Mayor: South Bloomfield cannot place a charter question on the ballot until 2027; council hears development and US 23 updates

Mayor Aaron Thomas told the council he had discussed charter timing with the village solicitor and said the village cannot place a charter question on the ballot until 2027 under ORC 3501.01.B. He explained that a 2027 ballot measure would ask voters whether to proceed with creating a charter commission and that a separate 2028 ballot would be used to approve a drafted charter after the commission completes it.

Village Administrator Joe Allen updated the council on planning and development: Crossroads Planning is working to rework the village zoning book, there is developer interest in the Berger and Crites properties, and a US 23 pre-construction meeting is scheduled for Feb. 5. Allen said that because the low bid came in under the budget estimate, the project team plans to add additional intersection improvements.

Allen also reported that a planned Waffle House closing did not go forward "due to the avian flu and egg shortage," and said staff is tracking that and other development interest. Mayor Thomas presented Northgate survey results filtered for South Bloomfield residents and asked staff to check whether the file could be posted on the village website; Fiscal Officer Alisha Burke offered to email results to residents in the meantime.

Mayor Thomas said he and Administrator Joe Allen will attend the Governing Essentials course through the Voinovich Academy; he also said he is sending letters to state legislators asking for support to fund a proposed satellite fire station west of the railroad tracks and asked residents to email the representatives in support.