Lima City Council approves a slate of first‑reading ordinances; one development measure fails

Lima — At its meeting, the Lima City Council passed a package of routine and project-related ordinances on their first readings, and sent one contested development measure back for further consideration.

The council approved on first reading ordinances authorizing the city to participate in opioid-settlement agreements, amend the 2025 budget, name Huntington National Bank as the city depository, dispose of tax-department equipment via govdeals.com, fund sidewalk special-assessment bonds and notes, contract for Main Street Bridge engineering services, amend an engineering contract, amend a prior Open Air Sales contract, apply for Ohio Public Works Commission and related infrastructure funds, and advertise bids for citywide wayfinding signage. Those measures were recorded on first reading with roll-call tallies of 7–0 where called.

Why it matters: The measures encompass financial housekeeping (budget amendments, bank depository, disposal of surplus), infrastructure planning (sidewalk bonds and notes, wayfinding signs, bridge engineering) and procedural authority (accepting opioid-litigation funds). Passing items on first reading begins the legislative process, allowing subsequent readings and final votes.

A contested measure: An ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter a contract supporting Project BOSC, a development in American Township listed as Ordinance 190.125 (referred to in the meeting as "190 one‑twenty 5"), did not pass its first reading. The roll call showed five yes votes and two no votes; council recorded that the item did not pass on first reading and moved it to second reading for further review. Councilor Thompson explained her no vote by raising concerns about data centers' potential environmental impacts and strain on water and energy systems; she said she wanted more information before supporting the measure.

Votes at a glance (first reading outcomes): - Ordinance 18125: Authorize mayor to execute documents for opioid litigation settlements — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 18225: Amend 2025 annual budget — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 18325: Contract with Huntington National Bank as city depository — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 18425: Authorize disposal via govdeals.com (tax department equipment) — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 18525: Issue bonds (max principal $81,700) for property owners' portion of sidewalk assessments — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 18625: Issue $56,600 notes in anticipation of bonds for sidewalk assessments — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 18725: Contract with Manic and Smith Group Inc. for Main Street Bridge engineering — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 18825: Amend contract with F and B Engineering LLC — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 18925: Amend contract with Open Air Sales Inc. — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 19025: Apply for OPWC/State/Local transportation improvement funds for Public Works — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 19225: Advertise bids and contract for phase 3 of wayfinding sign fabrication and installation — passed first reading 7–0. - Ordinance 190.125 (Project BOSC): Authorize mayor to enter contract supporting development in American Township — failed first reading (five yes, two no); moved to second reading.

What’s next: Most of the measures will return for required subsequent readings and final votes as the council continues its normal legislative process. The development-related ordinance will be revisited at second reading to allow for additional information and debate.