ROSSFORD – Rental rates at the Rossford Marina are increasing this year.
City council learned at its meeting Monday that in recent years, fees collected did not cover expenses at the marina.
Less than 15% of the 193 slips were rented by Rossford residents last year, reported council member Brenna Reynolds.
The city had a waiting list of more than 40 people, she said.
In order to keep city residents from subsidizing non-residents, the marina fees should be increased.
Council agreed to raise rental rates by 10%.
The new dock rates are set by wall location and pier and range from $680-$1,270 for seasonal rental to $165-$300 for monthly rental.
The daily rental ranges from $20-$60.
Rossford residents will get a 15% discount on all dock rates, and Rossford residents over the age of 65 will be given a 20% discount.
The marina will open April 13.
According to finance director Chris Kirk, marina revenue for last year was $153,690 while expenses were $163,976.
The city operated in the black in 2022 by just over $17,000, but in 2021 outspent revenue by $30,480.
Members of the city’s facilities, parks and marina committee learned the docks had been completely rebuilt in the past couple of years and the slips on the west side of the sea dock were extended five feet.
Nothing can be done about the number of seagulls at the marina and the use of a mechanical device to squawk to scare away the birds is no longer allowed due to complaints from other boaters, said Reynolds, who chairs the committee.
City Administrator Allyson Murray had reported at the committee meeting that two renters were not invited back after leaving their boats in the water for three weeks after the marina closed last year and one renter was not invited back after damaging a dock slip.
A new inclusive playset for Veteran’s Memorial Park, located adjacent to the marina, should be delivered by mid-year and all new playground equipment purchased for the park will be inclusive and ADA complaint.
Reynolds also reported that a water feature will be installed where the inoperable fountain was located in front of city hall.
Also at the meeting, council:
• Approved the mayor’s appointment of David Ember to the charter review committee.
• Learned the fire department had purchased an EMS ATV vehicle, which will be capable of loading a patient on the back. It will arrive in March and be ready in case roadways are backed during the eclipse.
• Learned a Shred Day will be held April 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. City residents can pull into the city building’s parking lot and drop off documents.
• Learned Race for Recovery will hold its 5K on Oct. 26, following the same route as last year. The route will be closed for about an hour.
• Learned the public works department will be removing dead and rotted trees as well as invasive species trees from the city right of way.
•Approved a request to transfer a liquor permit from Billy V’s to Red’s Irish Goodbye.
• Heard fire Lieutenant Chris Segura updated the numbers of the department’s fire protection proposal that was outlined at the committee of the whole meeting Feb. 5.
He said the cost of option one was $1.68 million and option two was $2.02 million.
The numbers shared at the COTW meeting were $2.5 million and $2.8 million.
The lower amount was partially due to a correction in the on-call pay rates, he said.
