Middletown council approves airport grant match, street equipment, easement and chemical purchase; two ordinances advanced

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Middletown City Council on Oct. 21 approved a series of consent, motion and legislative items, including grants, equipment purchases, a temporary easement and contract adjustments. Most votes were recorded unanimous in favor.

Key outcomes at a glance:

- Airport grant match: Council authorized the city manager to accept an Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) grant that covers the city’s previously required 5% local match for an FAA-funded roof replacement at Middletown Regional Airport. Staff said acceptance of the ODOT funds leaves the airport and city with no local cost for the project. The motion passed on a roll call with all members voting yes.

- Streets truck upfit: Council approved the purchase and installation of an upfit package (front plow, hitch, dump body, salt-and-sand spreader) for a 2026 International HV507 truck from Henderson Products Inc. for $150,471.16 for the streets department. The vote passed unanimously.

- Temporary easement for Renaissance Point parcel: The council authorized the city manager to grant a temporary easement to Woodard Development LLC over the western portion of city-owned Warren County parcel number 0833302014 to facilitate the pending transfer of the Sheetz-designated parcel; the easement is to be removed after boundary adjustments post-transfer. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

- Calcium quicklime purchase: Council approved purchasing calcium quicklime from Carmel's Limestone Inc. at $305.98 per ton for truck delivery; staff estimated 4,300 tons in 2026 and a not-to-exceed annual cost estimate of approximately $1,315,714 (usage varies). The contract term cited runs through Dec. 31, 2025, with an option to renew in 2026 at the same price. The motion passed unanimously.

Consent agenda and personnel items approved:

- Approved board and commission minutes (planning commission, architecture review board). - Confirmed the conditional appointment of Jackson Beal to patrol officer, Division of Police. - Confirmed the termination of Cameron Lattimore, corrections officer, Division of Police. - Approved final plat for Renaissance section 12.

Legislation:

- Ordinance 2025-58: Authorized an $80,000 loan from the city to Sorg Opera Revitalization Group Inc. to cover contractor down payments tied to an Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) grant; emergency passage was requested to expedite paperwork. Council approved the ordinance on emergency passage.

- Ordinance 2025-59: Authorized an emergency amendment/ change order with Bricks Inc. for the fire-station alerting system totaling $4,750 to cover speaker and wiring adjustments; council approved the emergency change order.

- Ordinance 2025-60: Would authorize the use of Warren County Career Center funds to defease or redeem remaining 2010 bonds related to Green Tree Health Sciences Academy. This item was presented as a second-reading emergency; no final action was taken at the Oct. 21 meeting.

- Ordinance 2025-61: Establish procedure and authorize purchases of asphalt for 2026 not to exceed $350,000; presented as a first reading; no action taken on Oct. 21.

The meeting also moved to an executive session earlier under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(6) to discuss details relative to security arrangements and emergency response protocols; council voted to enter and later to exit executive session by roll call.

All motions that advanced to a vote on Oct. 21 were recorded by roll call with the following council members voting yes: Mayor Slamka, Council Member John Lolli, Council Member Carter, Council Member West, and Council Member Horn. Assistant Law Director Jack Hemingway called the roll throughout the meeting.