Bellefontaine administrators report staffing, equipment and downtown events updates

City leaders used the Jan. 6 meeting to update council on personnel, equipment and economic-development work.

Mayor Chrisson welcomed the new council and offered to be available to members. Service Safety Director Dodds encouraged attendance at Ohio Municipal League training for new councilors, said the city is issuing standardized email/OneDrive accounts to centralize public records, and requested an Ohio Plan strategic-planning update at the Jan. 27 council meeting. Council agreed to hold that presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27 in Council Chambers.

Engineer Bischoff said the city is scheduling interviews for a construction-manager-at-risk for the pool project; two firms submitted qualifications and the parks board will assist with selection. The parks board also reported a public pool meeting scheduled at the school’s distance-learning lab at 6:30 p.m. to solicit community input on pool ideas.

Economic Development reported Olivia Covey has started as the downtown event coordinator (a chamber-contracted position working with the downtown partnership) and noted continuing difficulty attracting multifamily developers without incentives.

Police Chief Marlowe said a recently purchased drone is insured and available for departmental use. He also reported staffing shortfalls: one officer candidate did not finish the hiring process and the department currently has no viable applicants, though a candidate in the academy may join later this year; a second candidate will enter the academy in February. Fire Chief Wilson said a new engine remains pending delivery and that a newly hired firefighter has begun orientation.

Council received the reports with no formal action taken at the meeting; several items will return for committee or council follow-up.