Xenia council approves citywide streetlight assessment, property sales, insurance renewal and fills commission seats

Xenia City Council on April 24 approved multiple ordinances and resolutions including a citywide streetlight assessment, the sale of a tax-foreclosed lot at 469 Chestnut Street, a resolution to market 13 surplus city parcels for sale, and the city’s annual property and liability insurance renewal.

Why it matters: The measures directly affect public infrastructure maintenance (street lighting), the city’s financial exposure (insurance), and the return of tax-foreclosed property to private ownership, which staff said will reduce ongoing maintenance costs and encourage infill development.

Votes and key details (roll-call outcomes): - Resolution 2025-024 — Expressing appreciation of Fire & EMS Chief Kenneth E. Rigsby upon his retirement: moved by Councilman Reynolds, seconded by Councilman Crawford; roll call: Mayor Urschel — Aye; Councilman Reynolds — Aye; Councilman Crawford — Aye; Councilman Probst — Aye; Councilman Walker — Aye; Councilwoman Sarris — Aye; President Smith — Aye. Outcome: approved (ceremonial resolution; adopted unanimously).

- Ordinance 2025-08 — Proceeding with improvements to city streets and public ways by lighting thereof (citywide streetlight assessment): introduced previously by the mayor; moved for passage by the mayor, seconded by Councilman Crawford; roll call: unanimous Aye. Outcome: adopted. City staff described this as the next step to consolidate several smaller lighting districts and to bring city-managed public lights under a consistent maintenance and rate structure.

- Ordinance 2025-09 — Approving the sale of city-owned property located at 469 Chestnut Street: moved by Councilwoman Cerise, seconded by Councilman Probst; roll call: unanimous Aye. Outcome: adopted. Staff said the parcel was acquired through tax foreclosure and staff recommends divestment to return the lot to private ownership for maintenance.

- Ordinance 2025-10 — Introduction: expressing Xenia’s intent to negotiate jointly with other municipalities via the Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC) on a single price schedule for electric street-light services: introduced by the mayor; this meeting only recorded the introduction (no final vote). Staff said the city’s estimated share of preparatory costs for the joint negotiation would be $2,058, based on population allocation; the consultant/attorney team’s estimated fee is $60,000 with MVCC covering a portion.

- Resolution (surplus properties) — Staff recommendation to declare 13 city parcels not needed for municipal purpose and to authorize the city manager to negotiate sales: motion moved by Councilman Crawford, seconded by Councilwoman Ruiz; roll call: unanimous Aye. Outcome: authorized to advance. Staff listed 13 addresses/parcels (examples in the agenda packet) and said most are tax-foreclosed lots intended for infill or sale to adjacent owners; staff noted there is typically no practical way to recoup prior maintenance costs.

- Resolution 2025-023 — Authorizing renewal of the city’s property and liability insurance through the Public Entities Pool of Ohio (PEP) for one year: moved by Councilman Probst, seconded by Councilman Walker; roll call: unanimous Aye. Outcome: approved. Staff reported the negotiated renewal premium totaled $436,968 for the coverage year beginning May 1; staff attributed year-over-year increase primarily to higher replacement and construction costs.

- Appointments — Greene County Regional Planning & Coordinating Commission: Mayor Urschel (primary) and Councilman Ethan Reynolds (alternate) were appointed by council voice/roll call; outcome approved. The city manager noted renewed value in rejoining the regional planning consortium for land-use coordination.

- Appointment to Civil Service Commission — Austin Pountze (term to 12/31/2025): moved by Councilman Reynolds, seconded by Councilwoman Cerise; roll call: Council President Smith — abstain; all other members — Aye. Outcome: approved.

Discussion vs. decisions: Council held public hearings for the streetlight assessment and for the Chestnut Street property sale; no members of the public spoke at those hearings. Several items were introduced only and will return for future council action (for example, the MVCC negotiation ordinance will be brought back with implementing legislation after negotiations and contract drafts are prepared).

Next steps and implementation notes: - Staff will return with implementing ordinances for the streetlight assessment and for any master agreement negotiated through MVCC. - Each surplus parcel staff negotiates to sell will be brought back individually to council for final approval as required by the city charter. - Insurance contract execution will proceed after the law director’s final approval as to form.

Votes-at-a-glance provenance: each item above is recorded in the meeting transcript at the times noted in the official minutes and the council roll-call segments in the transcript.