PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SOLAR PROJECT BUSINESS … Bryan City Council members, Richard Hupe (left) and Jim Kozumplik (right) listen to a presentation by Bryan Utilities Director Derek Schultz regarding the corrected easement agreement involving the solar field project at the Monday, March 16 council meeting.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Bryan City Council met in a regular session on Monday, March 16, 2026, to approve an ordinance regarding the form of a corrected easement agreement for the city’s solar field project.
SOLAR FIELD EASEMENT CORRECTION
In September 2025, Bryan Municipal Utilities entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with Eitri Foundry, LLC, which was the successful proponent to a request for proposals for the supply of solar energy and capacities for the construction and operation of a solar field located on Williams County Road 15C.
However, it was noted that the previous ordinance inadvertently identified Eitri Foundry, LLC, rather than MEI Bryan, LLC, as the counterparty to the power purchase agreement with Bryan Municipal Utilities and the grantee of the easement for use and occupancy of the site.
The ordinance was intended to correct the identification of the power purchase agreement counterparty and easement grantee.
“This ordinance is just mainly a correction to Ordinance No. 5, 2026 that you previously had approved for a solar project,” said Bryan Director of Utilities Derek Schultz.
“The original ordinance had Eitri Foundry, LLC mistakenly listed as the party to the power purchase agreement and easement agreement.
“The correct entity is MEI Bryan LLC, who will own and operate the facility. We also had some language noting of subsurface conditions such as some concrete rubble that is buried on the site.”
Council then made a motion to approve the corrected easement agreement to reflect the city’s disclosure of certain subsurface conditions at the site and the determination by MEI Bryan LLC that those subsurface conditions will not materially affect the cost of construction, operation, or maintenance of the solar facility.
Read more: Williams County Commissioners: Safety-Driven Roundabout Approved At CR G & CR 13
INVESTMENT INCOME APPORTIONMENT
An ordinance providing for the apportionment of investment income for the City of Bryan and repealing Ordinance No. 12, 2021, and declaring it an emergency was approved.
The ordinance authorizes Clerk-Treasurer John Lehner to apportion investment income to specific funds based on his calculations.
“This is a kind of technicality where the council would occasionally authorize the funds for which these city investments are to be allocated basically by the percentage of the total city fund balance,” said Lehner.
“Because we have recently zeroed out the communications, the recycling center and refuse, and communications capital funds, it will no longer be included in that calculation. It’s just a technicality because it removes the funds from that list.”
PETTY CASH FUNDS
Council approved amending the allocation of petty cash funds for various departments of the City of Bryan, repealing and replacing any prior ordinances or codified sections, thus authorizing Lehner to administer said funds and declaring an emergency.
The ordinance allows the city to amend the current allocations to better reflect departmental needs and operational requirements. A total of $3,200 was allocated in petty cash funds.
“We’ve maintained petty cash funds and change drawer funds in various departments as far back as I can find beyond the year 2000,” said Lehner.
“We had a request from the building inspection office; they have a petty cash drawer there [that] hasn’t been used in a long time, and they want to turn that money into the finance department.
“At the same time, the finance department still maintains an income tax drawer that just doesn’t get used anymore either.
“Again, we’re looking to eliminate those two pieces of petty cash and just revert them back into the general fund.
2026 ASPHALT PROGRAM
Council authorized Mayor Carrie Schlade to enter into agreement with Gerken Paving, Inc. of Napoleon for the 2026 asphalt program after being awarded the bid on March 11.
According to City Engineer Brian Wieland, Gerken Paving, Inc. submitted a bid of $734,253.10, which was far below the engineer’s estimate of $836,862.25.
The other bid was submitted by Helms & Sons Excavating, Inc. of Findlay at $823,260.00. This summer’s paving project will involve East Village, Olive Drive, and LaGlyda Court in Bryan.
HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
The City of Bryan and Williams County will be entering into a partnership agreement to establish the Maumee Valley North CHIP Consortium for the purpose of addressing local housing needs.
It’s a part of the Ohio Department of Development providing financial assistance to local governments under its Program Year 2026 Community Housing Impact & Preservation (CHIP) program.
A total of $700,000 in CHIP funds will be requested; Williams County will contribute $400,000, and the City of Bryan will contribute $300,000. Council then approved the partnership agreement.
TAX EXEMPTION
Council approved a community reinvestment area tax exemption application for Allied Moulded Products, Inc.
The application, which includes a 100 percent tax exemption for a period of seven years, is for remodeling the Allied Moulded Products, Inc. facility located at 2103 Industrial Drive, Bryan.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 6, at 5:30 p.m.
Related Stories
- Williams County Commissioners: Safety-Driven Roundabout Approved At CR G & CR 13
- Jefferson Township Trustees: Selwyn Drive Resurfacing Project Plan Advances
- Edon Village Council: Council Moves Forward On Lagoon Study
- FAYETTE BOARD OF EDUCATION: Board Approves Tax Rates, Accepts Solar Field Payment