Circleville City Council holds multiple ordinances and resolutions for third reading; approves minutes

Circleville City Council met in regular session in February 2025 and voted to hold several pieces of legislation for required third readings, approved the meeting minutes and heard committee and city official reports.

The council approved the meeting minutes on a voice vote after a motion by Sherry Tice, seconded by John Moats. Council then considered multiple ordinances and resolutions on second reading; under the council's stated suspension rule (two absences present), none could be advanced immediately to final passage and were therefore held for a third reading on the March agenda.

Why it matters: Holding the items for third reading keeps them on the council’s legislative calendar but delays final action. Several measures carried committee recommendations and will return with final votes and any required legislative language or procedural steps.

Most significant items discussed in this session included: - Amendments to the city codified ordinances to formally establish the positions of clerk of council and assistant clerk of council (second readings from the Finance Committee). - Three resolutions to add specific parcels to the Circleville New Community Authority (NCA) under Chapter 349 of the Ohio Revised Code (Doctor Horton development, Heritage Ponds, and a South Court Street parcel). These came from the Finance Committee with recommendations for passage. - An appropriations amendment covering multiple funds (capital improvement, safety forces, waterworks, sanitary sewer) described as housekeeping and recommended for passage by the Finance Committee. - A zoning amendment request to change several parcels off Atwater Avenue to Planned Unit Development (Alto PUD); the Judicial Committee discussed this and city planner Hannah Wynne provided an overview explaining additional planning steps remain, including Planning & Zoning Commission review. - An ordinance authorizing a labor wage reopener agreement between the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association and the City of Circleville, including a $1-per-hour increase effective Jan. 1, 2025, and an additional 3% increase as agreed in fact-finding negotiations.

Council procedure and votes at this meeting: Because two members were absent, council required six affirmative votes to suspend rules; the presiding officer stated that suspension was not possible and moved each bill to third reading. Each motion to hold returned a majority roll-call "yes" vote (see Votes at a glance). Committee chairs summarized recommendations from their meetings; finance reported multiple pieces of legislation referred to the March meeting for third readings.

Background and next steps: Most items in this session were on second reading and will return on the March agenda for their required third readings and possible final votes. The Alto PUD rezoning will also return to the Planning & Zoning Commission for final development approval before additional legislation specific to the development is introduced.

Ending: Council adjourned at approximately 7:26 p.m. and set the next regular agenda items for March with the noted third readings.