City Council - Regular Meeting

It is 7 o'clock, and I'm going to call this meeting to order. Welcome. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, council members, city officials. Welcome to the June 22, 2026 regular city council meeting. We are meeting at 26 South Paint Street, Chillicothe, Ohio, and I would ask the clerk to call the attendance roll.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. Bennett? Present. Payne? Here. McQuirt?

Here.

Barnes?

Here. McKeever? Here. DeMint?

Here.

Preston? Here. Dunn? Here. Creed?

Here.

Mr. Barnes was here earlier for a committee meeting but didn't feel well and had to leave. Is there a motion to excuse him from the meeting? Motion by Mr. DeMint, second by Mr. McKeever, and the clerk will call the roll.

Bennett? Yes. Payne? Yes. McQuirt?

Yes.

McKeever?

Yes.

DeMint?

Yes.

Preston? Yes. Dunn? Yes. Creed?

Yes.

Mr. Barnes is excused. Would Mr. McQuirt lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The minutes from the June 8, 2026 meeting have been distributed. Are there any additions, deletions, or corrections? Hearing none, is there a motion to approve the minutes? Ms. Dunn? Second by Mr. McQuirt. And the clerk will call the roll.

Bennett? Yes. Payne? Yes. McQuirt?

Yes.

McKeever?

Yes.

DeMint? Yes. Preston? Yes. Dunn? Yes. Creed?

Yes.

The minutes are approved. We'll now move to reports of committees. Development Committee, Mr. DeMint.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. Development has one item on tonight's agenda. It's item number three. It's a third reading. It's an ordinance adopting text amendments to certain provisions of the City of Chillicothe Unified Development Code pursuant to ordinance number 5925. And that concludes my report. Thank you.

Thank you. Engineering Committee, Ms. Dunn.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. I have no items on the agenda and nothing to report.

Thank you. Finance Technology Committee, Mr. Creed.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. We have four items on the agenda tonight. First one is item number five. It's a third reading of reimbursing out of the downtown redevelopment district fund, $47,728.44. This is for the Carlisle building when Adina purchased it and it became nonprofit. Appreciate everybody's vote on that when it comes up. Item number seven is a resolution adopting the tax budget for City of Chilcothee for next year. That'll go on for a third reading next time. Item number nine, an ordinance appropriating $31,750 to complete upgrades of traffic signals for Pink Street and Fifth and Bridge Street and Cine Road, and that will go for a third reading next time, hopefully. And then item number 12 is first reading of a resolution authorizing the appropriation of funds in the amount of $7,600 $43 as participating local funds for the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission on behalf of the city of Chilcothee for next year in declaring an emergency. And at the appropriate time, I'll ask to waive the three-read rule because we need to get this resolution moving forward so that we can get approved for that and make sure we get those funds next year. Um, we did not have a finance committee meeting, but we did have a facilities committee meeting where we talked at length about some options for city administration buildings. Um, we, we got a lot of information tonight and so we'll keep looking at that. And I plan to schedule a meeting in two weeks and we'll keep doing that until we come to some sort of conclusion on this as far as how we're going to move forward or every before every council meeting, we'll do that. Not every two weeks. So we'll keep moving forward with that as well. So I appreciate anybody in the public that has information, wants to come and discuss things with us. Please come to those meetings. It's a very important decision for us as council to make for us, for the city, as we keep moving forward looking at our options that we're looking at. So that concludes my report. Thank you.

Thank you, Human Resources Committee. Ms. Payne.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. We do not have any items on the agenda this evening and nothing new to report on. Thank you.

Thank you. We will skip the Parks and Rec Committee since Mr. Barnes is not available and move to the Safety Service Committee. Ms. Preston.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. Safety Services has five items on the agenda this evening. The first item is an ordinance appropriating funds in the amount of $10,500 for the installation of GPS vehicle tracking systems in City Vehicles assigned to the Service Department of Parks and Rec. This is going to a third reading. And then we have item number six is the second reading of an ordinance to approve current replacement pages in the Chillicothe Codified Ordinances. And then we have item number 10 is an ordinance authorizing the Chillicothe Municipal Court to apply for VOCA and state victim assistance grants for the 2027 Victim Witness Assistance Program, authorizing the acceptance and appropriation of said grants funds. If awarded, appropriating required matching funds and additional funding for software, training, a victim advocate, salary adjustment, and health insurance, and declaring an emergency. At the appropriate time, I'll ask for the Waiver the three-read rule on that is there on a deadline of June 30th to apply for this. Item number 11 is a first reading of an ordinance establishing compensation for the position of chief community control officer for the Chillicothe Municipal Court and authorizing the city auditor to create a new salary line item for said position appropriating $50,000 and declaring an emergency. And at the appropriate time, I will also request to waive the three-read rule on that item. and then we have the last item number 13 is a first reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $250,000 police vehicle bonds series 2026 for the purpose of paying parts of the cost of acquiring four police vehicles including all related equipment and I'm not going to, pertinences thereto in declaring an emergency. At the correct time, I will ask for the waiver of the three-read rule at the request of the auditor on that one. And that is all that we have this evening. Thank you.

Thank you. Utilities Committee, Mr. McKeever. Thank you, President Shoemaker. Utilities has one item on the agenda, which is item number eight. It's a second read of an ordinance authorizing the reallocation of $1,168,997.85 for various completed sewer project funds to the sewer cash account. That concludes my report.

Thank you. City Services Committee, Mr. McQuirt.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. We have two items on the agenda tonight. Third reading of an ordinance authorizing the unappropriation of 2026 transit capital funds The transfer and reappropriation of said funds to the transit reserve fund due to changes in ODOT reimbursement policy. And item number two, third reading and ordinance authorizing the appropriating of $254,212.65 to the capital reserve fund for refuse and recycling in accordance with ordinance 32-24 and 33-24. And that concludes my report. Thank you.

Thank you. Community Affairs Committee, Ms. Bennett.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. We do not have anything on the agenda tonight, but we did have a committee meeting before this over our nonprofits, and that will be on the July 13th agenda. That's end of my report. Thanks.

Thank you. Mayor Feeney was here earlier for a committee meeting, but had to leave. So we will move to the auditor for her report.

so I have one item on the agenda and that is the number 13 the the vehicle bond I did ask that we request the three read rule tonight so that way we can get those vehicles purchased those that item was included in the actual budget and during that budget process we had also budgeted for the budget for the bond so it's nothing new and other than that that concludes my report

Thank you. Next, we'll move to the law director.

Thank you. We've been very busy, as you can see. Additionally, on a Kind of a sad note for us. We are going to be losing one of our prosecutors. Her mother is not doing well, and she lives in a different county, and she has to be close to her mother at this time. Me of all people, I fully understand that. and we're very, very, very sorry to see her go. She's an amazing prosecutor, and it's going to be a difficult time replacing her, but that's what we're in the process of trying to do as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Well, we wish her well. I hope things go well for her. Now we'll move to audience participation. Any person wishing to address the council must first provide his or her name and address. Comments shall be limited to five minutes, and I'll give you a warning when there's one minute remaining. Excuse me. Please go over to the mic there and just hit the button. Oh, you're okay. And just give your name and address, and then we'll listen to your comments. Thank you.

My name's Ron Hedrick. I live at 658 Little Rocky Road, Chillicothe, right up past the Dog Pound. We got a bad problem with e-bikes going on here in town, and I seen a kid about got hit come off a Ewing, and Wobbly Ghost just barely got missed on an e-bike. They should have some kind of a permit they have to take with some kind of school instructions to ride those things. Basically, it's Chillicothe lulls, right? Street lulls. Another concern I got is we need some duck crossing signs down in the park. I get tired of seeing these ducks ran over, you know, dragging their back legs and stuff where they get hit. If we had a few duck crossing signs, maybe people would slow down for them. And another concern, my last concern is every time I go through Clarksburg, I see Cindy Noble, home of Cindy Noble sign there. We got athletes here in this town too. And Toki Hill, he was one of the athletes that brought the gold home from the Olympics in 1980. He won the Olympic match and Plus, he led the Olympic Committee for two years. So I think we should try to show a recognition sign for him, like the home of Toki Hill or something, like they do for Clarksburg for Cindy Noble, you know. That's my concerns. The duck crossing signs has really got me pressed, though. I hate to see them ducks run over. That's all I've got to say. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? Paul?

Should a guy with a DUI be allowed to drive an e-bike, a motorized vehicle? That's another concern I had. Why would you drive a motorized vehicle if you got your license and if you're drunk driving? I don't know what you would do about something like that, but it's a concern. I mean, what if he gets drunk and runs over somebody, you know, on an e-bike? Some of them e-bikes go 50 mile an hour now. OK, excuse me.

Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Are there any other comments from the audience? If there are none, we'll move to old business. Is there any old business to come before council tonight? Hearing none, I will move to petitions and correspondence.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. I've not received anything.

We'll now move to new business. Is there any new business come before council that has not been discussed?

Hearing none, we'll move to the reading of ordinances and resolutions.

Thank you, President Shoemaker. This evening we have... 14 13 items on our agenda item number one is the third reading of an ordinance authorizing the unappropriation of 2026 transit capital funds the transfer and reappropriation of said funds to the transit reserve fund due to changes in odot reimbursement policy the clerk will call the roll bennett yes payne yes mcquirt yes McKeever? Yes. Dement? Yes. Preston?

Yes.

Dunn?

Yes.

Creed? Yes. Ordinance is adopted. Next ordinance.

Item number two is a third reading of an ordinance authorizing and appropriating $254,212.65 to the Capital Reserve Fund for Refuse and Recycling in accordance with Ordinance 32-24 and 33-24. Clerk will call the roll. Bennett? Yes. Payne? Yes. McCourt?

Yes.

McKeever? Yes. Dement?

Yes.

Preston?

Yes.

Dunn?

Yes.

Creed?

Yes.

Ordinance is adopted. Next ordinance.

Item number three is the third reading of an ordinance adopting text amendments to certain provisions of the City of Chillicothe Unified Development Code pursuant to ordinance number 59-25. Clerk will call the roll. Bennett. Yes. Payne. Yes. McCourt.

Yes.

McKeever.

Yes.

DeMint.

Yes.

Preston. Yes. Dunn. Yes. Creed.

Yes. Ordinance is adopted. Next ordinance.

Item number four is the third reading of an ordinance appropriating funds in the amount of $10,500 for the installation of GPS vehicle tracking systems and city vehicles assigned to the Service Department and Parks and Recreation Department. Clerk will call the roll. Bennett? Yes. Payne? Yes. McCourt?

Yes.

McKeever?

Yes.

Dement?

Yes.

Preston? Yes. Dunn? Yes. Creed?

Yes.

Ordinance is adopted. Next ordinance.

Item number five is the third reading of an ordinance authorizing the appropriation of funds from downtown redevelopment district fund number four in the amount of $47,728.44 for the repayment of property taxes previously allocated for tax years 2022 through 2024. Clerk will call the roll. Bennett? Yes. Payne? Yes. McQuirt?

Yes.

McKeever? Yes. Dement? Yes. Preston? Yes. Dunn? Yes. Creed?

Yes.

Ordinance is adopted. Next ordinance.

Item number six is a second reading of an ordinance to approve current replacement pages to the Chillicothe Codified Ordinances.

Ordinance will move to the next agenda, next resolution.

Item number seven is the second reading of a resolution adopting the tax budget for the city of Chillicothe, Ohio for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2027 and submitting the same to the county auditor.

Resolution will move to the next agenda. Next ordinance.

Item number eight is the second reading of an ordinance authorizing the reallocation of $1,168,997.85 from various completed sewer fund projects to the sewer cash account.

Ordinance will move to the next agenda. Next ordinance.

Item number nine is the second reading of an ordinance appropriating $31,750 for the completed upgrades on traffic signals at Paint and Fifth Street and Bridge Street and Cine Road.

The ordinance will move to the next agenda. Next ordinance.

Item number 10 is the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the Chillicothe Municipal Court to apply for Victims of Crime Act, VOCA, and State Victims Assistance Act, SVAA, grants for the 2027 Victim Witness Assistance Program, authorizing the acceptance and appropriation of said grant funds if awarded, appropriating required matching funds, and additional funding for software training, a victim advocate salary adjustment, and health insurance, and declaring an emergency.

President Shoemaker.

Ms. Preston.

I'd like to make a motion at this time to waive the three-read rule on this item.

Second by Mr. Creed. And the clerk will call the roll relative to the waiver of the three-read rule.

Bennett. Yes. Payne. Yes. McQuirt.

Yes.

McKeever. Yes. DeMint.

Yes.

Preston.

Yes.

Dunn. Yes.

Creed.

Yes.

The three read rule is waived. The clerk will now call the roll relative to the ordinance.

Bennett. Yes. Payne. Yes. McCourt.

Yes.

McKeever.

Yes.

Dement.

Yes.

Preston.

Yes.

Dunn. Yes. Creed.

Yes.

Ordinance is adopted. Next ordinance.

Item number 11 is the first reading of an ordinance establishing compensation for the position of Chief Community Control Officer for the Chillicothe Municipal Court, authorizing the city auditor to create a new salary line item for said position, appropriating $50,000 and declaring an emergency.

President Shoemaker.

Ms. Preston.

I'd like to make a motion at this time to waive the three-read rule on this item.

Second by Ms. Payne. The clerk will call the rule relative to the waiver of the three-read rule.

Bennett. Yes. Payne. Yes. McCourt.

Yes.

McKeever. Yes. Dement. Yes. Preston. Yes. Dunn. Yes. Creed.

Yes.

The three read rule is waived and the clerk will now call the rule relative to the ordinance.

Bennett. Yes. Payne. Yes. McCourt.

Yes.

McKeever. Yes. Dement.

Yes.

Preston? Yes. Dunn? Yes. Creed?

Yes.

Ordinance is adopted. Next resolution.

Item number 12 is the first reading of a resolution authorizing the appropriation of funds in the amount of $7,643 as participating local funds for the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission on behalf of the City of Chillicothe for fiscal year 2027 and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Creed. Yes, President Shoemaker, I'd like to make a motion to waive the three-read rule, please.

Second by Ms. Bennett, and the clerk will call the rule relative to the waiver of the three-read rule.

Bennett. Yes. Payne. Yes. McQuirt. Yes. McKeever.

Yes.

DeMint.

Yes.

Preston.

Yes.

Dunn. Yes. Creed.

Yes.

The three read rule is waived and the clerk will call the roll relative to the resolution.

Bennett. Yes. Payne. Yes. McQuirt. Yes. McKeever. Yes. DeMint.

Yes.

Preston.

Yes.

Done? Yes. Creed?

Yes.

Resolution is adopted. Next ordinance.

Item number 13 is the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $250,000 police vehicle bonds series 2026 for the purpose of paying part of the cost of acquiring four police vehicles, including all related equipment and appearances thereto and declaring an emergency.

President Shoemaker.

Ms. Preston.

I'd like to make a motion at this time to waive the three-read rule on this item, please.

Second by Ms. Dunn. The clerk will call the roll relative to the waiver of the three-read rule.

Bennett. Yes. Payne. Yes. McQuirt. Yes. McIver. Yes. DeMint.

Yes.

Preston. Yes. Dunn. Yes.

Creed.

Yes.

The three-read rule is waived. The clerk will now call the roll relative to the ordinance.

Bennett. Yes. Payne. Yes. McCourt. Yes. McKeever. Yes. Dunn. Yes. DeMint. Yes. Preston. Yes. Creed.

Yes.

Ordinance is adopted. And is there any other business come before council?

Was it out of order? Yeah, it was. OK. That was my fault. I don't care. Same thing.

Is there any other business to come before council this evening? Hearing none, is there a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn by Mr. McQuirt, second by Ms. Bennett, and the clerk will call the roll.

Bennett? Yes. Payne? Yes. McQuirt?

Yes.

McKeever? Yes. DeMint? Yes. Preston? Yes. Dunn? Yes. Creed?

Yes.

Thank you very much.