Kelly Carroll

The City Council convened for both a Work Session and a Regular Meeting. Key discussions during the Work Session included the presentation of an Emergency Ordinance for supplemental appropriation of monies amending the 2026 annual appropriation ordinance, waiving the second and third readings, and city manager reports on upcoming projects. These projects include the resurfacing and construction of parking lots at North Park, progress on the Easton Farm Development and associated land swaps, the East Street (100-150) Redevelopment Project timelines, and advertising for the Local Income Tax Made Easy (LIME) program. Council members also discussed future needs for a salt bin near the new fire station and property maintenance updates. During the Regular Meeting, the Mayor presented the 2026 State of the City address, highlighting community satisfaction, business growth, financial outlook, infrastructure investments, parkland statistics, public safety achievements, and recognizing volunteer service. Legislation was subsequently adopted to approve the emergency supplemental appropriation. Public comments were received opposing the preliminary rezoning of South Richards Run (High Concrete area) from Residential-1 to Planned Unit Development-Manufacturing.

The Work Session addressed legislative items, including the third reading and adoption of an ordinance rezoning 1.07 acres at 100-150 East Street from R-2 to PUD-R for residential redevelopment, and the approval of the associated General Plan. A first reading ordinance regarding rezoning 12.123 acres near South Richards Run Road to M-2 was removed as the application was withdrawn, leading to the cancellation of the related Public Hearing. Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a new Annexation Agreement with Clearcreek Township for property on North State Route 741, changing the requested zoning from PUD-R to R-1. Resolutions were adopted to contract with John R. Jurgensen Company for the 2026 Street Resurfacing & Concrete Work program, retain Fishbeck for Sanitary Sewer Flow Metering Services, participate in an agreement with Warren County Engineer's Office for road salt purchase, award a contract to Capital Electric Line Builders for Traffic Signals Radar Detection Upgrades, and appoint a designee for the State Certified Public Records Training. Following the Work Session, City Council entered an Executive Session for economic development discussions related to potential public expenditure and project strategies. During the subsequent Regular Meeting, Council adopted the resolutions discussed in the Work Session, approved the minutes from the January 1 and January 15, 2026 meetings, and acknowledged receipt of a Community Entertainment District (CED) application. City Manager reports included an update on the recent snowstorm, noting the use of 600 tons of salt and current shortages, as well as proposed adjustments to utility fees: an increase in trash fees, a base rate increase in water offset by a sewer rate decrease (to prepare for PFAS remediation), and increases in stormwater fees and the introduction of new stormwater tap-in fees for new construction.

The City Council Work Session included a review of legislative items scheduled for the subsequent Regular Meeting on the same date. Topics covered included reports from the City Manager and Clerk of Council, and general issues/reports from the City Council members. The Regular Meeting agenda included a Public Hearing concerning a significant rezoning application by LJB, Inc. on behalf of High Concrete Group, LLC, requesting to change zoning classifications for approximately 12.123 acres from M-1, PUD-O, and R-1 districts to M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing District). Legislative items for the Regular Meeting involved the third reading of an ordinance to rezone 1.07 acres on East Street, the first reading of the ordinance regarding the 12.123-acre rezoning, and multiple resolutions. Resolutions authorized a General Plan approval for the East Street property, the execution of an Annexation Agreement with Clearcreek Township, contracts for the 2026 Street Resurfacing & Concrete Work Program, the Sanitary Sewer Flow Metering Services project, participation in purchasing road salt for the next winter season, and the Traffic Signals Radar Detection Upgrades project. Additionally, a resolution appointed a designee for City Council members to comply with State Certified Public Records Training requirements. The meetings concluded with reports and provisions for public comments and an executive session.

The document details discussions and actions from both a City Council Work Session and a Regular Meeting, both occurring on January 15, 2026. Key discussions in the Work Session focused on the Proposed Community Entertainment District (CED), which would allow the City access to 15 additional liquor permits without meeting the standard $50M investment threshold due to specific city exceptions. The legislative agenda for the Regular Meeting involved several resolutions, including the authorization for the City Manager to execute ODOT final legislation for the East Central Avenue (SR 73) resurfacing project, a contract with Sturm Construction Inc. for the West Tech Road Extension project intended to support economic development, and authorization for ODOT consent legislation for the War Central Greenway Shared Use Path Segment D Project. Other business involved the appointment of several candidates to city boards and commissions, specifically Matt Schnipke to the Planning Commission, Maxwell Paton to the Board of Zoning Appeals, and Richard Salwan to the Board of Review/Taxation. The City Manager also provided updates on the winter salt supply, school construction schedules, and mobilization for the Easton Farm development.

The combined meeting addressed several legislative items presented as Emergency Ordinances. Key actions included the third reading and adoption of an ordinance approving the record plan and contract for Eastbrook Farms Subdivision Section 1, Phase A, and the first reading and adoption of ordinances for Northampton Subdivision Phase 2, Easton Farm Subdivision Section Three, a supplemental appropriation ordinance (including funds for new city building boilers and a donation to the Warren County Drug Task Force), the issuance of Land Acquisition Bond Anticipation Notes for Easton Farm property purchase, and land appropriation for a bike trail near Pioneer Blvd. Additionally, a resolution was adopted authorizing a professional services agreement with Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling Co., L.P.A. for legal counsel for 2026-2027, and a resolution approving employee pay ranges and a 4.5% wage scale index adjustment for 2026. A resolution authorizing an agreement with Woodard Development, LLC for a First-Time Home Buyer Program on East Street property was also approved, along with a resolution for ODOT consent legislation for the Pennyroyal Road Resurfacing Project. During the Work Session, the Council held an Executive Session to consider the compensation of a public employee. The Council also reviewed and approved the 2026 Council Committee Appointments, including naming Becky Iverson as Deputy Mayor for 2026.