[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6429321,"mediaKeyId","5899053-619b846b4a056344788c0529bb0f844b","parentId",5899053,"title","Council refers 3:18 a.m. bar incident to safety committee, authorizes subpoenas for video","audioSeconds",4604,"startMs",693000,"endMs",5297000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5899053-619b846b4a056344788c0529bb0f844b&start=693&end=5297","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5899053-619b846b4a056344788c0529bb0f844b/thumbnail_693000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6429321/Ohio/Council-refers-318-am-bar-incident-to-safety-committee-authorizes-subpoenas-for-video","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429321-02f4703f1a96b53fb3abea90a94c57f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552955&Signature=NVBZwihNso5J9t3cfmv6Zw5E~RpLPHN~x69m16TQbXmyJb37lKi0pXC8vFD01zsBO0I0gu9Ef0DmIIV5TnY6IOc7ie3kDeR-zWgKJi7849D8SCOHfn7L7i6g33oHIeF5sVZ8KdCR-WJHeZ1Vj4oeESM2IDLin~oM74RAJJI-uxuEnfTQ~lYold2fQoj3IxawoSBtO4eWOeQ9iL6YiQaQMgl9~LdlvgacFZTrABeO3ILs~yluOklZwYX-flNpm7uC~XYkyRQB44nh0if227XgqGyIvOGALRxsbGb02qggrSM9W9VR6Ew-t7MMZfh9xdFFKzYl964krhhcUGr4O-2Uhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lima","date","2025-10-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Lima City Council on Oct. 6 voted to refer the Sept. 27 incident at the downtown establishment known as the 318 to the council’s Safety Services Committee and authorized the law director to pursue subpoenas for all video recordings of the encounter.

The move followed a lengthy public-comment period in which residents described seeing what they called excessive force by responding officers. “When those sworn to protect us become a source of fear, we are failing as a city,” resident Heaven Simpson told the council. Simpson said the incident occurred at 3:18 a.m. on Sept. 27 and called for “independent investigations of misconduct, better training and de‑escalation.”

Other speakers described seeing people thrown to the ground, tasings and officers who they said engaged aggressively without clear identification. Brian Irons said video he viewed showed “panic” rather than escalation, and asked about training and local hiring. Trayvon Jones, who said he and his wife were present that night, called for a review of “policies, training and accountability standards” and for bars to improve security.

At the meeting Mayor and council members and public-safety staff said they had reviewed video from multiple angles. Ray Magnus, a downtown business owner who said he watched footage with others, told the council he did not see “overly aggressive” conduct and defended the Lima Police Department’s response. Pastor Ron Fells, who also reviewed several videos, described the scene as chaotic and urged compliance with lawful orders to exit when officers give them.

Council members and staff described multiple next steps. Major Leland and city staff said the department will accept formal complaints and outlined the complaint process: contact the Lima Police Department, obtain and complete a notarized complaint form, and the department will assign a fact-finding investigation that is reviewed by supervisory staff and forwarded to the chief. Major Leland said complainants receive a response when an investigation is completed; corrective actions that produce discipline are retained in personnel records.

The council also discussed a community Citizens Police Academy that had been planned; city staff said that program will be postponed to the first quarter of the coming year to increase enrollment. The academy is intended for adults 18 and older, requires a background check and carries a $50 registration fee; the city said scholarships / sponsorships were being offered by several council members to reduce financial barriers.

In a final action on the topic Councilor Thompson (mover) asked that the incident be referred to the Safety Services Committee and authorized that committee work with the law director to issue subpoenas for video recordings related to the incident. The council approved the referral and subpoena authorization by voice vote. Council members said the committee will review the videos and report back to the full council.

The council did not make findings on the video at the meeting; the referral directs the Safety Services Committee and the city law director to oversee evidence collection and review and to return recommendations to full council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting (trimmed)","oneSentenceSummary","After multiple public complaints about police conduct during an incident at the downtown bar known as the 318 on Sept. 27, the Lima City Council referred the matter to its Safety Services Committee and authorized the law director to seek subpoenas for video evidence.","taxTitle","Lima City Council, Lima, Allen County, Ohio","taxId",69002,"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},6429313,"Council actions at a glance: Oct. 6 meeting — multiple ordinances and contracts advanced",1371,1638000,3009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5899053-619b846b4a056344788c0529bb0f844b&start=1638&end=3009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5899053-619b846b4a056344788c0529bb0f844b/thumbnail_1638000.jpg","/articles/6429313/Ohio/Council-actions-at-a-glance-Oct-6-meeting-multiple-ordinances-and-contracts-advanced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429313-715116a3ae6e020a522d2f04f6378db4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552955&Signature=Q3~5XMZdS~r923oucfXZceNbjRxHoJh6oxi3hBiE4XOOzZ4Kvq1CENzHPLblfdzXJo6RQ9ecEIrJ7m-a-qRn11ODIJTkhY7VM1Ig8nXQQgHja5HK2x~2ZjTAiOgcD~Gucslmxau9XGVVkVlpSE2GW3gDKaCd5Whw0QZw~RpGjUZW3zHonFIrj9A5tWiOV4PyOnKSBWyKpKwjkwejnPixreRBhYc-GQMIJBPdTlvGO2XXw-Tqy-ZSIkLEvXOuOnjNWxMTCV64FomYDlkYykh3oGLh19GK~XKJs1MpMEjfv~nazSnaOS6pfjXsc4MY~PlGznk2n~YEhbs1C7tU5jHxGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Oct. 6 meeting the Lima City Council approved multiple agenda items on consent and on first or second reading. Most items were routine authorizations to accept grants, enter contracts or proceed with procurement; several items were passed by unanimous or near‑unanimous roll call.

Key items approved (motion moved by Councilor Wilkerson unless otherwise noted):

- Ordinance 198-25: Authorize mayor to receive and administer funds from the Mental Health Recovery Services Board (MHRSB) for specialty docket funds for Lima Municipal Court — passed on second reading (vote recorded as passed, 6 yes with 1 extension noted).

- Ordinance 199-25: Authorize MHRSB funds for addiction treatment program (ATP) and administrative funds for Lima Municipal Court — passed on second reading (vote recorded as 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention).

- Ordinances 203-25 through 220-25 (selected): A series of first-reading ordinances authorizing grant applications, contracts, and program administration, including lead service line replacement Phase 3A (Ordinance 203-25), ODOT DFR grant application (204-25), vehicle disposal via GovDeals (205-25), Ohio Attorney General Drug Use Prevention grant application (206-25), playground reconstruction contract (207-25), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funds for municipal court (208-25), additional MHRSB ATP funds (209-25), youth boxing and recreation contract with Soldiers of Honor (210-25), mental health and housing services and contracts with local nonprofits (211-25 through 219-25). Most of these passed on first reading by recorded votes of 7-0 or with the small number of abstentions noted above.

- Resolution 12-25: The council also adopted Resolution 12-25, a memorial for Michael Bender Jr., on first reading (see separate item).

Several councilors noted the Community Development Block Grant-related ordinances and the importance of federal dollars returning to local nonprofits and small businesses. Councilors also raised minor procedural and calendaring corrections (for example, ensuring an ordinance number matched the agenda entry). There was limited substantive debate recorded for most ordinances; where discussion occurred it was noted in separate articles (lead service line replacement, the 3:18 a.m. incident).","The Lima City Council approved a set of resolutions and ordinances on Oct. 6, including funding authorizations, contract approvals and grants for court programs, housing and youth services. Vote tallies are listed below.",{"_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},6429315,"Council adopts resolution memorializing Michael Bender Jr.; family thanks city",327,72000,399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5899053-619b846b4a056344788c0529bb0f844b&start=72&end=399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5899053-619b846b4a056344788c0529bb0f844b/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6429315/Ohio/Council-adopts-resolution-memorializing-Michael-Bender-Jr-family-thanks-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429315-bf6020e104b04575909c8c17b4362300/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552955&Signature=QfWgo6koKFhJ7KrATMjV06QifG0LAsKW7d8huyyP-BlIYEBMwD6M5KdooLlrnnqqc8Si8NFvv0nK~7962mQLNuo5VhhsDk3adlAX4nS271x~8jxRfEfMTru0vHeaKElkdgtlj8cE5lWE9O-qbDbPDISWUbvXCbYP-Zgmm7am7qJWnfP2gQ4QRZcBrUGEXe6fr0gOeLTOvoAkM9RJEoiNuufHicbSm4~vqg4mariUCM8KlYZ-o6OOZWQ4NN9zUOVNhvZ15luA0QxFiTHvmKNP0355jwPQAHBcVfo56ry~0j6jw0J97beT7qOluEjrwpIc2wYIWJ3SZ0bTz-3kEkL2TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lima City Council adopted Resolution 12-25, a memorial for Michael Bender Jr., on first reading by a 7-0 vote on Oct. 6.

The resolution recounts Bender’s career: earning a law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1965, practicing law in Allen County, serving on the Lima Civil Service Board and on the Ohio Supreme Court-appointed Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, and serving on civic boards such as the Allen County Easter Seals and the Lima YMCA. The resolution recognizes Bender’s professional achievements and public service and expresses the council’s condolences to his loved ones.

Councilors offered personal remarks at the dais. Councilor Glenn described working with Bender on civil service matters and said Bender “was a good man” who will be missed. Councilor Wilkerson recalled knowing Bender as a neighborhood presence who greeted people with a smile and noted Bender had thanked him for coaching Bender’s grandson.

Members of Bender’s family spoke after the adoption. A family member said, “My dad loved detention. He would have loved this recognition more than anything,” and thanked the council for recognizing Bender’s work with minority communities and the city of Lima.

The resolution was adopted on first reading and the council invited the Bender family forward for remarks at the meeting.","The Lima City Council adopted Resolution 12-25 on first reading to memorialize the late Michael Bender Jr., recognizing his legal career and community service; family members thanked the council.",{"_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},6429318,"Council approves first reading of lead service line replacement Phase 3A; councilors press contractor controls",474,1734000,2208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5899053-619b846b4a056344788c0529bb0f844b&start=1734&end=2208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5899053-619b846b4a056344788c0529bb0f844b/thumbnail_1734000.jpg","/articles/6429318/Ohio/Council-approves-first-reading-of-lead-service-line-replacement-Phase-3A-councilors-press-contractor-controls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429318-f167908528615ce8cff4b1e1e15db649/orig.mp4?Expires=1770552955&Signature=H0BoaRWLjuHDoGremXdDdNNESwBW07-w2oYBev4pAdh4w~n-SQ5UlUkgknymBTgleAhnYm8K1YdgoRJi8zWOPZ4dNKTITBp4IZZSeEy4cL41-BfbAQz4TbCd0f3Uo3ANb6Er6ljt5D6iKQ8JYrQh99OP0c~m0N5ttXzXVGyewPkfG7t4HzfUco88o0lp3M~ovf00HM~F5f9Lm3EPdyWHz7w4QxNjr3b1y8GPWjsJdyV5wLZbBQdkNZyhHd5mK0UXfxXdANbjb-noZ95J2vEi1Mb6T~1fgFa-nz7DRtvqaovm0ZObfcuEEm1heZ46RM4nTnjlICyj395XWCcRrVb9Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lima City Council voted 7-0 on Oct. 6 to approve on its first reading an ordinance authorizing the mayor to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for Phase 3A of the city’s lead service line replacement program.

Councilors and residents asked questions about the project’s disruption in neighborhoods. One council member sought assurances that portable toilets and staging would not be placed disrespectfully in front of homes, businesses or houses of worship; another asked for a timeline showing how long crews take to complete work on a street and when trenches would be backfilled and paved.

City Utilities staff said excavation depths and job lengths vary by location and by crew availability; they said there are multiple contractors and that officials control contractor placement and can require corrections. Staff acknowledged that temporary stone and gravel are used while crews wait for the asphalt plant to reopen in spring and that saw cutting should be done with water “per EPA guideline” to reduce dust.

Residents said dust from cutting and exposed stone has affected elderly neighbors; staff and councilors asked crews to reduce dust, use water when saw cutting and avoid leaving staging and equipment in locations that block access or show disrespect. The councilor who represents a ward with current work on Franklin Avenue and other streets said he would vote yes but wanted follow-up on timelines and contractor oversight.

The ordinance passed on its first reading; council members said they will monitor contractor compliance and follow up with utilities staff on scheduling, dust mitigation and equipment staging.","The Lima City Council passed, on first reading, an ordinance to advertise bids and enter a contract for phase 3A of lead service line replacements. Councilors raised concerns about contractor staging, dust control and timeline for final paving.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council refers 3:18 a.m. bar incident to safety committee, authorizes subpoenas for video

Council actions at a glance: Oct. 6 meeting — multiple ordinances and contracts advanced

Council adopts resolution memorializing Michael Bender Jr.; family thanks city

Council approves first reading of lead service line replacement Phase 3A; councilors press contractor controls