[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6098204,"mediaKeyId","2824667-bdb9381cc1ad43c199662cb6b53573c9","parentId",2824667,"title","Wilmington residents, ministers press council as leaders consider tougher public‑order ordinances","audioSeconds",4880,"startMs",521000,"endMs",5401000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824667-bdb9381cc1ad43c199662cb6b53573c9&start=521&end=5401","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824667-bdb9381cc1ad43c199662cb6b53573c9/thumbnail_521000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6098204/Ohio/Wilmington-residents-ministers-press-council-as-leaders-consider-tougher-publicorder-ordinances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098204-07ca0d98243b43a7789d617fa98c0937/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150571&Signature=HUewJ1UhT6nmsLL5Cu9Ig6BXo2f0sWD8KSiEMZJR8BBcba8~6lISlZDZKX5JUkdskEvNabxVeAVZKhxeVtgOhuLo-UsdCsHF7ZHm5GBHMSJoNm3ttC5zOi76Swj47xpa5RiaapmUea7mKiU6kK~JGSOa9OyClhSoSNPOiDhW-O0vOl1oquaDSqn2smSG6r9W~L71deO7zuL0Ui6pWNSS~EzPU-YAXr3Rm8HYD4DaBUKRmPVa4HYHAVOk5Wiloh0Z6HTqeE~fhxXln4653Kq9vM1EsqUwjeOyGJbdxQ5ViW50HrTwflxLnERa7OiX8Gs8hDKEB4kTEGIvNIb9KyGYrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Wilmington OH ","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","Dozens of residents and faith leaders urged Wilmington City Council to protect local shelters and avoid laws that would criminalize people experiencing homelessness, while the mayor and city attorneys said proposed public‑order ordinances aim to give police clearer tools to address illegal activity.

Reverend Elaine Silverstrom, a retired Episcopal priest and Wilmington resident, told the council she was “deeply concerned” about a proposed public‑code change and said existing responses by the Wilmington Police Department had been “admirably, superbly” handled in individual cases. “We have human beings who are real people, who are deserving of our compassion,” Silverstrom said.

The comment period included extended testimony from residents who volunteer at or support Sugar Tree Ministries, Hope House and Our Father’s Kitchen. Nancy McCormick described years of volunteer meal service at Sugar Tree; Mary (who identified herself as a hostess at Hope House) recounted the case of “Lisa,” a guest with stage‑4 breast cancer who she said stayed at Hope House before dying in March 2024. Lea Lorenz, board president of the Homeless Coalition, urged the city not to “shut down Sugar Tree” and called for more coordinated crisis response and treatment rather than facility closures.

Other speakers raised concerns that proposed measures—some of which would raise penalties for trespass, squatting and failure to disperse—could disproportionately punish people who are poor or mentally ill. Kelsey Swindler, a member of the Religious Society of Friends, said “changing the level of a misdemeanor does not solve a housing crisis.” Laura Struve, who identified herself as an advocate for religious‑freedom and First Amendment rights, said government action that limits how religious nonprofits serve people would be “horrifying.”

Mayor Pat Haley defended the city’s intent as focused on crime and “quality of life,” not on closing charities. Haley said the administration distinguishes between people “down on their luck” and those committing criminal acts and repeatedly said the city is not targeting legitimate charity programs. “What we’re against is illegal activity,” he said.

Service Director Mike Crow and Law Director Justin Dinkum joined the discussion. Crow told council members the city is trying to avoid “enabling” conduct that he said can perpetuate harm, and he described the city’s desire for clear ordinances to give police tools to address events that create safety risks. Dinkum clarified penalties for trespass in council chamber remarks and said some offenses under discussion can carry misdemeanor fines and potential jail time under Ohio law as currently drafted.

Council members and the judiciary committee debated several related ordinances. The committee gave first reading to ordinance 25‑08 (regulating electric scooters downtown) and scheduled a second reading; discussion continued around ordinance 25‑11, which would raise the penalty for repeated failure to disperse and change penalties where gatherings create a likelihood of physical harm. Committee members said they would refine language and consult counsel further before voting.

Speakers on both sides asked for more data. Councilmember Justin (Clerk Vance) and others asked whether homelessness and crime are increasing and whether calls originate from local residents or visitors; some council members suggested the police department could provide further incident data to help shape policy.

The council did not adopt new public‑order measures at the meeting. Several related ordinances remain under committee review; committee members asked staff to return with clarified language, legal advice and training plans for police should the ordinances advance.

Looking ahead, residents and ministers urged the council to pair enforcement with expanded housing and addiction‑treatment options, while city leaders said they would pursue legal clarifications and training for officers if the ordinances move forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wilmington OH, City Council Public Workshop 2025-02-06","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of residents and faith leaders urged Wilmington City Council to protect local shelters and avoid laws that would criminalize people experiencing homelessness, while the mayor and city attorneys said proposed public‑order ordinances aim to give police clearer tools to address illegal activity.","taxTitle","Wilmington City Council, Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio","taxId",72111,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6098198,"Votes at a glance: Wilmington passes building/zoning contract, ODOT agreement and budget measures",96,4494000,4590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824667-bdb9381cc1ad43c199662cb6b53573c9&start=4494&end=4590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824667-bdb9381cc1ad43c199662cb6b53573c9/thumbnail_4494000.jpg","/articles/6098198/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-Wilmington-passes-buildingzoning-contract-ODOT-agreement-and-budget-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098198-8afd467e47733fb145db197b467c96a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150571&Signature=CmPPBNLkyMCb1JpX2CfG2kQq6hX59BRIJYsqNpUH~oEkMpVLHiQOVMYQ0MrLgMmVpfpX-1FTGaLQ5~b2tIcOM27sMxef~OCe8Jojn~Ze~cQmft8kiyq2jFrnLg1SWez4tIrsIL4cPCFAv5mld5ARaL8Qz14MUP4nl-mLkC71Emgle4BsZJo716vixAnXaCOHGbFSXeBKkQQN870aBjERM5Nw1UZ1AoNqofVf1xdCrErENKiG3wu1EAHfOVpdo9KOBWAdhIERpvCkgfkW1pAfd-uCW-08boGuVlevNZ9r5XMHPsdB0cn3U7-oFHvzAfyhHKNVAqRI4Zkj2uiZBKfkCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wilmington City Council approved four measures at the meeting, including a professional services contract for building and zoning enforcement, a local public agency agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation, and two finance actions to cover supplemental appropriations and prior‑year expenses.

Ordinance 25‑07 authorized the director of public service to enter a professional service contract with the Warren County Board of Commissioners for building and zoning enforcement and was passed after motions to give first reading, suspend the rules and adopt by title. Councilmember Knowles moved to suspend the rules; Kelly Tolliver seconded. A roll call vote recorded all members present voting yes and the ordinance passed.

Resolution R25‑02 authorized the director of public service to execute agreement number 41966 with the Ohio Department of Transportation for a Local Public Agency (LPA) federal ODOT project. Council discussed the project’s scope and funding: the project budget was reduced from about $5,600,000 to $2,000,000; the city will receive $1,000,000 in federal funds, a $650,000 OPWC grant and retains the option of a $2,000,000 interest‑free OPWC loan if needed. The resolution passed after a motion by Tolliver with a second by Osborne and a unanimous roll call.

Ordinance 25‑06 made supplemental appropriations. The finance committee moved first reading, then suspended the rules and passed the ordinance on the same night; Councilmember Osborne moved passage with a second by Knowles and the roll call was recorded in favor.

Resolution 25‑03 authorized payment of expenses incurred in the prior fiscal year. The council moved the item through first reading, suspended rules and passed the resolution; Osborne moved passage, seconded by Snarr, with a unanimous roll call.

Each vote was recorded by roll call in the minutes; council members who participated in roll calls included (as recorded during each vote) Wells, Osborne, Knowles, Manstead, Tolliver, Slabaugh and Snarr. The council generally approved suspension of rules to permit second and third readings by title at the same meeting and then adopted the measures.

Clerk and staff notes attached to the meeting packet (noted during the meeting) indicated an added one‑time fee of $4,000 to Warren County for commercial plan review in the building/zoning contract and that the council is considering short‑term notes of $1,650,000 for the next phase of the landfill; the service director said those notes would be one‑year notes with the intention to pay them off in less than five years.

Votes summary (all measures passed):
- Ordinance 25‑07 — Authorize building/zoning enforcement contract with Warren County Board of Commissioners; motion to suspend rules moved by Knowles, seconded by Tolliver; roll call: unanimous yes; outcome: passed.
- Resolution R25‑02 — Authorize agreement #41966 with ODOT for LPA federal project; motion to suspend rules moved by Tolliver, seconded by Osborne; roll call: unanimous yes; outcome: passed.
- Ordinance 25‑06 — Supplemental appropriations; moved by Osborne, seconded by Knowles; roll call: unanimous yes; outcome: passed.
- Resolution R25‑03 — Payment of expenses from prior fiscal year; moved by Osborne, seconded by Snarr; roll call: unanimous yes; outcome: passed.

The measures were passed as emergency or expedited items after motions to suspend the rules and permit second and third readings by title, per council procedure recorded in the meeting minutes.","At the meeting the council approved (1) a building and zoning enforcement contract with Warren County, (2) an ODOT LPA project agreement, and (3) supplemental appropriations plus prior‑year expense payments. Votes were by roll call and motions to suspend rules were approved.","actionData","errors"]

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Wilmington residents, ministers press council as leaders consider tougher public‑order ordinances

Votes at a glance: Wilmington passes building/zoning contract, ODOT agreement and budget measures