Kettering City Council approves package of contracts, street projects and budget adjustments; hears public comment on ice rink

Kettering City Council members on Tuesday approved a broad set of resolutions authorizing contracts, capital projects and supplemental appropriations and held first readings on zoning changes and a proposed local ban on commercial adult‑use cannabis.

The actions approved included buying property at 3916 Wilmington Pike, authorizing the city to contract for printing and mailing services, ratifying an emergency repair contract for water damage at the Rosewood Art Center, and advertising for multiple 2025 street and sidewalk projects. Council also approved supplemental appropriations totaling $1,667,262.78.

The votes bundle routine purchasing and capital work so the city can begin bidding and contracting early in the year. “This legislation would authorize the city to acquire the parcels of real property which comprise the address 3916 Wilmington Pike for an amount not to exceed $175,000,” Mister Bergstresser, a city staff member, said while presenting the property purchase resolution, which he said advances the Wilmington Pike improvement plan dated 2013.

Why it matters: the resolutions clear the way for resurfacing, sidewalks and concrete repairs across neighborhoods, including a $2,510,000 street maintenance program, a larger resurfacing and curb/sidewalk/drive approach contract in the Golf Club Estates neighborhood, and a $3,473,000 resurfacing of Dorothy Lane (partly funded by a roughly $1.8 million grant from the regional planning commission). Those projects affect daily commuting corridors, neighborhood access and stormwater fixes the city said are intended to reduce street flooding.

Key approvals and details

- Printing and publications: approved contract authorization for city publications; estimated cost $45,669.85; budgeted $46,000; requested by the city manager's office.

- Property purchase: authorized acquisition of 3916 Wilmington Pike for up to $175,000; amount budgeted: $0 (funding to come from previously committed economic development funds).

- Parks guide mailing: authorized printing and mailing of the parks, recreation and cultural arts activities guide; estimated cost $80,000, budgeted $92,500.

- Rosewood Art Center repairs: ratified emergency contract with First On‑Site Property Restoration (also doing business as Dry Patrol LLC) for water mitigation and kiln‑room repairs; estimated cost $35,354; the city expects insurance reimbursement.

- Equipment replacement: amended prior resolution to allow purchase of a forklift from Crown Lift Trucks to replace one lost in a parks maintenance facility fire; estimated cost $55,000.

- Contracted services: authorized a one‑year $40,000 contract for James Dunlap to serve as technical director for the 2025 Fraze performance season.

- Streets and sidewalks: approved the 2025 Street Maintenance Program (estimated/budgeted $2,510,000); Government Center walkway improvements ($90,000); Golf Club Estates street and curb/sidewalk/drive approach repair (part of a $2.8 million authorization); West Stroop Road sidewalk (Stonebridge to Ridgeway) estimated $686,000 with a $343,000 grant from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC); Rip Road to Millshire to Bigger Street repair ($700,000); and Dorothy Lane resurfacing (approx. $3,473,000) with regional grant support.

- Cybersecurity: authorized purchase through the Center for Internet Security for the CrowdStrike monitoring service; estimated cost $35,640 and ongoing monitoring services described by staff.

- Governance and appointments: approved multiple committee and board appointments; appointed Matthew H. Greason to serve as treasurer of the Kettering Development Corporation; and appointed members to the community reinvestment area housing council as required by prior ordinance.

- Legal/utility policy: adopted a resolution supporting the Ohio Municipal League’s challenge of AT&T’s tariff application at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO); the resolution authorizes Kettering to participate in the challenge and notes any future financial contribution would be a separate decision.

- Budget: approved supplemental appropriations totaling $1,667,262.78 to cover items including the Wilmington Pike acquisition ($175,000), a Homeland Security grant‑funded mobile barrier system ($150,000), forklift replacement ($55,000), Rosewood repair ($35,354) and a $1,251,908.84 appropriation for the Galewood Street/bridge project tied to an ODOT local bridge grant (federal funding at 80% for preliminary engineering and up to 95% for construction per staff).

Council votes were unanimous where recorded. For most resolutions staff described the work, explained any grant or insurance offsets, and offered to take questions before the roll call. Several presenters said earlier procurement will allow the city to start bid openings in late January and February.

Public comment and other business

During the non‑legislative public comment period, resident David Esrati urged council to treat the local ice arena as a regional asset and to seek broader regional funding or partnerships rather than relying on Kettering taxpayers. “This shouldn’t be something to stick the Kettering taxpayers with,” resident David Esrati said, arguing the rink draws users from universities, military personnel and area high schools and that additional sheets of ice make operations more financially viable.

Another speaker, David Woods, addressed council with allegations involving Kettering Hospital and requested that the city or hospital provide money; his remarks included claims of mistreatment and requests for funds. Council members and the mayor noted such complaints are directed primarily at the hospital, a private entity, and suggested the speaker pursue the hospital and related agencies.

First readings and items for future meetings

Council held first readings on two ordinances: a zoning code amendment to clarify procedures for modifying pattern district designations (including new definitions for “walkability” and “commercial node”), and a proposed codified ordinance (Chapter 744) that would prohibit commercial cultivation, processing and dispensing of adult‑use cannabis inside the city while preserving state‑law‑permitted personal possession and homegrow. Both items were in first reading only and were not acted on beyond that step.

Council members also received a community update from staff about seasonal services, animal licensing, blood‑pressure clinics and other resident services, and the mayor and staff said the parks master‑plan process will include discussion of the ice arena later in the year.

What’s next: the council adjourned after completing the agenda and set a next regularly scheduled meeting for Jan. 28, 2025.