Ontario Council adopts fireworks and loitering measures, approves amicus brief; tax budget hearing held

Ontario City Council approved two ordinances and a motion to join outside litigation and conducted a brief public hearing on the 2026 tax revenue budget during its June 18 regular session.

Council adopted Ordinance No. 25‑13, which amends Chapter 1519 (Fireworks). The council first voted to suspend the three‑day reading requirement; that suspension carried, and the ordinance was read by title and subsequently adopted by a 6‑0 vote.

Later in the meeting Council considered Ordinance No. 25‑16, which adds a loitering provision to Chapter 509 (Disorderly Conduct and Peace Disturbance). Law Director Andrew Medwid told council the measure "addresses loitering, which is different from panhandling," and said the ordinance was requested by the Police Department to give the city immediate ability to control loitering while allowing for future review and amendment. Council suspended the three‑day reading requirement and adopted the ordinance; the transcript records the adoption vote as five Aye, zero Nay and one abstention.

During caucus Council voted to have the City of Ontario sign an amicus brief prepared by the City of Columbus supporting the City of Cincinnati in a matter before the Ohio Supreme Court (First Appellate District, Case No. C‑23‑0683). The motion to join the brief passed; the transcript records the tally as five Aye, zero Nay and one abstention.

Council also opened and immediately closed a public hearing on the proposed 2026 Tax Revenue Budget after noting no one signed in to speak; Resolution No. 25‑06 adopting the tax revenue budget was read for the first time later in the meeting. Ordinance Nos. 25‑14 and 25‑15 (zoning amendments and design standards for mini‑warehouses) were read by title for the first time but no final action on those ordinances was recorded.

The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.