Joe Bates

The agenda outlines discussions for a combined Special Meeting and Regular Meeting. Key topics in the Special Meeting included an update on the 2026 Street Program and an Executive Session regarding Economic Development Assistance requests. The Regular Meeting agenda featured a special presentation honoring Past Mayors. Old Business included decisions on tabling an ordinance related to increasing the municipal income tax rate for street repairs, holding public hearings for ordinances concerning provider mapping data and electric bicycle use on sidewalks, and the adoption of an ordinance regarding a lease agreement for Kava Haus Xenia, LLC at the Xenia Station building. New Business involved introductions or considerations for several ordinances and resolutions, such as enacting regulations for City-sponsored community events, authorizing agreements for the BusinessFirst! Program and the S. Patton Street Bridge Replacement Project, authorizing income tax rebate agreements with Aerovironment, Inc. and Amcon Distributing Company, authorizing the purchase of SUVs for the Police Division, authorizing the sale of city-owned property at 714 E. Market Street, and making Council Standing Committee Assignments and Board and Commission Appointments for 2026.

The meeting commenced with the annual reorganization, resulting in the election of Wesley Smith as Council President for 2026, and Councilman Crawford as Vice President for 2026. A special presentation was given regarding the establishment of a sister city relationship with an entity in Ghana, including details about the trip taken by councilmembers and the presentation of a ceremonial stool to the City of Xenia. Audience comments addressed concerns about a previous income tax levy and ongoing road funding needs. New business included the introduction of ordinances for leasing space in the Xenia Station Building to Kava Haus Xenia, LLC, and rezoning a property on Vine Street to B-3 General Business District. A resolution was approved for the final phase of the Summer Brooke South Subdivision, and another resolution was approved supporting the City's application for the Residential Economic Development District (REDD) Grant Program to fund workforce housing components of the Xenia Market District project. Appointed officials provided reports, including updates on the City's financial standing, the ongoing service relationship and outstanding payments with Central State University (CSU), and the status of the Xenia Market District construction. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss general legal advice.

Prior to the Special Meeting, Councilmembers Rachel Huffman and Jesse Rubio were sworn in by the City Clerk. The meeting convened for an Executive Session to consider matters related to the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee. During the Executive Session, the Council interviewed twelve applicants for a Council vacancy. The Special Meeting was subsequently adjourned.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting included several key items, with public hearings scheduled for Ordinance 2026-01, authorizing a lease agreement for space at the Xenia Station Building to Kava Haus Xenia, LLC, and Ordinance 2026-02, concerning the rezoning of a property on Vine Street from R-2 Two-Family Residential District to B-3 General Business District. Old Business involved Ordinance 2025-39 regarding an increase to the city's municipal income tax rate for street repairs, which was set to remain tabled. New Business included the introduction of ordinances related to provider mapping data and electric bicycle use on sidewalks, as well as resolutions establishing the 2026 organizational plan, waiving the COLA increase for water usage rates, and authorizing a lease for Parking Lot 8. During reports, discussions covered the financial standing of the city, clarification on services provided to Central State University, and an update on the Xenia Market District project status. Council also directed staff to implement a sister city welcoming committee following a presentation about the trip to Ghana.

The January 8, 2026, meeting agenda included a reorganization to elect the Council President and Vice President for 2026. Old Business involved Ordinance 2025-39, which proposes increasing the municipal income tax rate by 0.24% for ten years to fund street repairs and maintenance, tabled from the previous meeting. New Business items included the introduction of ordinances to authorize a lease agreement for a portion of the Xenia Station Building to Kava Haus Xenia, LLC, and to rezone property on Vine Street from R-2 Two-Family Residential District to B-3 General Business District. Additionally, resolutions were scheduled for introduction concerning the final plat approval for the Summer Brooke South Subdivision and supporting the City's application for the Residential Economic Development District Grant Program. The document also contains minutes from the preceding December 22, 2025, meeting, where key actions included the failure to adopt Ordinance 2025-33 regarding a major change to the Timber Ridge Planned Unit Development, the adoption of Ordinance 2025-35 to increase the motor vehicle license tax, and the adoption of Resolution 2025-066 to place the income tax increase on the May 2026 ballot. Furthermore, the December meeting involved passing resolutions to award a contract for the Police Division Firing Range electronic target system, authorize a Community Paramedicine Pilot Program, and extend the Consolidated Dispatch Agreement with a revised cost-sharing model.