City to Seek $150,000 Grant for Hulbert Hill Parking Lot Improvements

Ashtabula City Council met June 1, 2026, taking action on seven ordinances covering everything from employee health insurance to new financial policies designed to protect the city from fraud. Health Plan Renewal Brings First Rate Increase in Years Council approved a contract renewal with Jefferson Health Plan for employee health, dental, and vision coverage running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The renewal carries a roughly 13% increase in medical and prescription costs, the first significant rate increase the city has seen in approximately three years. City Manager James Timonere told council the increase stems from an unusually high claims event in the prior year. He noted the city’s self-funded model had previously allowed premium payment holidays due to healthy reserve balances, but those are not expected this cycle. Employee contributions, co-pays, and plan structures remain unchanged under the new contract terms. Parking Lot Grant Application Authorized Council authorized the city manager to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for a $150,000 allocation grant to improve the public parking lot on Hulbert Avenue, also referred to as Hulbert Hill. The lot sits on the north side of Bridge Street and has been identified as this cycle’s project for the biennial grant program. Timonere noted the lot had already received drainage work and that permanent improvement funds would supplement the grant. A public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant allocation was held May 26, and the application deadline is June 10. New Financial Policies Adopted Council passed two new financial policy ordinances aimed at improving transparency and preventing fraud. The Utility Billing Write-Off and Abatement Guidelines formalize when the Finance Department may fully or partially write off utility bills. Covered scenarios include vacant properties with confirmed low water usage, sewer adjustments for documented leaks, pool credits, and uncollectable accounts more than two years old that have gone through bankruptcy or property transfer. Customers also receive a one-time late payment fee forgiveness per account. The ACH and Wire Transfer Policy requires vendors seeking electronic payment to submit instructions on company letterhead directly to the Finance Department’s Accounts Payable Division. Instructions provided by administrative staff must include a Certificate of Authority from a company executive. Same-day wire transfers are not permitted without full verification. Finance Director Vladimir Kan presented both policies as fraud prevention measures and said they also enhance audit compliance. The agenda packet included examples of municipal governments across the country that have lost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars through wire and email fraud schemes. Public Records Training Delegation Approved An ordinance allows elected officials to designate a staff member in their office to complete mandatory Ohio Sunshine Law public records training on their behalf, as required under Ohio Revised Code Section 109.43. The training and certification must be completed through the Ohio Attorney General’s Office each elected term. Parking Restriction Coming to West 13th Street Council introduced an ordinance to prohibit parking on the north side of West 13th Street between Lake Avenue and Ohio Avenue. The measure amends the city’s traffic control map and is subject to the standard reading process. Supplemental Budget Appropriations Approved Council approved $435,082 in supplemental appropriations to the general fund and other city funds. The largest components include $398,422 for street improvements tied to a CDBG Critical Infrastructure Grant for South Hulbert Road resurfacing and $36,660 for general services operating costs. A clearing account addition of $15,000 covers postage for the income tax and other departments, and $21,660 addresses increased bank fees tied to shifting account balances.