The Circleville City Council on April 3 approved a package of event permits, grant-related ordinances, alley-vacation ordinances and financial housekeeping measures, moving multiple items reported by committee into final adoption.

The bulk of the meeting consisted of third readings, suspensions of council rules and roll-call votes to authorize annual events and street uses, accept grant agreements or apply for grants, and to declare intent to vacate several alleys. Council members repeatedly voted to suspend rules so items could be adopted at the same meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution authorizing Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc. to use the city administration parking lot at 120 E. Franklin St. for arts and craft vendors during the Circleville Pumpkin Show, calendar years 2025–2029 (assigned 04/21/2025). Motion to pass made by Sherry Theis, seconded by Tom Duvall; roll call recorded as in favor and the resolution passed.

- Ordinance authorizing the director of public service to execute and file an application with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for possible financial assistance through the Nature’s Work Grant Program, for up to $26,000 to install a pickleball court at Barthesmas Park. Motion for passage by Sherry Theis, seconded by Audrey Lukaszak; roll call recorded as in favor and the ordinance passed (assigned 04/22/2025).

- Ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program grant agreement with the Ohio Public Works Commission to purchase two parklands (locations described as one on Pickaway Street along the creek and one on North Court Street). Motion for passage by Audrey Lukaszak, seconded by John Moats; roll call recorded as in favor and the ordinance passed.

- Resolutions authorizing Uptown Circleville Main Street to use city streets for the First Friday event and for an annual 3-on-3 tournament (assigned 04/24/2025 and 04/25/2025); motions to suspend rules and adopt were moved and approved and the resolutions were adopted.

- Resolution authorizing Pumpkin Show Inc. to operate the annual Circleville Pumpkin Show on various city streets and sidewalks (assigned 04/25/2025); motion to suspend rules and adopt passed.

- Ordinances declaring the City’s intent to vacate Alley Number 1 (assigned 04/27/2025), Alley Number 4 (assigned 04/28/2025), and Alley Number 5 (assigned 04/29/2025). Each came through planning and zoning and passed after motions to suspend the rules and roll-call votes.

- Resolution authorizing Circleville Elks No. 77 to use city streets for their annual Flag Day celebration (assigned 04/29/2025). Motion to suspend rules and adopt passed.

- Resolution adopting the Circleville Safety Action Plan (Safe Streets for All / SS4A presentation referenced). Council accepted the plan on record; council members clarified the acceptance does not itself authorize specific construction projects or funding.

- Ordinance authorizing a digital scanning and archival preservation agreement with the HF Group, amended on the floor to authorize spending up to $65,392 (the ordinance noted an existing separate grant possibility of $5,000 that would reduce the net cost if awarded). Motion to amend and adopt passed.

- Multiple financial housekeeping ordinances and annual appropriation submissions were presented and amended on the floor to correct fund numbers and amounts; motions to suspend rules and adopt were passed.

What the council recorded in committee and now on file

Council recorded that several items had previously been vetted in committee (strategic planning, service committee, finance) and returned for third reading or final action. In most cases the council moved to suspend rules so the matters could be adopted immediately; the minutes and assigned ordinance/resolution numbers were recorded in the meeting as noted above.

Why it matters

The permits and street-use resolutions clear the way for multi-day community events (Pumpkin Show and Uptown activities) to use public spaces in 2025. The grant applications and acceptance ordinances (Nature’s Work, Clean Ohio) authorize staff to pursue or accept outside funding for park and infrastructure projects. Alley vacations transfer rights-of-way that affect specific parcels and property owners. The financial housekeeping items update fund numbers and appropriations that affect the city’s 2025 budget record.

Council procedure and next steps

Most items were adopted following motions to suspend council rules and roll-call votes. Several items were described as contingent on further ordinances or external approvals (for example, grant awards or future project-specific ordinances listed in the Safety Action Plan). The adopted resolutions and ordinances are assigned the ordinance/resolution numbers recorded at the meeting and will be reflected in the city’s official docket.