Xenia Council approves street dedication, emergency bond appropriations, federal grant application and Market District leaseback

The Xenia City Council on Sept. 25 approved a package of routine but consequential administrative measures that clear the way for local redevelopment and debt management. Council voted unanimously to adopt a land-dedication ordinance, approve an emergency appropriation tied to a bond issue, authorize a federal funding application for street improvements, and approve a leaseback arrangement connected to the Market District project.

Council adopted ordinance 2025-24 to dedicate 0.113 acres of city-owned land in the GW Weatherholt Addition as a public street right-of-way and to accept a section of Park Street as a public street. The item followed a public hearing in which resident Thomas Scrivens spoke in favor, citing redevelopment opportunities and local drainage concerns. Councilman Reynolds moved passage; Councilmember Sarris/Cerise seconded. The motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote of the members present.

Later the council passed ordinance 2025-25 on an emergency basis to appropriate $50,000 to cover issuance costs for a previously approved bond sale intended to repay notes. Staff said the city had budgeted payoff of principal ($2,800,000) but did not budget issuance costs because the bond sold at par; the appropriation covers those unbudgeted issuance expenses. Councilman Reynolds moved the emergency ordinance; council approved it unanimously.

Council also authorized staff to submit an application to the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Transportation Improvement Program for Church Street improvements (West Main Street to North Detroit Street). Staff told council the project would resurface roadway, add ADA ramps, improve crosswalks and parking, and aligns with prior traffic‑impact recommendations; council voted to authorize the application.

Finally, council approved resolution 2025-53 authorizing a leaseback agreement with the Xenia Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) tied to the Market District property transfers. Under the arrangement the CIC will take ownership of redevelopment parcels to enable use of a TIF incentive, while the city will continue invoicing current lessees and providing fiduciary and property‑management services during the transition. Staff estimated property transfers will begin in late October or early November and said the leaseback preserves continuity of lease administration.

Taken together the votes remove several procedural hurdles for near-term redevelopment, allow the city to close out a debt transaction without delay, and position staff to pursue federal transportation funding. Council recorded unanimous roll-call approvals for the motions that required votes; Councilman Walker was excused from the meeting and was not part of the roll calls.

The rezoning of properties fronting the north side of Jasper Avenue (ordinance 2025-26) was introduced for future consideration to permit single-family infill, but that item was only introduced and not voted on during the session.