St. Bernard council adopts fund-transfer ordinance and approves Greenlee Avenue contract; schedules executive session on litigation

The Village of St. Bernard council on April 24 adopted two emergency ordinances and approved a contract for the Greenlee Avenue Improvements Project during the same meeting, then moved to schedule an executive session to discuss pending litigation.

Ordinance 13, described at first reading as an ordinance “authorizing and directing the auditor to transfer funds and appropriate additional funds to create a new line item,” was put on an emergency track and adopted after council suspended the second and third readings. The motion to suspend was made by Councilmember Schultmeyer and seconded by Councilmember Esteb; the roll call on suspension and on final adoption recorded seven ayes and no nays. The ordinance was adopted as read.

Ordinance 14 authorizes the director of public safety and service to enter into a contract with Adlita Inc. for the Greenlee Avenue Improvements Project and was likewise declared an emergency and adopted after suspension of further readings. Mayor Jonathan Stutchell told council the project’s total value was identified in the meeting transcript as $964,402.34 and that the village’s current share—after grant funding—is about 51% of that total, or $491,885.99 as explained to council. Council also heard that the Greater Cincinnati Water Works portion is expected to be handled separately and that village staff are working to avoid paying that portion up front and then seeking reimbursement. The motion to suspend and the motion to adopt were both approved by roll call: seven ayes, no nays.

Before adjourning to executive session, Councilmember Morton moved and Councilmember Culbertson seconded a motion to enter executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss pending litigation; that motion passed on a 7-0 roll call.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 13 (2025): Authorize auditor to transfer and appropriate funds; emergency declared. Suspension motion: moved by Councilmember Schultmeyer, seconded by Councilmember Esteb. Adoption motion: moved by Councilmember Schultmeyer. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - Ordinance 14 (2025): Authorize director to contract with Adlita Inc. for Greenlee Avenue Improvements; emergency declared. Suspension motion: moved by Councilmember Schultmeyer, seconded by Councilmember Morton. Adoption motion: moved by Councilmember Schulmer (as recorded). Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - Executive session motion: Enter executive session to discuss pending litigation. Motion: moved by Councilmember Morton, seconded by Councilmember Culbertson. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: scheduled for end of meeting.

Council made no changes to the stated dollar figures during the meeting; the mayor and auditor indicated staff will prepare the appropriation language and coordinate payment timing with utility partners to reduce upfront village cash outlays. The clerk called the roll for each suspension and adoption vote and recorded unanimous approval for the actions listed above. The council then recessed for the planned executive session on litigation.