[24:25] I call to order and welcome you to the Middletown City of Middletown, Ohio

[24:29] Council meeting for Tuesday, September 1st, 2026. Please join me for a moment

[24:33] of meditation followed by the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. You

[24:36] will hear three taps of the gavl when it is time to stand. Please join me in a

[24:39] moment of meditation now.

[25:07] To the flag of America to the stands nationy

[25:17] for all

[25:23] » clerk of council, Mrs. Amy Skank, please call the attendance role.

[25:27] » Mrs. Carter, >> present.

[25:28] » Mr. West, >> here.

[25:30] » Mr. Mulligan, >> here.

[25:32] » Mayor Slam >> here.

[25:34] » Mr. Li, >> present. Before we continue, I'd like to

[25:37] make a motion to amend this evening's agenda to remove legislation item number

[25:41] nine, resolution R202621, to be added to a future regular council

[25:46] meeting agenda. Is there a motion? Oh, I'm sorry. I made a motion. Is there a

[25:50] second? >> Second.

[25:51] » It has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion?

[25:55] Okay, seeing none, we will continue. City Manager Combmes, uh, do you have

[25:58] anything to add? Do you want to add anything to that?

[26:00] » Do a vote. I do need a vote. >> Oh, I know. Yes. So, um, hearing no more

[26:06] in, uh, conversation, Mrs. Skank, please call the role.

[26:08] » Okay. >> Mr. West,

[26:10] » yes. >> Mr. Milligan,

[26:11] » yes. >> Mayor Slama,

[26:13] » yes. >> Mr. Law,

[26:14] » yes. >> Mrs. Carter,

[26:16] » yes. >> Yes. Have it. And the motion passes. Um,

[26:18] item number nine, resolution R202621, shall be removed from this evening's

[26:22] agenda for to be added to a future agenda. Our first order of business

[26:26] today is citizen comments. A professional presentation free of foul

[26:30] language is expected. Speakers are encouraged to prepare remarks in

[26:33] advance. to stay within the set time limits. Citizen comments is not the time

[26:37] for debate, questions, and answer or any back and forth conversation with council

[26:41] or staff. This is a time for you, our residents, to be able to present in

[26:44] front of council on record uninterrupted and have the floor. Please note that

[26:48] after the meeting, your comment cards will be given to the city manager and

[26:51] she will assign a member of staff to reply to you as appropriate. We have

[26:55] received two comment cards this evening. I will

[26:59] prompt each speaker for their next steps when they reach the podium. I would like

[27:02] to call Kimberly Silas to the podium, please.

[27:09] And you may sit or stand according to your preference. Please adjust the

[27:12] microphone and speak directly into the microphone at all times. Before you

[27:15] begin, please state your full name and Middletown residence for the record. You

[27:18] will then have three and a half minutes of uninterrupted speech. Please

[27:21] commence. >> Hello. Yes, I am a Middletown resident.

[27:24] My name is Kimberly Silus. I've lived here for 66 years next week.

[27:29] » May we have your address, please? >> Yes. 1847 Spring Grove Lane, Middletown,

[27:34] Ohio. I'm sorry. >> Thank Thank you. Please commence.

[27:40] » I'm sorry. Dear members of Middletown City Council, my name is Kimberly Silus

[27:44] and I am the founder of the William Asylus Breast Cancer Awareness Ministry.

[27:48] While my ministry is not a nonprofit organization and is essentially a

[27:52] onewoman ministry, its purpose is deeply rooted in community service, awareness,

[27:57] and bringing people together. I am not writing to bring a complaint nor to

[28:02] request monetary assistance. Instead, I am reaching out to extend an invitation

[28:09] and respectively solicit your involvement in an important community

[28:14] initiative. The William Assilles Breast Cancer Awareness Ministry is a very is

[28:19] very personal to me. Although I was only five years old when my mother, William

[28:24] Silas, passed away in 1966, I have spent my life carrying her name and learning

[28:30] about the woman she was. I have been told how much she loved the community of

[28:35] Middletown and the people who live live here.

[28:39] This walk is one of the ways I continue to honor my mother's legacy

[28:46] in in very excuse me in the very community in which she lived and loved

[28:52] through the ministry. I want her name to continue to represent love, compassion,

[28:58] awareness, unity, service to others. On October 27th, 2022, the first William

[29:04] Emma Silas Peace, Prayers, and Positivity Breast Cancer Walk was held

[29:08] here in Middletown, Ohio. We began at Old South Park on Main Street and walked

[29:13] together to United Missionary Baptist Church where we gathered in prayer,

[29:17] fellowship, and unity.

[29:21] I am pleased to announce that on October 24th, 2026, the walk will take place

[29:27] again. This year we will once again begin at Old South Park and conclude at

[29:32] the CBI Robert Sunny Hill Community Center. With that in mind, I am

[29:37] respectfully asking the members of Middletown City Council to come walk

[29:41] with me. Your presence would mean so much not

[29:45] only as a show of support but for breast cancer survivors, breast cancer uh

[29:50] survivors and their families, breast cancer awareness, but also as a visible

[29:55] demonstration of our collective commitment to peace, unity, togetherness

[30:00] throughout the city of Middletown. My motto is we support all ribbons. To me,

[30:06] this statement represents more than breast cancer. It represents

[30:10] acknowledgement and supporting the many causes,

[30:16] struggles, uh, and families and individuals within our community who

[30:20] need to know about awareness. I believe when community I'm sorry, I didn't print

[30:26] this out. I believe that when community leaders um, come together, walk

[30:31] together, this would send a powerful message that Middletown stands together.

[30:36] I would be honored to have you join me on October 26th as we walk for peace,

[30:41] prayers, and positivity in the city of Middletown. Thank you,

[30:46] » Sus. >> Thank you.

[30:47] » What time? >> Oh, we can find that out.

[30:49] » I didn't hear. What time? >> Oh, I'm sorry. The walk will start at

[30:54] 10:00 a.m. at Old South Park and >> 24th or the 26th?

[30:59] » The 24th. >> Yeah. And we can um

[31:01] » 20 26. Did I say the 26th? >> You the second time you said 26th. I'm

[31:05] sorry. October 20, >> much as I love to talk and I'm nervous.

[31:09] Yeah. >> October 24th, 2026 at 1000 p.m. and it's

[31:14] uh starts at um >> Thank you. Thank you, Miss Silus. Is um

[31:18] if you would have a seat. Thank you so much. We'll make sure to reach out to

[31:20] you to get all the details. Thank you so much. No problem.

[31:24] » Sometimes you get we get nervous up here. All right. Uh next, I would like

[31:27] to call uh Constance Miller to the podium, please.

[31:37] and you may stand or sit according to your preference. Please adjust the

[31:40] microphone and speak directly into the microphone at all times. Before we

[31:43] begin, please state your full name and Middletown residence for the record. You

[31:45] will then have three and a half minutes of uninterrupted speech. Please

[31:48] commence. >> My name is Constance Miller. I reside at

[31:51] 4002 Riverview Avenue in Middletown. Do you need the zip code?

[31:56] » No. Thank you. Hi. >> Um I'm here today to speak about the

[32:00] flock cameras that we're seeing going up. not just block but other items of

[32:04] 247 surveillance. Um but I'd like to start by thanking the Middletown police.

[32:10] Um before I go in on it, um back in May, June, my autistic son eloped and if it

[32:18] weren't for the police, you know, coming in quick, I am I don't know what what

[32:23] the outcome would have been. Um so I just want to take the time to thank the

[32:27] police while I'm up here. [snorts] Um, that being said, I get that a lot. What

[32:32] would Flock do to help you if you if your son eloped again? Being that

[32:36] they're license plates readers, I would think nothing. Um, unless he has a

[32:40] license plate attached to him or unless the Flock cameras are collecting data

[32:45] further than the license plates. some AI features at Flock. Uh they create

[32:51] profiles on driver behavior, car features, um where you're traveling,

[32:58] where you're going, and without access to the contract, uh we as residents who

[33:03] pay for these do not know how long the data is being stored, who has access to

[33:08] the data, who is it just the police or is it any city employee or is it certain

[33:14] police officers? As you've seen in the news, there are several instances where

[33:20] um officers have stalked exes or love interests um and now they're either

[33:25] fired, in jail, 5 years probation, things like that. Um as a freedom loving

[33:31] person, I enjoy my Fourth Amendment and I realize that the Supreme Court hasn't

[33:35] decided on how the Fourth Amendment applies to flock cameras. Um it's for

[33:41] me, it's not too different than USV. Jones where you can't just tag on a GPS

[33:46] tracker to a car without a warrant. Um granted there's no tracker on my car. I

[33:52] am still being tracked throughout the city. Um I have yet to see an exit and

[33:56] entry point without a flock camera. Um the thought that you can't go in and out

[34:01] of here without the government's eyes on you is should not be comfortable to

[34:04] anybody. And I also hear a lot, well, if you

[34:09] don't do anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about. In this current

[34:12] times, I am an activist. I run no elegy needed in Middletown. And there I'm

[34:19] being called by the federal government a domestic terrorist. So, I can't sit here

[34:24] and be said, "Oh, well, don't do anything wrong." when certain people are

[34:28] defining, redefining what's right and what's wrong, who gets a voice, who gets

[34:33] to travel freely, who gets to say, "I don't like what's going on." And I don't

[34:37] think Middletown Police would follow me around. They've been very supportive for

[34:40] our rallies, and I've always been grateful for that. However, I don't know

[34:45] who else has access to these. We have found out that the federal government

[34:48] has found backdoor channels. Flock safety contract. The general contract

[34:53] states that Flock Safety has access and can keep all of the data that they

[34:58] store. Whether or not Middletown Police wants them to, it's part of the

[35:01] contract, but without reviewing Middletown's contract, we don't know if

[35:06] you all opted for that or not. Um, another option that is missing is the

[35:12] transportal, like the transparency portal where residents can do audit logs

[35:16] and make sure that they're not being abused. And with that, I just hope that

[35:20] all the public records requests are followed so that residents can review.

[35:26] » Thank you very much. >> Thank you.

[35:30] » This concludes our public participation. The next agenda item is council

[35:34] comments. We will begin to my left with council member Lai, followed by Vice

[35:37] Mayor Carter, and then to my right with Council Member West, uh followed by

[35:41] Council Member Mulligan, and I will speak last. Mr. Lai.

[35:44] » Thank you, Mayor. [clears throat] um start off uh with wishing everybody a

[35:50] happy and safe uh Labor Day weekend coming up next weekend. Hope everybody

[35:56] enjoys the extra day or two off they might get for the Labor Day holiday.

[36:00] Thank to all the workers in America for everything they they do. Um, secondly,

[36:07] uh, I want to congratulate Cleveland Cliffs on being able to move forward

[36:11] with the, uh, the, uh, project out at the Middletown Works. I think it's going

[36:17] to be a very big thing for, uh, Cleveland Cliffs as a company. It's

[36:22] going to be a very big thing for the workers there. It's going to be a very

[36:26] big thing for the city of Middletown and in terms of it pretty much guarantees

[36:32] that the Middletown Works is here for uh decades to come, which is our largest

[36:37] employer in the city of of Middletown and a a our biggest tax base, which is a

[36:43] great thing. And then with the with the uh billion dollar investment in the

[36:49] Middletown Works and the construction that we're going to be going on out

[36:53] there will do a lot to enhance enhance our um income tax revenue for a few

[36:59] years which which is a great thing. So thank you to that. Thank you to the

[37:04] Department of Energy. Thank you for uh Vice President JD Vance for coming to

[37:09] Middletown, his hometown. and he gave a a good talk at uh Middletown Works uh

[37:15] last Friday and uh this is a very positive thing for Middletown.

[37:22] Um I want to congratulate Jackie Phillips

[37:26] on her retirement. Uh Jackie and I worked together for nearly 30 years and

[37:31] I can call Jackie a friend and we worked on a lot of things together and I will

[37:36] tell everybody that uh this city is in in a much better place for her service

[37:42] over the last 30 plus years. So Jackie enjoy retirement and I wish you good

[37:49] luck. Um yeah, it and I just as far I've been

[37:55] reading a lot on the flock camera situation over the last several weeks

[38:01] and uh while I'm not ready to bail like a lot of communities are are starting to

[38:07] do on the flot camera. I do think well we need to look at it on a city level, a

[38:12] county level, a state level, and a federal level as as far as

[38:19] um protecting our civil liberties. However, I will say that our police

[38:25] department keeps the information for what I believe uh Chief Nelson told us

[38:30] in an email for 30 days. Um, you know, if my child or somebody's grandchild was

[38:37] abducted and I knew we had a tool like the flock cameras to to jump on it

[38:43] within the first couple hours and it it it uh get our loved one back quickly or

[38:49] it does what it's supposed to do in apprehending criminals, that's great and

[38:54] I think we need to continue. But I do understand some of the concerns with it

[39:00] and and uh how it invades it might invade our civil liberties uh the

[39:06] collection the collection of data and stuff like that. We have to find a way

[39:10] to figure out how we can do that you know and but then again you know on the

[39:14] other hand folks we live you know the big thing about it is we don't want to

[39:19] live in a surveillance society. I'm going to tell you something. If you get

[39:23] on a computer, you have Facebook, you have social media, you do anything else,

[39:28] you're we're living in a surveillance world, you know. I just that that's the

[39:35] other thing I wrestle with. Um I don't know of anybody who doesn't get 20

[39:41] emails a day from financial organizations wanting you to apply for

[39:45] this loan, apply for that loan, or I see you were at Kroger's. How many of you

[39:50] has gone to Target, Kroger's, Meyers, and 2 minutes after you leave there,

[39:54] they they know you're there? It's the world of cell phones today.

[39:59] But, you know, I agree with I agree with some of the things um that Miss Miller

[40:06] said and we just we have to find the h happy medium because as you said, it is

[40:11] a good tool when it's used properly. So, with that, that's all I have.

[40:16] » Thank you, Mr. Lai. Vice Mayor Carter. Good evening. Uh, Miss Miller, I also

[40:22] agree with the conversation you had about the uh, flock cameras because we

[40:28] as human beings abuse everything we get our hands on when it comes to other

[40:33] people. I don't know what's going to happen in Middletown. Um,

[40:38] how much investigation we're going to put into it, but I agree. There's

[40:44] something that some things that we do need and there are some things that we

[40:48] do not need. So, thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor. Mr. West.

[40:53] » Yes. Good evening. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I Yeah, I mean, the flock cameras, I

[40:58] think in probably the last 60 or 90 days have really kind of exploded on the

[41:04] scene. Um, I've watched quite a few things uh on flock cameras and I think

[41:10] it's it's one of those issues where when used properly um they're a great asset,

[41:17] great tool. Uh however, you know, Flock has a whole organization outside of

[41:23] local jurisdictions and so I I think it's worth a conversation for sure to to

[41:28] figure out um you know what Flock is doing um from a corporate standpoint.

[41:35] You know, with that said, I mean there was concern many years ago,

[41:39] 10 plus years ago when there were certain apps being developed for phones.

[41:42] one of which I think most of us have used before uh ways for example um when

[41:49] ways first came out everybody was like oh this is great you know and then there

[41:52] was some hesitation uh involved I mean we thought it was

[41:56] great you know maybe we won't get as many tickets right but at the same token

[42:02] you know they do store driving data um it could be speed it could be routine

[42:07] those types of things Google does the same thing um so I think there's always

[42:11] that concern. I think the big difference between those apps and flock cameras is

[42:16] those apps. It's a choice to use those. Flock is is present there. Um I do know

[42:23] there are a lot of cases even locally here where flock cameras have have been

[42:28] uh instrumental in solving crimes and and even understanding for example when

[42:33] uh when stolen cars move in and out of the city. So it's yeah it's a

[42:38] double-edged sword. Um, I'm not sure I'm 100% up on it yet to really offer what

[42:44] my opinion would be either way, but I know it has been a valuable tool in in

[42:48] many examples, even for, uh, Chief Nelson's team. So, um, you know, and

[42:55] here in Middletown, we've we've always kind of dealt with, you know, being on

[42:59] 75, being on a major corridor, a lot of people coming in and out of town, and,

[43:05] you know, being between two major cities or two large cities, I should say, you

[43:09] know, kind of puts us in the middle for for some some crime. Um, with that said,

[43:14] I I would like to say congratulations to Cleveland Cliffs. Um, that was something

[43:19] that's been in the works for what seems like a very, very long time. Uh, and I'm

[43:25] glad to see it finally come to fruition. That was a concern I know many of us in

[43:30] the city had is if you know the if Cleveland cliffs didn't have some type

[43:35] of upgrades coming, there is a shelf life uh on the blast furnace. Um, so I'm

[43:40] proud that that Middletown will be on the map for generations really. I mean,

[43:44] this this will solidify uh Cleveland Cliff's presence in this community for

[43:49] many many years and in in a cleaner sense. Um, so I think it's a win-win for

[43:54] the city uh as well as Cleveland Cliffs. And with that said, uh the only other

[44:00] thing I have is I hope everybody enjoys uh Labor Day and and the weather's nice

[44:06] and everybody stays safe. Thank you, Mayor.

[44:09] » Thank you, Mr. West. Mr. Mulligan. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'll add my uh

[44:13] comments for the Cleveland Cliffs celebration. It was uh it was great to

[44:17] join with so many uh elected officials on the federal, state, and local level.

[44:22] And uh the CEO of Cleveland Cliffs coming in to to celebrate the terrific

[44:26] announcement. Um the $1 billion investment, as has been said, represents

[44:31] more than just dollars and cents. It's um a a commitment to decades of service

[44:36] for Middletown Works. uh the the construction jobs alone could create uh

[44:41] 1500 temporary jobs and of course uh help preserve the over 2,000 permanent

[44:46] jobs at the plant. So uh great day for Middletown to get that positive exposure

[44:50] and and we hope that uh Cleveland Cliffs will continue to be the economic engine

[44:55] driver that it is. Uh congratulations to the uh organizers of Hops in the Hangar.

[45:01] This was another successful event at Middletown uh Regional Airport. uh Jamie

[45:06] Murphy and Mika Glazer Jones and their committee did an excellent job and there

[45:11] were so many um uh patrons and there was also a familyfriendly area for the event

[45:16] to to enjoy the the airplane uh show and it really was phenomenal. So

[45:21] congratulations to them and I know that the proceeds of that event also benefit

[45:25] some nonprofits in Middletown. So thank you for their efforts. Um there's um

[45:31] been some comment in the past couple weeks about Middletown separating with

[45:35] um a particular employee and you know I I am not in a role that comment on any

[45:41] personnel decisions and that's certainly not my place and our policy is not to do

[45:44] so but I just want to point out that you know it you know we we celebrate the

[45:49] longevity of so many city employees. As I looked at this month's employee

[45:53] newsletter there were um a couple of employees that have reached the 25 year

[45:58] mark. uh Pat Ballas in the clerk of court's office and Andy Warick in the

[46:02] police department. So, and of course Jackie Phillips celebrating 28 years

[46:06] with the city. So, we have it on all ends of the spectrum and as an

[46:10] organization that's 4 to 500 employees, there will be some turnover. And um but

[46:15] but I so I wouldn't want anyone to read too much into one particular event or

[46:19] one particular employee that that's separated, but just know that um you

[46:23] know, we have a lot to celebrate in the city. happy that uh Martin Russell is

[46:27] joining us as assistant city manager and he brings decades of experience in in

[46:31] government leadership. So uh I I think that adds to our bench strength and and

[46:36] really adds a um professionalism and experience that that we'll benefit from.

[46:41] So welcome uh Mr. Russell. And uh finally uh offering condolences to the

[46:47] family of Dr. Ray Keabber. uh he passed away uh last week and um really left

[46:53] behind a a a great legacy of the in the practice of medicine. Then also his

[46:58] generous support of so many uh charitable organizations in Middletown.

[47:03] But my condolences to to Gene Keubber, his uh his widow and his family. Uh just

[47:08] an all-around great guy and who will certainly be missed in the Middletown

[47:12] community. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Mulligan. Uh I will also

[47:17] uh echo my congratulations to Cleveland Cliffs. Um so much has been said already

[47:23] and I'm just very excited especially about the co-generation plant. I'm very

[47:27] grateful to them to be building that saving up to like 50% of their energy to

[47:32] put it back into their own plant. I applaud them for that. Also with the

[47:36] flock cameras, I know that's something that the city's been looking at. Um so

[47:40] I'm sure we'll hear we'll be hearing more from that in the in the coming

[47:43] weeks and months. So, now I'd like to go into um a little

[47:47] bit of what we are expecting coming up in the next couple of weeks here in

[47:49] Middletown. So, enjoy general trivia night every Thursday this month from

[47:54] 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at New Als Brewery located at 13:30 Manchester

[47:58] Avenue. For more information, please visit the calendar at downtown

[48:01] middletown.org. Celebrate First Friday at 5:00 p.m. this week on September 4th

[48:06] and join the Helens for the 3rd annual Roper Romp throughout downtown. Come

[48:10] dressed up as Mrs. Roper from Thre's Company or Just as You Are and walk the

[48:14] bar crawl through our door district, the first in all of Ohio with specials at

[48:18] participating local businesses for anyone dressed as Helen. New this year

[48:21] is the family-friendly kids zone. For more information on this fun and

[48:24] eccentric event, please visit the calendar at downtown middletown.org.

[48:28] Also this Friday, September 4th, from 6 PM to 8:00 PM at the MAC, our Middletown

[48:33] Art Center is the opening of the exhibit Steel in a Different Light. A special

[48:37] collaboration of works by renowned steel artist Mike Elsas and our local

[48:42] employees of Cleveland Cliffs. Steel in a Different Light celebrates the Union

[48:46] of Fine Art and Middletown Steel Heritage. Through this exhibition that

[48:50] runs through October 15th, visitors can explore the history and impact of steel

[48:54] in Middletown. Learn about Cleveland Cliff's 125-year legacy and see how

[48:58] steel continues to influence the present and future of our city. For more

[49:03] information, including more uh more on the upcoming block party, please visit

[49:07] middletown artcenter.com. Also this Friday after the MAC, head over to the

[49:11] Sword Op Sorgor Opera House located at 63 South Main Street at 8 PM for an

[49:16] acoustic set from Cincinnati Red's team hall of famer and musician Bronson Aoyo.

[49:20] For more information and tickets, please visit sorgoroperhouse.org.

[49:24] Next Friday, September 11th, the Sor Opera House and the Middletown Lyric

[49:28] Theater present 110 Stories, a 25th anniversary memorial being performed at

[49:33] the Sorg. This is a free event, though you must reserve your tickets. Told

[49:37] through the real testimonies of first responders, survivors, volunteers, and

[49:41] everyday New Yorkers, 110 stories captures the emotional experience of 911

[49:46] through the voice voices of those who lived it. You will see familiar faces

[49:50] from Middletown in the Ensemble CLA cast, including our very own Vice Mayor

[49:54] Jennifer Carter. For more information and to reserve your tickets, please

[49:57] visit sorgherhouse.org. The next day, Saturday, September 12th,

[50:00] is the 25th anniversary September 11th Memorial 5K hosted by the city of

[50:05] Middletown. Starting with the ceremony at 8:46 a.m. at Firehouse 83 located at

[50:09] 18:30 Yankee Road. The race begins at 9:28 a.m. For information on parking and

[50:14] race signups, please visit city of middletown.org, hover over residents,

[50:18] and click on city events. Also, next Saturday after the 5K, join in from

[50:22] 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Middletown's 3rd annual FiveStar Comic-Con at Miami

[50:27] University's Middletown campus located at 4200 North University Boulevard.

[50:31] FiveStar Comic-Con is a celebration of comics, pop culture, anime, gaming,

[50:36] cosplay, and more right here in Middletown, Ohio. If you or anyone in

[50:40] your life is a fan of any of these, you will want to be there. For more

[50:43] information, including how to buy tickets, please visit

[50:45] fivestarcomicomicon.com and click on the Middletown Ohio location.

[50:49] Sunday, September 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm, join Moam, Middletown's Open

[50:54] Air Market for their second Sunday called Harvest and Heritage located

[50:58] across from Gravel Road Brewing Company at 916 1st Avenue. Discover heirloom

[51:02] vegetables, heritage crafts, historical organizations, a seed swap, and

[51:06] old-fashioned games. For more information, please visit the calendar

[51:09] at downtownmilltown.org. Please save the date for one of my

[51:13] all-time favorite events in Middletown. The 10th annual dog day downtown.

[51:17] Friday, September 18th from 5:00 p.m. until 9 or 8:00 p.m. is a day just for

[51:21] the dogs and those who love them. For more information, please visit the

[51:24] calendar at downtownmilltown.org. As a reminder, the city of Middletown

[51:27] accepts applications for our boards and commissions throughout the year. So, if

[51:30] there is something that you have an interest in and you wish to give back to

[51:32] your city in this way, please do submit your application. To learn more, please

[51:36] visit the city's website at cityofmiddtown.org.

[51:39] Lastly, and as always, there are many ways to get involved with your community

[51:41] and give back. You can join a board a local group, run for office, apply for a

[51:45] job with the city, volunteer at the hospital, pick up trash in your

[51:48] neighborhood or park, plant a garden in your yard or balcony, smile at a

[51:51] neighbor, find joy and satisfaction for a job well done in whatever work you do,

[51:54] or just have a positive and giving attitude. Find something you can do

[51:57] regularly to give back. We are all connected. We are all in this together.

[52:00] The care of our city is an adventure which we all get to share. That's all

[52:03] from me tonight. This concludes our council comments.

[52:09] The next agenda item is city manager reports. City manager, Miss Ashley

[52:12] Combmes, you have the floor. >> Thank you. Good evening. I don't have

[52:15] any specific reports, but I would like to congratulate Jackie Phillips Carter

[52:18] on 28 years with the city. She's going to be greatly missed and we wish her the

[52:22] best. And the second item is welcoming our new assistant city manager, Martin

[52:26] Russell. And that's all for me. >> Thank you, Mr. Russell. Did you want to

[52:31] say anything? No pressure. Thank you. Well, I because of the 20 years of

[52:37] experience, I now feel old thanks to Mr. Mulligan there, but that's okay. No, I

[52:41] just appreciate the opportunity and and thank you. It's uh um obviously only

[52:45] been two days and I'm I'm learning a lot as as we go here, but uh um just an

[52:50] exceptional team that I've been able to sit there and meet thus far and really

[52:53] look forward to working with uh council and others to accomplish a lot in the

[52:58] near future. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[53:02] Thank you, Miss. All right. Thank you so much.

[53:05] Next is the consent agenda. While the consent agenda is generally for

[53:08] consensus items, do any council members wish to remove anything from the consent

[53:11] agenda this evening and move it to the motion agenda.

[53:14] All right. Seeing none, we will uh proceed. Mrs. Skank, please present the

[53:18] consent agenda. Your consideration this this evening, we have the approval of

[53:22] the city council minutes of August 18th, 2026 and to receive and file the four

[53:27] following board and commission minutes. the board of zoning appeals from July

[53:31] 2nd, August 6th, October 1st, November 5th, and December 3rd, 2025, and January

[53:38] 7th, February 4th, April 1st, and July 1st, 2026. The planning commission

[53:44] minutes of April 23rd, May 13th, June the 10th, and July 8th, 2026, and the

[53:50] Civil Service Commission minutes of May 7th, June 9th, July 16th, and August

[53:56] 12th, 2026. and to receive and file an oath of office for Brianna Steel.

[54:02] » Thank you, Mrs. Skank. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

[54:06] » Motion to approve. >> Thank you. Is there a second?

[54:08] » Second. >> It has been properly moved and seconded

[54:10] to accept the consent agenda. We will proceed to vote. Mrs. Skank, please call

[54:13] the role. >> Mr. Mulligan,

[54:15] » yes. >> Mayor Slama,

[54:16] » yes. >> Mr. Li,

[54:18] » yes. >> Mrs. Carter,

[54:19] » yes. >> Mr. West,

[54:21] » yes. >> The yeses have it, and the motion

[54:22] passes. The consent agenda is approved. The next agenda item is the motion

[54:26] agenda. We have two items this evening. Mrs. Skank, please present item A of the

[54:29] motion agenda >> to request approval to purchase one 2027

[54:34] Ford F550 Altech bucket truck model AT37G

[54:39] from Altech Industries Incorporated of Indianapolis, Indiana in the amount of

[54:44] $182,482

[54:47] for the for the electronics division. Thank you so much, Miss Combmes. The

[54:51] staff report, please. Mayor and city council. This truck will support traffic

[54:55] traffic signal, street light, and related maintenance throughout the city.

[54:58] It will replace a 22year-old bucket truck that has exceeded the city's

[55:01] replacement threshold and is becoming uh costly to maintain. Funds are available

[55:05] in the garage fund, and the existing truck will be sold on gov deals.

[55:09] » Thank you, Miss Combmes. Do I have a motion to approve item A to request

[55:12] approval to purchase one 2027 Ford F550 Altech bucket truck from Altech

[55:17] Industries Incorporated of Indianapolis, Indiana in the amount of $182,482

[55:22] for the electronics division? >> Motion.

[55:24] » Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. [laughter]

[55:27] » Uh having been properly moved and seconded, is there any discussion? All

[55:31] right. Hearing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Kang, please call the role.

[55:34] » Mayor Slam, >> yes.

[55:35] » Mr. Li, >> yes.

[55:36] » Mrs. Carter, >> yes.

[55:38] » Mr. West, >> yes.

[55:39] » Mr. Mr. Mulligan. >> Yes.

[55:40] » Yes. Is have it. And the motion passes. Mrs. Skank, please present item B of the

[55:44] motion agenda >> to authorize a city manager to grant a

[55:47] permanent easement to Duke Energy on city- owned parcel C16200020008

[55:55] located on South Main Street. >> Thank you, Miss Combmes. A staff report,

[55:59] please. >> Mayor and city council, this item

[56:01] request authorization to grant Duke Energy a permanent easement on the city

[56:05] property to provide electrical service to the police firing range. The range

[56:08] currently has no power, limiting lighting, security, and future training

[56:11] capabilities. The easement will allow Duke to extend power to the site. The

[56:15] cost of the extension is $13,15125.

[56:20] Thank you, Miss Combmes. Do I have a motion to approve item B to authorize

[56:23] the city manager to grant a permanent easement to Duke Energy on city-owned

[56:26] parcel number C16200020008

[56:32] located on South Main Street? >> Motion.

[56:34] » Is there a second? >> Second. Having been properly moved and

[56:37] seconded, is there any discussion? >> Hearing none, we will proceed to vote.

[56:41] Mrs. Skank, please call the role. >> Mr. Li,

[56:43] » yes. >> Mrs. Carter,

[56:45] » yes. >> Mr. West,

[56:46] » yes. >> Mr. Mulligan,

[56:47] » yes. >> Mayor Sama,

[56:49] » yes. The yeses have it, and the motion passes. This concludes the motion

[56:52] agenda. The next item on the agenda is executive session. Uh, do I hear a

[56:56] motion to move to executive session under the authority of OC121.22

[57:01] 22G8 to consider confidential information related to the marketing

[57:05] plans, specific business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets, or

[57:08] personal financial statements of an applicant for economic development

[57:11] assistance or to negotiations with other political subdivisions respecting

[57:15] requests for economic development assistance, provided that both of the

[57:18] following conditions apply. One, the information is directly related to a

[57:22] request for economic development assistance that is to be provided or

[57:24] administered under any provision of chapter 1 715 7251 1724 or 1728 or

[57:31] section 701.07 3735.67

[57:35] to 3735.70 5709.40

[57:39] to 5709.43 5709.61 to 579.69 69 5709.73 to 5709.75

[57:47] or 5709.77 to 5709.81 of the revised code or that

[57:52] involves public infrastructure improvements or the extension of

[57:55] utilities utility services that are directly related to an economic

[57:58] development project. And two, a unanimous quorum of the public body

[58:02] determines by a roll call vote that the executive session is necessary to

[58:05] protect the interests of the applicant or the public investment or expenditure

[58:09] of public funds to be made in connection with the economic development project.

[58:12] Is there a motion? >> Motion.

[58:14] » Is there a second? >> Second.

[58:15] » Has been properly moved and seconded. We will proceed to vote. Mrs. Skank, please

[58:18] call the role. >> Mrs. Carter?

[58:20] » Yes. >> Mr. West?

[58:21] » Yes. >> Mr. Mulligan?

[58:22] » Yes. >> Mayor Slama?

[58:23] » Yes. >> Mr. Li?

[58:25] » Yes. >> Yes. Haven't the motion passes. Council

[58:27] will now move to executive session >> over there.

[58:35] » Figured.

[1:59:39] Do we have a motion to return to open session?

[1:59:41] » Motion. >> Is there a second?

[1:59:44] » Second. >> Thank you. It has been properly moved

[1:59:47] and seconded to return to open session. We will proceed to vote. Mrs. Gank,

[1:59:50] please call the role. >> Mr. West,

[1:59:51] » yes. >> Mr. Mulligan,

[1:59:53] » yes. >> Mayor Slam,

[1:59:54] » yes. >> Mr. Li,

[1:59:55] » yes. >> Mrs. Carter,

[1:59:57] » yes. >> This is happen. Motion passes. Council

[1:59:59] now returns to open session. The next item on the agenda is legislation. We

[2:00:04] have nine items of legislation this evening. Uh law director, Mr. Alex

[2:00:08] Ewing. The legislation, please. >> Item number one, ordinance number

[2:00:12] 02026-47. An ordinance authorizing the city

[2:00:16] manager to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources

[2:00:20] for capital improvements at the Middletown Community Foundation Park

[2:00:24] project. Second reading. >> Thank you. you. Miss Combmes, do you

[2:00:27] have anything to add? >> I do not. Thank you.

[2:00:29] » Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the ordinance?

[2:00:32] » Motion. >> Is there a second?

[2:00:34] » Second. >> It has been properly moved and seconded.

[2:00:36] Is there any discussion? >> Hearing none, we will proceed to vote.

[2:00:40] Mrs. K, please call the role. >> Mr. Mulligan,

[2:00:42] » yes. >> Mayor Slamama,

[2:00:44] » yes. >> Mr. Li,

[2:00:45] » yes. >> Mrs. Carter,

[2:00:47] » yes. Mr. West, >> yes.

[2:00:49] » Yeses have it. And the legislation passes. Mr. Ying, the next item, please.

[2:00:54] Item number two, ordinance number 02026-48,

[2:00:58] an ordinance authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with

[2:01:02] the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for Capital Improvements at Miami Park.

[2:01:06] Second reading. >> Thank you, Miss Combmes, you have

[2:01:09] anything to add? >> I do not. Thank you.

[2:01:10] » All right. Thank you. Uh, it has been Is there a motion to approve the ordinance?

[2:01:15] » Motion. >> Is there a second?

[2:01:16] » Second. >> Has been properly moved and seconded. Is

[2:01:19] there any discussion? >> Hearing none, we will proceed to vote.

[2:01:22] Mrs. Scan, please call the role. >> Mayor Slamama,

[2:01:24] » yes. >> Mr. Li,

[2:01:26] » yes. >> Mrs. Carter,

[2:01:28] » yes. >> Mr. West,

[2:01:30] » yes. >> Mr. Mulligan,

[2:01:31] » yes. >> Yes. Have it. And the legislation

[2:01:33] passes. Mr. Yuing. The next item, please.

[2:01:35] » Item number three, ordinance number 02026-49.

[2:01:40] An ordinance authorizing the execution of a subordination and recognition of

[2:01:44] final development agreement with Valley Central Bank in connection with the

[2:01:49] final development agreement with Ohio Regional Con. Constructors LLC, the

[2:01:56] former Roosevelt School site, and declaring an emergency.

[2:02:00] » Thank you, Miss Combmes. The staff report, please.

[2:02:01] » Mayor and city council, this item authorizes the city manager to execute a

[2:02:05] subordination and recognition agreement for the Roosevelt Ridge project. The

[2:02:09] developer is obtaining construction financing, and the lender has requested

[2:02:12] that the city subordinate its reversionary rights for the property.

[2:02:16] The proposed agreement is negotiated compromise that that addresses the

[2:02:20] lender's concerns while protecting the city's ability to reclaim the property

[2:02:24] under the existing development agreement subject to the agreed upon cure process.

[2:02:28] We are requesting a first reading emergency passage so the agreement can

[2:02:31] be executed promptly allowing the developer to finalize financing proceed

[2:02:36] with the installation of public um infrastructure during the current

[2:02:39] construction season and meet the project's established deadlines.

[2:02:44] » Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the

[2:02:47] ordinance? >> Motion.

[2:02:49] » Is there a second? >> Second.

[2:02:52] » Having been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion?

[2:02:57] » I did have a question about this. Um, with the current agreement here, it says

[2:03:04] that if there's any floor closure, the land would go basically to the bank and

[2:03:08] not come back to Middletown. Is that correct? That's correct. Okay. Um,

[2:03:15] how is it looking so far with Brandon Holmes and the ability to complete this

[2:03:20] project? >> Jacob, would you like to So, Jacob, our

[2:03:22] acting community and economic development director, is going to come

[2:03:25] up and answer that question. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Mayor, members of council

[2:03:29] and the general public. Um, currently, uh, Brandon Holmes has a tenative

[2:03:35] scheduling date set for the implementation of the infrastructure,

[2:03:39] right? The, uh, Roosevelt Ridge, the the drive culde-sac, um, if you will, that

[2:03:43] would go to to implement, uh, to put all the homes in. They've already sold two

[2:03:47] or constructed two homes, um, and still have those, uh, lots facing central

[2:03:51] there for sale. This basically the the sub um subordination of the right of

[2:03:57] reverter there with the property will allow the bank to be able to finance it

[2:04:02] to then be able to allow Philip Brandon and Brandon Holmes to move forward with

[2:04:06] uh the completion of the infrastructure there. Um and then once the

[2:04:10] infrastructure is in, he's able to sell the additional 16 lots uh and to be able

[2:04:14] to move move forward towards completion of those.

[2:04:17] So, is that a matter of the construction on the specific house won't begin until

[2:04:23] it's sold? That lot is sold instead of like he's going to go down there and

[2:04:27] build the final 16 homes and then sell them is

[2:04:30] » Yeah. Because it's a custom home community.

[2:04:32] » Okay. >> So, they're built built to customers

[2:04:35] orders, if you will. >> Okay.

[2:04:36] » Um ultimately, yeah, to to that point, once I mean, he hasn't been able to sell

[2:04:41] the other 16 lots because there's no road accessing that. And I I believe

[2:04:45] there there's been a lot of back and forth for him to be able to get to this

[2:04:47] point. And uh this has been that final lynch pin and the the developer's

[2:04:51] interest is to be able to come in here this fall, start the construction, get

[2:04:55] the construction of the road done and then continue moving forward with

[2:04:58] selling the houses. >> And so far, is it looking good for that?

[2:05:02] Is it looking good for him? Does he have interest there?

[2:05:04] » I I would we don't know >> presume. Okay.

[2:05:06] » Um I mean I think otherwise he probably would have already

[2:05:10] » sold the two houses out frontly. I thought one was sold. I thought there's

[2:05:15] Isn't there a sign out there selling the the first one that was built?

[2:05:19] » Yes. Sold. Yeah. And then >> Yeah. They've already

[2:05:22] » the developers been able to build those two houses because there's already

[2:05:25] interest in the >> Right. And one has been sold and then

[2:05:28] the other has a sign up front. >> Mhm.

[2:05:31] » For sale. >> I think they're selling it. The people

[2:05:33] that initially bought >> people that bought it.

[2:05:36] » So none neither of those I think one may have started as a model home. um and he

[2:05:41] quickly went on to to sell it um I think within weeks. But uh again, this would

[2:05:46] pretty much allow the additional 16 lots for for people to to start buying down

[2:05:50] and and uh to building up the the homes. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or

[2:05:55] comments at this time hearing? None. Thank you so much.

[2:05:58] » Absolutely. >> Mrs. Skank, please call the RO.

[2:06:02] » Mr. Li, >> yes.

[2:06:04] » Mrs. Carter, >> yes.

[2:06:06] » Mr. West, >> yes.

[2:06:08] » Mr. Mulligan, >> yes. Mayor Slamama.

[2:06:10] » Yes. Yeses have it. And the motion passes. Mr. Yuing. The next item,

[2:06:14] please. >> Item number four, ordinance number

[2:06:16] 02026-50. An ordinance amending ordinance number

[2:06:20] 0205-081 passed by the city of Middletown on

[2:06:24] December 15, 2015 to remove certain parcels from the town Malt TIFF and

[2:06:30] declaring an emergency. >> Thank you. Miss Combmes, the staff

[2:06:33] report, please. >> Mayor and city council. This item makes

[2:06:35] two changes to our existing tiff structure in the east end. We are

[2:06:39] removing 15 underdeveloped and undeveloped parcels from the town mall

[2:06:43] hospital tiff and creating a new east end east interchange tiff for those

[2:06:48] parcels. The purpose is to capture the future increases in property value from

[2:06:52] the development and reinvest those revenues into the public infrastructure

[2:06:55] supporting the renaissance point project. This tiff revenue has also been

[2:06:58] part of the arena's financing plan. The new tiff would run for 30 years and

[2:07:02] comply with the city's school compensation agreement. There is no

[2:07:05] direct cost to the city. We're requesting first reading emergency

[2:07:08] passage so the developer can finalize the incentive documents and financing to

[2:07:12] keep the infrastructure work on schedule.

[2:07:15] » Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the ordinance?

[2:07:18] » Motion. >> Is there a second?

[2:07:19] » Second. >> Having been properly moved and seconded,

[2:07:21] is there any discussion? Hearing none, we will proceed to vote.

[2:07:25] Mrs. Gang, please call the role. >> Mrs. Carter,

[2:07:28] » yes. >> Mr. West,

[2:07:29] » yes. >> Mr. Mulligan,

[2:07:31] » yes. >> Mayor Slama,

[2:07:32] » yes. >> Mr. Li,

[2:07:34] » yes. >> Yeses have it. And the uh legislation

[2:07:36] passes. Mr. Yuing. The next item, please.

[2:07:39] » Item number five, ordinance number 02026-51,

[2:07:44] an ordinance to create a tiff area pursuant to section 5709.40B

[2:07:49] of the Ohio Revised Code. Declare improvements to certain parcels of real

[2:07:53] property located in the tiff area to be a public purpose. Exempt from real

[2:07:58] property taxation 100% of those improvements. require the owners of

[2:08:03] those parcels to make service payments in lie of taxes. Establish a municipal

[2:08:08] public improvement tax increment equivalent fund for the deposit of the

[2:08:12] remainder of those service payments. Specify the public infrastructure

[2:08:16] improvements to be made within the tiff area that directly benefits those

[2:08:20] parcels and declaring an emergency. >> Thank you, Miss Combmes. The staff

[2:08:24] report, please. >> Mayor and city council, this item is the

[2:08:27] second part of the tiff legislation just discussed. This ordinance creates the

[2:08:30] east interchange tiff for the 15 parcels removed from the town mall hospital

[2:08:34] tiff. The new tiff will capture the future increases in property value and

[2:08:37] use those revenues to support the public infrastructure in the east end and the

[2:08:41] renaissance point project. We are requesting first reading emergency

[2:08:44] passage so the developer can align the financing and infrastructure work with

[2:08:47] the project schedule. >> Thank you. Is there a motion to approve

[2:08:51] the ordinance? >> Motion.

[2:08:52] » Is there a second? >> Second.

[2:08:55] » It has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion?

[2:08:59] Seeing none, we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Kang, please call the role.

[2:09:02] » Mr. West, >> yes.

[2:09:03] » Mr. Mulligan, >> yes.

[2:09:04] » Mayor Slam, >> yes.

[2:09:06] » Mr. Li, >> yes.

[2:09:07] » Mrs. Carter, >> yes.

[2:09:09] » Yeses have. And the legislation passes. Mr. Yuing, the next item, please.

[2:09:13] » Item number six, ordinance number 0 2026-52.

[2:09:18] an ordinance authorizing the city manager to enter into an amended and

[2:09:22] restated final development agreement with Woodard Development LLC and the

[2:09:26] Warren County Port Authority and declaring an emergency.

[2:09:30] » Thank you. Miss Combmes, the staff report, please.

[2:09:32] » Mayor and city council, this item amends and reinstates the final development

[2:09:35] agreement between the city water development and Warren County Port

[2:09:38] Authority for the public improvements associated with the arena facility and

[2:09:42] arena hotel. This agreement memorializes recent negotiation in negotiations

[2:09:46] including the waiver of permit fees in the city's construction of the south

[2:09:49] parking lot. The port authority or its assenee will be responsible for ongoing

[2:09:54] maintenance of the private section of atrium boulevard in the south parking

[2:09:57] lot. We are requesting first reading emergency passage to allow the project

[2:10:00] to pursue bond financing in a timely manner and continue with the project

[2:10:04] moving forward. >> Thank you. Miss Combmes is there or is

[2:10:08] there a motion to approve? >> Motion.

[2:10:10] » Is there a second? >> Second. Having been properly moved and

[2:10:13] seconded, is there any discussion? Hearing none, we will proceed to vote.

[2:10:17] Mrs. Gank, please call the role. >> Mr. Mulligan,

[2:10:19] » yes. >> Mayor Slama,

[2:10:21] » yes. >> Mr. Lai,

[2:10:23] » yes. >> Mrs. Carter,

[2:10:25] » yes. >> Mr. West,

[2:10:26] » yes. >> Yes. Have it. And the legislation

[2:10:28] passes. Mr. Yuing. The next item, please.

[2:10:32] » Item number seven, ordinance number 02026-53.

[2:10:36] an ordinance authorizing the city manager to enter into a credit support

[2:10:39] pledge agreement with the Warren County Port Authority and declaring an

[2:10:43] emergency. >> Thank you. Miss Combmes, the staff

[2:10:45] report, please. >> Mayor and city council, this item

[2:10:48] authorizes the city manager to administer the credit support pledge

[2:10:50] agreement in support of the arena bond financing. The city and Warren County

[2:10:54] are providing up to 12 a.5 million in credit support for the arena financing.

[2:10:58] Under the updated agreement, the city would provide a pledge and limited

[2:11:01] guarantee to support up to 5.4 4 million in annual debt surface if needed after

[2:11:06] the project's other pledge revenues and credit support are utilized. This does

[2:11:10] not require immediate expenditure of city funds. However, if the pledge is

[2:11:13] needed, payments would be made from the city's income tax revenues. We

[2:11:17] requesting first reading emergency passage to allow the bond bond financing

[2:11:20] to move forward and keep the arena project on schedule.

[2:11:23] » Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the ordinance?

[2:11:26] » Motion. >> Is there a second?

[2:11:28] » Second. >> Has been properly moved and seconded. Is

[2:11:30] there any discussion? just to uh thank staff and and all the

[2:11:34] parties involved in getting this across the finish line. It's um I know we're

[2:11:38] not seeing shovels in the ground yet, but there's been years, literally years

[2:11:42] of of work into this. And although it's a first reading emergency, that's just

[2:11:46] to satisfy what we need to uh to really get the project going and uh and get

[2:11:51] those shovels in the ground because this is really going to be a spectacular um

[2:11:54] amenity in Middletown and for the region. Thanks.

[2:11:58] » Thank you, Mr. Mulligan. Any other comments?

[2:12:00] I just want to go ahead and say echo that as well. This is very exciting.

[2:12:04] Looking forward to the continuation. Thank you so much. And in that case

[2:12:08] then, Mrs. Skank, please call the role. >> Mayor Slama,

[2:12:12] » yes. >> Mr. Li,

[2:12:13] » yes. >> Mrs. Carter,

[2:12:15] » yes. >> Mr. West,

[2:12:16] » yes. >> Mr. Mulligan,

[2:12:18] » yes. >> This is Havit. Legislation passes. Mr.

[2:12:20] Yuing. The next item, please. >> Item number eight, ordinance number

[2:12:24] 02026-54. an ordinance authorizing the city

[2:12:28] manager to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Warren County Port

[2:12:33] Authority at all and declaring an emergency.

[2:12:36] » Thank you. Miss Miss Combmes, the staff report, please.

[2:12:38] » Mayor and city council, this item authorizes the city manager to enter

[2:12:42] into a cooperative agreement with the project partners for the issuance of

[2:12:45] bonds and finance the re R renaissance port uh Renaissance Point Arena project.

[2:12:51] The agreement outlines the party's contributions to the project for the

[2:12:54] city. pledges revenues from the three east end tiffs, the arena tiff, east

[2:12:59] interchange tiff, and the north union tiff to support the arena financing. The

[2:13:03] tiff revenues provide another source of funding and are intended to limit the

[2:13:06] need to utilize the city's credit support discussed in the previous item.

[2:13:11] The agreement also establishes the structure and operation for the

[2:13:14] facilities within the project. We are requesting first reading emergency

[2:13:17] passage to allow for the bond financing to move forward and keep the arena

[2:13:20] project on schedule. >> Thank you, Miss [clears throat] Combmes.

[2:13:24] Is there a motion to approve the ordinance?

[2:13:26] » Motion. >> Is there a second?

[2:13:28] » Second. >> Has been properly moved and seconded. Is

[2:13:30] there any discussion? >> Seeing none, we will proceed to vote.

[2:13:34] Mrs. King, please call the role. >> Mr. Li,

[2:13:36] » yes. >> Mrs. Carter,

[2:13:38] » yes. >> Mr. West,

[2:13:39] » yes. >> Mr. Mulligan,

[2:13:41] » yes. >> Mayor Slam,

[2:13:42] » yes. Yeses have it. And the legislation passes. Mr. Euing, the last item,

[2:13:46] please. >> Uh, [snorts] yes. Uh item number uh nine

[2:13:51] uh originally item number 10, resolution number R 2026-22,

[2:13:57] a resolution to make adjustments to appropriations for current expenses and

[2:14:01] other expenditures of the city of Middletown counties of Butler and

[2:14:04] Warren, state of Ohio for the period ending December 31st, 2026. Core

[2:14:09] computerization fund first reading. >> Thank you, Miss Combmes. The staff

[2:14:13] report, please. Mayor and city council. This item requests 20,000 supplemental

[2:14:17] appropriation for the court computerization fund. The additional

[2:14:20] appropriation is needed because expenditures for the municipal court

[2:14:24] technology have exceeded the amount originally budgeted for 2026. These

[2:14:28] funds will be used for computer equipment, software, and related

[2:14:31] technology needs for the municipal court. There is sufficient cash

[2:14:34] available in the fund. So, this adjustment is to appropriate authority

[2:14:38] and does not require an additional funding.

[2:14:41] » Thank you, Miss Combmes. As this is a first reading, there is no action to be

[2:14:44] taken at this time. However, is there any discussion from council?

[2:14:50] Right. Seeing none, this concludes the legislation for the evening. The next

[2:14:53] item on the agenda is unfinished business. Do any council members have

[2:14:56] anything that they would like to present under unfinished business.

[2:15:01] Hearing none, that concludes unfinished business. The next item on the agenda is

[2:15:04] new business. Do any council members have any new business they would like to

[2:15:07] present this evening? No. All right. Hearing none, that also

[2:15:11] concludes new business. The next item on the agenda is executive session.

[2:15:17] Just a moment as I get the wording. May I do I hear a motion uh to move to

[2:15:21] executive session under the authority of OC121.22G1

[2:15:26] to consider the appointment of a public official?

[2:15:29] » Motion. >> Is there a second?

[2:15:32] » Second. >> Having been properly moved and seconded,

[2:15:34] we will proceed to vote. Mrs. Gang, please call the role.

[2:15:38] » Mrs. Carter,

[2:15:42] » are we moving into executive session? Okay.

[2:15:45] » Yes. Mr. West. >> Yes.

[2:15:48] » Mr. Mulligan. >> Yes.

[2:15:50] » Mayor Sama. >> Yes.

[2:15:51] » Mr. Lawley. >> Yes.

[2:15:53] » Yes. Haven't council will now move to executive session.

[2:15:58] » Yes.

[2:42:36] Okay.

[2:42:41] » All right. Here we go. >> Do we have a motion to return to open

[2:42:44] session? >> Motion.

[2:42:45] » Do we have a second? >> Having been properly moved and seconded,

[2:42:49] we will proceed to vote. Mrs. King, please call the role.

[2:42:51] » Mr. West, >> yes.

[2:42:52] » Mr. Milligan, >> yes.

[2:42:53] » Mayor Slama, >> yes.

[2:42:55] » Mr. Lai, >> yes.

[2:42:56] » Mrs. Carter, >> yes.

[2:42:58] » Yes. Have it. And the motion passes. This concludes our regular city council

[2:43:01] meeting for Middletown, Ohio, Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 at 7:48 p.m. This

[2:43:06] meeting is adjourned until Tuesday, September 15th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. these

[2:43:10] chambers for our

City Council Meeting 09.01.2026

Transcript