Norwood City Council on Jan. 13, 2025, approved a set of ordinances and a resolution by unanimous, recorded roll-call votes. Council used suspensions of the rules in most cases to complete multiple readings and take final action at the same meeting.

Overview of actions

- Brookwood Exchange refunding bonds: Council passed an ordinance authorizing issuance and sale of not-to-exceed $20,000,000 in special obligation development refunding bonds (Series 2025) for the Brookwood Exchange Project, to refund outstanding Series 2015 bonds. The ordinance authorizes related trust and transaction documents and was passed after the council suspended rules to allow second and third readings in the same meeting. The motion carried with all members present voting yes.

- Planning and zoning amendment (smoking, chewing, electronic smoking and vaping retail product establishments): Council approved an ordinance amending Part 11 of the planning and zoning code to clarify and direct locations for retail establishments that sell tobacco, smokeless tobacco, electronic smoking and vaping products. The council suspended rules to take second and third readings and later voted to pass the ordinance; all members present voted yes.

- Wastewater-treatment agreement with Hamilton County: Council approved an ordinance authorizing execution of an agreement between the City of Norwood and the Board of County Commissioners of Hamilton County to provide for treatment and disposal of domestic and industrial wastewaters and declaring an emergency. Council discussed that the updated agreement continues the city's role as a billing/collection agent for Metropolitan Sewer District charges and adds a mechanism to resolve disputes if billing changes cause the city to incur costs beyond the billing fee. The motion to suspend rules for all three readings and to pass the ordinance carried unanimously.

- Resolution requesting Planning Commission review of food-truck regulations: Council adopted a resolution requesting the City of Norwood Planning Commission consider amendments to the planning and zoning code regarding food trucks. The Small Business and Economic Development Committee led the draft edits, and staff noted input from local food-truck vendors and a food-truck association; council passed the resolution unanimously.

Procedural notes

Most of these items were advanced under motions to suspend the normal reading rules so council could have multiple readings and final passage in one meeting. Roll-call votes were recorded for each passage and the clerk announced that all members present voted in favor in each case.

What council did not do

Council did not read detailed financial exhibits into the public record for the bond or contract items during the meeting; staff referenced exhibits or prior committee review where applicable. Specific dollar-by-dollar impacts beyond the $20 million not-to-exceed figure for the Brookwood refunding bonds and the contract/exhibit references for the wastewater and labor agreements were not read into the minutes at the meeting.

Next steps

Administrative staff were directed to complete execution and filing of the approved documents and to coordinate any follow-up reporting (for example, finance/audit reporting when bond or contract actions require budgetary adjustments). The Planning Commission will receive the council's food-truck resolution for consideration.