Seven Hills rules committee approves start of cybersecurity program and adopts drone ordinance amendments

The Seven Hills City Council rules committee voted to begin a cybersecurity compliance program required by the Ohio Revised Code and approved local ordinance amendments to regulate unmanned aerial vehicles.

The measures matter because the state now requires political subdivisions to implement cybersecurity safeguards and to report certain cyber incidents; the drone changes align local zoning and definitions with recent state and federal law so police can address unlawful drone activity.

Councilman Martin moved to begin the cybersecurity program, saying the request “is related to the Ohio revised code 9 dot 64 enacted through the house bill 96” and that the code “requires political subdivisions to adopt standard safeguarding against cybersecurity threats.” Elliot seconded the motion; the roll call recorded Elliot and Martin voting yes and the motion was approved to begin the compliance process. The committee discussion, as presented, directs the administration to start the program so the city can meet the statutory timelines (cities and counties should have a program in place by Jan. 1, 2026, with an initial reporting compliance timeline beginning Sept. 30, 2025), language supplied by Councilman Martin.

On unmanned aerial vehicles, the committee voted to adopt local ordinance language placing supplemental regulations in chapter 9.31 and adding definitions to chapter 9.37 related to drones and aerial vehicles. Councilman Martin said the proposal aligns local text with state provisions, noting that “the Ohio revised code really covers what we wanna get done, and so we are aligning those 2 texts together to give the ability for, law enforcement to be able to address issues as they arise.” Elliot seconded; roll call votes were recorded as Elliot yes, Snitsky yes and Martin yes, and the committee approved the ordinance changes. Council discussion emphasized that the local measure is principally a zoning and definitions update and that enforcement authority will rely on the referenced state and federal provisions.

Committee members also gave a brief update on a previously tabled item about construction equipment parked on residential property; legal staff continues to review that matter and no final recommendation was made at this meeting.

The committee record shows motions and roll-call votes for both the cybersecurity start and the drone ordinance language; both actions were advanced by formal motion and recorded as approved in committee and will proceed through the council’s ordinance process for final enactment as required.