The Bellefontaine City Council met in regular session Tuesday night and heard updates on upcoming city events. Mayor David Crissman said he had recently met with the fireworks company and several city department heads to begin planning the logistics of the American 250th Birthday Celebration and Fireworks display at Blue Jacket Park. Crissman said they are planning on events all day on July 3rd, culminating in the first fireworks display in Bellefontaine in several years.
In his report to the council, Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds said that demolition work has begun on 114 North Detroit Street. The new owners of the building had hoped to renovate it, but discovered structural issues that made renovation work impossible. He said he hoped the building would be down completely by the end of the week, allowing city residents to use the parking lot that has been closed.
Dodds also thanked several departments for their response to the recent windstorm that hit the city. Several departments, especially the Parks and Traffic Departments, worked to remove trees and restore traffic signals.
Police Chief Chris Marlow informed the council that background checks are continuing for the candidates for future openings. He also said the department has held internal meetings to address manpower issues for upcoming events, including the fireworks show.
Fire Chief Brian Wilson informed the council that a probationary employee was recently terminated and is working to fill the opening.
Parks Supervisor Rick Reed praised his department for working to remove several trees that fell in the windstorm, including one at the cemetery that required a crane. He also said that the recent weather has allowed cement work to proceed at Harmon Park. Reed also said that 374 kids have registered for spring baseball and softball.
Downtown Events Coordinator Olivia Covey updated the council on the recent St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl and revealed that all the tickets for the event had been sold. She also said that the event drew people from as far away as Chicago. She said that several events on the horizon are keeping her staff busy. Covey talks about the upcoming events:
During the legislative portion of the meeting, several ordinances were read:
- R26-12 – A resolution authorizing the Service-Safety Director and/or Fire Chief to apply for and accept a $5,000 grant award from Wal-Mart. Resolution adopted.
- 26-13 – An ordinance authorizing and granting to Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, Inc., its successors and assigns, a gas franchise in the City of Bellefontaine, State of Ohio, for a period of twenty-five (25) years, automatically renewing for additional periods of five (5) years. Ordinance passed on first reading only.
- 26-14 – An ordinance vacating a portion of that certain North-South public alley between lots 2781-2786 on the west and lots 2792-2796 and that certain 0.173-acre tract owned by Logan County Metropolitan Housing Authority on the east in the City of Bellefontaine, Lake Township, Logan County, Ohio. Ordinance passed on first reading only.
For second reading:
- 26-11 – An ordinance accepting application for annexation of certain territory/real estate to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, containing 2.494 acres, owned by Gary L. Alexander, Jr., located in Jefferson Township adjacent to the city, establishing zoning classification, and amending the zoning map. Ordinance passed on second reading only.
For third reading:
- 26-07 – An ordinance making permanent appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. Ordinance adopted.
The next meeting of the Bellefontaine City Council will be on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM in council chambers. The meeting is open to the public.
