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Moraine City Council appoints Karen Powell as clerk, approves routine contracts and mayoral travel
Summary
At its Jan. 23 meeting the Moraine City Council approved the appointment of Karen Powell as Clerk of Council, adopted the Montgomery County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, authorized city contracts and vehicle purchases, engaged outside environmental counsel and approved mayoral travel to New York (with the mayor abstaining).
The Moraine City Council on Jan. 23, 2025, voted to appoint Karen Powell as Clerk of Council, adopt the Montgomery County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and approve routine contracts, a vehicle purchase and outside counsel — and authorized the mayor to travel to New York for a gala, with the mayor abstaining from that vote.
The council moved the appointment of Karen Powell up on the agenda so the oath of office could be administered immediately after the vote. A law department request to add “Resolution Number 8123-25, appointing Karen Powell to the position of Clerk of Council” was made and the resolution passed by roll call; Powell then took the oath of office before the council.
The meeting included brief presentations and routine approvals. Acting Finance Director Laura told the council the finance department had received the Government Finance Officers Association award of excellence for the 2023 financial statements, noting this was “the 38th year in a row” the city had received the award. Council approved the city’s recurring agreement with the Montgomery County Microfilming Board for 2025 and a budgeted purchase of two Chevy Tahoe police vehicles at state pricing totaling $98,244.
Council also adopted Resolution 8122-25, endorsing the Montgomery County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Staff cited the Stafford Act as the basis for adopting a county mitigation plan so local governments have a plan on file with the state to remain eligible for disaster funding. The council replaced a prior January resolution with Resolution 8124-25 to authorize the Ohio Department of Transportation to undertake resurfacing work within the city (MOT 741-8.38 resurfacing project, PID 111-539) after correcting language in the earlier motion.
The council approved Resolution 8125-25 to engage McMahon DeGulis LLP as special legal counsel to assist with environmental matters including negotiation of a site-access agreement and right-of-way issues, replacing the city’s prior counsel who has retired. The council also approved Resolution 8126-25 to authorize specified travel for the mayor to attend a 20th-anniversary gala in New York; the mayor recorded an abstention on that item. When the travel resolution was discussed, a law office explanation cited municipal code section 121.04 as the reason the specific overnight travel needed separate council approval.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to excuse Council members Marcus and Burchett — Passed by roll call (Yes: Missus Allen; Mister Miller; Mister Doherty; Missus Witt; Mayor Murphy).
- Resolution 8123-25 — Appoint Karen Powell as Clerk of Council — Passed by roll call (Yes: Missus Allen; Mister Miller; Mister Doherty; Missus Witt; Mayor Murphy). Powell then took the oath of office.
- Resolution (agreement) with Montgomery County Microfilming Board for services and supplies, 2025 — Passed by roll call (Yes: Missus Allen; Mister Miller; Mister Doherty; Missus Witt; Mayor Murphy).
- Resolution 8121-25 — Accept proposal of Tim Lolly Chevrolet Inc. to purchase two Chevy Tahoes at state pricing ($98,244) — Passed by roll call (Yes: Missus Allen; Mister Miller; Mister Doherty; Missus Witt; Mayor Murphy). Item noted as a 2025 budgeted purchase.
- Resolution 8122-25 — Adopt Montgomery County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan — Passed by roll call (Yes: Missus Allen; Mister Miller; Mister Doherty; Missus Witt; Mayor Murphy). Staff noted adoption is required under the Stafford Act to remain eligible for disaster funding.
- Resolution 8124-25 — Repeal and replace prior resolution 8101-25 to authorize ODOT resurfacing (MOT 741-8.38; PID 111-539) — Passed by roll call (Yes: Missus Allen; Mister Miller; Mister Doherty; Missus Witt; Mayor Murphy).
- Resolution 8125-25 — Engage McMahon DeGulis LLP as special counsel for environmental matters — Passed by roll call (Yes: Missus Allen; Mister Miller; Mister Doherty; Missus Witt; Mayor Murphy).
- Resolution 8126-25 — Authorize specified overnight travel for the mayor to attend a New York gala — Passed by roll call (Yes: Missus Allen; Mister Miller; Mister Doherty; Missus Witt; Mayor Murphy recorded an abstention).
Context and next steps
Council described most items as routine or housekeeping needed to keep city operations and projects moving. Staff said the county mitigation plan must be on file with the state under the Stafford Act for the city to qualify for disaster funding. The travel item required its own resolution because the municipal code provision cited (MCO 121.04) did not list that specific overnight event in the year-long authorization resolution.
Council also recognized long-serving communications staff from the Miami Valley Communications Council and congratulated newly appointed and promoted city staff. The meeting adjourned after routine reports and brief member remarks.
