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Council adopts ordinance updating codified traffic and criminal code pages to match state law
Summary
Council adopted an ordinance updating replacement pages in the Defiance codified ordinances to align local traffic and criminal code language with recent state legislative changes, including adjustments tied to the state cannabis framework and school‑bus stopping rules.
Mister O'Donnell presented an ordinance to update replacement pages in the city’s codified ordinances so local law aligns with recent changes enacted by the Ohio General Assembly. The council voted to adopt the ordinance and declared an emergency.
Mister O'Donnell told council that Article 18, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution authorizes municipalities to exercise local self‑government and adopt regulations that are not in conflict with general laws. “Those are the provisions that you see outlined in this ordinance tonight,” O'Donnell said, describing updates to traffic and criminal code sections to reflect state law changes enacted in 2024.
The presenter cited specific examples in the state changes: adjustments tied to the cannabis control program and a revised school‑bus stopping rule that includes a ten‑foot requirement and clarifies that motorists may be in violation even if stop signals malfunction. The ordinance is intended to keep city code consistent with state law so local police powers conform to the constitution’s requirements, the presenter said.
Council called the question and then adopted the ordinance on a recorded vote. Council members voting yes included Mister Rusty, Mister Mas, Missus Gretch, Mister Engel, Mister Corbett and Mister Hancock; the ordinance passed by the recorded majority and was announced adopted.
Mister O'Donnell’s presentation was procedural and framed as routine code maintenance arising from state legislative action; no amendments were proposed during the council discussion and no public comment was recorded on this item.
The ordinance takes effect immediately under the emergency clause adopted by the council at the meeting, and staff indicated they will provide updated codified ordinance pages for public access.
