The Bellefontaine City Council met for the final time in 2024 and knocked out a heavy legislative agenda. Council President Zeb Wagner first addressed the council, reminding them that the next regular meeting of the council was to be on Christmas Eve. Wagner said that the council has traditionally canceled the second meeting in December due to its proximity to Christmas. Wagner said if the council decided to follow tradition and cancel the meeting, several ordinances would need to be passed at this meeting. The council decided to cancel the final meeting, paving the way for the heavy legislative session.
Before the legislative action, Mayor David Crissman proposed Robyn Wunderle to fill a three-year term on the city Shade Tree Commission. The council accepted the mayor’s recommendation. Mayor Crissman also swore in two new firefighters, Jonathan Downing and Logan Searcy. Both new firefighters will be attending paramedic training and then fire training before joining the department. With these two new firefighters, the city is officially at full strength.
In his report to the council, Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds proposed to the council that they table two ordinances that were to receive their second reading. The ordinances would allow for increases to tap fees, or fees that are charged to tap into city infrastructure. While it has been a long time since the fees were increased, Dodds said he feels that the council should table the ordinances until after the first of the year which would allow time for debate. Dodds discusses his request:
Dodds also thanked the volunteers and city departments that worked to make the recent Christmas parade a rousing success.
In his comments, City Auditor Fred Brentlinger informed the council that up for their consideration was an ordinance that would allow additional positions brought onto the Municipal Court, Prosecutor’s Office, and Law DIrector’s Office this year to be paid in 2025. Brentlinger said that these additional positions were omitted from the appropriations ordinance for 2025 due to an error.
Police Chief Chris Marlow updated the council on the status of the two new officer hires. The officers, both transfers from other departments, are in the training portion of their orientation. One officer is currently with his training officer and the other is due to enter field training after the first of the year. He also said that the three new cruisers that had been on order had been delivered and would be outfitted for service. He expects the vehicles to join the fleet in a few months.
Bellefontaine Fire Chief Brian Wilson informed the council that the test for Assistant Chief was recently administered and the tests are in the process of being scored. Once those tests are scored, the process of naming a new Assistant Chief can continue.
Moving to the legislative portion of the meeting, one ordinance and three resolutions were considered:
- 24-105 – An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the appropriations ordinance for Municipal Court, Prosecutor’s Office, and Law Director’s additional positions. A motion was made and approved to waive the three-reading rule. The ordinance was adopted on its first and final reading.
- R24-106 – A resolution establishing a new fund, established new revenue and expense accounts. A motion was made and approved to waive the 48-hour notification rule. Adopted.
- R24-107 – A resolution allowing disbursements from the Sloan Fund for needy students. A motion was made and approved to waive the 48-hour notification rule. Adopted.
- R24-108 – A resolution allowing the Police Chief to apply for and receive a grant from the Logan County United Way to fund community outreach programs. Adopted.
Several ordinances were given their second reading:
- 24-100 – An ordinance approving a new collective bargaining agreement between the International Association of Firefighters and the City of Bellefontaine for fire safety services commencing January 1, 2025. Motion made and approved to waive three-reading rule. The ordinance was adopted on its second and final reading.
- 24-102 – An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 921 (Utilities – General) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine. Motion made and approved to waive three-reading rule. The ordinance was adopted on its second and final reading.
- 24-103 – An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 923 (Water) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Motion made to table legislation. Ordinance tabled.
- 24-104 – An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 925 (Sewers) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine. Motion made to table legislation. Ordinance tabled.
Several ordinances were given their third and final reading:
- 24-86 – An ordinance making temporary appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures during the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025. Adopted.
- 24-87 – An ordinance authorizing the purchase of miscellaneous supplies, equipment, and services for use in 2025, and declaring an emergency in the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Adopted.
- 24-88 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation of the Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge for 2025. Adopted.
- 24-91 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for the President of Council, Council Members, Clerk of Council, Mayor, Law Director, and Auditor for 2025. Adopted.
- 24-92 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Adopted.
- 24-93 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Adopted.
- 24-94 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Adopted.
- 24-95 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain Bellefontaine Municipal Court employees. Adopted.
- 24-98 – An ordinance approving a new collective bargaining agreement between The Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association and the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, for police safety services commencing January 1, 2025. Adopted.
The next meeting of the Bellefontaine council will be January 14, 2025, at 7:30 PM in council chambers.
