The Bellefontaine City Council met in regular session Tuesday night with several ordinances up for important readings.
Prior to the legislative portion of the meeting, Mayor David Crissman read a letter of thanks to the Rake and Hoe Garden Club, an organization that has been beautifying the area for over 40 years. Mayor Chrissman’s letter reads, in part: “Since 1984, your tireless efforts in planting and maintaining the beautiful flowers in our downtown, at the welcome signs, and around the entrance to our pool and city parks have greatly enhanced the charm and spirit of our community.”
In his report, Police Chief Chris Marlow reported to the council that his department now has the services of a certified therapy dog. Raven, a black Labradoodle, recently graduated from certification school as a therapy dog and has been assigned to D.A.R.E. Officer Chiles. Raven will visit local schools in the coming weeks.
Officer Chiles says, “Raven, she is a 2-year-old Aussiedoodle. She passed training and we joined a volunteer organization called “First Responder Therapy Dogs” which has nationwide handlers and therapy dogs that will respond to critical incidents and traumatic events for first responders to offer some comfort. She loves going to work with me daily to provide therapy for the staff and students at BCS!”
Fire Chief Brian Wilson told the council that the department’s two newest firefighters, Jonathan Downing and Logan Searcy will graduate from EMT school this Friday.
In his report, council member Kyle Springs informed the council that an ordinance making permanent appropriations for the 2025 fiscal year, 25-08, was on the agenda for the first reading. The appropriations represent an increase of 14.84 % over last year. Springs attributes the increase to monies that were on last year’s books which have since been allocated.
Springs said that monies for a new fire truck, park bonds, and the retirement of old bonds amounted to $3.3 million and have all been allocated to their intended use.
Two citizens addressed the council, each speaking in favor of the council allowing marijuana dispensaries in the city limits.
One resolution was adopted, R25-09. allowing the Police Chief to apply for and accept a United Way of Logan County grant for community outreach. Chief Marlow spoke about what the grant money would be used for:
Two ordinances were given their first readings.
- Ordinance 25-08, an ordinance that would allow for appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Passed.
- Ordinance 25-10, an ordinance that would change the zoning classification of 300 N. Park Street from R-2, 1- and 2-family residence district to R-3, Multi-family residence district.
The legislative portion then witnessed a rare parliamentary ruling from Council President Zeb Wagner.
Ordinance 25-03, commonly called the Solar Ordinance, was up for its second reading, as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code. A motion was made to waive the required three readings and pass the ordinance on its second reading. The motion to waive the rule was approved.
Then, as the motion was made to pass the ordinance on its second and final reading, council members James, Springs, and Aler voted no. Council President Wagner, citing parliamentary council rules, informed the council that the ordinance failed, since the ordinance failed to get the required number of yes votes to pass since the three-reading rule was waived.
A similar situation occurred in the next ordinance, 25-04, commonly called the Dispensary Ordinance. This ordinance was also due for its second reading. A motion was made to waive the three-reading reading rule and pass the ordinance on its second reading. This time, the waiver of the three-reading rule failed.
The ordinance reverted to its second reading, with council members Fitzpatrick and Aler voting no. The ordinance passed its second reading and is scheduled to receive its third and final reading at the next council meeting.
One ordinance received its third and final reading and was adopted by the council:
- 25-05, an ordinance that authorizes and directs the City Engineer or Service-Safety Director to enter into a contract with the Logan County Engineer’s Office/Harrison Township to chip-seal the city’s portion of Township Road 46 near State Route 47 toward County Road 13.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 7:30 PM.
