Council adopts easement, surplus sales and vehicle trades; amends 2025 appropriations; bed-tax grant disbursement conditioned on chamber report

Canal Winchester City Council on Jan. 21 voted on a package of routine and programmatic items, including an easement for an East Waterloo Street storm sewer, distribution rules for 2025 bed-tax grants (with one award held pending a report), authorization to sell surplus equipment by internet auction, and a pair of vehicle trade-ins. The council also passed an early 2025 appropriation amendment to cover higher-than-expected costs and additional line items.

The council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor or city administrator to accept a private easement needed for the East Waterloo Street storm sewer project. The measure was adopted by roll call during the council meeting and moves property access for an existing storm sewer connection.

On bed-tax grants the council adopted the distribution list prepared by Council Members Buskirk and Shea but amended the resolution to withhold disbursement to the Chamber of Commerce until the chamber submits its 2024 financial report showing prior grant use. Council discussion focused on whether the chamber had filed required reporting; council directed Council Member Buskirk to contact the chamber and the award is to be released upon receipt of the report.

Council approved a resolution authorizing sale of surplus city property by internet auction. Items listed in staff reports include an older generator at the Water Reclamation Facility and a John Deere tractor acquired cooperatively with a township. Staff noted some uncertainty about market value and said they will use a govdeals-type platform that meets Ohio requirements for surplus sale.

Council adopted a resolution authorizing the trade-in of two pickup trucks (a 2012 Chevrolet 1500 and a 2014 Ford F-150) and declared an emergency to allow staff to secure current pricing and complete replacements more quickly.

Finance Director Amanda Jackson presented an amendment to the 2025 appropriation ordinance adding $300,000 to the general fund (including $200,000 to cover a revised contract amount with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office), correcting a lands-and-buildings line to add $100,000 (an earlier data-entry error had left only $10,000), and adding $1,500 to the bed-tax fund to match council’s recommended grants. Council waived the second and third readings and approved the amendment so invoices could be paid.

Finally, the council accepted a request from the applicant to postpone consideration of Ordinance 24-034 (a rezoning and preliminary plan for the Miller Farms planned unit development). The motion to postpone passed after debate on whether postponement served public interest or favored the developer; proponents said the developer intends to revise the plan and hold additional community outreach, while opponents said postponement delayed a public decision.

Votes at a glance (summary): - Resolution 25-001 (accept easement for East Waterloo Street storm sewer): adopted (roll call) - Resolution 25-002 (2025 bed-tax grant distribution): adopted as amended; Chamber disbursement conditioned on submission of 2024 financial report - Resolution 25-003 (disposal and sale of surplus city property by internet auction): adopted - Resolution 25-004 (trade in two pickup trucks; emergency): adopted - Ordinance 25-001 (2025 appropriation amendment): adopted (waived readings) - Ordinance 24-034 (Miller Farms PUD rezoning and preliminary plan): postponed at applicant request

All formal actions above were recorded by roll call during the Jan. 21 meeting; staff will implement the authorized transactions and follow up on conditional disbursements as described above.