Moraine Council unanimously approves memberships, fleet purchases, ODOT resurfacing participation and multiple board appointments

MORAINE, Ohio — The Moraine City Council on Jan. 9 approved a series of routine but administratively significant measures, including memberships, equipment purchases, preliminary participation in an Ohio Department of Transportation resurfacing project and a slate of appointments to city boards and commissions.

The council approved payment of $1,132 to continue the city's membership in the Ohio Municipal League and authorized a five-year agreement with Walter H. Drain Company to provide quarterly codified ordinance supplements and related online hosting. Council members also approved acceptance of a proposal from Sourceville (formerly NIPA) to purchase a Pelican street sweeper and related equipment at a total price of $309,239.30; the purchase was described in the meeting packet as a budgeted capital item.

In other equipment actions, the council approved several purchases of 2024 Ram pickup trucks for the street division and associated upfitting contracts with Kaleida Truck Equipment Inc. The council record includes multiple summary lines for Ram model numbers where staff noted typographical errors in the packet; the resolutions themselves were described by staff as correct. The meeting record shows council approval of three separate truck-related resolutions (prices and upfitting amounts appear in the packet; summaries contained typographical inconsistencies that staff identified during the meeting).

The council also approved preliminary participation legislation to begin the process for Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) resurfacing of State Route 741 (MOT 741–8.38), PID number 111-539. City staff described this item as the start of the ODOT 2026 project process to resurface SR 741 from the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge to the I‑75 ramps inside the city limits.

Council members confirmed a number of appointments to boards and commissions, including Patricia ("Patty") Bond to the Parks and Recreation Board, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Tree Board; Sharon Duff to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Parks and Recreation Board and Tree Board; James (Jim) Kempe to the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Merit System Commission; Gloria Gay to the Tree Board and Parks and Recreation Board; Sylvia Harlow to the Parks and Recreation Board and Tree Board; and Tom Watts to the Merit System Commission, the Planning Commission and the Community Reinvestment Housing Council (CRHC). All appointment resolutions were approved by roll call vote as recorded in the meeting.

City staff also gave brief operational updates. Staff reported that asbestos abatement has begun on the city building renovation project and invited council members to coordinate site access with staff. A city staff member reported that wayfinding signs ordered from Insignia are ready for installation once weather permits. Council members used the meeting to offer thanks to the street, police and fire departments for their work during recent winter weather and to note upcoming retirements and sworn-in officials; Sergeant John Howard was recognized for his upcoming retirement after 27 years of service, and Mike Doherty was noted as officially sworn in following the November election.

Votes at a glance: the council approved, by roll call, the items below. (The packet and meeting record show unanimous roll call approval for the resolutions listed; one member was excused from the meeting earlier in the agenda.)

- Resolution 809825 — Continue membership in Ohio Municipal League; authorize payment of dues for 2025 ($1,132). Outcome: approved (roll call). - Resolution 809925 — Five-year agreement with Walter H. Drain Company for quarterly codified ordinance supplements, hosting and updates. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Resolution 8100-25 — Accept proposal from Sourceville (formerly NIPA) to purchase one Pelican street sweeper and related equipment and accessories at $309,239.30. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Resolution 8101–8104 (vehicle/crew cab purchase resolutions) — Series of resolutions authorizing purchases of 2024 Ram trucks for the street division and upfitting by Kaleida Truck Equipment Inc.; packet summaries contained typographical inconsistencies on model numbers that staff corrected on the record. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Resolution 810125 — Preliminary participation legislation authorizing city participation in ODOT resurfacing project MOT 741–8.38, PID 111-539 (SR 741 from the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge to the I‑75 ramps). Outcome: approved (roll call). - Resolutions 8105–8119 (appointments) — Multiple resolutions confirming appointments to the Parks and Recreation Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, Tree Board, Merit System Commission, Planning Commission, and CRHC for Patricia Bond; Sharon Duff; James Kempe; Gloria Gay; Sylvia Harlow; and Tom Watts, among others. Outcome: approved (roll call).

Why it matters: The equipment and contract approvals finalize budgeted capital purchases and a multiyear contract for ordinance codification and hosting; the ODOT participation resolution begins a federally and state-administered resurfacing project that will affect a state route inside Moraine. The appointments fill vacancies on advisory boards and regulatory bodies that influence zoning, parks and planning decisions.

Council adjourned following routine staff reports and recognitions.