Council approves routine 2025 contracts, grants and code changes; appoints BZA member, moves to executive session

At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Circleville City Council unanimously approved a series of routine ordinances that authorize 2025 contracting and purchasing, apply for community-development funds, continue sewer rehabilitation work and amend the zoning code to comply with an annexation agreement. The council also approved a technical change removing police cadets from a nonbargaining-unit compensation plan and appointed Fred Kennedy to a full voting seat on the Board of Zoning Appeals. The council adjourned into executive session to discuss negotiations and personnel.

Nut graf: Most measures were procedural housekeeping that allow city departments to complete planned procurement and capital work in 2025; the zoning amendment implements a requirement in a township annexation agreement to route rezoning requests through the joint planning and zoning board before city application.

Key actions and outcomes (votes at a glance):

- GovDeals auction authorization: Ordinance authorizing the director of public service to use govdeals.com to sell and dispose of personal property for 2025. Motion to suspend rules by Sherry Theiss; motion for passage by Katie Hedges, second by Sherry Theiss. Roll-call votes recorded as: Katie Hedges (yes); Sherry Theiss (yes); Tom Klitzka (yes); Jeff Hallinan (yes); John Moats (yes); Audrey Lukaszak (yes). Ordinance assigned 01/03/2025; outcome: approved.

- 2025 street/utility/parks/building/traffic improvement maintenance program: Ordinance authorizing advertising for bids and entering into contracts for the 2025 maintenance program. Motion to suspend rules by Jeff Hallinan; motion for passage by Sherry Theiss, seconded by Katie Hedges. Roll-call votes recorded as above. Ordinance assigned 01/04/2025; outcome: approved.

- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application: Ordinance authorizing the mayor or director of public service to apply for FY2025 CDBG formula funds through the Pickaway County Board of Commissioners (city indicated Walnut Street as a likely project). Motion to suspend rules by John Moats; motion for passage by Sherry Theiss, seconded by Tom Klitzka. Roll-call votes recorded as above. Ordinance assigned 01/05/2025; outcome: approved.

- Ohio Department of Transportation cooperative purchasing participation: Ordinance authorizing participation in ODOT cooperative purchasing (to buy materials such as road salt). Motion to suspend rules by Katie Hedges; motion for passage by Jeff Hallinan, seconded by Audrey Lukaszak. Roll-call votes recorded as above. Ordinance assigned 01/06/2025; outcome: approved.

- Sewer-line rehabilitation contract (Houston-Galveston Area Council cooperative purchasing): Ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract for sewer-line rehabilitation. Motion to suspend rules by Sherry Theiss; motion for passage by Katie Hedges, seconded by Jeff Hallinan. Roll-call votes recorded as above. Ordinance assigned 01/06/2025; outcome: approved.

- Zoning-code amendment tied to annexation agreement: Ordinance amending the zoning code to require applicants for rezoning to go before the joint planning and zoning board before applying to the City, per an existing annexation agreement with Circleville Township. City planner Hannah Wynne provided the overview. Motion to suspend rules by Tom Klitzka; motion for passage by Tom Klitzka, seconded by Sherry Theiss. Roll-call votes recorded as above. Ordinance assigned 01/07/2025; outcome: approved.

- Police cadets removed from nonbargaining-unit compensation plan: Ordinance amending Ordinance 739-2023 to remove police cadets from the nonbargaining-unit compensation plan; cadets will be treated similarly to other part-time/nonbargaining employees and do not receive benefits. Motion to suspend rules by Tom Klitzka; motion for passage by Tom Klitzka, seconded by John Moats. Roll-call votes recorded as above. Ordinance assigned 01/09/2025; outcome: approved.

- Appointment to Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA): Motion to appoint Fred Kennedy from an alternate seat to a full voting member for a five-year term ending Feb. 1 (term included in the motion). Motion made and seconded; roll-call recorded: Katie Hedges (yes); Sherry Theiss (yes); Tom Klitzka (yes); Jeff Hallinan (yes); John Moats (yes); Audrey Lukaszak (yes). Outcome: approved; Fred Kennedy to replace departing member.

- Executive session: Council approved a motion to adjourn into executive session to discuss negotiations with public employees (union bargaining) and the employment of a public official or employee, citing Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22. The motion to go into executive session was seconded by Audrey Lukaszak; roll call was taken and the meeting moved into executive session at 7:35 p.m.

Why it matters: The votes clear the way for 2025 procurement, street and utility projects, a CDBG application likely aimed at Walnut Street, continued sewer-line rehabilitation, and a zoning-code change required by an annexation agreement. The appointment fills a BZA vacancy so zoning appeals and hearings can proceed with a full panel.

Ending: Most ordinances were passed by suspension of the rules and unanimous roll-call votes; council returned only to adjourn after the executive session.