Melanie Branditz

The Council meeting involved several key legislative items presented for first reading, including an ordinance authorizing a Mutual Aid Agreement for Law Enforcement between the City of Springdale and West Chester Township, and an ordinance to accept a proposal for park improvements at the Springdale Community Center through the Omnia Partners Cooperative Purchasing Program with GameTime for $349,607.09. Other first readings included job creation and retention agreements with Sandy Shores Partners, Inc. (Closets by Design) and Radiant Development Group, LLC (Shine of Cincinnati). A resolution supporting participation in the 2026 National Fitness Campaign was adopted. The Council also held an Executive Session regarding pending or imminent litigation. Reports from various committees detailed ongoing processes, such as Civil Service updates on hiring timelines, Finance Committee activity, Planning Commission approval of a map amendment for Closets by Design and Shine on Century Boulevard, and updates on future engineering projects including East Kemper Improvements and the Northland Kemper Intersection Realignment. A presentation by the Parks & Recreation Director outlined plans for an ADA-accessible playground funded by a private donor, and grant requests for resurfacing basketball and tennis courts, adding pickleball courts, and developing an outdoor fitness court.

The council meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included the approval of the previous meeting's minutes from December 17, 2025. The council then proceeded to vote on several ordinances, all declared as emergencies. Ordinance Number 012026, adopting the annual appropriation estimated receipts ordinance for fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, was passed. Ordinance Number 22026, authorizing the execution of a collective bargaining agreement with the Ohio Patrolman's Benevolent Association for full-time patrol officers for the period 2026 through 2028, was adopted. Ordinance Number 3, 2026, authorizing an agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police Ohio Labor Council for corporals, sergeants, and lieutenants for the 2026-2028 period, was also approved. Ordinance Number 4, 2026, authorized an agreement with Ultimate Toys Incorporated regarding a job creation and retention incentive program, welcoming the company's CEO to the meeting. Finally, Resolution R12026 was passed, requesting advanced payment of applicable funds, including real estate taxes, from the Hamilton County Auditor.

The regular council meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and invocation, followed by council roll call. Discussions included the approval of minutes from the December 1st special council meeting and the December 3rd meeting. A significant portion of the meeting involved reminders on meeting decorum for both council members and the audience, citing city ordinances and Ohio Revised Code regarding disruptive conduct and side conversations. Committee reports covered several key items: the Civil Service Commission approved revisions to two job descriptions, changing the titles of Public Health Nurse to Director of Nursing and Public Health Sanitarian to Director of Environmental Health. The Finance Committee recommended the proposed 2026 budget to the council and reported on the General Fund activity through November 30, 2025. The Planning Commission meeting was canceled due to no agenda items. The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for a complicated case involving a second-story addition at 918 York Haven. The Board of Health reported on new business openings, license transfers, the status of the event center inspection, required accreditation board updates, and provided updates on the overdose report (zero Narcan uses in November), vaccination efforts, and blood pressure clinics. The Mayor reported on past events, including sealing a time capsule, the Santa 5K, the tree lighting, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency facility. The Mayor also provided updates on recent appointments to various boards and commissions. The Administrator reported on the continuation of leaf collection efforts, noting delays due to weather, and updates on HVAC and LED upgrades. Finance shared details regarding a deviation in the December payment schedule for elected officials related to OPERS pension service credit. The Law Director announced forthcoming communication regarding changes in state law taking effect in the new year. The Engineer reported on the reopening of Northland Boulevard, progress on the East Kemper Phase One improvement project, and the preliminary design stage for the Keer Northland intersection realignment.

The meeting agenda included opening proceedings, the Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call. Key legislative items for second reading included ordinances authorizing a mutual aid agreement for law enforcement with West Chester Township, accepting a proposal for improvements at the Springdale Community Center through the OMNIA Partners program, and entering into agreements related to job creation and retention programs with Sandy Shores Partners, Inc. (Close­ts By Design) and Radiant Development Group, LLC (Shine of Cincinnati). First readings covered ordinances for accepting street and public improvements associated with the WAWA development and approving a zone change for property at 1155 Century Boulevard. The agenda also allocated time for communications from the audience, executive session, old business, new business, and concluded with a recap of legislative items and adjournment.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll call. The council approved the minutes from the September 17th, 2025 meeting. A proclamation was presented by the Mayor regarding Fire Prevention Week, emphasizing the importance of safely using, charging, and recycling lithium batteries due to associated fire risks. A resident addressed the council regarding Ordinance 42, which concerns compensation for elected officials, expressing concern over indexing pay to external factors like township trustees or commissioners, while generally supporting a raise after a 20-year period. Another resident presented on the Hamilton County America 250 committee, encouraging the City of Springdale to officially participate in the semi-quincsentennial celebration. Finally, the council considered Ordinance Number 40 2025, which establishes mitigation rates for emergency and non-emergency services provided by the Fire Department, passed with an emergency clause.