City Council - Regular Meeting

I call to order and welcome you to the Middletown, Ohio City Council meeting for Tuesday, April 21st, 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. Cler of council, Mrs. Mrs. Amy Skank, please call the attendance role.

Mrs. Carter, present. Mr. West here. Mr. Mulligan here. Mayor Slam here. Mr. Lawing present. Before we continue, I'd like to make a motion to amend this evening's agenda to remove item number eight, which is ordinance number 0202622. Is there a second? Second. Is has having been properly moved and seconded, is there any discussion? And Miss Combmes, would you like to add anything? Just no further action will be taken on the item tonight. Okay. Thank you. Any further questions or comment? We vote. All right. Hearing none, we will proceed to to vote. Mrs. Skank, please call the role. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Slam, yes. Mr. Li, yes.

Mrs. Carter, yes.

Yeses have it. And the motion passes. Item number eight, ordinance number 0202622, shall be removed from this evening's agenda. The first item on the agenda this evening is a presentation of a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day. I would like to invite our members of the park board and tree commission to the podium. Thank you. We have Doris Roberts and Dave Pierce from our park board and tree commission to accept this uh proclamation. Whereas in 1872, the Nebraska Board of Agriculture established a special day to set aside for the planting of trees. And whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And whereas trees can be a solution to combating climate change by reducing the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling costs, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing lifegiving oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products, trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community. And trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now therefore, I, Elizabeth Slama, mayor of the city of Middletown, Ohio, do hereby proclaim April 24th, 2026 as Arbor Day in the city of Middletown. And I urge all citizens to support efforts to protect and nurture our trees and urban forest, not just for the beauty they

provide, but for the benefits they give our residents and community. And further, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations. Thank you. And thank you. I'll put this right here for you. There we go.

Sure. I want to talk about Earth Day. It's uh this year it's tomorrow. So, happy Earth Day. And we are having an event. I'm really excited about this year because we have over 200 people signed up to come out and clean up the city. Now, last year we had about 170 people and we got 5,000 pounds of trash out of the city on that one day. So, come join us from 9 to noon at the event center, 3907 Central Avenue, uh from 9 to noon. You can come in, sign up at 9:00 and then come back at noon for lunch. Uh we will also have a Arbor Day tree planting at 11:30 at the event center and it will be a Eastern Redbud. And I'd like to thank our sponsors, the city of Middletown, Cleveland Cliffs, Butler County Recycling and Solid Waste, and Rumpky. And I want to thank Scott Tattish and Charlie Anderson and the parks department because I couldn't do it without him. Thank you. I would just like to say uh quickly on behalf of park board and as well as a citizen here in town, I appreciate the community and the city's focus on Arbor Day and frankly on just our tree canopy in the city. I know there's been a lot of effort put towards this in the last year where several of us from park board I know the mayor Scott went Charlie went to tree academy put on by the ODNR to learn more about how to take care of your tree canopy in the city and how important that tree canopy is. And so my hope is that we continue that commitment to improve and the mayor talked about all the benefits that Arbor Day and that trees have in the community. I think we take trees for granted and there just a ton of benefit that we all get not only emotionally and physically out of a

proper tree canopy, but I hope we would continue down this path of our commitment of that canopy in Middletown. So thank you for your support. Thank you, Mr. Pierce. Next on the agenda tonight is citizen comments. Um we have received zero cards. Z zero comments. Correct. Okay. So having received none, that will conclude our public comment for the evening. Uh the next agenda item therefore 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. And I will speak last. Mr. Lai. I have nothing this evening. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Vice Mayor, I have nothing. Also,

Mr. West. Uh, thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. I just want to thank, uh, Doris and and David, um, for their efforts on the park board. Uh, I've been the the city council liaison for the last couple of years and and their dedication uh, to the city, to the to the parks, and especially to the trees, uh, has been phenomenal experience for me. But that's all I have. Mayor, thank you.

Thank you, Mr. West. Mr. Mulligan. Uh thank you, mayor. Happy to report I was uh able to represent city council at uh SL's the supports to encourage low-income families 30th anniversary uh last Friday night in Fairfield. Um this was the first year for uh Self's new executive director Sarah Star in her uh role and just a great way to celebrate three decades of service to to Middletown and and the underserved population in our community. Uh but just a few highlights from from their 30 years of service. Um 70 businesses were launched as a result of self's program with with entrepreneurs. 500 over 500 home repairs have been completed since 2020. 89% employment rate with self's jobs now program. 180 graduates of their getting ahead program in the last five years. uh 250 or more money management workshop participants and over 3,000 households are supported annually with uh selfut utility assistance. And uh because of their efforts uh they've uh accumulated 40,000 volunteer hours since 2020. And uh just a great asset for our our Butler County community. So, I congratulate self on its uh 30th anniversary and uh thank uh Councilwoman Carter for attending those monthly meetings and and uh representing us there. Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Mr. Mulligan. Um so, right in time for Arbor Day this Friday is the Tree City USA celebration, which will take place this Thursday, April 23rd, hosted by ODNR, which is the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. And as you heard in the proclamation, trees are a vital part of our urban landscapes. and the second most important uh natural infrastructure for cities right after soil. Several of us from the city of Middletown will be at this year's celebration in Forest Park this Thursday to receive Middletown's award as a Tree City USA for our 19th consecutive year. We benefit from being a Tree City USA by being able to receive funding for urban forestry projects which help enhance our parks and public areas, improve water and air quality, and promote community engagement. This designation also fosters a commitment to maintaining and expanding the urban tree canopy, contributing to a healthier and more livable environment. The community and economic development department of the city of Middletown is making available the CDBG or the community development block grant draft annual action plan covering the period of May 2026 through April 2027 for public review and comment. Comments will be received via email at cdbg@ communitydevelopmentprofessionals.com or may be submitted in writing to community and economic development department. Attention cdbgap comments one donham plaza middletown Ohio45042. The public review and comment period runs through Friday May 8th. For more information please visit city of middletown.org under news. This Saturday, April 25th, is Middletown's 2026 Earth Day Arbor Day celebration that was spoken about during the proclamation. So, keep Middletown beautiful and the city of Middletown will be coordinating volunteers to continue the successful efforts of cleaning up and beautifying our community. The annual cleanup and celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day is planned for 9:00 a.m. to noon with a tree planting at 11:30 and with check-in at the Event Center of Middletown located at 3907 Central Avenue. For more information and to sign up, please uh

visit keepmittle middletown beautiful.org. Also this Saturday, April 25th from 5:00 pm to 800 pm, join the Walk for Hope, a free community event that raises awareness for mental health and connection presented by our Middletown High School Hope Squad. The event will take place at the track at Middletown High School. Next Friday, May 1st, join the Pendleton Art Center in Middletown in celebrating their 15th anniversary. 11:00 a.m. is the official ribbon cutting by DMI in front of the pack. Later that evening from 5:00 pm until 900 pm, the celebration continues with delicious cafe specials and sweet treats, live music, a giant door prize, workshops, and two floors of open studios. For more information, please visit downtownmittletown.org. Then head on outside that evening next Friday, May 1st, from 5 until 9:00, as DMI hosts Cinco de Derby, our May 1st Friday event downtown. Check-in will be at the DMI booth at Governor Square at 5:00 p. There will be a margarita contest and crawl, a derby hat contest, and stick horse derby races at the top of every hour, one each for adults and one for the kiddos. For more information about the Cinco de Derby first Friday, please visit downtownmittle middletown.org. Complete your evening next Friday, May 1st, and begin your weekend with a live show at 8:00 p.m. at our beautiful and historic Sorg Opera House located at 63 South Main Street. Lyric Theater at the Sorg presents four showings over three days of You're a good man, Charlie Brown. Find the beloved Peanuts gang in this fresh high energy revival. With updated musical arrangements and vibrant choreography, this heartwarming musical captures the simple joys and everyday adventures of childhood. This revised version delivers fun for all ages and reminds us that being a good man is more about kindness and connection than perfection. For more information, including ticket prices and showtimes, please visit sorgoroperhouse.org. Next Saturday, May 2nd, from 11:00 am until 6 PM, Crooked Dog Comt Comics located at 1373 Central Avenue presents Free Comic Book Day and Crooked Dog's

second anniversary. There will be a lot of comics and giveaways. For more information, please visit downtownmittletown.org. Tickets are now on sale for Middletown Rocks, the fourth annual benefit concert for CBI, our community building institute. This fundraiser will be held on Thursday, May 14th, beginning with a VIP event at the Windemir. The concert will take place at the Sorg Opera House starting at 7 p.m. Get ready for an evening to remember as you boogie and groove with eight featured community leader performances uh performers backed by the live band Live Your Dream. It is a fantastic night for a great cause. For more information, please visit cbim middletown.info/middtown rocks. Tickets are also on sale now for the annual Women's Wine and Chocolate Walk brought to you by DMI Downtown Middletown, Inc. Save the date of Saturday, May 16th, for this fun-filled day just for the ladies. It's always the Saturday after Mother's Day. For more information, including this year's theme of corks and cowg girls, please visit downtowntownmtown.org. As a reminder, the city of Middletown accepts applications for our boards and commissions throughout the year. So, if there is 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 more, please visit the city's website at city of middletown.org. Lastly, and as always, there are many ways to get involved with your community and give back. You can join a border 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 attitude. 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. The next agenda item is city manager reports. City manager, Miss Ashley Combmes, you have the floor.

Good evening, everybody. Um, before we get to the presentation, I just wanted to say that myself and the communications manager, Ken Brown, attended the fire department's annual swiftwater rescue training at Miami Park today. Crews work through boat operations, rescue swimming, and simulated rescues. Thank you again, Chief Wright, for having us. We really enjoyed it. It was a really a good learning experience for everybody. So, with that, um, we have one presentation tonight. It's the Butler County Regional Transit Authority and I'd like to welcome Robert or I'm sorry, Sean Cowan and Russ Alway. Thank you.

Good evening. Um I'm Sean Cowan. I'm the director of customer care and public engagement with the BCRTA. So we want to thank you tonight for allowing us to come out and present to you. Uh we're going to be sharing with you tonight uh the proposed route changes to the Middletown transit system. Um tonight I have with me Russ Alway. He's our transit planner and an expert. He's going to walk us through all of the proposed changes. Um I'm going to stick around here and hopefully be able to answer any questions that Russ is not able to answer. Um and so with that, I will turn that over to Russ. Thank you.

All right. Um so again, my name is Russell Aai. I'm the transit planning manager for Ber County RTA. And tonight I'm going to give you a presentation of the new routes that are going to go live in fall of this year. Um today's object objective of this presentation is give you a rationale of why we're changing the routes. Um why they need to be changed. Um give you an overview of the project timeline. Um a summary of our public comment that we did in February, March. and then review some route maps, what the new routes will look like, and then answer the big question, what does the new service hours look like for the new routes. So, a little bit of background. So, um our agency um consulted an outside u consulting firm, Kimley Horn, um to evaluate all of our services throughout Butler County, including the city of Middletown. Um and we've also some a little bit of history of this this transit system. And we've we've noticed that these routes in Middletown haven't changed for decades. There's a lot of stops that aren't efficient. There's stops that are recording zero trips or zero riders. Um so we're looking to to revamp the system. Um improve the system for efficiency and utility for the passenger. Um and why are we why are we um changing the routes? Well, we want to improve effic uh improve frequency to the high demand areas. So, um frequency to the Kroger, to the Lowe's, the Walmart, um key destinations like access counseling, Ketering, Atrium. Um we also want to move the schedules, the bus schedules to a clock face uh schedule. So, think of uh something that's memorable like a bus every 15 minutes. So, you can expect the bus at 8 o'lock, 8:15, 8:30. So easy math and our

our passengers can remember when they should be at the bus stop. And lastly, the reallocate service to from underperforming areas to areas that have higher ridership and need more frequent transportation. Um we also want to eliminate patterns. Our current routes in Middletown are big loops. So, we want to reduce by eliminating eliminating those loops, we'll be reducing ride times, and we'll be replacing those loops with inbound and outbound lines. And then lastly, these routes would um be able to better accommodate special events like the blue balloon challenge. So, a little bit about our uh project timeline. So in January, we re re-evaluated the Kimley Horn plan, what they suggested a few years ago. Um looked at new census data um looked at new writership patterns in our system to make sure that the patterns they suggested are still true. Um and in February, we released um a survey both digital and hard copy. We had some town halls. Uh we had a meeting at the uh Midpoint Library. We had a virtual session as well. And then in March, we consolidated all that data, digitized it, looked at u public comment patterns. Um where do people want to go? And then this month into next month, we'll start to finalize the materials, start updating writer guides, um start making uh announcements to the public that the routes are going to change this fall. And then somewhere we're going to do the bulk of the field work, replacing the bus stop signs in Middletown. Um, updating the data on our website, updating the data on the buses, training our staff to the to these new routes. And then August, we go live with

these new routes. Here's a summary of our public comment. So, there's a strong demand for transit throughout the week, weekday and the Saturday that the bus currently works on uh runs on. Um feedback centers on um expanding our services, our coverage, improving frequency and reliability and better connectivity. So riders want more service hours. They want the bus to run later um both in the weekday and weekends. They want better frequency. Right now the routes are every hour. Um so we need to make that better. Um they want better connectivity. So they want easier transfers and especially to key destinations. So basically we need to focus on three things. Expanding the service hours. So bus needs buses need to re run longer. Uh we need to simplify the route, get rid of these loops and do inbound outbound lines. And then lastly improve frequency and connectivity. So what do the new routes look like? So we currently have an R1 route that goes from Hamilton to Middletown. the current R1 stops at the Middletown Transit Station there in the top left. Um the red dots there are the bus stops for the new system. Um yellow is the R1. The stars on the map are the key destinations, some landmarks. So um like I said, R1 currently stops at a Middletown transit station. In August, it'll be expanded to go up up Varity down Germantown Road. um taking university going through the Miami Middletown campus, going down Bel, making its way to Town Boulevard, making connections with Meyer um and our commuter service Cincy Link from the that Meer in Middletown and then working its way to Ketering Atrium and the

Atrium YMCA. Then working its way back all the way back to the transit station um in Middletown and all the way back to Hamilton. So that's the R1 expanded in August. Um, another new route is the M1. So, it's starting from the Middletown Transit Station on the left there. um working its way onto central Suten to Gran down Briel to Leferson to the Walmart Lowe's Olive Garden area into Town Boulevard making connections with the Kroger Meyer and then a turnaround near Access Counseling and Bavarian Apartments and working its way back to the transit station. M2 again starting from the Middletown Transit Station, working its way south on Yankee, doing a little turnaround in um South Middletown. There we're doing a turnaround there to avoid the train tracks on Oxford State. So, we'll do a turnaround, work our way back to Lafayette, down Route 4, make a stop at the Kroger and Excel, and then work our way onto Oxford State, down to Trenton, turn around at the roundabout near the Casey's, and work our way back to the transit station in Middle. This is what the routes look like overall. Um, again, R1 is in yellow, M1 is in purple, and M2 is in orange. So the big question was service service hours look like? Well, we're going to make we're going to design the service to be budget neutral uh to be responsible with our public funds. Um and then we're going to bus frequency is going to remain the same or better. I can tell you as I'm designing R1, it's going to be our headways. Um M1 and M2, we can improve those

frequencies to about 45 minutes. Um and then lastly, service span. We will be increasing our um hours of operation for the bus by a few hours both weekday and weekends. Questions? Thank you so much. Do we have any questions or comments from council? Mr. Mullingers. Um Mr. Oway, is um is there information you can share about writership? I mean, there were just a lot of generalizations. I didn't know if you had head counts or things along those lines that would Oh, you do. Sweet

for that. Um, this is obviously 2025, Dana. Um, I had our operations director send it over to me and, you know, preparing for this question getting asked. Um, so overall, Middletown Transit System last year saw 225,529 rides. Um, the blue line was the top performing route. Um, and then it goes from the green, which blue line saw about a little over 80,000 um, passengers. Green was 62. These are one-way rides. So, it's it's counting as somebody's getting on and off of the bus. Um, the goal had about 47,000 and the red right around 35,000 for 2025. I will tell you for as long as I have been with BCRT, I was having this conversation yesterday with our director is that the Middletown writership has steadily increased every single solitary year. Um, it is one system that is utilized well. It's nice. Middletown's got some sidewalks, so there's some walkability to it. Um, so that definitely makes it easier. Um, and you know, we're excited for these changes because the public has said this is what they want. Um, and obviously to be able to increase the later hours in the evening, I think will have a big impact based on the survey results that we received.

Wonderful. Thank you. Do you have more questions? One more. the um the bus station, is that necessary in in the new scheme uh or in future schemes of of of what uh BCRTA would would operate in Middletown to have a transit station? Yeah.

Um yeah, it is. I think I know um I did ask uh our executive director, I'll be honest with you, this is not 100% in my wheelhouse. Um there is money for a feasibility study on what makes sense on where to have that hub here in Middletown. Um there's going to be an RFP going out to bid later this year for um um a consulting company to to do that study for us. I believe and please do not quote me um again this is not like my you know main main part of my job um that there is still some FTA money in the Middletown transit station here currently. So there would have to be like if the money if it's moved from there that money would have to be reinvested the FTA portion into a different station. Now I don't understand all of that but I know that's kind of the overview. Um our executive director said you know he's more than happy to meet and have a conversation about that whether or not that's something you're interested in doing prior to the study or to um go over the study once it's done to determine what is best for the city. Does that make sense?

Well, maybe you could just inform like what in what is the purpose of that? I mean, it seems like it what what you're designing here or maybe I misheard. You're you're designing more direct routes, less looping, less changing, trying to make it faster, getting people from point to point. So, what is that? What is the the

for a transit station? Well, for a passenger waiting area, it's where all the bus will buses will connect at some point, right? So the R1, the M1, the M3. So anybody who does have to make transfers, there's transfer points that are safely done. Um, and then there is customer service that is available there to writers to ask questions. Um, you know, we are still fair free. There are conversations about changing that. Um, that's something else that we can meet and discuss, but then there is, you know, um, we do sell tickets there for our Cincy Link services. So we do have passengers that come in and and, you know, utilize our customer service. And again, passenger waiting areas and the bathrooms. Yeah. So, it's a nice it's nice to have a traditional what we would think of as a, you know, transit station. Uh much like if you're familiar with the the Oxford um Chestnut Street station that just uh opened back in November, um having that traditional um transit station and we're hoping to do the same in other areas throughout the city if funding allows. So, I thought that part of the agreement that was made um what a year or so ago, less than a year ago, um gave since we turned control of the administration of the bus, our transit system over to uh Butler County Regional Transit Authority is that we would have a position on the board of directors. Has that occurred?

Um it has not to my knowledge. No. I was trying to think. I'm sorry. I should know that. Um um I am more than happy. I know you and Matt, you know, um that was part of the agreement. He would definitely be the person to ask to be honest with you. Um I'm happy to share his contact information with you, but I believe you have it. Uh but he would be the one that would be able to answer that question. I'll just have the city manager follow up. Yeah. With that on this. Yes. I just don't want to speak out of turn on that one to say for sure. Either way, the only question Oh, go ahead, Vice Mayor. I wanted to know about the R1 route. Yes. And you said it went to the atrium. Yes. And then it would go to the Y MCA that's out there.

Yes. So is that one way? You said coming from Hamilton. And then what? Come to Hamilton. You get on the bus and then you ride to the YMCA and then they'll come back again in 60 minutes. Yes. Yes. To pick people up from the Y. Yep. Correct. Okay.

That that end of the route is a one-way loop. Um all those amenities are kind of close to one another. It didn't seem efficient to do inbound and outbound so close to, you know, picking up folks from uh the YMCA to then have a not go through Ketering again when we just went through there like five minutes ago. kind of thing. So, it's as it approaches Ketering at that's all a one-way loop and then it's inbound and outbound towards the Could we bring up that slide? Yes, sure. Would that be all right? Well, I'm asking because we have a pool Yep.

that they're building out there at the YMCA and I wanted to know how accessible it would be for the children on this end to ride the bus.

What do you mean this end? So the R1 will go if I'm understanding you correctly and please you know tell me if I'm not. So the the R1 will stop at the Middletown transit station and we'll have stops from Middletown transit station out to the atrium Y so anybody can pick up that bus along the way to get to the water park. And I just want to note that um although these particular changes do not go into effect um until August, which I know you guys are having your opening here in May for the water park, we are going to in the interim extend the red line to be able to meet that um demand and have that service available to the community throughout the summer to be able to take the bus. And and also I'd like to say I like the idea of the bus station being where it's located because it's accessible and it's always been there in that area across the street where Murphy's Landing, they used to have a bus station there. So I think that idea of children, parents can park in the parking lot and take their children, they can catch the bus and they can come back and pick them up there.

Yes. So, um I'm trying to think where else would we put it. Well, that's why we hire people, right? Um we're we're not sure either. I'm definitely not an expert on that topic. Um but also to just to note on the water park, just to in case um you know, if you don't know this, that children 12 and over can ride independently on the public transit system. So, if that's a question that comes up, you know, um, you know, the kids or teenagers that are wanting to go out to the water park that they can do that 12 and above without a guardian, 12 and over, you said? Yes, ma'am. So, does the bus depot have security?

Well, we we do not have hired security, but we do um have a manager and an operations supervisor there uh for the 12 hours that the hub is opened and they walk and monitor. We also have customer service um you know on site there from 7 am to 6 pm. Uh it has changed a lot. I don't know how long it's been since anybody you know h has walked through it. Um having a constant management presence there which we were just in flux up and down like in terms of hiring uh for a long time. Uh but having that con that constant presence there has made a really a real difference in the safety and security of of the area. And you have a key that you have to have to go into the bathroom.

Yes, you still do have to have the key. Yeah, customer service monitors that somebody comes in with a license, they have to have a license or an ID to leave and then they get the key. That is correct. Yes. So, yeah, I mean it's a it's a heavily utilized area for sure. Yeah, good writership. And could you just uh talk a little bit about just briefly, you said you've extended the hours from what to what was it before? What were the hours before and what will the hours be now? Well, they're from 6:30 to 6:30. What are they? So, they started at 6:30 in the morning, run till 6:30 at night. Saturday is 8:30 to 4:30. And then they planned from the surveys was I'm going to let him talk. I don't

um roughly I'm still working on the details of that. I'm looking at um similar start. I'm looking at a start at of about 5:00 a.m. till if I remember my spreadsheet about 7:30 or so. So ear really early trips to make um connections to our commuter service to Cincinnati and then um running about an hour or two later about 7 8:00 and that's on Monday through Friday. On Saturday will that stay 8:30 to 4:30 I believe you said. Um that's it current hour. Okay. Yeah, that might uh could we get that information sent to perhaps and then she can disseminate it. Saturday and Sunday.

I'm sorry. Could you speak to the microphone? Thank you. There is no current service on Sundays. Um in this proposed changes, there will not be any service on Sunday. It is a budget neutral uh change. Uh so there's just not additional funds to be able to do that. The reason why we're be able to extend services later in the evening is because we're reallocating some of the service that we're going to those areas that did not see strong wrership back into providing later hours on the on the routes that or on the for services that um see the higher higher wrership if I said that right. Does that make sense? Oh, mine were answered in the in the last Yeah. Thank you. Oh, okay.

Appreciate it. And just for for from for clarity, you said that um it used to be that the buses would come once an hour, but it's but now it looks like they're going to be arriving every quarter hour, 8 8:15, 8:30 and so forth. Correct?

There. Well, it's going to go to like a clock facing system, like a 15 minute because right now there's some it's like 8:54 and 7:33, you know. Um so it'll be like a clock facing time. We're still because it has to remain budget neutral and Russ, you know, please stop me if I'm wrong. Um there are talks of how how we stay budget neutral extending hours and increase frequency and usually you don't get all of those things in a in in in a budget neutral kind of change. Um so I believe that the M1 M3 versus hourly will go to 45 minutes. So the frequency will be 45 minutes now and then and then it will have the extended uh service hours. Part of our survey was asking um riders like what do you want? would you rather see, you know, every 15, every 30 minutes, or would you rather see extended service hours? And overall, majority speaking, it was the extended service hours. Um, and so that's why we chose to go more that route, but trying to at least shorten it somewhat. And what's nice about the inbound outbound is that it helps eliminate some of those transfers. um you know right now if a bus is running off schedule for any sort of reason and and things happen that there's traffic um people can miss their connections and um so how it'll go in is the route if it goes out at M as an M1 it'll come back in like it'll come back in as M1 but go out as M3 so you don't have to worry about those transfers as much now if you're wanting to get to the R1 and things like that there's transfer times and you know he will he creates the schedule to allow for some room for error there you know Um, so people aren't waiting a long time to be able to make their connections to be able to go on into Hamilton or other destinations.

Thank you. And do we have any further questions or comments? All right, hearing none. Thank you so much. Well, thank you. We appreciate your time. Thank you, City Manager Combmes. That's all for me. Thank you. All right. Well, thank you very much. That concludes our city manager report. Uh, 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 proceed. Mrs. Skank, please present the consent agenda.

Consideration this evening, we have the approval of the city council minutes of April 7th, 2026 to receive and file the following board and commission minutes. Cemetery Board of January 21st, 2026 and the Planning Commission from March 11th, 2026 to confirm the conditional appointment of Austin Jarbo to the position of maintenance worker in the Department of Public Works and Utilities Storm Water Maintenance Division. to confirm the conditional appointment of Jacob Long to the position of maintenance worker in the department of public works and utilities sewer maintenance division. To confirm the conditional appointment of Matthew Morningstar to the position of maintenance worker in the department of public works and utilities sewer maintenance division. To confirm the conditional appointment of Story Musgrave to the position of mechanic in the department of public works and utilities division of municipal Garage. Confirm the conditional appointment of Anthony Gregory to the position of corrections officer in the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police. to confirm the conditional appointment of Ron Ronald Cooblan III to the position of corrections officer in the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police. To confirm the conditional appointment of Tatiana Mendes to the position of dispatcher in the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police. and to confirm the conditional appointment of Peter Highly to the position of corrections officer in the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police.

Thank you, Mrs. Skank. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? Motion. 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 Slam, yes. Mr. Li, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. The yeses have it and the consent agenda is approved. The next item on the motion is the motion agenda. We have one item this evening. Mrs. Skank, please present item A of the motion agenda to authorize the city manager to consent to the purchase of an industrial chiller per the terms and condition of the downtown revitalization memorandum of understanding at a cost not to exceed $296,796.

Thank you. Mrs. Miss Combmes, the staff report, please. In January 2026, the city Butler County Finance Authority and Middletown Community Foundation formed a triparty agreement and established 15 million in funding for downtown redevelopment. One key project is the Middletown Community Foundation Park located above the downtown Cso Basin project which will feature a permanent ice rink. The ice rink requires a large industrial chiller. To avoid any price increases, the partners plan to purchase the chiller for the $296,796. Unanimous consent is required from allou partners to expend funds with the city manager serving as the authorized representative for the city.

Thank you, Miss Combmes. Do I have a motion to approve item A to authorize the city manager to consent to the purchase of an industrial chiller per the terms of and conditions of the downtown revitalization memorandum of understanding orou at a cost not to exceed $296,796? Motion. Is there a second? Second. Has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Gang, please call the role. Mr. Slama, yes. Mr. Li, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes.

The yeses have it. And the motion passes. This concludes the motion agenda. And next, let's see here on the um item on the agenda this evening is legislation. We have 11 items of legislation this evening. Law director, Mr. Alex Ewing. The legislation, please. Item number one, ordinance number 02026-16, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing a contract with Morris Heating and Cooling Incorporated to replace the HVAC system at the Water Reclamation Facility Administration building and declaring an emergency. Thank you. Miss Combmes, do you have anything to add? I do not. Thank you.

Thank you. 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? All right. Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Gank, please call the role. Mr. Law, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Mayor Slam, yes. The yeses have it and the legislation passes. Mr. Euing, the next item, please. Item number two, ordinance number 02026-17, an ordinance authorizing the extension of an agreement with Bulls Run Arboritum, now known as Bulls Run Nature Sanctuary and Arboritum for the use of property owned by the city as an arboritum for the benefit of the public. Second reading. Thank you, Mr. Ewing. Miss Cons, do you have anything to add?

I don't. Thank you. Well, thank you very much. Okay. Is there a motion to approve the ordinance? Motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. It has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. G, please call the role. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan. Abstain. Mayor Slam. Yes. Mr. Law. Yes. Yes. Haven't the legislation passes. Mr. Yuing. The next item, please. Item number three, ordinance number 02026-18, an ordinance amending section 1436.01. 01 International Property Maintenance Code adopted of the codified ordinances. Second reading. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Do you have anything to add?

No. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Is there a motion to approve the ordinance? Motion. Is there a second? Second. Has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Skank, please call the role. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Slam. Yes. Mr. Lawing? Yes. Mrs. Carter? Yes. Yes. have it and the legislation passes. Mr. Yuing, the next item, please. Item number four, ordinance number 02026-9, an ordinance amending chapter 874, garage sales of the codified ordinances. Second reading. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Do you have anything to add? Not. Thank you. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the ordinance? Motion. Is there a second? Second.

Has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Gang, please call the role. Mr. Mulligan. Yes, Mayor Slama. Yes, Mr. Li. Yes, Mrs. Carter. Yes, Mr. West. Yes. Yes. Haven't the legislation passes. Mr. Yuing. The next item, please. Item number five, ordinance number 02026-20, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing an extension of the contract with Quality Publishing Co. Company Incorporated to design, print, and mail a quarterly community newsletter. Second reading. Thank you. you. Miss Combmes, do you have anything to add? I 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? Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Skank, please call the role. Slam. Yes. Mr. Lawing. Yes. Mrs. Carter. Yes. Mr. West. Yes. Mr. Mulligan. Yes.

Yes. Have it. And the legislation passes. Mr. Euing. The next item, please. Item number six, ordinance number 02026-21, an ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of notes in the maximum principal amount of $5,500,000 in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of designing, engineering, constructing, acquiring, renovating, and impro improving various municipal infrastructure permanent improvements for the Renaissance Arena District project, including water manes. sanitary sewers and storm sewers, public roads and streets and related curbs and gutters, grading, landscaping and otherwise improving the sites thereof and equipment inertinances as may be necessary in connection there with second reading.

Thank you. Miss Combmes, do you have anything to add? Nothing to add. 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 Slamka, yes. The yeses have it. And the legislation passes. Mr. Ewing, the next item, please.

Item number seven, resolution number R2026-11. A resolution ensuring compliance with the Land and Water Conservation Fund Project 39- Z00517 and establishing policy for open space utilization at Leerson Park. Second reading. Thank you, Miss Combmes. Do you have anything to add? Nothing to add. Thank you. Thank you very much. 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. Gang, please call the role. Mrs. Carter, yes. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Mayor Sama, yes. Mr. Law, yes.

Yes. Have it. And the legislation passes. Mr. Euing, the next item, please. Uh, item number eight has been withdrawn uh from the agenda by council. So, we'll move to item number nine. Item number nine, ordinance number 02026-23, an ordinance authorizing an amendment to the purchase and sale agreement with L Ceramics LLC related to 705 Curtis Street and declaring an emergency. Thank you, Miss Combmes. The staff report, please.

EI Ceramics has requested a one-year extension due to delays in site due diligence pending o Ohio EPA approval. The extension will allow sufficient time for redevelopment. The company plans to purchase 705 Curtis Street to consolidate operations. The city acquired the 9.5 acre site in 2021, and the agreement allows for the purchase of $1,000 with 224,000 held in escrow pending payroll commitments. EI Ceramics expects to invest several million dollars, retain over 70 employees, and generate an annual payroll exceeding 4 million once operational. Thank you so much. 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? Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Gang, please call the role. Mr. West, yes. Mr. Mulligan, yes. Mayor Slamka, yes. Mr. Li, yes. Mrs. Carter, yes. Yes. Have it. And the legislation passes. Mr. Ewing, the next item, please. Item number 10, ordinance number 02026-24, an ordinance establishing a procedure for and authorizing an amendment to a contract with Central Square Technologies LLC for software for the public safety department and declaring an emergency. No action requested until May 5th, 2026. Thank you. Miss Combmes, the staff report, please.

In 2024, the council approved Central Square's onremise public safety software. Following a cyber security incident, staff recommended transitioning to a cloud-based system to reduce risk and align with best practices. Contract modification. This amendment shifts from on-site to vendor hosted cloud system, applies prior cost, preserves completed work, and transfers infrastructure and security responsibilities to the vendor. Cyber security and compliance. The cloud transition improves security, supports compliance with Ohio bill, Ohio House Bill 96, enhances resilience, and strengthens public safety operations. The financial impact year 1 cost is $250,390.30 with a 3% annual increase in years 2 through 4 and up to 5% starting in year five. Again, all prior costs are applied. This is a second reading emergency.

Thank you, Miss Combmes. As this is a second reading emergency, there is no action to be taken at this time. However, is there any discussion from council? Seeing none, we will proceed. Mr. Yuing, the next item, please. Item number 11, ordinance number 0 2026-25, an ordinance authorizing the city manager to enter into memoranda of understanding with the city's bargaining units to add Junth as a holiday. First reading.

Thank you, Miss Combmes. The staff report, please. City Council approved Junth as a holiday for non-union employees in the 2026 pay and benefits ordinance. Discussions are ongoing to add it as a holiday for the six barting units and agreed upon memorandum of understanding is now pending city council approval. Thank you. As this is a first reading, there is no action to be taken at this time. However, is there any discussion from council?

Seeing none, we will proceed. Mr. Yuing, the last item, please. Item number 12, resolution number R2026-12. A resolution authorizing the city manager to terminate the ground lease between the city and the Salvation Army for a portion of Damon Park and to purchase the Salvation Army's improvements thereto. First reading.

Thank you. Miss Combmes, the staff report, please. The city and the Salvation Army entered in a lease agreement on May 23rd, 1980 for 20 years at a rent of a dollar per year, which extended through 2000 for an additional 20 years and continued on a month-to-month basis after 2020. Recently, the Salvation Army requested termination of the lease and the sale of the property due to changing priorities. An appraisal in June 2025 valued the improvements on the 791 acre lot at 70,000. Middletown has tenatively offered 50,000 for the property pending city council approval. The city is currently evaluating the property for a range of potential uses including expanding event offerings through the event center, providing community meeting space, accommodating office functions, and supporting storage needs. We want to ensure that the building does benefit the community.

Thank you, Miss Combmes. As this is a first reading, there is no action to be taken at this time. However, is there any discussion from council? Right. Seeing none, this concludes legislation for the evening. The next item um on the agenda is unfinished business. Do any council members have anything they would like to present under unfinished business? Uh the only thing is uh I have that is that legal has been reviewing the citizen comment policy for council. So, if it works for the rest of council, uh might we please have that presented during the next regular city council meeting? That work? All right. Thank you. Anything else for unfinished business? Hearing none, we will proceed. That concludes unfinished business. The next item on the agenda is new business. Do any council members have any new business they would like to present this evening? All right. Hearing none, that concludes uh new business. And this concludes our regular city council meeting for Middletown, Ohio, Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 at 6:21 p.m. This meeting is adjourned until Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in these chambers for our next regular city council meeting. Thank you and good night. Yeah.