Huber Heights council approves transfer, appointments, insurance and multiple grant applications in unanimous votes

Huber Heights City Council on Aug. 25 unanimously approved a package of administrative and budget items, including a $2,093 transfer to an Issue 2 project fund, the appointment of James Weidman to the Military and Veterans Commission, new insurance coverage, two pension-related resolutions allowing firefighters and police officers to buy military service credit, certification of assessment amounts to Montgomery County, a lease-purchase for an emergency medical vehicle and two grant applications to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The actions were taken during the council’s regular session at Huber Heights City Hall. City Manager John Russell presented most administrative items and recommended adoption; every recorded roll call vote on the listed items was 8–0.

The most narrowly described budget item was Item 9A, an ordinance authorizing a one-time transfer of $2,093 from the general fund to an Issue 2 fund to cover remaining project costs. Russell said the Issue 2 grant did not cover all costs and the transfer was recommended following the work session. The council adopted the ordinance and declared an emergency; the motion carried 8–0.

Under new business, the council appointed James Weidman to the Military and Veterans Commission for a term ending Dec. 31, 2028. The appointment followed an interview-panel recommendation and a background check processed through human resources; the motion carried 8–0.

The council also adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to contract for a citywide insurance package (general liability, property, boiler and machinery, inland marine, automobile, crime, law enforcement, public officials, cyber and related coverage) arranged by the city’s agent, Marcia McLennan, with Selective Insurance. Russell noted the item had been discussed at the previous work session; the resolution passed 8–0.

The council approved two companion resolutions to allow eligible members of the city’s fire and police pension funds to purchase prior military service credit under the applicable police and fire pension statute. Russell said the police and fire pension fund permits veterans to buy that time and that the purchase can be processed as a tax-free benefit for veterans; he said the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) does not allow the same option. Both resolutions passed 8–0.

An ordinance approving individual assessment amounts — for items such as sidewalk, lighting, nuisance abatement and unpaid water and sewer — was directed to Montgomery County for collection and adopted under emergency declaration; the measure passed 8–0.

The council approved a master lease-purchase agreement and payment schedule to acquire an emergency medical vehicle (a medic unit) that the city ordered in 2023. "This is the medic that we actually ordered back in 2023," Russell said; he and staff said delivery is expected by the end of the year and that the vehicle is overdue in the rotation of apparatus. The ordinance to waive the second reading and adopt carried 8–0.

Council approved two grant-application resolutions authorizing the city manager to apply to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: one for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) assistance to build a new playground as part of the Cloud Park master plan, and one for the Urban Forestry Grant Program to address invasive tree species. Russell and staff members Sarah and Aaron described the LWCF request as tied to the Cloud Park plan and said the urban forestry grant is nonmatching and can be used for removal of invasive species and replanting. Both grant resolutions passed 8–0.

All recorded votes on the items above were 8–0 in favor. No member voted against or abstained on the listed ordinance and resolution adoptions.

The council’s actions on Aug. 25 were procedural and administrative in nature; none of the items produced extended debate on policy changes. Several items were presented as recommendations from staff with prior discussion at the work session. No legal or contractual objections were raised during the motions and roll-call votes.

Votes at a glance (item, brief description, outcome): • Item 9A — Ordinance: one-time transfer of $2,093 from general fund to Issue 2 fund; adopted (emergency); vote 8–0. • Item 10A — Appointment: James Weidman to Military and Veterans Commission through 12/31/2028; adopted; vote 8–0. • Item 10B — Resolution: authorize city manager to contract for city insurance package (Selective Insurance via agent Marcia McLennan); adopted; vote 8–0. • Item 10C — Resolution: permit fire-division employees to purchase prior military service credit under police and fire pension statute; adopted; vote 8–0. • Item 10D — Resolution: companion authorization for police-division employees to purchase prior military service credit; adopted; vote 8–0. • Item 10E — Ordinance: approve individual assessment amounts and direct certification to Montgomery County auditor for collection; adopted (emergency); vote 8–0. • Item 10F — Ordinance: master lease-purchase agreement for an emergency medical vehicle (medic unit ordered 2023); adopted (emergency); vote 8–0. • Item 10G — Resolution: authorize application for Land and Water Conservation Fund assistance through Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Cloud Park playground); adopted; vote 8–0. • Item 10H — Resolution: authorize application for Urban Forestry Grant Program through Ohio Department of Natural Resources (nonmatching); adopted; vote 8–0.

Ending: The council completed these agenda items and moved on to public comment; no additional formal actions on these matters were recorded at the Aug. 25 meeting.