Tuesday evening, the Bellefontaine City Council gathered for its regular meeting — but it was anything but routine.
Council President Zeb Wagner was absent, and Councilman Kyle Springs filled the role.
Mayor David Crissman was also absent.
In administrative reports, Maddie Stotler from the Downtown Bellefontaine Partnership reported that there are two upcoming events in the city, “Fall in love with Bellefontaine” and “The Great Pumpkin Walk.”
Fire Chief Brian Wilson reported that Engine 22 recently underwent $5,000 in repairs, and now Engine 32 has sprung an oil leak, which hopefully can be fixed internally.
He went on to report that the Bellefontaine Professional Firefighters will hold a donation based all you can eat pancake breakfast on October 4th.
During public comments, Bellefontaine Police Department’s Dispatcher Angie Hall spoke on behalf of their union, announcing they’re taking a stand against the 9-1-1 levy that Logan County voters will see on the November ballot.
Another major talking point centered around the proposed annexation of property near Southview Park.
One resident who owns property that would be surrounded by the annexation spoke out against the proposal, saying she is concerned about the pace at which the city is growing, safety, and wants the quality of life in the city to be considered.
While the first reading of the ordinance passed unanimously at the last meeting, things changed Tuesday night — three council members voted against it.
The third and final reading of that ordinance is scheduled for the next City Council meeting on September 23rd at 7:30, inside council chambers.
In legislative action, the following occurred:
Ordinances for 1st reading:
- R25-65 a. A resolution to opt-in to participate in proposed opioid settlement Agreements with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler Family and authorizing the Mayor of the City of Bellefontaine to execute any and all documents related to these settlement agreements. (A 100% vote adopted the resolution.)
- R25-66 b. A resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor. (A 100% vote adopted the resolution.)
Ordinances for 2nd reading:
- 25-62 a. An ordinance accepting application for annexation of certain territory/Real estate to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, containing 143.138 acres, owned by Andrew G. Detrick and Barbara Detrick, located in Harrison Township adjacent to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, establishing zoning classification therefore amending the zoning map and declaring an Emergency. (4-3 splot vote. Aler, Reser, and Meyers-Fitzpatrick voted no on the measure. It was also decided that the emergency language would be removed from the ordinance.)
- 25-63 b. An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 923 Water of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. (The second reading of the ordinance was passed by a 100% vote.)
- 25-64 c. An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 925 Sewers of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. (The second reading of the ordinance was passed by a 100% vote.)
Ordinances for 3rd reading
- 25-54 a. An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations Ordinance for purposes of the Bellefontaine Police Department and declaring an emergency. (The motion was adopted by a 100% vote.)
- 25-55 b. An ordinance to approve, adopt, and enact the 2025 replacement pages to The Codified Ordinances and declaring an emergency. (The motion was adopted by a 100% vote.)
- 25-58 c. An ordinance authorizing the Service Safety Director, on behalf of the City of Bellefontaine, to enter into an emergency repair agreement with Levan’s Excavating, Inc. regarding a ruptured storm water line under Canby Street and declaring an emergency. (The motion was adopted by a 100% vote.)
