[{"_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",6184100,"mediaKeyId","5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a","parentId",5093045,"title","Safety service director announces resignation; mayor outlines short overlap plan for replacement","audioSeconds",167,"startMs",4206000,"endMs",4373000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a&start=4206&end=4373","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a/thumbnail_4206000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184100/Ohio/Safety-service-director-announces-resignation-mayor-outlines-short-overlap-plan-for-replacement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184100-16d4cfaf32b24592779a7fb0032fb96a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078844&Signature=Duh5-ToPJck9FCZktE6OUbz~GFJnFP~lfX~SGOCsX4~HKHw8IvtdOjkAQhC0ksFHvC0msauPJNvXtCj5G5bg8IvymaFlI6fDN1z91gP5gsBaxP5pyKN5EoraZUqPi9l2Xx8u527soFwcwdwIzuz3iL7Wp32B5l91epKA8B4AWFxcJ3jLCge9tvTdjP77tJT0G7pK5CqWLvqU05va5dt1wuUeexXxDu9LCLjoiu~tq8f8LnJwJCTT3V02Ov56lLqyMtk7FpWsO-jbHSgmQWqqUX4DPXj7wjME~7tuhourljn8aBECxKk0sOj59yG9mxJ-N5Ly9bLv7tMzCwsyjFFKtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of London OH","date","2025-06-27T13:09:01Z","article","Rex Castle, London’s safety service director, told council he will resign effective in mid-August to move out of state and care for his mother.

“It's been a pleasure working with the mayor, the city council, and working with the citizens of London,” Castle said, announcing his departure and thanking colleagues.

The mayor thanked Castle for his service and said the administration will begin the hiring process immediately. The mayor said he will propose a temporary adjustment to the city’s strength ordinance to permit a two-week overlap so the incoming safety service director can be trained by Castle before his departure. The administration said it will discuss transition timing and committee oversight and hopes to present the ordinance for suspension and passage at the July 17 council meeting.

Council members praised Castle’s service and noted the transition timing will be important to maintain ongoing projects and approvals. No final action on hiring or the ordinance occurred at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","London City Council Meeting 6/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Safety Service Director Rex Castle told council he will step down in mid-August to move out of state and care for family; the mayor said a replacement will be hired with a short overlap to enable in-person training and that a change to the city’s strength ordinance will be proposed to permit the transition.","taxTitle","London City Council, London, Madison County, Ohio","taxId",70685,"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},6184104,"Planning commission recommendations advance for 289-unit senior housing development; public hearing set",263,3180000,3443000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a&start=3180&end=3443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a/thumbnail_3180000.jpg","/articles/6184104/Ohio/Planning-commission-recommendations-advance-for-289-unit-senior-housing-development-public-hearing-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184104-7e3449b82f83ce9f2bf752d988c6583e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078844&Signature=eiOgHiiKqQ-KEEEyHLU1N~xOUoJM6KbnVmxjXWgNGfI5d9f1bD3Z5tk3kV1-tgmWm8lHhYVzRYhpd~gVxEkVA7iLULGxRyLsmCH~ANVOdOnRBk9vyC8AzuOCXPUfqiPSNH~E7RWpie9trZqcy2mwYZNzzLv1zlr79~eeIE9J9Rj1Y98SmJcHzdggJeZduHfzfnaRGBeheQ1yWLsh3zMznCVIE6tcDy7Ozsy9Dh1b6fS30RdXCoQHQkM3NonevIPfO56zH3xSkbk6pEBJDiJL8Iem5aQhVYkS3t3ihqqhAvIndwCw-CcgKxmxA73Y0goc6Yw35z18b7d6yKBdhmwP2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","London City Council reviewed a planning commission recommendation for a proposed 289-home development restricted to residents 55 and older at the 42/Betty Wilson and Lafayette corridor.

Councilmember John Stahl read the resolution adopting the planning commission’s recommendation and confirmed a public hearing is scheduled for July 17. The project sponsor indicated the development targets age 55 and up; a resident at the meeting said a comparable local senior project reported about 60% occupancy during construction.

Council members asked whether the developer sought additional tax abatements; the developer replied that no special abatements beyond the normal Community Reinvestment Area (CRA)/NCA arrangements were requested at this point. Staff said the school board recently approved participation in a related community reinvestment arrangement on a different downtown parcel, and council discussed how development outside city limits could affect tax receipts and service usage.

Speakers urged the council to require developers to provide civic cost/benefit data during public hearings — for example, projected tax revenue, anticipated service costs and longer-term effects on emergency services. Council members said developers typically present that information at the public hearing and indicated that material will be available on July 17.

No final council vote on the development occurred at this meeting.","Council reviewed a planning commission recommendation for a 289-unit, 55-and-over housing project at Betty Wilson and Lafayette; the planning commission’s recommendation will be the subject of a public hearing on July 17 and the developer said no special abatements were requested beyond standard practice.",{"_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},6184109,"Council debates raising curb-assistance fee as sanitation staff and recycling issues surface",172,7336000,7508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a&start=7336&end=7508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a/thumbnail_7336000.jpg","/articles/6184109/Ohio/Council-debates-raising-curb-assistance-fee-as-sanitation-staff-and-recycling-issues-surface","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184109-de8d56017e59897eee807cedb9b52ff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078844&Signature=nQNhHoErXA82BH2q3xQMmUQt7BlMXU0R-M1XM7KYvtgQrZgHibebO53yFzJr~X6FyEGZ1P81jgbs1mmpvcn4948r70hkR~FzA-5xMUTLs0CuKJaHYvV-isEh56k01gDoyxKXSp~6IJXDbdyzwcn-eXURbu07thCSDJ-VUTmPF~jehB4cXY3wPzQfN3WVv~z7Fw0HmhEhPaPVc8ep8Wup~bp0AJHkC2ePLn1kLUAoBlihegjnEqVPAv7~jeBLhRNfqdGuonQVNqiqUrOnuMdkblY64faNdjq1FaSDCf0INE~~5MHanHOGhK8LlddbnloR7paumUMouBX3zT90Y0zI7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","London City Council discussed Ordinance 1-55-25, which would raise the monthly curb-assistance fee for non-disabled residents from roughly $3 to $12 to reflect staff time and operational impacts on collection routes.

Council members and sanitation staff said curb-assistance—where crews retrieve and return cans for residents—adds time to routes and can require extra staff or overtime. The city’s sanitation superintendent position is currently vacant, they said, which has increased operational pressures. Staff reported instances when trash and recycling are combined or contaminated, which forces recyclable loads to the landfill and increases costs.

One council member described curb-assistance as a service used by some able-bodied residents because it is inexpensive; raising the fee to $12 per month was proposed to reduce demand among able-bodied households and improve route efficiency. The mayor and council emphasized that residents who are 65 or older or who are disabled would continue to receive curb assistance at no charge; the ordinance would not change that exemption.

Council members also discussed alternatives and trade-offs, including consolidating trash and recycling collection to a single pickup, which some councillors said could reduce labor and vehicle hours but would end separate recycling collection. Staff said the city previously expected revenue or lower net costs from recycling but now pays to haul recycling in many cases because contamination forces loads to the landfill.

No ordinance vote was recorded at the meeting. Council asked staff to return with cost comparisons, the likely fiscal impact of the proposed fee increase, and data about recycling contamination and options for changing the program.","Council considered an ordinance to raise the monthly curb-assistance fee for able-bodied households from about $3 to $12 while preserving free service for residents 65 and older and disabled residents; the discussion also covered equipment, staffing and recycling contamination that affect collection efficiency.",{"_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},6184114,"Council considers pilot traffic-calming program; stealth speed monitors and movable signs proposed",297,6203000,6500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a&start=6203&end=6500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a/thumbnail_6203000.jpg","/articles/6184114/Ohio/Council-considers-pilot-traffic-calming-program-stealth-speed-monitors-and-movable-signs-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184114-e87d2ce3fc3f38f20a12974b725487cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078844&Signature=X-SBJ81849631mxIB8Qk1hJD6IO7Qb7jLGvEJMOQsXplRKNeS5Ugu9AWKw~841TqkKdu4-q-TRL-zLaN92oU4pXbx4fef1ZI9a5KxNxiCGu2WbtAYHYU~OrVjaNvnrwv0Y0QwtNZ570cu-UuBs3c0Bf3hRl7ujBLjduILsgyHWRKAR1rpktm8psqyFSI~AQE6ER82cvvszAviFKtChENU9BszC7dWCGRQTMHsuby6f0o3d9orV0NDFNugLMg-sJpjDdGdU4sbQBTtNCMYAJe7Y0qVnIncogN-qGNdvAldqDFC3T7rPChTdSwVXrvlblcGqmNX89XL~yuHyHV8t7ToQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","London City Council discussed a traffic-calming proposal that would fund movable speed-feedback signs, temporary/moveable speed bumps and covert monitors to gather objective speed data ahead of permanent installations.

Council members said they want an evidence-based placement process and suggested adopting formal criteria so devices are installed where data, not the loudest complaints, indicate they are needed. A resolution to increase appropriations for traffic calming was presented to fund an initial set of devices and to start a pilot program.

Council heard that the city’s police department already uses one covert “stealth” monitor and that additional units would allow staff to rotate devices and collect representative baseline data at multiple locations. One council member said the devices help avoid preferential placement: “It shouldn’t be done on who’s the loudest,” he said, and urged a formulaic approach based on measured excess speed and volume.

Discussion included comparative effects of feedback signs versus speed bumps. Council members cited a study showing speed-feedback signs reduce speeds and that speed bumps reduce accident counts, and recommended a pilot before expanding hardware purchases. The police chief and service staff are collecting additional traffic counts and will report back; no final purchase order or permanent-placement policy was approved at the meeting.

Council members also discussed cost and flexibility: feedback signs are portable and can be pole-mounted temporarily; covert monitors are relatively inexpensive and gather unbiased samples; and movable speed bumps can be deployed where data support them.

The discussion will continue at committee level and additional traffic-calming criteria and data from stealth monitors were requested before council votes.","Council members and staff discussed a proposed pilot program to address speeding using movable speed-feedback signs, temporary speed bumps and covert 'stealth' monitors to gather baseline speed data; no final appropriation or placement plan was adopted at the meeting.",{"_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},6184118,"Council holds first public hearing on joining SOPEC electric aggregation program",2095,474000,2569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a&start=474&end=2569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093045-8d6c8c4852a5058361c90d2882646b5a/thumbnail_474000.jpg","/articles/6184118/Ohio/Council-holds-first-public-hearing-on-joining-SOPEC-electric-aggregation-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184118-acac4d8abd2bfb922f4f649ea8c01a84/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078845&Signature=fooEV83t4STPw-GRLRQtA0t9-IqaQbKDQ8bexhfVi8W0lgHqqo-yRAfI~lshyI9s81ISEFGXXqk0bgsI3GZWOFFaNh4lCp40zl3fOD5b-Q7goSbPxk5bYB7MbhByBEe557RCGrjwLmhqP0Z23o4GcJLyPVvK3X3ViSc4Jm8lq94XRtEsWIX3GOxKOkpYL5t6qPPoUqn6SVgU2XYDwjsG-xtOFPr-SINAO4Jg9oyaCgmR8XKOS4ryyz4yVFfYvtUlZLwXp-LNWlDa-1xhAMQiOm4M0jL~d6EVgfVHXxGUzgi9PH3n~2Nvf1KWowilo9vd13ffhpZUOsoA7WGWlfr3bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","London City Council held the first of two statutorily required public hearings on an electric aggregation plan proposed through the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council, commonly called SOPEC.

The hearing opened after a motion to enter a public hearing was made and seconded. Phil Leppla, deputy director and general counsel for SOPEC, described the council’s proposed plan of operation and governance and answered council questions about term length, opt-out mechanics and renewable options.

Leppla told the council that aggregation changes only the supply portion of a customer’s bill and that delivery and the utility’s responsibility for the wires remain unchanged. He also said participation in an “opt-out” aggregation is voluntary and explained the 21-day opt-out notice period and multiple opt-out methods including a QR code, an 800 number and paper return. “We do not charge early termination fees,” Leppla said.

Leppla cited Section 4928.2(c) of the Ohio Revised Code as the statutory authority requiring two public hearings on electric aggregation plans. He also said SOPEC and its retail provider, AEP Energy, typically offer fixed-term supply contracts and that, because energy markets are volatile, communities currently prefer shorter, one-year terms.

Council members and audience members asked whether a municipality locked into a multi-year contract could take advantage of lower market prices in a later year and whether the council’s decision would affect outage response. Leppla replied that a locked supply contract sets the price for the contracted term and that distribution and outage service remain with the local utility.

Leppla described SOPEC’s customer service setup and renewable options. He said many SOPEC members take a 100% renewable default but that community-specific options exist; he added that renewable energy certificates used to track renewable supply are often sourced from generators in Texas or Oklahoma for SOPEC customers.

The council did not vote to join SOPEC at the meeting. A second public hearing on the ordinance to join SOPEC and on its plan of operation and governance was set for July 17. Council then voted to exit the public hearing and return to the regular meeting.

The full SOPEC plan and the certified PUCO certificate are available through SOPEC’s materials and the city clerk’s office, Leppla said.","London City Council heard a presentation from SOPEC counsel and held the first of two required public hearings on joining the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) aggregation program; council set a second hearing for July 17 and did not vote on joining at the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Safety service director announces resignation; mayor outlines short overlap plan for replacement

Planning commission recommendations advance for 289-unit senior housing development; public hearing set

Council debates raising curb-assistance fee as sanitation staff and recycling issues surface

Council considers pilot traffic-calming program; stealth speed monitors and movable signs proposed

Council holds first public hearing on joining SOPEC electric aggregation program