Forest Park council adopts package of ordinances, appointments and police contracts in unanimous vote
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Summary
At its Dec. 15 meeting the Forest Park City Council unanimously approved a set of ordinances and resolutions, including appointments of a public defender and law director, a vacant commercial building registration program, the 2026 appropriation ordinance, and two police contracts.
The Forest Park City Council on Dec. 15 approved a package of ordinances and resolutions, voting unanimously on a series of personnel appointments, a new registration program for vacant commercial buildings, budget measures and police labor contracts.
The council adopted Ordinance 35-2025 to appoint Darren E. Nye as the city’s public defender and to authorize the city manager to enter a contract for provision of legal services. Council member Harrison described the item as a procedural appointment. The motion to adopt passed on a roll-call vote recorded in the meeting as 7–0.
The council then adopted Ordinance 36-2025 appointing John R. Wyckoff as solicitor, law director and prosecutor and authorizing the city manager to contract for legal services; that measure also passed 7–0. Council members described both items as procedural steps to ensure legal representation for the city.
Ordinance 37-2025 establishes a vacant commercial building registration program requiring owners of vacant commercial properties to register with the city, comply with basic maintenance and security standards and allow periodic inspections. Council member Brown said the program is intended to “prevent blight, promote public safety, and reduce the burden vacant buildings can place on surrounding businesses, neighbors, neighborhoods, and city resources.” The ordinance passed unanimously.
Council also moved to suspend the rules and adopted three other ordinances by voice or roll-call vote. Ordinance 38-2025 enacts a supplement to the city code to incorporate revisions required by changes in Ohio law and was characterized as a housekeeping measure; it was adopted 7–0. Ordinance 39-2025 adopts original appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and was presented as the required annual appropriation ordinance; it passed unanimously. Ordinance 40-2025 amends appropriations for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025 (final adjustment) and passed 7–0.
On the resolutions side, council adopted Resolution 46-2025 committing the City of Forest Park to comply with Ohio Revised Code section 9.64(c) and to establish a security program based on recognized best practices; Council member Adams explained the statute requires local jurisdictions to implement a security plan. Resolution 47-2025 authorizes the finance director to pay revised salary and wage plans included in the 2026 budget. Resolutions 48-2025 and 49-2025 authorize the city manager to enter into negotiated three-year contracts with the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council Inc., covering patrol officers and the lieutenants/sergeants units; council member Harrison said the contracts include minor policy updates and wage increases intended to keep the city competitive with neighboring communities. Each resolution was adopted with unanimous votes.
The council also received the general fund summary report contained in the departmental report and approved it by voice vote before adjourning. The meeting concluded with seasonal remarks and a scheduled winter recess for council.
