Sylvania council asks administration to draft immigration-related legislation after heated public comment

Sylvania City Council held a Committee of the Whole on March 2, 2026, focused on proposed ordinance 37-2026 addressing federal immigration enforcement and the use of city resources. After about 21 public speakers offered mixed views, councilmember Stough moved — and the council later approved 6–1 — a request that administration prepare legislative options (policies, resolutions and/or ordinances) and return for council review within 90 days.

Speakers at the public-comment-heavy meeting included residents who urged support for the ordinance as a way to protect due process and conserve city resources and others who said the measure would tie the hands of local police. Jennifer Sater told the council she had written a letter to the editor and asked members to “support the legislation,” saying ICE officers in some incidents “are not acting with the minimal force needed.” Constance Schall framed the measure as a “common sense” way to limit use of city funds for federal activities and pointed to section 14’s disciplinary-process language that ties any discipline to city policies and collective-bargaining agreements.

Opponents warned of safety and resource consequences if local officers were restricted. Ricky Thomas, a retired veteran and educator, said he trusted the chief and existing policies and asked that the council “deny the passing of the additional ordinance” so police can perform their duties. Several speakers raised concerns about mutual aid and officer safety; retired law-enforcement officer Barbara Schaffner emphasized that officers rely on other officers for backup and said policing decisions should not be politicized.

Council discussion centered on whether the ordinance, as drafted, had unresolved legal and operational ambiguities and whether staff and legal experts had been sufficiently consulted. Councilmember (speaker 28) moved that the administration prepare options reflecting policies, resolutions and ordinances and that the administration return within 90 days; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with six in favor and one opposed (recorded by the clerk). Mary Westfall closed by urging respectful discourse and saying the council seeks a safe, welcoming community that uses resources responsibly.

What’s next: Administration will prepare draft language and options for council consideration within the 90-day timeframe; an initiative petition the ordinance author drafted is also expected to proceed toward a November ballot if the council does not act sooner.