The Bellefontaine City Council met in regular session Tuesday evening, starting with a report from Mayor David Crissman.
Crissman announced he will travel to Bellefontaine’s sister city of Suzuka, Japan, in a few weeks.
He also shared that the city is partnering with Viewpoint, a public television program, to film a promotional segment in September.
The piece will showcase life in Bellefontaine and be featured on the city’s website and social media.
Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds updated council on the city’s master plan.
The next phase will include recommendations on potential uses for city-owned land and updates to existing buildings.
Dodds also discussed plans to add more firefighters and police officers.
Auditor Fred Brentlinger reported that, year-to-date, the city’s tax revenue is $595,000 higher than at this time in 2024.
He added that $1 million has been collected so far from the Parks Levy.
Police Chief Chris Marlow said he recently interviewed seven candidates for open or upcoming positions within the department.
Those applicants will now move forward in the lengthy hiring process.
Downtown Bellefontaine Partnership’s Maddie Stotler highlighted a strong week for local businesses, which hosted two major events.
She also reminded council of two upcoming downtown activities: the “Tailgate Takeover” on September 6th and the “Fall in Love with Bellefontaine” celebration on September 20th.
Council then went on to hear the following readings:
Ordinances for 1st 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. Passed on first reading only 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. Passed on first reading only by a 100% vote.
- R25-56 c. A resolution by the council of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, declaring its intention to provide services to a certain territory to be annexed to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, containing 2.494 acres in Jefferson Township of Logan County, Ohio, and said land owned by Gary L. Alexander, Jr. and adjacent to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Adopted by a 100% vote.
- 25-57 d. An ordinance authorizing and directing the Service-Safety Director to advertise for requests for statements of qualifications for the performance of services necessary to complete a facilities master plan and declaring an emergency in the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. First and final reading and adopted by a 100% vote.
- 25-58 e. An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director on behalf of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, 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. Passed on first reading only by a 100% vote.
Ordinances for 2nd reading
- 25-49 a. An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent appropriations ordinance for purposes of Municipal Court and MRH endowment special projects and declaring an emergency. Passed on second and final reading and adopted with a 100% vote.
- 25-50 b. An ordinance authorizing and directing the City Auditor to appropriate funds for a contribution to the Logan County Animal Shelter and declaring an emergency in the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Passed on second reading only by a 100% vote.
- 25-51 c. An ordinance authorizing and creating nine new Firefighter/Paramedic positions in the Bellefontaine Fire Department and authorizing the Service- Safety Director and Fire Chief to take the necessary action for the hiring of said new Firefighter/Paramedics. Passed on second reading only by a 100% vote. James abstained from the vote due to a family member conflict.
- 25-52 d. An ordinance authorizing and creating nine new police officer positions in the Bellefontaine Police Department and authorizing the Service-Safety Director and Chief of Police to take the necessary action for the hiring of said new police officers. Passed on second reading only by a 100% vote.
- 25-53 e. An ordinance amending the franchise agreement set forth in Ordinance 86-105 granting to Logan County Cooperative Power and Light Association, Inc., its successors and assigns, the right to acquire, construct, maintain, And operate in the streets, thouroughfares, alleys bridges and public places of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, lines for the distribution of electric energy to parts of said city and the inhabitants thereof for light, heat, power and other purposes and for the transmission of same. Passed on second reading only by a 100% vote.
Ordinances for 3rd reading
- 25-46 a. An ordinance amending ordinance no. 24-32 and authorizing the service- Safety director and Fire Chief to issue a promissory note from fund 410 Capital improvement #2 to fund 610 wastewater department and declaring an emergency. Adopted by a 100% vote.
- 25-47 b. An ordinance accepting application for annexation of certain territory/ real estate to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, containing 46.376 acres, owned by Levan Investments LLC, located in Lake Township adjacent to the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, establishing zoning classification therefore, amending the zoning map, and declaring an emergency. Adopted by a 100% vote.
- 25-48 c. An ordinance vacating that certain east-west public alley between lot 2207 on the north and lot 2208 on the south in the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, Lake Township, Logan County, Ohio. Adopted by a 100% vote.
The Bellefontaine City Council will next meet on Tuesday, August 26th, at 7:30 PM in council chambers.
