A few residents took to the podium to address their concerns about the moratorium that the council enacted in February of this year. As previously reported on peakofohio.com, the city council enacted a moratorium on zoning permit or application requests relating to cannabis cultivation, processing, or dispensaries in the city until the House of Representatives in Columbus provides guidance on State Issue 2, which voters approved in November of 2023. While voters approved the use of recreational marijuana in Ohio, no mechanism governs either the cultivation or the sale of marijuana in the state.
Residents Howard Traul and Jeff Willetts, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Bellefontaine, urged the council to act to make the moratorium permanent while resident John Stephens spoke out in favor of allowing dispensaries to proceed.
In his report to the council, Mayor David Crissman made several appointments, as the terms for several city board appointees were set to expire on December 31, 2024. Mayor Crissman appointed Keyne Strickland to a 3-year term on the Parks Commission, Tammy Gump and Dr. Jason A. Robson to the Board of Tax Review, and Terry Stolly and Doug Zimmerman to a 4-year term on the Bellefontaine-Logan County Finance and Development Authority. The council approved those recommendations unanimously.
Service/Safety Director Wes Dodd told the council that he is hosting a meeting on December 19, 2024, to form a steering committee for upcoming strategic planning sessions. As the city looks to the future, these sessions will solicit input from several sources, including the public.
In his remarks to the council, City Auditor Fred Brentlinger said that his office was recently told that the city received an AAA3 bond rating from Moody’s, the firm’s highest rating. This rating means that the bonds the city will offer for sale will be at the lowest interest rate possible, making the bonds very attractive to investors. Brentlinger said that the sale totaling $5 million was closed in under two hours.
Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District Superintendent Kris Myers spoke about the excellent rating:
Myers then talked about what a good rating from Moody’s means to the city:
Several ordinances were given various readings in a heavy legislative portion of the meeting. Three ordinances were adopted:
- 24-80 – An ordinance authorizing the Service/Safety Director to enter into a contract with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for a fire station alerting system.
- 24-84 – An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to enter into a contract with CHA Consulting, Inc. for professional services related to the Bellefontaine Regional Airport.
- 24-85 – An ordinance amending Chapter 1127 Enforcement and Violations of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Several ordinances were given a second 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.
- 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.
- 24-88 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation of the Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge for 2025.
- 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.
- 24-92 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
- 24-93 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
- 24-94 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
- 24-95 – An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain Bellefontaine Municipal Court employees.
- 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.
- 24-99 – An ordinance approving and adopting new planning and zoning regulations regarding solar energy systems for the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, to be codified as Chapter 1166 of the Codified Ordinances of said city. Baker, Davis, and Fitzpatrick voted yes; Aler, James, and Springs voted no. Reser – ABSENT. The ordinance went to Council President Zeb Wagner, who abstained due to a conflict of interest. Ordinance failed.
Several ordinances were given first 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.
- 24-101 – A resolution implementing sections 3735.65 through 3735.70 of the Ohio Revised Code, establishing and describing the boundaries of the Bellefontaine Community Reinvestment Area in the City of Bellefontaine, designating a Housing Officer to administer the program, and creating a Community Reinvestment Housing Council and a Tax Incentive Review Council. Baker, Davis, James, and Fitzpatrick voted yes; Aler and Springs voted no. Reser – ABSENT.
- 24-102 – An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 921 (Utilities – General) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine.
- 24-103 – An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 923 (Water) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
- 24-104 – An ordinance amending certain provisions of Chapter 925 (Sewers) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine.
At the close of the meeting, it was agreed to issue a liquor license to El Cazador, to be located at 1716 South Main Street, the former Arby’s building.
Watch the replay of the meeting HERE.
The next meeting of the Bellefontaine Council will be Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7:30 PM in council chambers, this will be the only meeting in December due to the holidays.
