Council approves business incentives, union contract and an OML challenge; appoints tax review board member

The Springdale City Council on Jan. 15 approved a set of ordinances and resolutions including a $70,000 business incentive for G5 Entertainment LLC, two local job-creation/retention agreements, a collective bargaining agreement with the Springdale Professional Firefighters (IAFF Local 4027), the appointment of Megan Chapman to the City Tax Review Board and a resolution joining the Ohio Municipal League in opposing changes proposed by AT&T at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Why it matters: The measures authorize incentive payments and contracts intended to attract and retain local businesses, secure a negotiated contract for the fire department, preserve municipal control over public-rights-of-way, and fill a local board vacancy.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2-2025 (G5 Entertainment LLC): Approved 7-0. Authorizes a business incentive grant in the amount of $70,000 to G5 Entertainment LLC (Slick City Action Parks) for a proposed 39,000-square-foot entertainment facility at Beltway Plaza. The grant is payable within 90 days of opening and includes a seven-year clawback reduced by $10,000 per year. (See Article: G5 Entertainment incentive.)

- Ordinance 3-2025 (Mitchell's Salon and Day Spa, Inc.): Approved 7-0. Authorizes a job creation and retention program agreement; payment details are contained in the attached agreement (not specified in the public reading).

- Ordinance 4-2025 (Salus O'Brien, Inc.): Approved 7-0. Authorizes a job creation and retention program agreement; payment details are contained in the attached agreement (not specified in the public reading).

- Resolution R5-2025 (Tax Review Board appointment): Approved 7-0. Appointed Megan Chapman to the City of Springdale Tax Review Board for a term ending Dec. 31, 2026.

- Resolution R6-2025 (Ohio Municipal League/AT&T tariff challenge): Approved 7-0. Council authorized participation in the Ohio Municipal League's challenge to AT&T's tariff filing at the PUCO that would have shifted relocation costs for facilities in municipal rights-of-way to municipalities. The resolution notes potential future requests for financial or other support but says any specific support would be considered separately before commitment.

- Ordinance 5-2025 (IAFF Local 4027 collective bargaining agreement; emergency): Approved 7-0. The ordinance authorizes the mayor and city administrator to execute the agreement with the Springdale Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 4027, and includes an emergency clause to make the agreement effective immediately. Administration reported the union ratified the tentative agreement unanimously prior to the council vote.

Context and next steps: Ordinances 3 and 4 were presented as second readings and acted on at this meeting. Ordinance 2 (G5 Entertainment) was presented and adopted after a staff presentation and statements from the company’s representative. Resolution R6 was presented after a Law Department explanation of the tariff filing’s potential impact; the transcript records that AT&T later withdrew the filing the same day but council approved joining the challenge as a protective action. Any financial commitments beyond inclusion in the OML filing would be considered at a future council meeting, per the text of Resolution R6.

Formal actions recorded in the minutes: all of the items listed above passed on recorded 7-0 votes at the Jan. 15 meeting.