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Ontario council approves several ordinances, adopts health-district union contract and updates meeting schedule
Summary
At its April 2 meeting, the Ontario City Council adopted multiple ordinances including a public employee-bond requirement and a revised union contract with the Richland County Health District, approved codification and ordinance amendments, noted two proclamations, heard one public comment about gas aggregation opt-out, and adopted schedule changes for April and May.
Ontario City Council adopted a package of ordinances and approved updates to its meeting schedule at a brief regular session on April 2, 2025.
Council President Eddie Gallo presided over the meeting, which opened at 7:05 p.m. after the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sgt. Barnhart. Roll call recorded the presence of council members Troy Sapp, Dave Rehfeldt, Kyle Webb, Josh Bradley, Sherry Branham-Fonner and Rose Feagin, Mayor Kris Knapp, Law Director Andrew Medwid, Service-Safety Director Adam Gongwer and Clerk of Council Cathy VanAuker. The minutes of the March 19 regular meeting were approved without correction.
The council formally adopted Ordinance No. 25-03, "An ordinance establishing public employee bonds for City of Ontario officials and employees, and repealing Ordinance 18-44." The council first voted to suspend the three-day reading requirement and then voted to adopt the ordinance; both actions carried with six Aye votes, and the ordinance was declared adopted.
Ordinance No. 25-06, authorizing Reveille to conduct a comprehensive review of Part Eleven (the zoning code) of the city's codified ordinances and declaring an emergency, was read for the first time by title. No vote on adoption was recorded for 25-06 at this meeting.
The council suspended the three-day reading requirement and adopted Ordinance No. 25-07, which approves the edition and inclusion of certain ordinances into Ontario's codified ordinances and declares an emergency. The adoption vote recorded five Aye votes and one Abstain by Council member Dave Rehfeldt.
Ordinance No. 25-08, authorizing a revised contract for the union of the Mansfield City Health District and Ontario City Health District with the Richland County Health District under R.C. 3709.07 and declaring an emergency, was also suspended from the three-day reading requirement and adopted by a 6-0 vote.
Ordinance No. 25-09, amending Ordinance 24-03 and declaring an emergency, was read by title after suspension of the three-day requirement and adopted by a 6-0 vote.
In other business, the council recorded no objections to two notices from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a new license for KD Pizza Holdings and a transfer to Ontario Food Mart. The Monte Carlo 80's Theme Fundraiser was announced as postponed until the fall with refunds available. Flags in Ontario and Lexington were ordered at half-staff in observance of the passing of Rachel Fagan, a longtime Lexington employee and Ontario resident.
During the public-comment period, Robin Vanerio (1883 Walker Lake Road) asked questions about the city's gas aggregation program and the option to opt out; the transcript records the question but no formal action or staff directive in response.
Council adopted schedule changes discussed at Caucus for April and May and confirmed upcoming regular meetings for April 16 and April 30; one May meeting will be held at the Ontario Middle School Auditorium on May 12 at 8:30 a.m. The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
