Fostoria City Council meeting details, community updates and local government news in Ohio.

Fostoria City Council December 2nd 2025

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Fostoria City Council December 2nd 2025

Opening and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by the presiding officer, with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. All seven council members were present: Layman, Podc, Cassidy, Baker, Grime, Mendoza, and Lake.​

Approval of Previous Minutes

A motion was made by Mendoza and seconded by Baker to approve the video minutes from the prior meeting. The clerk called the roll, and all members voted “yes,” so the minutes were approved.​

Committee Reports

  • Finance Committee: No new items to report; the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.​

  • Public Affairs Committee: A detailed update was given on upcoming holiday events in downtown Fostoria, including:

    • Christmas window decorating contest (entries due by Dec. 12 at 9:00 a.m., with online voting).​

    • Annual Christmas tree lighting on the municipal lawn on Friday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m..​

    • Holiday activities on Saturday, December 6, including:

      • Breakfast with Santa at the Masonic Center (9:30 a.m.–noon), with proceeds benefiting “A Christmas for Every Child” and a request to bring a new, unwrapped toy.​

      • Fostoria Holiday Sip & Shop at the Fostoria Learning Center (10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.).​

      • Public Affairs Committee’s fourth quarter COMBOs meeting at Kimosabi’s Elbow Room at 11:00 a.m..​

      • Fostoria Rotary Christmas Parade and Santa’s Sidekicks Toy Express at 1:30 p.m., with officers handing out gifts and photo opportunities afterward.​

      • Children’s gingerbread house decorating at Calico Charlie’s Candy and More at 2:00 p.m..​

      • Santa and Mrs. Claus visits at Bougie on a Budget from 2:00–6:00 p.m..​

    • On Saturday, December 13, the Fostoria Community Arts Council will host a free children’s Christmas workshop (10:00 a.m.–noon at 125 S. Main St.) for 1st–5th graders to make a craft.​

    • Santa at the Depot (historic Lake Erie & Western Depot, 128 W. North St.) will be open Tuesdays & Thursdays 5–7 p.m. and Saturdays noon–2 p.m., with a suggested $5 per family donation to support the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society.​

  • Law and Ordinance Committee: No new report; next meeting is Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 5:15 p.m. in council chambers.​

Reports of Officers

  • Public Service & Safety Director:

    • Residents should have received a letter from Archer Energy about the gas aggregation program with Columbia Gas, offering at least 2% off the Standard Choice rate for those using Columbia as both supplier and transporter.​

    • Residents under contract with another supplier will not receive the letter; those who wish to opt out must follow the instructions on the front page (mail or call).​

    • The project team reconvened and identified two additional items to include in next year’s budget:

      • A 5‑year lease for a vector (used for hydro excavation and other precise work), costing roughly $50,000 per year split between water and sewer.​

      • A $29,000 study for the Sterns Road lift station, which has aging infrastructure and needs evaluation.​

    • These items will be added to the existing budget plan, but the overall direction is not expected to change significantly.​

    • The street sweeper that was damaged is being evaluated; engineers from another state have inspected it, and the city is now waiting for the insurance adjuster and a forensic “audit” to determine what went wrong.​

    • The director praised the crews for their work during a recent snowstorm, noting they did a “pretty fantastic job” without needing the sweeper.​

  • Law Director: No report given that evening.​

Public Comment

  • Deb Tyson:

    • Thanked the community for contributing to make Fostoria a better place.​

    • Commented that the gas aggregation opt‑out deadline is not always clear in the letter, and suggested the city could do more to highlight that cutoff date so residents don’t miss it.​

    • Noted that many state and federal decisions are currently on hold, making it difficult for local governments to finalize plans, and praised council for doing an “awesome job” under those conditions.​

  • Rebecca Kimble:

    • Followed up on a prior request to name an alley after her daughter and to address a large, old tree in the boulevard (city right‑of‑way) near her property.​

    • Said city workers had previously marked the tree for trimming but had not yet done any work, and questioned why they bothered to spray‑paint it if nothing was going to be done.​

    • Expressed concern that the tree’s branches are very old and break easily in the wind, posing a hazard to vehicles and people; she felt the city was not taking this seriously.​

    • Complained that her front yard is covered in leaves from that tree, which she must clean up even though the tree is on city property.​

    • Also mentioned a neighbor who blew leaves from his yard and a vacant lot into her yard, and said this did not justify the city’s inaction on the tree.​

No other members of the public spoke.​

Old Business

  1. Resolution 2025‑81 – Fund Carryover Balance Policy

    • A resolution establishing a fund carryover balance policy and declaring an emergency was adopted by a motion of Cassidy, seconded by Baker.​

    • All members voted “yes,” so it passed and became Resolution 2025‑81.​

  2. Ordinance 2025‑82 – EMS Contract with Seneca County Joint Ambulance District

    • An ordinance authorizing the director of public service and safety to negotiate and enter into a contract with the Seneca County Joint Ambulance District for emergency medical services, and declaring an emergency, was adopted by a motion of Podc, seconded by Grime.​

    • All members voted “yes,” so it passed and became Ordinance 2025‑82.​

  3. Ordinance 2025‑83 – Fiscal Year 2026 Permanent Appropriations

    • A motion by Layman, seconded by Cassidy, replaced the original ordinance with the revised version dated November 26, 2025 (which includes the new vector lease).​

    • The three‑reading rule was suspended by a motion of Layman, seconded by Lake, and then the ordinance was adopted by a motion of Lake, seconded by Baker.​

    • All members voted “yes,” so it passed and became Ordinance 2025‑83.​

  4. Ordinance 2025‑84 – Amendment to Financial Recovery Plan

    • A motion by Layman, seconded by Cassidy, adopted the revised version of the financial recovery plan ordinance dated November 26, 2025 (updated to reflect the new vector lease).​

    • The three‑reading rule was again suspended by a motion of Layman, seconded by Podc, and the ordinance was adopted by a motion of Mendoza, seconded by Lake.​

    • All members voted “yes,” so it passed and became Ordinance 2025‑84.​

New Business

Several items received their first reading:

  • Ordinance 2025‑85 – Appropriations Amendment (2025 Permanent Appropriations)

    • An ordinance amending the 2025 permanent appropriations by appropriating from unappropriated funds, transferring appropriations in the general fund, and transferring funds from the general fund to the pension fund, with an emergency declared.​

    • The three‑reading rule was suspended by a motion of Layman, seconded by Mendoza, and the ordinance was adopted by a motion of Cassidy, seconded by Lake.​

    • All members voted “yes,” so it passed and became Ordinance 2025‑85.​

  • Ordinance – City of Fostoria’s Safe Routes to School Fund 228

    • An ordinance establishing the Safe Routes to School Fund 228, with an emergency declared; this was the first reading.​

  • Ordinance – City of Fostoria’s TID Grant Fund 432

    • An ordinance establishing the TID Grant Fund 432, with an emergency declared; this was the first reading.​

  • Ordinance – Cyber Security Program

    • An ordinance to adopt a cyber security program and declare an emergency; this was the first reading.​

  • Resolution – ODOT Airport Improvement Program Grant Application (SFY 2026)

    • A resolution authorizing the director of public service and safety to apply to the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation, for an Ohio Airport Improvement Program grant for State Fiscal Year 2026, with an emergency declared; this was the first reading.​

  • Ordinance – Amendment to Sewer Rates (Codified Ordinance 941.03)

    • An ordinance amending section 941.03 of the codified ordinances relating to sewer rates, with an emergency declared; this was the first reading.​

Adjournment

There was no need to go into executive session, and no miscellaneous business was raised. A motion to adjourn was made by Cassidy, seconded by Baker, and all members voted “yes,” so the meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m..

Fostoria Public Access Ordinance FAILS due to lack of clarification & support

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“Ordinance No.: 2025 – ____: Enacting new Section 109.02 of Chapter 109 of the
Codified Ordinances of the City of Fostoria, Ohio entitled “CONTROL OF ACCESS TO CITY-
OWNED, CONTROLLED AND LEASED PROPERTY” to establish regulations for conduct
within and upon City property. (Third reading)”

FOSTORIA: During the Fostoria City Council meeting on June 18, 2025, Councilman Greg Cassidy was the only member in favor of moving forward with enacting the Public Access Ordinance. Councilwoman Amy Mendoza objected to the ordinance, which led to a mild argument between the two. Cassidy stated, “Apparently, you don’t know what goes on,” as he emphasized his position.

Councilman Alexander Grine raised concerns about Section B of Ordinance 109.02. He also pointed out a spelling error in the “vaping” line of text.

Cassidy expressed concern about the lack of control over individuals entering the building with cameras or audio recorders. He highlighted the potential for private conversations to be recorded without consent, which could lead to misuse.

Councilman Robert Podach stressed the need for an alternative decision-maker besides the Safety Services Director. “We’re setting ourselves up for failure if we don’t have the I’s crossed and T’s dotted,” he said. “I hate passing things through and then having to fix them.”

Ordinance 109.02 was tabled due to the lack of a motion.

 

Fostoria Mayor on Damage Control While Calling Citizens Irrational & Emotional

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FOSTORIA – In a recent damage control article published by the Review Times, Fostoria Mayor Don Mennel defended his decision to accept landfill toxic liquid waste while dismissing concerned citizens as irrational and emotional. Mennel’s true colors are emerging, which comes as no surprise since his term began with a lie to the public about a splash pad soak park that was supposed to open in 2024.

Mennel bypassed voters and the city council to unilaterally decide to process leachate (liquid toxic waste) at the wastewater treatment plant.

Mennel also failed to negotiate a reasonable rate for processing the liquid waste. The City of Fostoria is currently charging four cents per gallon, the cheapest rate in the area. In comparison, the City of Bowling Green charges $0.063 per gallon, and the City of Marion charges $0.045 per gallon.

Photo byThe Fostoria Free Press

In addition to the $15,000 discount granted by the City of Fostoria to Win Waste Landfill compared to the City of Marion’s rate, Win Waste is also achieving significant savings on transportation costs.

Not to be forgotten is the previous mayor’s decision to stop processing leachate in 2019. That decision was made because the city had no knowledge of what was going into the landfill or what would be in the liquid waste. Apparently, a miracle has occurred, and Mennel now claims to know everything entering the landfill—despite the lack of comprehensive leachate testing. The city continues to rely on a local water testing lab, Bojhun Labs, which has shown signs of incompetence in its testing results. Previously, Fostoria used Alloway Labs in Bowling Green, OH.

Photo byThe Fostoria Free Press

Photo byThe Fostoria Free Press

 

Fostoria Passes Ch 946, Leachate & HazMat Incoming? CnclMember Claims It’s For “EPA Compliance”

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FOSTORIA – Council voted to enact chapter 946. Councilman Podach questioned whether this primarily for accepting landfill leachate. Mayor Mennel responded saying that 946 is for EPA compliance. Mennel also could not answer the question whether or not the writers of 946 knew that the City of Fostoria is considering taking leachate at a cheap rate of $0.04 per gallon.

Mennel also responded to Podach “Thats why you get 3 readings”.

Councilwoman Ward 3: Sue Lehmann voted in favor of 946 “because it puts us in compliance with the EPA”. Also stating that the leachate can be addressed at a later date. Lehmann also commented “Leachate is a new topic for us”. No its not!

Some community members also do not trust Bojhun Labs, a new local water testing lab doing business with The City of Fostoria. Due to their recent incomplete 1/2 page leachate testing report I can see why. Honest leachate testing does not fit on 1 page. It is my opinion that the City of Fostoria is acting negligently by using this inexperienced lab.

Fostoria: Council Member Addresses Council Over Leachate – Mayor Mennel Asleep at The Helm?

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Author: (2) Members of The Fostoria Free Press

FOSTORIA – During the February 18, 2025, Fostoria City Council meeting, council member Bob Podach addressed the city council as a citizen. He voiced his concerns regarding the city’s recent rush to accept the Win Waste Innovations Landfill, particularly in light of an alleged spill.

Podach was one of many individuals who addressed the city council that evening.

According to reports, leachate from the landfill is currently being transported by Bugner’s and Black Swamp septic companies via tanker trucks. These companies have reportedly been transporting the leachate as early as 4 a.m. This information came to light from a recently forced-out scale operator employee at the Win Waste Innovations Landfill in Fostoria.

Editor’s Note: Seeing a member of the city council addressing both the city council and the mayor as a citizen is a rare circumstance in my experience. This situation raises a red flag regarding Mayor Don Mennel and his apparent inability to communicate effectively with council members. After recently undergoing spine surgery and currently being in recovery, this development is not entirely surprising. Ultimately, it paints a picture that Mennel may be incapable of fulfilling his duties, largely due to a lack of communication within city government.

City of Fostoria Appoints Madison Stearns to Acting Safety Services Director

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FOSTORIA – In a significant development during the city council meeting held on February 18, 2025, Mayor Don Mennel announced the appointment of Madison Stearns as the acting Safety Services Director. This decision comes in the wake of the possible departure of the previous Safety Services Director, Eric Keckler, and has sparked discussions about leadership transitions and accountability within the city’s safety services department.

According to reports from the recent city council meeting, Mayor Mennel’s request for Stearns to step into the acting role was met with approval, signaling confidence in her ability to oversee the department during this transitional period. Stearns, whose background and qualifications were highlighted during the meeting, is expected to bring stability and continuity to the safety services operations, which are critical to the community’s well-being.

The context of this appointment is tied to the earlier tenure of Eric Keckler, who served as Safety Services Director. Sources indicate that Madison Stearns had been involved in covering for Keckler, taking on additional responsibilities to ensure that the department’s functions continued smoothly. While specific details about Keckler’s possible exit remain limited, it is understood that Stearns played a key role in maintaining operational efficiency during a period of uncertainty.