Council approves series of ordinances on first reading; liquor applications, rezoning hearing scheduled

Lima City Council passed multiple ordinances on their first reading during its public meeting, authorized clerical steps on two liquor-permit communications, and scheduled a public hearing for a rezoning petition at 1307 Saint John’s Avenue.

The council voted 7–0 to pass the following ordinances on their first reading: Ordinance 181-25 (authorize mayor to execute documents for city participation in opioid litigation settlements); Ordinance 182-25 (amend 2025 annual budget); Ordinance 183-25 (contract with Huntington National Bank to serve as city depository); Ordinance 184-25 (authorize use of govdeals.com to dispose of tax-department equipment); Ordinance 185-25 (authorize issuance and sale of bonds, maximum principal $81,700, for property-owner portion of sidewalks special assessments); Ordinance 186-25 (issue $56,600 of notes in anticipation of bonds for sidewalks special assessments); Ordinance 187-25 (contract with The Manic and Smith Group, Inc., for Main Street Bridge engineering); Ordinance 188-25 (amend contract with F & B Engineering LLC under prior ordinance); Ordinance 189-25 (amend contract with Open Air Sales Inc.); Ordinance 190-25 (apply for and administer Ohio Public Works Commission / State Capital Improvement Program / Local Transportation Improvement Program funds); and Ordinance 192-25 (advertise for bids and contract for phase 3 of the citywide wayfinding sign fabrication and installation project).

Ordinance 191-25, an ordinance authorizing mayoral contracts in support of a developmental project in American Township identified as “Project BOSC,” did not pass on its first reading. The roll-call recorded five votes in favor and two against; the council then moved that item to a second reading.

On communications, the council received two notices from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. For the application for a liquor permit at 121–123 East Kibbe Street (new LLC), the council voted to request a public hearing in the City of Lima. For an application by Amy’s Waiting Room Inc., 309 East Wayne Street, the council voted to notify the Ohio Division of Liquor Control of no objections.

A petition seeking rezoning of 1307 Saint John’s Avenue from Class 1 to Class 3 residential, filed by Ujima House, was received and filed; the law director was authorized to prepare necessary legislation and the clerk was directed to publish a legal notice for a public hearing set for Oct. 20, 2025 at 7 p.m. in council chambers.

All roll-call tallies listed in the meeting minutes were read aloud by the clerk during the meeting and recorded as part of each ordinance’s first-reading action. Where motions and seconders were spoken on the record, those speakers were named immediately before the roll calls.

Several ordinances included figures and references to prior resolutions or ordinances; for example, Ordinance 185-25 cites resolution number 18-30-18-23 and ordinance number 33-24 in its preamble and sets a maximum bond principal of $81,700. Ordinance 186-25 references resolution number 10-24 and ordinance number 23-25 and identifies $56,600 as the notes amount in anticipation of bond issuance.

The council approved the consent calendar and motions to receive, file and approve multiple committee reports and communications earlier in the meeting.