Reynoldsburg council to hold work session on backyard chickens after resident concern; approves grants, contracts and purchases in unanimous votes

A resident’s plea to discuss backyard chicken ownership prompted Reynoldsburg City Council to schedule a follow-up work session, and the council moved through several consent items and ordinances on March 10, 2025, approving grant-backed contracts, equipment purchases and a municipal insurance appropriation by unanimous vote.

The matter of residential chicken ownership drew the meeting’s most sustained public comment. A resident, identified in council remarks as Ms. Dexter, asked that the council not dismiss the topic and urged formal discussion of resident suggestions. "I just feel like it should be something anything that is presented before you should have some discussion and have an opportunity to be addressed," Ms. Dexter said during public comment.

City Attorney Shook and Council members responded that the topic could be examined in more detail. City Attorney Shook cautioned that some questions — particularly whether a particular use qualifies as a public purpose — could require outside review: "If it's untested waters, then we're probably better off seeking some type of opinion from the state auditor's office," he said. Council Member Pacquero asked for a work session; President Shannette Strickland said she would coordinate with the mayor and the city attorney to place the item on a future agenda.

On public health, Mayor (unnamed in the record) referenced regional health officials' concerns about avian influenza and urged basic precautions, saying, "please everyone wash your hands." The mayor said county and Columbus health directors had emphasized that most current detections remain concentrated in commercial bird operations but that public health agencies were monitoring the situation.

Beyond the chicken discussion, council action focused on grant-funded projects, vendor contracts and departmental equipment: Director Baumann asked council to proceed with design and engineering services for converting the JFK tennis courts, noting the project is tied to an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant of $150,000 and requires ODNR review before bidding. On a related item, the council advanced by first reading an ordinance to contract with EMH&T for design and construction administration services.

Council also advanced a contract to deploy a shared-mobility transportation service supported by a $144,000 grant; Director Baumann said the provider will map routes and handle signups, and that Meijer contributed $10,000 toward the project while the city's remaining share is roughly $18,000. "They will take care of all of the mapping and all of the everybody would sign up through them," Baumann said.

Several items moved and were approved as consent agenda resolutions or emergency appropriations, typically by voice vote and then by roll call: an agreement with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office to provide fingerprinting, photographs and DNA services to the city (a four-year agreement with a stated fee of $55 to fingerprint/photograph and $55 to collect DNA per instance, per Chief Bicker); an upgrade and purchase of a third police dispatch seat and accompanying hardware and software through REM Communications; the purchase of a Cushman Truckster XD and related equipment for Parks and Recreation procured via the OMNIA cooperative (Baker Solutions); and an emergency appropriation to accept a payment from Zurich American Insurance. A separate sanitary sewer contract with EMH Chantier (ordinance presented on third reading) also passed on its third reading.

Votes at a glance - Proclamation recognizing Harriet Tubman Day (03/10/2025): Motion by Council Member Pacquero; second by Council Member Townes; voice vote and motion carries. - Resolution authorizing agreement with Franklin County Sheriff's Office (fingerprinting/photographs/DNA): forwarded from committee; approved on consent agenda and roll call (8–0). - Resolution to upgrade/add a third police dispatch station and replace hardware/software (REM Communications): forwarded and approved on consent agenda and roll call (8–0). - Resolution to purchase a Cushman Truckster XD and related equipment (Baker Solutions via OMNIA cooperative): approved on consent agenda and roll call (8–0). - Ordinance to contract with EMH&T for design/engineering for JFK Tennis Court conversion (ODNR grant $150,000): advanced and placed on first reading; council moved it forward. - Ordinance to contract with Shared Mobility for transportation services (grant $144,000; Meijer $10,000 donation; city share ≈ $18,000): advanced and placed on first reading. - Emergency ordinance appropriating Zurich American Insurance payment: emergency approval on roll call (8–0). - Ordinance authorizing contract with EMH Chantier for 2025 sanitary sewer work: passed on third reading by roll call (8–0).

Discussion vs. decisions - Discussion only: Public comment and initial council remarks on backyard chicken ownership and related avian influenza concerns; questions about legal limits on city spending for sponsorships and whether the matter requires a state-auditor opinion. - Direction/assignment: Council President Strickland said she would "work with the mayor and also, city attorney to see what that may look like" regarding a work session on chickens. - Formal actions: Multiple resolutions/ordinances were approved or advanced as listed above; the Zurich emergency appropriation and several consent items passed unanimously.

Context and clarifying details - ODNR grant: $150,000 for the JFK Tennis Court conversion; project requires ODNR review before bidding. - Shared Mobility grant: $144,000 grant accepted; Meijer donation $10,000 to the senior center portion; city contribution described as about $18,000 after the donation. - Sheriff's Office agreement: four-year term; fees stated as $55 for fingerprinting/photographing and $55 for DNA collection per Chief Bicker. - Dispatch upgrade: adds a third dispatch seat and replaces out-of-date hardware and software to maintain redundancy; staff said the new station could be operational within 1–2 weeks after ordering equipment.

Proper names referenced in the meeting include Reynoldsburg City Council; Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR); EMH&T; EMH Chantier; Shared Mobility; Meijer; OMNIA cooperative purchasing program; Baker Solutions; Franklin County Sheriff's Office; REM Communications; Zurich American Insurance; West Licking Joint Fire District.

The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The session adjourned to an executive session under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(3) to consult with counsel regarding pending or imminent litigation.