Port Clinton plans $34M infrastructure upgrades

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the length of a levy on the ballot for Port Clinton. The 4-mil additional tax levy will be continuing for street construction and repair. PORT CLINTON — Port Clinton is preparing to start a $34 million plan to improve its infrastructure. During a recent public meeting, city officials and members of Poggemeyer Design Group presented details on several upcoming infrastructure projects. Mayor Mike Snider said the city has never had a comprehensive plan to address infrastructure issues. Snider said there are some streets that haven't been resurfaced in decades. And, in some areas in the city, there are still wooden water lines. Additionally, nearly half of the city's sewer and stormwater lines are combined, which need to be separated. The $34 million plan would begin to tackle certain issues, although the city will have more to do in the future. Funds would come from a combination of loans, local taxpayer dollars and grants. Snider said an existing dwelling charge and, if approved, a new street levy on the November ballot would cover annual debt for loans the city takes out for this initiative. Port Clinton isn't alone: Virtually every community faces similar infrastructure problems. New EPA guidelines will add pressure to fix aging systems. "We're probably the only community in the area that doesn't have a comprehensive plan to address infrastructure," Snider said. The city has "been putting bandages on open chest wounds when it comes to our infrastructure." Updates will need to come in phases. "We're putting in the foundation for the second phase, which will come in the future, to build to improve our overall system," Snider said. "We're not replacing every water line. We're not replacing every sewer line in this project. We're putting in that foundation for the future." The project is broken into two parts: Project A, an above-ground portion, and Project B, a below-ground portion. Snider said they will likely advertise for bids in May 2022 and contract awards by the end of June 2022. The city wants to begin construction on Project B in September 2022 and complete construction in December 2023. A new 4-mil street levy is on the Nov. 2 ballot. If approved, the above-ground project will be able to move forward. The levy would cost owners of a $100,000 home an additional $140 per year for 20 years. No matter what, Snider said, the below-ground portion will be moving forward due to an increase in equivalent dwelling unit charges. Project B will include updates to water, sewer and storm sewer lines, road resurfacing and the storm and sewer's separation. Issues with Lakeshore Drive, relocating the road 4 to 5 feet away from the lake and the revetment will be addressed. Lead service lines will also be replaced. Project A will pave city streets that were not covered in Project B. Both projects will cover all areas of the city. Snider said there are over a dozen sources of funding for the project between grants and loans. The city has already confirmed $8 million in grants. Doug Nusser, of Poggemeyer, said the total project cost covers construction, permits, consultants and testing in both projects. Greg Telecky with Poggemeyer said the company is continuing to look for funding and grant sources. Due to railroads going through the city, they will need to send the project designs to Norfolk Southern for revisions. Plans will also be sent to the state and federal governments for revisions. Snider said the city doesn't want to be mandated to start updates, like the wastewater treatment plant. "Nothing was done to improve our wastewater treatment plant for 50 some years and, finally, the Ohio EPA came in and said, 'You're going to do it now, and here's a bill,'" Snider said."We're afraid that something very similar may happen because of the age of our infrastructure." If the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is approved by Congress, then the city could see new funding sources. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has worked on the bill alongside U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. The bill features funding to help improve local water and sewer systems. The plan includes $9.8 billion in formula funding to repair, replace and upgrade roads and bridges throughout the state. "We're on the precipice, and it's bipartisan now," Brown said. "We're 'this' close, that bill will be law sometime before Thanksgiving. I'm 95% certain. Then the money comes out to help these local communities build." Making sense of the dollars and cents Here's a tentative outline for how Port Clinton would fund $34 million of planned infrastructure improvements • $11 million: federal loan at 1.75% interest for 30 years • $7.6 million: federal loan at 2.25% interest for 20 years • $6 million: federal grant • $3.4 million: federal loan request • $2.3 million: federal loan at 1.75% for 20 years • $1 million: state grant • $750,000: principal forgiveness for lead service line replacements • $713,200: annual equivalent dwelling unit charge annually for 30 years • $568,700: if approved from a new 4-mil levy annually • $325,000: state grant • $325,000: state grant request Note: Figures rounded Source: Port Clinton mayor's office