Steven E. Bergstresser

The meeting included a public hearing concerning proposed amendments to the zoning code regarding surface parking lots, which the Planning Commission recommended for approval. The council discussed authorizing cost-sharing agreements for one School Resource Officer shared between Archbishop Alter High School and St. Charles Borromeo School, with a 70/30 cost split requested by the Police Department. A first reading was held for an ordinance to enact Section 660.21 of the codified ordinances concerning private water systems and urban setting designation areas (USD), intended to prevent the use of groundwater for drinking water purposes in designated areas. Another first reading covered an ordinance proposing changes to the table of organization, classification plan, and compensation structure for city employees, including a 3% wage increase for non-union regular full-time and part-time employees, adjustments in the Law and Finance Departments regarding administrative and technician roles, changes to positions in Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts, and updates to military leave language. The City Manager provided a community update highlighting blood pressure clinic dates, Medicare open enrollment deadlines, the Mayor's treelighting event, and holiday office closures and trash service delays. Additionally, a member of the Sustainability Committee thanked the council for establishing the committee and its recent work aligning with the strategic plan, noting the installation of new compost trash cans and the dedication of the Hope for Christmas store.

The meeting commenced with the Mayor's official swearing-in ceremony, followed by the swearing-in of two new council members, Lisa Duvall as Vice Mayor and Dan Palmer. Following the invocation and recognition of guests and former council members, committee appointments for various bodies, including the Long-Range Planning Committee and Finance and Personnel Committee, were confirmed. Key business included resolutions authorizing contracts for cybersecurity software and services ($39,600) and accepting a grant award ($25,445) to complete the implementation of enhanced login security for city employees. Another resolution authorized the purchase of computers and services from Dell for the 2025 PC replacement program ($169,976), and a final resolution approved advertising for bids for curb, sidewalk, and asphalt resurfacing projects on Display Lane and Parklon Drive, marking the kickoff for the 2026 Capital Improvement Program.

The key discussion point of the meeting involved a new business item: the replat of Lot 19 of the Kettering Corporate Center replat number one (PC-25-012) into two new lots. This action was requested to facilitate the transfer of property to SixA. The staff report confirmed compliance with city subdivision ordinances and recommended approval without conditions. The commission subsequently approved the final record plan for the replat following a motion and confirmation of the vote count. The meeting concluded with staff preparing to sign the approved plat after adjournment and confirming no other items or reports were pending.

The meeting included discussions and a public hearing regarding a zoning text amendment, specifically to section 1137.06.18, pertaining to surface parking lots. The proposed amendment aims to introduce greater flexibility in the establishment of standalone parking lots adjacent to commercial districts. The revisions cover location requirements, correction of errors from previous codes, and the approval process for access points. The planning commission is considering factors such as the size of the parking lot, street frontage, proximity to intersections, location of nearby uses, anticipated customer visit length, potential traffic through adjacent neighborhoods, and recommendations from the city engineer.

The council meeting included a presentation about the Christmas Day gathering at the Lam Center. An ordinance was discussed regarding private water systems in urban setting designation areas, aiming to prohibit drinking water wells in areas with a USD designation by the Ohio EPA. Also, there was discussion on an ordinance that includes a 3% wage increase for non-union employees and staffing changes across various departments. The council also discussed the designation of a housing officer for the city, the purchase of a robotic total station for the engineering department, and the 2026 street maintenance program. Additional topics included accepting a grant for a new senior softball league and a safety intervention grant for the fire department to purchase a power stair chair. The council also authorized pay increases for the clerk of council and the city manager, and directed the finance director to commit additional funds for economic development purposes.