smaller scale that doesn't affect the environment, that doesn't affect

[58:08] water and sewer rates, that doesn't affect electrical rates,

[58:13] um that contributes to our local economy in

[58:18] a positive way, sure.

[58:21] And we should. We should look at it. >> very reasonable.

[58:24] » mean we say yes to it, but we would vet it.

[58:28] Anything that the administration would want to do,

[58:31] council has to vote. Um we have checks and balances

[58:36] along the way. >> That sounds much more reasonable than

[58:40] some of the ways that things have have progressed in other communities and in

[58:45] the way that things have been set up around Ohio and the Great Lakes. So, I

[58:50] really appreciate your time and just take and listening to me um ask

[58:54] questions just because I just moved back and I found out that all these

[58:57] hyperscale data centers are being courted by different townships around

[59:01] Wood County. It deeply concerns me because I understand the environmental

[59:06] impact. I've been researching these. I have families that are I I have family

[59:10] members who are part of this AI industry, and I do know that there are

[59:14] responsible ways on a much smaller scale with renewables that these data centers

[59:18] can be developed and actually serve the communities that they're being built in.

[59:22] And the hyperscalers are horrifying, quite frankly. So, thank you

[59:27] for doing the responsible thing for your community.

[59:30] » out. We appreciate it. >> Just wanted to be a good neighbor.

[59:34] Thanks for being a good neighbor to us. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else?

[59:41] » Again, Diane Wolfe, 264 Jennings. I thought we should end on a positive.

[59:46] I would really like to thank you for having the input and the opinion that

[59:52] the park does sometimes have some not so savory activity going on. Um I

[59:57] have a 6-year-old grandson who loves to go to that park. Um he's here a couple

[1:00:02] times a a month. I can't take him down there when the

[1:00:06] crowd is big. The language is unacceptable to be around a 6-year-old.

[1:00:10] Um it's just I know we can't control their language, but I know we can also

[1:00:15] ask them to be respectful of our park. No matter where they come from. Come

[1:00:19] enjoy the park. Come behave yourself in the park. Don't litter. Don't leave

[1:00:24] unacceptable garbage around. I think that should be held to a standard that

[1:00:28] we would want to be in our side yard, our backyard. Um so I see it because I

[1:00:33] do take him to the park when I can. Um unfortunately, there've been many times

[1:00:37] we've turned around and walked back home because it's not acceptable.

[1:00:41] Um Secondly,

[1:00:43] um thank you for looking into the e-bike situation.

[1:00:47] Um so it's my understanding that if they're just pedaling them, they're

[1:00:51] fine to be on e-bikes on the sidewalk. Okay. Cuz the night that I encountered

[1:00:55] them, they were not pedaling. They were cruising full speed ahead.

[1:00:59] » And the difficult part is

[1:01:02] determining are they pedaling or are they using the throttle? Now, if they're

[1:01:05] going at 30 miles an hour on >> But if they're pedaling, do you hear is

[1:01:08] the the motor engaged? >> Yeah,

[1:01:11] it can be with pedal assist. >> Okay. Because they're they were super

[1:01:16] loud and one of them is actually a mini bike. Like it wasn't an e-bike that it

[1:01:19] was on a mini bike. Yes. Okay. So, I appreciate you looking into

[1:01:24] that and hopefully it'll keep it safe. That night in particular, the

[1:01:29] the ice cream shop was packed. There were a few of us on Moe's patio, but

[1:01:34] Danny's again was packed. They were going far, far too fast for anybody

[1:01:38] walking out of those buildings to anticipate them coming. And I just don't

[1:01:41] want to see anybody get hurt. So, thank you.

[1:01:45] » Okay. Is there a motion to adjourn? >> So moved.

[1:01:48] » Second. >> All those in favor of adjourning, please

[1:01:52] say aye. >> Aye.

[1:01:53] » Any opposed?

Rossford City Council Meeting - 04/27/2026

Transcript