ROSSFORD – City Council paved the way to complete a storm water and road rebuild project on Hillside
Drive.
The project comes on the heels of a Northwest Water and Sewer District project that didn’t go over well
with some residents. Members of council heard about the inconvenience and poor quality of work.
The city’s project will now install a new storm water system, widen the road to 25 feet from 18 feet and
add sidewalks to the street, which has 26 residences.
Some residents object to the road improvements, and two have appealed the assessments they will pay for
the road work. The city will foot the bill for the storm water work.
On Monday, city council awarded a bid of Vernon Nagel, Inc. of $303,619 for the storm water work.
The council was not scheduled to act on the road portion, though it had the bids in hand. At Councilman
Robert Ruse’s urging it amended the ordinance to give the administration approval to award the bid for
the road work.
In that case Edward Kelly & Sons Inc. was the low bidder with a price of $176,167 compared to
Nagel’s price of $229,987. But Kelly’s bid has not been certified.
Councilwoman Caroline Eckel said that council’s intent would be if the bid checked out, the city would go
with Kelly.
If those appealing the assessments are successful, that could increase the cost for homeowners, or the
city could pick up the slack.
One of those appealing the assessment, Craig Elevich wrote in a letter to the clerk of council that the
water and sewer work "was not properly coordinated" resulting in extra expense and that the
city "wants to pass these costs onto the homeowner.
He also objected to the scope of the work, asserting: "This should not be the responsibility of the
homeowner."
City Attorney Kevin Heban said that in order for an appellant to be successful they would have to show
that they would not benefit from the work.
Council appointed the three-member equalization board that will hear the appeals and set a date for the
heating for July 23 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
Members of the board are Ken Gwozdz, Doug Oakley and Chris Werbylo. At the recommendation of Councilman
Greg Marquette, council also appointed an alternate, Tom Uhler, in case one of the board members
couldn’t make the hearing. The council is required by its charter to set the date.
The council is expected to take final action on the project at its next meeting scheduled for July 28.

In other action, council approved having special assessments placed on residents’ tax bills. One assesses
a total of about $1,600 to 10 residents for the cost of snow removal by the city. The charges range from
$59.40 to $427.37. Another assessment of $178 is for mowing at one property.