[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6578777,"mediaKeyId","3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe","parentId",3142239,"title","Bellbrook council sends proposed animal‑ordinance zoning changes to planning board, directs staff to draft advisory ballot on poultry","audioSeconds",2410,"startMs",1651000,"endMs",4061000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe&start=1651&end=4061","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe/thumbnail_1651000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6578777/Ohio/Bellbrook-council-sends-proposed-animalordinance-zoning-changes-to-planning-board-directs-staff-to-draft-advisory-ballot-on-poultry","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578777-207ec7b81e0a67f1418ea931b92f01d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983876&Signature=FhfjruDPSAmZzTEBed~DsNeulaYedX5Q7vdC~JM-xcIFeFKnqZjcLHif36pjiMN5hpkoxKnFCiEbiPxKvSI0WS01uvph6Ulbbl9VcLRCpUD5MUJ210bOLdUw9uwcFnwUrcUbJjvww0vOjppQQY1FXbpsZ4wTHlevAuRWa63O7LeXyeGSXfUH-jozOzoqzSIVWqqf7IzKQgXHljzWWntlBU597QSnJiKF0dSXoYM4hVaziAbT4AY1HW29T3F3t7QKE7TybM6YQOBoHHUbmiB8Xvg9~LQfPYozIRJn65pqlxzTYks2BEepTu99Gat0rfJCjHZZoSSVAsTcztPQH~3EWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellbrook","date","2025-04-28T00:00:00Z","article","Old‑business discussion on the draft animal ordinance dominated a lengthy portion of the April council meeting. Council considered amendments to the proposed municipal code and zoning definitions that would change what small livestock residents may keep within city limits.

Council debated whether to separate poultry (chickens and other fowl) from the broader small‑livestock definition so the city could adopt other animal‑control provisions now and treat poultry as a distinct issue later. Concerns raised during the discussion included enforcement burden on code enforcement, public‑health questions cited from the Centers for Disease Control about salmonella associated with backyard poultry, the cost for residents to meet setbacks and fencing requirements, and the limited demand among residents observed by several council members.

Councilmember discussion included arguments for moving forward with non‑poultry elements to give code enforcement and police clearer guidance and arguments for pursuing an advisory vote to capture community preference before making a permanent zoning change. One councilmember noted that prior informal surveys lacked statistical validity and described options for a more rigorous survey that could include mail, phone and online components.

Two formal outcomes resulted from the meeting:

1) Council voted to amend the proposed zoning change by excluding poultry from the small‑livestock definition and sent the amended Article 18 to the Planning Board for review and recommendation. The roll‑call vote on that motion was recorded as: Ashley (Yes), Cyphers (No), Greenwood (No), Harding (Yes), Deputy Mayor Havens (Yes), Hoke (Yes), Mayor Mary Schweller (Yes). The motion carried.

2) Council directed staff to draft advisory ballot language to place a simple yes/no advisory question on a May 2026 ballot that would ask residents whether to modify the definition of small livestock to include poultry. That motion passed by roll call with unanimous support; councilmembers noted the advisory measure would be low cost to place on the specified election cycle and would provide statistically valid public input if designed with appropriate sampling.

Council clarified that sending the zoning amendment to Planning Board does not by itself change the existing municipal code; any ordinance changes would be adopted by council after Planning Board recommendation and any required hearings.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellbrook - April 28, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting - Apr 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended debate, Bellbrook City Council voted to send a proposed zoning change that removes poultry from the draft definition of small livestock to the Planning Board, and separately directed staff to prepare advisory ballot language for May 2026 asking voters whether poultry should be permitted.","taxTitle","Bellbrook City Council, Bellbrook, Greene County, Ohio","taxId",72802,"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},6578781,"Bellbrook council adopts temporary utility‑billing procedures amid USPS delays",650,999000,1649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe&start=999&end=1649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe/thumbnail_999000.jpg","/articles/6578781/Ohio/Bellbrook-council-adopts-temporary-utilitybilling-procedures-amid-USPS-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578781-e049b27a36c72f104af6a9da2ef00b8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983876&Signature=dKPtxX4m-AubdVtZxTxNL5EMwLeEVhWiZXlLPucbnnLThZ6C0ayJOz6J03CjWegvGwnOcgBHAwcUcOnw9ag9he0Ri-hgaPiJ7BMdSLQhsPZm3C3PDpO-DQpNB3F6xTvE9VLP1EXh1qiSgcQiYH7iATYC66U9y~sa46vU9frzZXjvUF7lRL3uKXPCPxMqfxDeLp2Q6JOMuBnAzQf4kSKaYCZARXyBesHcVEv9Hf-q4lJm2NwkQGMsScHQOpamCVesvCs~Rqz1EzrKhIIZRblgvGhYd8sKEE4LU7aLJxlJFuS5T7427SB7~X5C6zbMrz1knfGqS7~Dwrwnj1Mm0FPKeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilwoman Catherine Cyphers introduced Resolution 2025‑R‑11 at the April meeting, a measure authorizing the city manager to develop and implement modified penalty and billing procedures for utility billing in response to unanticipated delays in U.S. Postal Service delivery.

Rob (city manager) told council staff had observed an \"extraordinary amount of late payments\" in the most recent billing cycle and that mail delivery times that had been 5–7 days were, in some instances, extending to 11, 14 and once 17 days. Rob said the city will implement a short administrative change to reduce the chance that timely‑mailed payments are assessed late penalties: \"We're going to extend that by 5 days. And instead of 20 days after the billing time to send notice of delinquency, we're gonna back that up 15 days for that 5 day grace period after the bill being due so that notice goes out.\" (Rob, paraphrased and quoted where verbatim in transcript.)

Rob explained the operational effect: the city will add a five‑day grace to the due date handling and move the delinquency/notice schedule to avoid issuing 10% late penalties on payments that a resident mailed on time but that arrived late due to postal delays. He also said the city is encouraging customers to register for emailed bills (online billing) so they receive near‑immediate notice of charges while still allowing paper bills for those who prefer them.

The resolution cites Bellbrook Codified Ordinances section 10.42.04 and authorizes temporary modifications to billing procedures; it is intended as an administrative accommodation while staff evaluates whether an ordinance change is necessary. The council voted to adopt Resolution 2025‑R‑11; the roll call vote was recorded as unanimous and the resolution \"takes effect and be enforced forthwith.\"

","Council adopted Resolution 2025‑R‑11 authorizing the city manager to implement modified billing and penalty procedures to reduce late penalties caused by delayed U.S. Postal Service delivery; the resolution takes effect immediately.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6578786,"Bellbrook council introduces 2.2‑mill public safety levy for November ballot",745,248000,993000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe&start=248&end=993","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6578786/Ohio/Bellbrook-council-introduces-22mill-public-safety-levy-for-November-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578786-ffa6388142d005ab227840db83aa99ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983876&Signature=Xyzl1umqlCpiahhqC1ObGAdz7botT8d4do5byYtQ0AAvz4AhybTc8-uhBTKwdThVFxmaRKqepXT6Tt0RTWEbrn8HSp24qjZhAzBqfImk4ykzKB9gsnKi9wBltHyhSNrHnXLQDUnQNa6MQVrcJcY1~oFn3H4Gveh7nYtit4JAWT~iKb5evWAIA2EibgrvIj2jrhSAYdOVDDEVPu0iYdrreTmQPnynFR~YuTHpVUBdBjgXwshkQbLujayXRbpgOWiDbDrlF5oQQNjbtlEY8G4R9R2i5wXDmqDjqOkE7R22-wyEm2C05PKGVlEIw8EWGGkqzfU0UX-00mwpdeR7LWm7VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman Logan Ashley read Ordinance 2025‑O‑08 at the April 2025 Bellbrook City Council meeting, formally introducing a proposed continuing 2.2‑mill tax levy to be submitted to voters at the Nov. 4, 2025 election to provide funding for fire apparatus, ambulance and rescue equipment, emergency medical service personnel, and police personnel and related costs.

\"Ordinance number 2025Dash0ListOO-eight. An ordinance to proceed to levying additional tax in excess of the 10 mil limitation for Central High Revised Code section 5,705.19 ... which shall be 2 and 2 tenths mils continuing period of time pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code section 570,505.19 and declaring that the question of the additional tax levy be submitted to the electors at the election to be held 11/04/2025,\" Councilman Logan Ashley read aloud when introducing the measure.

The ordinance text submitted to council specifies that proceeds may be used for \"providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, and other fire equipment and appliances, buildings and sites\" and for the operation of the police department, including salaries and employer pension contributions listed by statute. The proposed 2.2 mills was presented with an illustrative impact of $77 per $100,000 of county‑auditor appraised value.

City management told council that certification from the Greene County auditor is required and that, if adopted by council and approved by voters, the levy proceeds would first be available for collection in calendar year 2026. Council was briefed that the city is coordinating with the Greene County Board of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State's office to meet filing and notification deadlines; adoption, a public hearing and any final vote were scheduled for the May council meeting.

On a roll‑call vote to introduce the ordinance, council recorded unanimous support. Mayor Mary Schweller declared the motion carried and the ordinance introduced for subsequent consideration.

What happens next: the ordinance will return to council for formal adoption after the required public hearing and certification steps. Council and staff said they will publish the ballot language and follow the county auditor and board of elections deadlines for placement on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot.

","At its April 2025 meeting the Bellbrook City Council introduced Ordinance 2025‑O‑08 to submit a 2.2‑mill continuing levy to voters on Nov. 4, 2025, to fund fire, emergency medical and police services. The introduction passed on a 7‑0 roll call; adoption and a public hearing are scheduled for the May meeting.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6578767,"Bellbrook council holds executive session to consider property purchase; no public action announced",3834,5666000,9500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe&start=5666&end=9500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe/thumbnail_5666000.jpg","/articles/6578767/Ohio/Bellbrook-council-holds-executive-session-to-consider-property-purchase-no-public-action-announced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578767-57182a8395103b9df37e7d657b17908c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983876&Signature=DSD3WycTHlmVmnrUyzCbURx2B2Ze6bos--PRlMKBW0HafRWUZvwAG2AVdz8fnFEcDqe6o94sVAFWlJn5aoON48yxWxthB2PxMQqwEdo7D-lKpAafeE8Dp93NavDlY1OSZzeIQIjc5ZlrPYPoVW8YBbBGFpHLXRZLshfKbeFJuEiqRgxWPomyLEv5cILzl2Mhi3h~MUFmxKIXxxg591nRU0O6rPoZYWT-KowZ~-P5fQeD6wn9Y96PCexmFxEKN6tiyzYD9VpV49p3E9tp5jfr06xjpGCTR38xhRKfi35u5ICAyn2WZHec94GWBEfUOALVtaxDKH-NC0Mq6nSht0m-qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April meeting the council voted to enter executive session \"to consider the purchase of property for public purposes.\" The motion to enter executive session was seconded and passed on a roll‑call vote. After the executive session the council reconvened in open session and said any business arising from the executive session would be taken up in open session.

The motion to enter executive session and the subsequent motion to exit executive session were both recorded by roll call; council did not announce any formal action taken in executive session during the open portion of the meeting.

","Council entered and later exited an executive session to consider the purchase of property for public purposes; members said any business resulting from the session will be conducted in open session.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6578772,"Bellbrook council appoints D. Todd Dudley to Greene County Board of Health",304,4075000,4379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe&start=4075&end=4379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142239-889935acd3a3eb94cbcf3e13131a6fbe/thumbnail_4075000.jpg","/articles/6578772/Ohio/Bellbrook-council-appoints-D-Todd-Dudley-to-Greene-County-Board-of-Health","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578772-13dc1248b9e885ad2e0031d29ea43a9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983876&Signature=JbzKgboSze9ybm2u38pLLVY7xJkoJGhZOrWrW7etxlH5SpLrjEjBTX8ou~GU8KIisLo64OXuQfVifVQ3kSHCzZhuG2108YUVZvDER6jAjaMo8LrLM-etcnjiKXw0VTTXadc17fmKAjWM56MXKtuH2pdkjLgYUMcp1kVEQJAZ1M325JR6jpbWy6m4-z2NCfpXS-~ahrYhD1zZhbSGMFdj1JSwcju65E9Scjga-mCh3nEoDp7H40q3vMqberqq-wBXRNw8ZSLigH074tH0Wo9Duur~GqIDrmoJfXkbpjcseU72uu9pVA5P4C6Z4GZBu1E8IdH7FwFFLiFxCFThtrjkcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council considered two applicants for the city's seat on the Greene County Board of Health and voted to appoint D. Todd Dudley following a recommendation from the Board of Health and the Greene County health commissioner.

City staff said the Board of Health had emphasized a need for environmental expertise on the combined health district board; Mr. Dudley's résumé lists experience as a senior environmental safety specialist and the Board of Health recommended him on that basis. City staff also noted that the position represents the municipality on the combined health district and is not required to be a city resident.

On a motion to appoint D. Todd Dudley to the Greene County Board of Health, council recorded a unanimous roll‑call vote; the mayor declared the motion carried. No council amendments or conditions were attached to the appointment.

","Council appointed D. Todd Dudley to fill the city's seat on the Greene County Board of Health following the death of the prior appointee; council accepted the Board of Health's recommendation and the motion passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bellbrook council sends proposed animal‑ordinance zoning changes to planning board, directs staff to draft advisory ballot on poultry

Bellbrook council adopts temporary utility‑billing procedures amid USPS delays

Bellbrook council introduces 2.2‑mill public safety levy for November ballot

Bellbrook council holds executive session to consider property purchase; no public action announced

Bellbrook council appoints D. Todd Dudley to Greene County Board of Health