Bellefontaine City Council moved through a light agenda during its regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 27, advancing an airport infrastructure project, adopting a tax-increment financing ordinance and hearing updates on a promotional commercial highlighting the city that will be viewed nationally.
Newly elected Council President Ben Stahler presided over his first meeting of the year, continuing a family tradition of service. Stahler’s father, Robert L. Stahler, served three terms as Bellefontaine City Council president during the late 1950s and early 1960s, around the time his son was born.
Council corrected minutes for the previous meeting to clarify that a public hearing regarding a proposed alley vacation has been rescheduled to Feb. 24.
During his report, Mayor David Crissman asked council to approve the appointment longtime local resident Doug Elton, a retired Honda engineer, to the Bellefontaine Zoning Board of Appeals. He replaces councilman Wes Easton, who vacated the seat to serve on council. Council approved the appointment.
Crissman also updated council on the city’s nearly year-long collaboration with Viewpoint, hosted by actor Dennis Quaid, to produce a promotional segment highlighting Bellefontaine and raising national awareness of what the community has to offer. Council members viewed the six-minute segment during the meeting.
The mayor noted a one-minute commercial, which is part of the longer segment, will air in February on the Fox Business Network, while the full six-minute segment will air on approximately 170 television stations nationwide. The segment features several local voices, including Andrea Wrocklage, a local business owner, and Ben Vollrath, president of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce.
In the segment, Wrocklage said Bellefontaine’s “shop small, support local” mindset, combined with a supportive city administration, makes the community an attractive place to start a business, particularly for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas.
Crissman said the cost of the project was just under $30,000.
Rick Reed has been hired as the next parks superintendent for the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District, filling the position left vacant by the unexpected death of longtime superintendent Kris Myers on Dec. 1.
Reed’s hiring was announced by Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds during the meeting.
Dodds also commended police, fire and street deparment personnel for their efforts to keep the city safe and moving during Winter Storm Fern.
He asked for the community’s patience as the street department continues to remove snow from the downtown area and the city’s alleys.
“It’s a big job for 10 people,” Dodds said of the street deparment’s efforts.
The service-safety director also praised an unidentified police officer he witnessed shoveling out and salting around a disabled semi on Sandusky Avenue during the storm.
Councilman Mick Lile, chairman of the street department committee, said crews did a “whale of a job,” removing snow. He also praised the Bellefontaine Fire Department personnel who helped his neighbor get to the hospital during the storm.
Bellefontaine Police Chief Chris Marlow shared details surrounding the passing of retired police K-9 Boodik. Marlow said Boodik was taken Saturday evening to MedVet in Columbus, where testing revealed the canine had terminal cancer. Given the diagnosis, the decision was made to humanely euthanize the faithful city servant.
Vollrath announced he was appointed as chairman of the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange for a two-year term. MODE is an 11-county, Columbus-based economic development organization. He also will be involved with a regional housing coalition. The chamber head said he hopes that through the association and networking with the group it will bring benefit to Logan County.
Council later unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing supplemental appropriations and amending the city’s permanent appropriations ordinance for South TIF, wastewater and refuse purposes. The ordinance passed on second and final reading after council voted to suspend the three-reading rule.
Council also approved on first reading an ordinance authorizing the service-safety director to seek proposals, advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the Bellefontaine Airport runway and taxiway lighting and signage rehabilitation project. The project carries an engineer’s estimated cost of $2.92 million, with 95 percent of the funding provided by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Three citizens addressed council during the public comment period.
Tom Reynolds, an Auburn Avenue resident, expressed concern that council has been moving too quickly without discussion on some legislation. Additionally, he said, using emergency language to suspend the three-reading rule limits opportunities for public input.
In response, Law Director Josh Stolly explained that ordinances normally take effect 30 days after passage, allowing residents time to seek a referendum if they oppose a measure. When emergency language is used, ordinances take effect immediately upon the mayor’s signature, eliminating the referendum period.
Stolly said the city has scaled back its use of emergency language in the last few years, particularly when ordinances involve the expenditure of funds. He noted emergency language it is typically used for time-sensitive matters such as grant deadlines or urgent public safety, though he acknowledged its use limits public input.
Howard Traul, longtime former Bellefontaine city law director, commended council for previously approving an ordinance prohibiting marijuana dispensaries within the city, calling it a move that helps protect our community’s children and sets an example for them.
Traul also encouraged council to include the city law director and city auditor in future meetings with Ohio Plan strategic planning consultants, noting that many of the issues require legal and financial guidance.
Local developer Jeremy Levan also addressed council, requesting required signatures related to annexation paperwork.
The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Council will meet prior to the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. for a strategic planning session with Ohio Plan consultants.
CLICK HERE to watch the Jan. 27 council meeting.
