The Bellefontaine City Council met in regular session on Tuesday evening.
At the top of the agenda, Mayor Dave Crissman spoke about black vultures returning to the city. Bellefontaine continues to be a layover for the birds making their annual migration and returning to Ohio in the spring. While these large birds do play an important part in the ecosystem, they can create nuisances when they take up residence in developed areas. Several residents of Bellefontaine are victims of those nuisance conditions, including property damage from the birds roosting on houses, vehicles, or other structures, and the unsanitary conditions and noxious odors created by the accumulation of feces and vomit the vultures produce. Although these creatures do play a valuable role in the environment, the property rights of residents must be taken into consideration when nature clashes with development.
After speaking with officials from the Ohio Division of Natural Resources, again recently, the city plans to take a different course of action compared to recent years:
City Officials will continue to coordinate with ODNR, USDA, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the vultures and the problems they are creating in residential neighborhoods. Residents are reminded that the vultures are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and discharging any weapon within city limits is illegal.
Service Safety Director, Wes Dodds, reminded the council that we are now about 6 weeks from the April 8th total solar eclipse. He said the city is working closely with the Downtown Bellefontaine Business partnership to have events throughout the weekend, but is leaving the planning up to the organization. He went on to explain that nonessential employees of the city will take the day of the eclipse off but there will be increased staffing at the police and fire departments.
The council went on to the legislative part of the agenda and unanimously approved the following ordinances:
Ordinances for 1st reading:
- An ordinance authorizing the service-safety director to enter into a contract with Prescription Bliss LLC for prescription assistance services to certain city employees and declaring an emergency.
- An ordinance making permanent appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and declaring an emergency.
- An ordinance authorizing the service-safety director to enter into contract with Priority Power Management, LLC for electric and natural gas aggregation services and declaring an emergency.
- An ordinance amending section 1147.01(a) of the codified ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, b-2 downtown business district, principal permitted uses and declaring an emergency.
- An ordinance amending section 1145.01(a) of the codified ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, B-1 neighborhood business district, principal permitted uses and declaring an emergency.
- An ordinance amending sections 1149.01(a) and (d) of the codified ordinances of the city of Bellefontaine, Ohio, B-3 general business district, principal permitted uses, and declaring an emergency.
Ordinances for 2nd reading:
- An ordinance amending the employee leave donation program and declaring an emergency.
Ordinances for 3rd reading:
- An ordinance amending the fund to pay for the Deputy Chief Probation Officer for Bellefontaine Municipal Court and declaring an emergency.
Resolutions that were adopted unanimously include:
- A resolution establishing new expense accounts within the special projects – Municipal Court Fund, and within the MRH Endowment Special Projects Fund.
- An ordinance amending the fund to pay for the Deputy Chief Probation Officer for Bellefontaine Municipal Court and declaring an emergency.
The next Bellefontaine City Council meeting is set for Tuesday, March 12th at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers.
