City Council - Regular Meeting

2026. Please join me for a moment of meditation followed by the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. You will hear three taps of the gavl when it is time to stand. Please join me in a moment of meditation now. United States.

Clerk of council, Mrs. Amy Skank, please call the attendance role. Mrs. Carter present. Mr. West here. Mr. Mulligan here. Mayor Slam here. Mr. Lawley

thank you Mrs. Skank. First on the agenda this evening we have a public hearing for request by Jonathan Wilker of McBride Clarion on behalf of Casau to amend the zoning act from R4P plan development district to B2 community business district. Law director Alex Ewing. You have the floor for the swearing in. Thank you. Um when I will now invite uh Claire Federers to the podium for the staff report.

Good evening. Um this is a map amendment as mentioned for the parcels listed and commonly known as 1301 South Marshall um from a plan development district R4P to B2 community business district. Um this is a total of 5.4 316 acres and this does require city council approval um following planning commission's recommendation. Getting into property background, the Butler County Auditor's website does identify there to be one structure on the parcel with the street address of 1301 South Marshall Road. Um that is one of two parcels um subject to the map amendment. The structure was built in 1974 and has a total of 20,430 square feet of gross building area. The other parcel um on the eastern portion of this area has remained undeveloped. The auditor's website does not have any record of property transfers for the two subject parcels. Um they are zoned that R4P. So the plan development district where that plan development district um is meant for flexible and creative land development. Um and back when the um plan development district was established, we almost treated this as a hybrid of a conditional use and a plan development district. So 1974. So they we do have a lot of older plan development districts that only allow for one unique use um there. So the city permit records does show that the property has been in use as a Masonic temple since 1974 um when that building was constructed. Additional research of the subject parcels has found a number of resolutions and ordinances that have changed the subject parcel zoning district as well as establishing that um last current um zoning district that planned use

modification plan um which was in adopted in May of 1971. So that was from resolution 4072. Um the resolution approved a modified use plan for a private club on the lots listed and then following approval of that resolution, city planning commission did approve a final development plan in February of 1974. A certificate of zoning compliance, which is that last step of the zoning process, was approved by city zoning administrator following planning commission's approval of that final development plan. Getting into property background, looking at the surrounding property zoning designation and uses. To the north you do have R3 medium density residential district which is existing residences and religious places of worship separated by Grand Avenue. To the east there is R3 uh medium density residential district which is just those existing um residences. To the south you have another plan development district which is existing commercial uses and a school. And then to the west there is that B2 community business district which is the map amendment will pull that B2 boundary to include the two subject parcels. Um and those are existing commercial businesses. There is a little sliver of R4 to the northwest. Um that is a self-s storage area. That's just a non-conforming use for the R4 zoning district. So getting into staff analysis, um the applicant requests to reszone the subject parcels to allow for redevelopment of the property for commercial uses. Two to three commercial lots are expected. Um the map amendment request does align with that purpose statement of the B2 zoning district. Um getting into our comprehensive plan, this is where a future land use map is most useful or more useful outside of the the conditional use applications. is

to be consulted for map amendment applications. So our future land use map is a guide for map amendments. Um the subject parcels are located within that neighborhood mixeduse future land use category which is explained as primarily small smallcale commercial office medical and service uses that cater to the surrounding residential neighborhoods with secondary uses that include residential. Uh this subject parcel is also located in the city's crossroad development opportunity area. Um that is those larger um future land use um categories. And then getting into public notice requirement. We have not received any comments to date via phone or email. Um other department comments and these are all considerations as development if they occur. Um, public works department engineering division has stated future redevelopment may be subject to traffic impact studies. Full access to the redeveloped site will only be permitted from Marshall Road, right in ride out, could be permitted from Roosevelt Boulevard, and no access will be permitted from Grant Avenue. The community and economic development department has stated the redevelopment of this site will add to the economic activity in the area and the map amendment is a strong first step in achieving future commercial sites. Uh planning commission's recommendation. The planning commission's recommendation of approval of the proposed map amendment is being forwarded to city council for final review and decision. After reviewing the application and supporting materials submitted and hearing testimony from the applicant and the public, planning commission has voted six to zero to approve the map amendment to reszone the subject parcels to B2 Community Business District. Lastly is the map amendment review

criteria and that will conclude my staff report. Thank you very much. Next, I would like to invite applicant Jonathan Wilker to the podium.

Good evening. Uh my name is Jonathan Wker. I'm a planner with McBride Del Clarion representing Castow on this application. Um your staff has done a pretty thorough presentation of our application. Um we are requesting the map amendment for 1301 South Marshall Street. Uh this is currently the um Masonic Temple. Uh the building is is becoming obsolete and the temple no longer needs the size property that they have. Um and with the current zoning of R4P attached residential plan development, we think that a more appropriate zoning designation would be to the B2 business district. Uh that would be consistent with the large shopping center to the west um of our property. Um, we would intend to develop this for two to three commercial lots. Uh, we don't have any specific users at this time. Uh, but view this as the first step for allowing us to proceed with plans. We have met with staff and they've shared some of the comments that that were mentioned about, you know, possible future traffic studies and access. Um, our intent would be to u preserve landscaping where we can and and meet or exceed the city's codes on that. Um so um we believe that we are consistent with the master plan which designates us for neighborhood mixed use and that we think this could possibly be a catalyst for additional development in this part of Middletown. Um so um lastly I'll state that we think we comply with the zoning criteria for a zone map amendment and as mentioned by staff there was support by planning commission and no opposition that has been raised. So I will try and answer questions and I would request your approval at the appropriate time.

Thank you very much. Thank you. At this time, is there anyone who would like to speak in support of the project? Please raise your hand so I can see you. Okay, seeing none, we will continue. Is there anyone who would like to speak in opposition? Raise your hand so I can see you. Okay, seeing none, we will continue. And um at this time this concludes the public comment portion of the public hearing. Council um we encourage you to stay though there will be no further public comment and no interruptions at this at this at this point right now. Um council deliberations do we have any comments questions at this time?

Only thing I want to comment on is I hope we can come up with something original for this spot. I think the last thing people want to see is another gas station. I think the last thing people want to see is another dollar store. And I think the last thing people want to see is another pharmacy. So, I I mean, I'm in favor of this, but I would hope uh we can work with staff and kind of get something original in that spot for Middletown because, as I said, I've heard from a lot of residents because I've known for a long time. I know a lot of people who are in the Masons and I've had a lot of comments from the general public that we don't want to see another gas station. We don't want to see another dollar store. So that's, you know, once again, I'm in favor of this, but I hope we can bring something original that Middletown can benefit from in this.

Thank you, Mr. Lai. Any other comments or questions? I'd agree with that. Anything else? All right. Thank you. Um, at this time, Mr. Yung, did you want to take your straw? vote sort of consensus. Yes. To take a straw poll uh to vote to accept the recommendation from the planning commission. Council member Mulligan. Uh I would tend to support. Yes. Council member West. Yes. Mayor Slamama. Yes. Council member Carter. Yes. Council member Lai. Yes.

Thank you. And this concludes our public hearing. Next on the agenda is citizen comments. Uh professional presentation free of file language is expected. This is not the time for debate, questions and answer or any back and forth conversation with council. This is a time for you, our residents, to be able to present in front of council on record uninterrupted and have the floor. After the meeting, your comment card will be given to the city manager and she will assign a member of staff to reply to you as appropriate. We have one comment card this evening and I will prompt you to your next steps. I would like to call Miss Karen Dupee to the podium and you may sit or stand according to your preference. Please do adjust the microphone and speak directly into the microphone at all times. And before we begin, please state your full name and Middletown residence, work address, or interest in the city for the record. You will then have four minutes of uninterrupted speech. Please commence.

Hi. Uh good evening, city council. Uh my name is Karen Dupe and my address is 61215th Avenue um Middletown, Ohio. And I am here this evening because I wanted an update on the city uh where the street surveillance cameras because the last time I was here uh they said that they, you know, did have the funding and I knew, you know, it takes maybe a little 30 days or something like that to, you know, get them installed. And I just want, you know, a update as to what was going on, how far I'm away from that. getting the cameras. Right. Thank you.

Thanks. Thank you very much. Okay. And this concludes our public participation. The next agenda item is council comments. We will begin to my left with Council Member Lai, followed by Vice Mayor Carter, then to my right with Council Member West, followed by Council Member Mulligan. I will speak last. Mr. Lai.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh, the only thing I have is just to say thank you to the fire department, Chief Wright and your team on the actually what we call a stop, an excellent stop they made on the fire at 1716 central. Um, even though that building looks like it's probably going to have to come down, you know, there was uh the buildings adjacent to it appear to be saved. And those are very difficult uh fires especially when you got a lot of apartments in there and you know there's high life safety but by the grace of God everybody got out and the firefighters are all safe and uh so just thank you and good job to the firemen. That's all I have. Mayor, thank you Mr. Lai. Vice Mayor Carter

I just want to say good evening and pass. Thank you Mrs. Carter. Mr. West. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, just to second Councilman Li's comments, uh, Chief Wright, thank you. I think all the training that that you and and your crews do definitely pay off in in these types of events. So, I'm I was glad to hear that everybody was safe and uh and they were evacuated. So, good work. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. West. Mr. Mulligan.

Thank you, Mayor. Um just wanted to report to council as the uh keep Middletown beautiful liaison to that committee that uh I recently attended their board meeting and uh offer my thanks to the volunteers that make that possible and try to beautify our our city throughout the uh throughout the year and also educate youth. Um they've got some up upcoming sessions with school age kids coming up this spring and summer. And also of note, um I know it's it's been on social media, but uh the Keep Middletown Beautiful Earth Day is the last Saturday of April from 9:00 am to noon and we will kick that off from the event center in Middletown. So please join us. Last year there were over 100 volunteers and I'll be participating with the Middletown Rotary Club and others and um just yeah, please come out and help uh beautify our neighborhoods. Thank you.

Excellent. Thank you very much. Um, and tonight I also want to to just recognize our our fire department. They uh down Central Avenue. I think they were there pretty much the entire day. It was cold. Um, but they that's what they do every day. So, thank you. Um, I also want to say that city uh council and staff had a great strategic planning session on February 20th and 21st. This was the kickoff for the planning of council's community priorities for the next three to five years beginning in 2027. I thank city manager Combmes for creating the meeting for us. Tina Blevens for doing a wonderful job with all the logistics. All the directors and staff who were present and participated. My fellow council members for their careful preparation and good conversation. And Envision Group LLC for facilitating. This Friday, March 6th, is DMI's Downtown Middletown, Inc.'s first Friday event called Luck on the Rocks, a Shamrock Si and Shop beginning at 5:00 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m. Stroll the streets, explore unique boutiques, enjoy special deals, and discover something new while supporting the businesses you love. Please visit downtownmittletown.org for more information, including where to find the local specials of the evening. Um, furthering the report on what's coming up the next two weeks, this Saturday, March 7th, from 12:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. is the popular Girl Scout cookie walk presented by DMI. You can walk to local shops and eeries and establishments for different Girl Scout cookies and an optional wine pairing. As an added bonus, there will be a cookie monster scavenger hunt where you can find hidden cookies in downtown businesses and redeem your passport for a free box of Girl Scout cookies. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit downtowntownmtown.org. Later that evening, this Saturday, March 7th, from 600 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Event Center of Middletown located at 3907 Central Avenue, is Bourbon and Barbecue brought to you by the City of Middletown and the Middletown Rotary. This signature community event is a curated experience featuring a gourmet barbecue dinner, bourbon tastings, and live musical performances. Proceeds support the Middletown Rotary's mission to fund local scholarships, and community service projects. For more information and ticket prices, please visit city of middletown.org under events. Next Friday, March 13th, from 6

PM to 8 pm, the MAC, our beloved Middletown Art Center, presents Textiles to Art, Contemporary Quilt and Fiber Artists. This exhibition runs through April 23rd in the main exhibition hall and showcases contemporary textile art and quilts by members of CQFA, which is contemporary quilt and fiber artists, highlighting innovative approaches to fiber, pattern, and process. For more information, please visit middletown artcenter.org. Continue your evening next Friday, March 13th, at 800 PM at the beautiful and historic Sorgh Opera House located at 63 South Main Street with Night Moves, the ultimate Bob Bob Seager tribute. This is a high octane revival of the raw soul and straight ahead thunder that defined a generation. For more information, please visit sorg opera house.org. Next Saturday, March 14th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy camaraderie, fresh air, and laughs at the Middletown Kanas Club's 8th annual book around Middletown to benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Teams decorate a grocery cart with a theme they choose based on a children's book and then race around downtown Middletown shops, bars, and restaurants, completing as many games as possible. For more information, please visit city of Middletown.org under events. That same evening, next Saturday, March 14th, head over to the Sorgher House to enjoy Cashmere, the Led Zeppelin show, blazing guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and all the classic anthems you know and love. Whether you're a diehard Zeppelin fan or just love good rock music, this show promises energy, nostalgia, and a crowd ready to rock. For more information, please visit sorg opera house.org. Please save the date of March 28th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Windmir located at 2 South Main Street for the Enchanted Forest Fantasy Ball presented by the Windmir and Crooked Dog Comics. You are encouraged to dress in your best ball attire and dance the night away. For more information and ticket options, please visit crookedcomics.com/enchanted forest hyphen ball. As a reminder, the city of Middletown accepts applications for our boards and commissions throughout the year. So, if there's something that you have an interest in and you wish to give back to your city in this way, please do submit your application to learn uh to learn more, please visit the city's website at cityofmiddtown.org.

Um before I complete, I just wanted to um ask maybe um if there is an update for the surveillance or maybe what we talked about at at um at the strategic planning session, maybe we can speak to that during city manager reports. Uh Chief Nelson was actually going to talk. Okay, perfect. Perfect. Thank you. And then lastly, and as always, there are many ways to get involved with your community, and give back. Join a board or committee, run for office, apply for a job with the city, volunteer at the hospital, pick up trash in your neighborhood or park, plant a garden in your yard, smile at a neighbor, find joint satisfaction for a job well done in whatever work you do, or just have a positive and giving giving attitude. You can find something that you can do regularly to give back. We are all connected and we are all in this together. The care of our city is an adventure in which we all get to share. That is all for me tonight. And this concludes our council comments.

Mayor, just so you know, I was at a real Led Zeppelin concert. Ted was with me. A real one. Yeah. Uh I wish we had I wish we could talk about that right now. Okay. Thank you very much. It was like in the 70s, but jealous. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you for that. Um that concludes our council comments for the evening. Uh the next agenda item is city manager reports. City manager, Miss Ashley Combmes, you have the floor.

Good evening. Before we get to our presentation, I just wanted to identify that we have our new community and economic development economic development program manager. Luke Modesto is here tonight as well as Thomas Smith. He's going to be our new community and economic development director. So, just wanted to make you aware that they were here tonight. So, the first and only presentation we have is Cassie Matia with the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities. And please do adjust the microphone and speak right into it. Thank you so much. Yeah, I noticed. I was like, yeah,

my voice is kind of loud, but All right, let's see here. Cool. All right, good evening everybody and happy developmental disability awareness month. I'm going to tell you a little bit about what that is here in a second. My name is Cassie Matia and I am the public relations coordinator for the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Tonight, I want to share who we are, what we do, and why it matters. Oh, there we go. Let's go backwards, you know. All right. The Butler County Board supports about 4,300 people from birth throughout adulthood. Our mission is simple but powerful. Actively partnering with people to access the world. Now, before the 1950s, families had only two options. keep their child at home with limited resources or send them to a state institution. Crazy. Parents demanded better. And county boards were created to ensure people with developmental disabilities could live, work, and thrive in their own communities. That's why we exist, to create access. Now, what is a developmental disability? This actually this is confusing because a lot of people get this mixed up with a mental disability. So, I'll go ahead and clarify you uh clarify that for you. So, according to Ohio law, developmental disability is a severe and chronic disability that is likely to last a person's lifetime and develop before the age of 22 and is due to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and physical impairments. That's a lot. So, I have some examples for you. Um this includes but is not limited to autism, down syndrome, cerebral pausy, and more. Remember, there are disabilities that aren't seen as well. I just want to make sure that's clear. All right. Now, we operate with a person- centered philosophy. That means we build supports around each individual's goals. Sometimes that's helping someone find

the right job. Sometimes it's something more personal. And we got a cool little scenario right here, like when uh Ray and Vicki decided they wanted to get married. Our team helped with ring shopping, dress shopping, and coordinating a commitment ceremony through their provider. It was a beautiful example of what happens when support teams rally around someone's dream. Person centered means what matters to them matters to us. And I'm done. No, I'm just kidding. All right. Our supports begin at birth through early intervention for children ages 0 to three. Using a coaching model, our team meets families in their home and equips parents with strategies to help their child reach developmental milestones. Now, this is a pretty cool fact. Research shows that for every $1 invested in early intervention, at least $7 is saved in adult supports. Early support builds independence later in life. Early intervention is not a mandated service, but we know how critical it is and we are proud to provide it. Now once a child enters school therapy shift to the district and our role becomes service and support administration similar to case management but deeply personal. Now our service and support administrators help individuals maintain benefits, access waiver funding, find jobs, secure housing, and set and achieve goals. Now one of our SSAs recently prevented someone from becoming homeless by urgently coordinating housing and supports. Another helped a man whose family loved bike riding secure an adaptive bike through discounts and grant funding. Now, for the first time, he felt the wind on his face while riding with his dad. Captured that on social media. That was pretty crazy. I loved it. That's the level of advocacy our team provides. Waivers are what makes community living possible. Instead of living in an institution, individuals can wave that

option and use those funds to pay for supports in their own home and community. These waivers fund residential care, transportation, job coaching, and daily support services. About 60% of waiver funding comes from the federal government and 40% comes from local property tax dollars. Now, since our last levy passed in 2004, waiver costs have increased nearly 400%. In 2026, we project that 97.5% of our property tax revenue will go toward mandated waiver obligations alone. Now, we also provide behavior support services. This team coaches caregivers and support staff to improve communication, independence, and emotional regulation. Sometimes that looks simple, like creating a visual task calendar to help someone manage transitions, but those tools can be life-changing. We have also partnered with organizations like Travel Butler County and Metro Parks to create accessibility guides so more people can confident confidently explore our community. Now, Ohio is an employee first state, meaning we must prioritize helping adults with disabilities find jobs before other day services. This creates real pathways to independence. Employers consistently report that employees with developmental disabilities are loyal, dependable, and dedicated team members. There's both a human and business case for inclusion. It's a little slide I included. Uh over 450 people with developmental disabilities are employed in over 200 locations. Um a lot of our uh jobs are filled at Kroger, McDonald's in McDonald's. I see um a lot of our individuals at Kroger. So I I truly appreciate them. All right. And Ohio is also a technology first state. When appropriate, we use

remote monitoring and assisted technology to increase independence. Smart stoves can automatically turn off. Door sensors and fall monitors can elite support teams if something happens. Now, technology doesn't replace people, but for some, it enhances independence while reducing costs. Now, we are also the adult protective services entity for people with developmental disabilities. We investigate allegations of abuse or neglect, work with law enforcement, and create prevention plans to keep people safe. This is a mandated responsibility. We also support schools, providers, law enforcement, employers, health care partners, and families throughout Butler County. Our work is deeply collaborative. Now, like I mentioned, we are a levy funded agency and our last levy passed in 2004. Now, at that time, about 250 people were receiving waiver services. Today, that number is over 1,200. Costs have ri risen significantly, but our revenue has remained flat. So, in September 2025, due to rising expenses and stagnant income, our board declared a fiscal emergency. We created 3.7 million in temporary temporary savings through wage freezes, hiring freeze freezes, and reductions to some non-mandated services. We have stretched every dollar. Now, because of this, a 2 mill levy will appear on the May ballot for an $100,000 home that costs about $583 per month. This levy does not expand our services. It preserves them. Now, ultimately, we exist to create access access to jobs, homes, relationships, safety, and community

life. As we recognize developmental disabilities awareness month, I ask you to partner with us in that mission. If there are ways we can collaborate, create accessibility tools, answer questions, or support your organization, we would love to connect. I also want to mention um Jackie Phillips Carter who works for the city of Middletown um for her years of service on her board. She just actually retired. Um her leadership has meant a great deal to us. So I appreciate that. Um thanks for your time and is there any questions? Thank you so much. Any questions from council or comments? This is fantastic. Cool. Thanks guys. Appreciate it. Thanks for having me.

Thank you. That's all for me. Thank you. All right. Thank you very much, Miss Combmes.

Next on the agenda this evening is the consent agenda. While the consent agenda is generally for consensus items, do any council members wish to remove anything from the consent agenda this evening and move it to the motion agenda. All right. Seeing none, we will continue. Mrs. Skank, please present the consent agenda. consideration this evening. We have the approval of the city council minutes of November 18, 2025 and February 17, 2026 to confirm the conditional appointments of Thomas Smith to the position of community and economic develop development director in the community and economic development de development department. That's a lot of words. I'm sorry. and Robert Blake to the position of expedited water and sewer in the develop in the department of public works and utilities water maintenance division and of James Fox to the position of code specialist in the community and economic development department to confirm the appointment of Alyssa BS to the position of engineer in the department of public works and utilities division of engineering. confirm the promotional appointment of Aaron Wel to the position of e equipment operator in the department of public works and utilities division of sewer maintenance and to receive and file oath of office for Jacob Adams, Jesse Garcia, Tristan Guestler, Joshua Marorrow, and Timothy Payne.

Thank you, Mrs. Skank. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? Motion. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. It has been properly moved and seconded to accept the consent agenda. We will proceed to vote. Mrs. Skank, please call the role. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Mayor Slama, yes. Mr. Lai, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Yes. Have it. And the consent agenda is approved. The next agenda item this evening is the motion agenda. We have one item this evening. Mrs. Skank, please present item A on the motion agenda. To authorize a one-year city services agreement to provide funding to the Middletown Arts Center in the amount of $53,000.

Thank you so much. Miss Combmes, the staff report, please. At the February 17th, 2026 city council meeting, the Middletown Arts Center requested funding equal to 10% of its annual operating budget. As a nonprofit, MAC offers educational opportunities, art exhibits, and workshops serving approximately 1,200-,400 city residents each year through 160 to 175 classes. Funding is sought to support MAC's continued programs and services that benefit city residents, reinforcing the city's commitment to the arts. Do I have a motion to approve item A to authorize a one-year city services agreement to provide funding to the Middletown Art Center in the amount of $53,000? Motion. Is there a second?

Second. Having been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? And also, just so you know, um, Ms. Marorrow, uh, the executive director for the MAC did extend her apologies that she couldn't make the evening uh to this evening, but Cara Crawford is here from the MAC if we do have any questions or for her. Anything from council? All right. Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. G, please call the role. Mayor Sama, yes. Mr. Li, yes. Mrs. Carter, no. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes.

Yeses have it. And the motion passes. Next on the agenda this evening is legislation. We have six items of legislation this evening. Law director, Mrs. Mr. Alex Euing, please present the legislation. Item number one, ordinance number 02026-07, an ordinance approving the revised final development plan for the Havenwood Plan development on Town Boulevard. Second reading. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Do you have anything to add? Do not. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Is there a motion to approve the ordinance? Motion. Is there a second? Second. It has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Skank, please call the role. Mr. Li, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes.

Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Mayor Slam, yes. Yeses have it. And the motion passes. Legislation passes. Mr. Euing, the next item, please. Item number two, resolution number R2026-02, a resolution approving and adopting the Middletown Historic Preservation and Revitalization Plan. Second reading. Thank you. Miss Commes, do you have anything to add? Do not. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the resolution? motion. Is there a second? Second. It has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion?

Mayor, just to say thank you for the uh members of staff in the community that uh put this together. It's quite comprehensive and very helpful as a guiding document to the city to preserve our heritage and and preserve some historic structures around town. So, thank you. It looks very good. Thank you, Mr. Mulligan. Is there any further discussion? All right. Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Skank, please call the role. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Mayor Slama, yes. Mr. Lawing, yes. Yes. Habit. And the legislation passes. Mr. Yuing. The next item, please.

Item number three, resolution number R2026-03. a resolution to make a supplemental appropriation for the Middletown Division of Police to renovate the former fire station 82 into a police substation and declaring an emergency. Thank you, Miss Combmes. The staff report, please.

The police division seeks additional funding to complete renovations at fire station 82 located at 375 or 3765 Dixie Highway. Initial funding was approved in 2025, but delays have occurred and more work is needed to make the facility operational. As such, they request to transfer the remaining balance from 2025 to 2026 to finalize the project. The unused 2025 funds will be moved to the building and structures account for the 2026 re renovations totaling 77,673.76. Emergency legislation is essential to enhance the police services on the east end of Middletown, ensure timely completion of the critical repairs and upgrades. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Is there a motion to approve the resolution?

Motion. Is there a second? It has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. K, please call the role. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Mayor Slam, yes. Mr. Li, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes. The yeses have it and the legislation passes. Uh, Mr. Euing, the next item, please. Item number four, resolution number R2026-04, a resolution to make a supplemental appropriation for the 2024 Ohio Sexual Assault Investigation Grant Program and declaring an emergency. Thank you, Miss Combmes. A staff report, please.

The city of Middletown received a total grant of $11,748.96 from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services for the 2024 Ohio Sexual Assault Investigation Program. Last year, the police department used $3,92263 for equipment purchases. A supplemental appropriation of the remaining $7,826.33 will allow for the reimbursement of future acquisitions. These funds will be used to cover the installation of new fencing at the police substation located, as I mentioned, at 3765 Dixie Highway and additional shelving and containers for the property room. Emergency passage is requested to meet grant deadlines. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Is there a motion to approve the resolution? Motion.

Is there a second? Second. It has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Skank, please call the role. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Simka, yes. Mr. Li, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Yes. Have it. And the legislation passes. Mr. Yuing, the next item, please. Item number five, resolution number R2026-05, a resolution authorizing participation in the Warren County multi-jurisdictional drug task force and authorizing the city manager to execute the related memorandum of understanding and declaring an emergency. Thank you, Miss Combmes. The staff report, please.

This is to seek approval for a collaborative agreement with the Warren County Sheriff's Office authorized by Ohio Revised Code. This agreement will establish the greater Warren County Drug Task Force to maintain public peace and enforce Ohio laws across participating jurisdictions. The city of Middletown has years of collaboration with the Warren County Sheriff's Drug Task Force. The updated memorandum of understanding formalizes this partnership, clarifies government governance, operations, resource sharing, and legal responsibilities. Emergency passage is requested to ensure timely coordination between the city of Middletown and Warren County Sheriff's Office. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Is there a motion to approve the resolution? Is there a second? Second.

It has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. K, please call the role. Mayor Slamama, yes. Mr. Li, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Yes. Have it. And the legislation passes. Mr. Ewing, the last item, please. Item number six, resolution number R2026-06, a resolution approving the purchase of certain real property and authorizing the city manager to enter into a purchase agreement and to execute related agreement and documents and appropriating funds therefore and declaring an emergency.

Thank you. Miss Combmes, a staff report, please. This is the authorized the purchase uh to enter into a purchase agreement for approximately 13,000 square feet of land and approximately 84,000 square feet of building improvements at one north main known as the Cincinnati State Building or CG&E building. The city of Middletown has partnered with the Butler County Finance Authority to reactivate the Cincinnati State Building to boost employment and foot traffic downtown. The building has been vacant for over a year, previously occupied by Cincinnati State Community College and will be repurposed for new commercial uses. The total purchase contract amount is 325,000 and this is an emergency due to the proposed closing date of March 24th, 2026. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Is there a motion to approve this resolution? Motion.

Is there a second? Second. It has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. K, please call the role. Mr. Li, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Mayor Sam,

yes. Yes. have it and the legislation passes. This concludes the legislation for the evening. The next item on the agenda is unfinished business. Do any council members have anything they would like to present under unfinished business? Hearing nothing, we will continue. Uh the next item on the agenda is new business. Do any council members have anything that they would like to present under new business? Um I have one thing. Um residents and visitors uh are dealing with long waits at the railroad crossings and um as in Middletown, we can make our own street signs. I'm wondering what might be done for wayfinding at the stops to help residents and visitors find alternate routes around the trains. Um maybe over the bypass, you know, that overpass and things like that if staff might be able to take a look at that.

Sure, we can absolutely do that. I've already um started that conversation with public works director Scott Tatish. Fantastic. I'll be happy to get you an update.

Well, thank you very much. I appreciate that. Anything else under new business? No. All right. Well, that concludes new business. The next item on the agenda is executive session. And do I hear a motion to move to executive session under the authority of OC121.22G1 to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official and under the authority of OC121.22 22 G8 to consider confidential information related to the marketing plans, specific business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets, or personal financial statements of an applicant for economic development assistance or to negotiations with other political subdivisions respecting requests for economic development assistance, provided that both of the following conditions apply. A the information is directly related to a request for economic development assistance that is to be provided or administered under any provision of chapter 715 725 1724 or 1728 or section 701.07 3735.67 to 3735.70 5709.40 to 5709.43 5709.61 to 5709.69 69 5709.73 to 5709 um.75 or 5709.77 to 5709.81 A1 of the revised code or that involves public infrastructure improvements or the extension of utility services that are directly related to an economic development project or B a unanim unanimous quorum of the public body determines by roll call vote that the executive session is necessary to protect the interests of the applicant or the possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with the economic development project. Do we have a motion?

Motion. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. It has been properly moved and seconded to move to executive session. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Skank, please call the role. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Mayor Slamama, yes. Mr. Lley, yes. Yes. Habit. The motion passes. Council will now move to executive session.