The spread of false or inaccurate information can have serious consequences, from shaping public opinion to influencing important decisions. It often spreads quickly through social media, where emotional or sensational content tends to get more attention.
Please use this page to find verified information on many of the topics that are concerning our community and stay informed.
CITY COUNCIL QUALIFICATIONS & PROCESSES
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What is a “Special Meeting” and why does Maumee City Council have so many of them?
With only having 2 scheduled meetings per month, occasionally “special meetings” are called when issues arise that can’t wait for the next regularly scheduled meeting. These meetings are typically called during the morning to accommodate council members’ work schedules as well as city staff schedules due to the short notice. Essentially, “special meetings” are meetings called to fill in the gaps between regular meetings when needed.
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Has Maumee City Council always passed legislation as an emergency?
In 2024 Maumee City Council passed a total of 42 ordinances:
29/by emergency
13/non-emergencyIn 2009 Maumee City Council passed 157 ordinances:
129/by emergency
28/non-emergency -
Why does Maumee City Council pass much of its legislation as an emergency?
Passing legislation as an emergency is a process allowed by state law, and simply means the action takes immediate effect. The wording is stated “as an emergency” because that is how the law states it has to be passed. With the way that our meetings are scheduled, to pass every piece of legislation with 3 readings would be a 2-month process.
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What qualifies someone for city council?
No person shall be eligible to be a member of Council who has not been continuously a resident and qualified elector of the Municipality for two (2) years immediately prior to election or appointment, or who has not been continuously a resident and qualified elector of territory which, at the time of the election or appointment to Council, has been annexed to the Municipality. No person shall continue to serve as a member of Council who ceases to be a resident of the Municipality during the term of office. Except as otherwise provided herein, no member of Council shall hold any other public office or employment with the Municipality.
Council shall be the sole and final judge of the election and qualification of its members. Any member of Council who shall cease to possess or who violates any of the qualifications herein enumerated shall be removed from office by vote of a majority of members of Council, after due notice and an opportunity for a hearing before Council have been provided. Failure of any member of Council to maintain said qualifications shall not render void or ineffective any action of Council in which such member has participated.
Source: the Charter of The City of Maumee, Ohio Article 3 Section 2
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Does the city administrator and city council use outside resources to gather information and suggestions from professionals in their areas of expertise?
Yes, engineers, architects, legal, and environmental experts provide guidance on a variety of issues. This is not uncommon in municipal government.
The City of Maumee is using an outside engineering firm, Stantec, to study the sewer system to assist with getting compliance with the EPA. The City is also working with YARD & CO (planning), Beckett and Raeder (planning), DGL (engineering) and Fourth Economy (economic strategy) on master planning.
It’s also important to remember that the City does have many people who are educated in many of the topics that affect a city.
Source: Link
RECALL / SPECIAL ELECTION
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When would the recall vote take place?
SECTION 3 PRIMARY ELECTION.
With the exceptions as set forth in Section 2 above, a non-partisan primary election shall be held on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in September of each year in which a regular municipal election is held if there are more than double the number of candidates to be elected to the office of Mayor or to the office of member of Council. There shall not be a primary election if there are fewer candidates than as set forth above.
Source: City of Maumee Charter
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Would the recall cost Maumee any money?
The special election caused by the recall would cost the city approximately $100,000+.
Money would come from the General Fund, which is used to fund city operations and salaries. Potential impact would be less money to fund police, fire, etc.
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If the recall was successful, would that change the sewer issues?
No!
Maumee still has a huge sewer problem, the city would still have to comply with a Findings and Orders issued by the Ohio EPA.Risk!
There is so much historical knowledge regarding this project, so many staff, a recall would significantly slow the city’s progress in responding to the sewer issue. -
When is the next Maumee general election?
The next general election is November 4, 2025. The council members with terms expiring in 2025 are Jonathan Fiscus, Joshua Harris, Philip Leinbach, and Margo Puffenberger.
Source: Link
UPTOWN PROJECT
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Does “everyone” in Maumee really want the new traffic pattern on Conant Street to be reversed?
No!
It could cost upwards of $20 million to reverse the street configuration, as it would involve underground infrastructure, electrical and much more that would have to be altered. -
Have the changes to Uptown deterred new businesses from coming to Maumee?
Not at all.
Scroll down to ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT to see the list of businesses that have opened in 2024 and are slated for 2025. And these are just the ones the City is allowed to talk about at this time! -
Why did the City take on so many projects simultaneously and back-to-back?
To offset the long term construction anxiety that comes with doing project after project - year after year.
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How have these projects been funded?
Bonds and cash.
RENTAL ORDINANCE
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Do other surrounding cities have a rental ordinance or something like that in place?
This is nothing new. Rental ordinances exist in cities all over the country.
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What is the purpose of a rental ordinance?
The primary purpose is to make sure that an out-of-town predatory investor cannot waive an inspection to purchase a house. When they waive inspection and pay cash over asking price it squeezes out first-time buyers, because their lender will never allow them to waive the inspection requirement.
In addition, there are a lot of people living marginalized economically in Maumee and it puts people at risk when there is no way to make sure that the properties they live in (rentals) are taken care of.
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With the proposed rental ordinance, can the city enter your property anytime they want?
Absolutely not!
The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution does not allow a city to unlawfully enter a property (you can’t just kick someone’s door in). Rental inspections have to be scheduled. If the city had to enter a property, an administrative warrant is required. There is an exception for police - they have that discretion, if a crime is being committed and life is in danger.
SEWER ISSUES
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Are the sewer issues new, or are they existing?
The sewer has been an issue in Maumee going back to the 90s.
The combined sewer overflows (SSOs) are something the city staff has known about since 1986 but has not taken care of the problem. They did little if nothing to address it.
Source: LINK
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Are there grants/low interest loans available for residents to help reduce cost for any sewer work needed?
Grants are available through the rate structure. The city will cover repairs for up to 200 feet of private sanitary sewer lateral for a resident making less than $200,000 annually and up to 100 feet of private sanitary lateral for people making more than $200,000 annually. Essentially, the proposal covers repair costs for a majority of residents.
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Does the city administrator and city council use outside resources to gather information and suggestions from professionals in their areas of expertise?
Maumee city is using an outside engineering firm, Stantec, to study the sewer system to assist with getting compliance with the EPA.
Source: LINK
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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Businesses that have opened in 2024 and early 2025:
Clean Express opened in March 2024 on W. Dussel Drive
Uptown Fondue and Wine Bar opened in March 2024 on Conant Street
Thrifty Hippie opened in April 2024 in Chesterfield Plaza Shopping Center
Sheetz opened in September 2024 at Sidecut Crossing
Side Cuts Sandwicherie and Saloon opened September 2024 at the corner of W Dudley and Allen Street
Verus Athletics opened an athletic performance center in Maumee Soccer Centre on Market Place in October 2024
Chick-Fil-A opened in December 2024 on Pointe Boulevard (Dussel/Arrowhead)
Zane’s Lebanese Grill opened in January 2025 in Arrowhead Shops on W. Dussel Drive
Crave Cookies and Soda opened in January 2025 on W. Wayne Street and was partially funded by a facade grant
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Economic development projects coming in 2025:
Caliber Collision located on the Meijer property is an 11,000-square-foot building. The business will offer insurance body work and will employ about 14 technicians plus admin support.
Superior Auto purchased the former JD Byrider on Conant Street. The new business will rehabilitate the building and property.
Children’s Dental on the corner of Conant Street and Illinois in the old Family Video building. A renovation of the existing building and parking area is planned.
EverDry Waterproofing has started the foundation construction for a 21,000 SF building project on Mingo Drive behind Spartan Chemical.
Wendy’s on West Dussel will rehabilitate or build new. The building was damaged in a fire last year.
Sheetz is breaking ground on a second Maumee location next to Chick-fil-A on the old Max and Erma’s property at West Dussel and Arrowhead. Sheetz says it is committed to strengthening community engagement and has donated $2,500 to help fund new dugouts at Ford Field.
Mod Wash is under construction on Conant Street on the former Jed’s building site.
Jones Hamilton headquarters on Longbow Drive is currently under renovation. The company is investing about $2 million on the site and employs about 35 people.
The Maumee Event Center located at the corner of Arrowhead and Beaver Creek. This is a site in which an existing concrete building (Noah’s Event Center) is being overhauled and opened to the public under new ownership.
UAW (United Auto Workers) is renovating the building at 1789 Indian Wood Circle to house a new training center for its members. The 36,000 square-foot building will house a large conference room and kitchen on the first floor and 13 new offices on the second floor.
Discussion is underway with Mercy Health, relative to exciting new work on the old St. Luke’s site with a goal for high density mixed use.
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Notable capital improvement projects in process:
Arrowhead Road expansion- Graham ditch will be filled in and a new road constructed connecting Illinois Avenue to existing Arrowhead Drive. This will be funded by a $2 million grant from Columbia Gas as part of their expansion project to take place in 2025. This will have a significant positive impact in opening access to Arrowhead Park from Illinois Avenue.
Maumee has been awarded an ODOT grant to redesign Dussel Drive from Market Place to Key Street that will include a redesign of the Dussel/Picadilly intersection and a bike path. ODOT will schedule citizen input meetings when a plan is in place.
The City is in the planning stages to construct an intermodal bicycle path along Illinois Avenue from Ford Street west across the 20A divergent diamond to Briarfield, eventually connecting to the Wabash Cannonball Trail.
Repaving will continue on East River Road from Michigan to the city limits eastbound, including additional parallel parking which will serve to slow traffic along this long stretch of road and provide additional visitor space for those living on the south side of the street.
The City is in the process of applying for a grant to construct a Monclova Road bike path that will lead out to the Wabash Cannonball Trail.
Current proposals to rehabilitate High Street and Inwood Place. Both streets are deteriorated and in dire need of fixing. This is currently in committee for determination.
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Housing Developments that are in the works or recently completed:
Multiple housing developments are also planned for construction, which when completed will bring over 1,000 new units of housing to Maumee.
Arrowhead Lofts is a 62 unit 4-story affordable housing at Longbow and Arrowhead Drive. The new Arrowhead Road expansion from Illinois Avenue will connect to this project, along with a newly designed intersection at Arrowhead and Longbow.
Landings at Delta Crossing is a four-story 60-unit senior apartment complex that will be constructed on Illinois Avenue across from the Maumee Fire Station. The one- and two-bedroom apartments will be rented to those aged 55 and over. The 66,000-square-foot complex will be located on a parcel that once housed a mobile home park, where an abandoned, partially demolished home now sits. Amenities at the new site will include a community room with a kitchen and an exercise room. Supportive services will also be offered to senior residents through the Resident Resources Network, Inc., which will help link residents with service providers in Maumee.
Redwood completed their construction Fall 2024, located on Market Place behind the Maumee Antique Mall. These are villa type units for rent.
The Enclave will include 306 new homes and villas for purchase located on Black Road behind the Shoppes at Fallen Timbers. Construction will begin in 2025.
Pride One is 173 units consisting of a combination of stand-alone townhouse apartment and ranch type buildings for rent on Jerome Road adjacent to the Shoppes at Fallen Timbers. This will also include improvements to Jerome Drive.
Columbus-based developer Metropolitan Holdings has proposed a $54.5 million luxury apartment complex at Arrowhead Business Park on a site that has remained vacant for 40 years. The project is poised to bring significant growth to the area. In addition to providing much-needed housing, the apartment complex will help save the aging business park by offering the type of mixed-use development and amenities necessary for today’s market.
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Why was the development company for the development at Arrowhead Park given a tax abatement?
Columbus-based developer Metropolitan Holdings has proposed a $54.5 million luxury apartment complex at Arrowhead Business Park on a site that has remained vacant for 40 years. The project is poised to bring significant growth to the area. In addition to providing much-needed housing, the apartment complex will help save the aging business park by offering the type of mixed-use development and amenities necessary for today’s market.
A 15-year tax abatement was approved for the project, during which time the city anticipates receiving approximately $3.3 million in income tax, and after the abatement expires, $3.1 million in property tax. Additionally, the development is projected to generate around $66.47 million in discretionary income for local Maumee businesses over the next 15 years, driven by the new residents' spending on living, dining, and shopping within the community.
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Community event growth that has benefited from improvements to Uptown Maumee:
Uptown Maumee Farmer’s Market - New for 2025, the Maumee Uptown Business Association, in conjunction with the Maumee Chamber of Commerce and City of Maumee, are creating a weekly Farmer’s Market that will occur every Wednesday from May-October in the Municipal Building Parking Lot. (www.maumeefarmersmarket.com)
Acoustics for Autism - Acoustics for Autism is returning to Uptown Maumee again in 2025 after continued exponential growth and success over its first 17 years. (www.acousticsforautism.com)
Maumee Summer Fair - The Maumee Summer Fair has continued to grow each year. The recent uptown renewal project has supported requirements of this great event and encouraged new energy and activities into the event. (www.maumeesummerfair.com)
Maumee Film Festival - The Maumee Film Festival presented by the Maumee Uptown Business Association, City of Maumee Indoor Theater, and Film Toledo, returned after a 4 year hiatus in 2024. Not only did the event have the most submissions and attendees in its existence, but it brought in film makers from all over the world to Maumee’s Uptown. The Film Festival will return in 2025 eager to expand on its recent growth.
Maumee Music Fest and July 3rd Celebration - The Maumee Uptown Business Association, in conjunction with the City of Maumee and Chamber of Commerce, have expanded the July 3rd celebration in Uptown Maumee due to the added and improved infrastructure as part of the uptown renewal project. The expanded event incorporates a full day free music festival with various family activities that culminates with the annual fire work show. This event brings thousands of visitors to our Uptown Area that support various local businesses and organizations. The Maumee Music Fest and July 3rd Celebration will be back in 2025. (https://maumee.org/music-fest/)
Vegan Take-Over - The Vegan Take-Over, presented by the Maumee Uptown Business Association, will be returning in 2025 for its 4th year. This event highlights various vegan vendors and food trucks in a 1 day festival in our Uptown.
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