Kristi Babcock

The agenda focuses on financial and legislative matters, including a presentation by Baker Tilly regarding the 2026 bond issuance. Key legislative items involve the establishment of a plan for collecting delinquent utility accounts, the acceptance of recommendations from the 2025 Tax Incentive Review Council, and authorization for a contract payment to Santmyer Energy Inc. Additionally, the committee will discuss resolutions for the issuance and sale of bonds to fund various infrastructure projects and downtown improvements.

The committee received reports from the Police and Fire Chiefs regarding recent statistics, training, and community outreach efforts. Significant discussions focused on the routing of cellular 911 calls to the Wadsworth Dispatch Center and various departmental staffing updates. Additional items included an update on the MARCS tower project and asbestos testing at 179 Grandview. The committee extensively discussed downtown parking regulations, including two-hour parking limitations in the Square, intersection safety at Chestnut and Main, and the authority of the Safety Director under Ordinance 70.10. Furthermore, the committee reviewed the current ordinance regarding snow and ice removal from sidewalks and began preliminary discussions regarding the upcoming Fire Levy.

The Council reviewed and acted upon several legislative items, including ordinances related to sidewalk improvement projects, tree trimming for electric lines, a wastewater treatment plant equipment rebuild, material purchases for a fiber-to-the-home project, a cooperative agreement for public infrastructure, zoning changes for the Shadow Creek development, street sweeping contracts, and water treatment plant supplies. Additionally, the Council approved budget appropriations for capital improvements, allocated income tax receipts, and authorized professional engineering services for sanitary sewer overflow reduction. The meeting also included committee updates and a ribbon-cutting announcement.

The committee reviewed water infrastructure projects including potential funding applications for water towers and various street improvements. Discussion took place regarding the critical rebuild of an aquascreen at the wastewater treatment plant. The committee addressed annual legislation for tree trimming and line clearance to maintain electric infrastructure. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the CityLink Fiber-to-the-Home project, covering material procurement, progress on fiber installation, current subscription numbers, and the strategic transition of customers from cable TV to streaming services.

The committee discussed a proposed mixed-use development on Wall Road, focusing on the annexation process, zoning classifications, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for necessary infrastructure. A second economic development item involved a TIF cooperation agreement for the Addison Property. In planning and zoning matters, the committee reviewed the zoning map and text amendment for the Shadow Creek Planned Unit Development. Additionally, updates were provided regarding the CDBG-funded CHIP grant program for home repairs and rehabilitation, as well as inquiries into downtown signage and sidewalk regulations.