Full minutes

Members present

• Chris Haney, Vice Mayor (presiding)
• Brown
• Harvey
• Kline
• Simmons

Vice Mayor Chris Haney presided. Five members were present. Also in attendance: John Elam, Mayor Cramblit, and Brigham Anderson.

All persons stood for the Lord’s Prayer and then the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Approval of minutes

The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 12, 2026, the Finance Committee Meeting of March 12, 2026, and the Strategic Planning Committee Meeting of March 18, 2026, stood approved as submitted.

Audience participation

Roger Malone said he was present with Nicole Cox of the Historical Society and the Lawrence County Museum, and was providing an update from the February discussion regarding a time capsule possibly located in the Memorial Hall. At the time of his February appearance, it was not certain the capsule existed, and he and Ms. Cox asked Council for permission to explore the matter. He said the first part of March it rained frequently, but on March 9 he, Ms. Cox, Dan Johnson, and Steve Shaffer arrived at 7:00 a.m. with tools and a camera to verify the location. He said they drilled through the block he believed to be the cornerstone, found nothing in the top of it, then drilled in the center and found it to be solid. They stepped back to reconsider. He then spent several days at the Library and found articles that pointed him in the right direction. The first article, written a week before the cornerstone placement ceremony, stated the capsule was 6.5 feet high below the actual cornerstone — meaning the capsule was underneath it. He said they returned at the end of that week, drilled once more, and located the time capsule. That first article described the capsule as a sealed brass box and detailed the celebration of its placement — one of the larger celebrations Ironton had held, with attendance in the thousands and hundreds of Civil War soldiers present. He noted that was the only year without the Memorial Day Parade in its traditional form, though there was still a different parade route. He said he obtained the first photograph of the capsule in 135 years and a video of it, and passed a black-and-white photograph to Council. The second photograph shows the capsule’s actual location underneath the cornerstone, which is 6.5 feet high. The believed dimensions of the box are 8 x 8 x 10 inches. He said the good news is that the large cornerstone does not need to be disturbed — they believe one of the smaller stones underneath can be removed to gain access and the capsule can be removed and replaced. He said they thought this was the right year to retrieve it, going hand in hand with Memorial Day celebrations, and asked whether Council wished to proceed. He noted doing so would require approximately a month of preparation, with retrieval ideally in April so the capsule could be on display in the building and possibly featured in the Memorial Day Parade. He said after that they could open it and go through the contents.

Mr. Haney said he would be interested in seeing it opened as long as no structural damage would result. Ms. Cox said the next step is to contact contracting companies experienced with historical buildings to identify the least invasive extraction method. Brigham said it is City-owned property, so the City’s insurance carrier must be notified first and a release of liability obtained, because if something were to fall and harm someone it would be a significant liability — though he said he thinks it is a great idea. Mr. Malone said he anticipated that concern and had already contacted the job foreman of a company working on local churches. His thinking is to engage a company like that, if everyone agrees, and have them assume full liability for the work. Brigham reiterated that the City must have a release before touching that building. Mr. Malone said he does not want it to appear as a money-making operation — hopefully it would all be charity work. Mr. Haney asked whether the agreement would require Council approval or the Mayor’s approval. Brigham said probably the Mayor, and that no legislation would be needed — only coordination with the Mayor to secure the releases. Mr. Malone said time is of the essence and mentioned reaching out to the Tribune, the Herald-Dispatch, and the Ohio Historical Society to document it for historical reasons. He suggested forming a committee of interested parties and noted they already have four highly engaged people. He said they want to work with all of the museums, the VFW, and anyone interested in the City. Mr. Haney said the Mayor was not present that evening but suggested Mr. Malone call the Mayor the following week. Ms. Cox confirmed they would follow up with the Mayor next week.

Chad Gue, 24 Destiny Drive, Barboursville, WV, said he is a Captain with the City of Ironton Police Department. He said he was sworn in 18 years ago to maintain and preserve public peace and to do what he thinks is right, and he has done so to the best of his ability, acknowledging he is human and makes mistakes. He said he has worked with Mr. Anderson for years, through ups and downs. He said he recently participated in the Police Chief examination and scored first on the written portion of the examination. He said he had been contacted about some concerning matters he believed Council is aware of, and he wanted to bring them to Council’s attention. He said he has never asked for favoritism or anything beyond fairness. He said every day he tells the officers he works with they are expected to do three things — filter everything through reasonableness, totality of circumstances, and good faith — and that is what he has based his oath on. He said regarding the proposed ordinance on residency, and the timing of it, if the issue is response time — which is the way it is listed — he would like an explanation of how a person can live in Gallipolis, Ohio, at three times the distance, and that is acceptable, but living in Huntington, West Virginia, is not. He asked Council to consider whether that is reasonable and acting in good faith. He said with everything in him he has done everything he can to preserve the protection and rights of the people of Ironton, and has, in his words, literally bled for the City for 18 years. He asked Council to take that into consideration before anything is passed, noting his commitment and his role have been established and proven time and again. He reminded Council that the last time he addressed them he was receiving an award for valor and bravery, and asked Council to keep that in mind.

Mary Ann Tussey, 1507 Karin Street, said she had briefly reviewed the notes from the previous meeting and noticed a reference to updating City vehicles every couple of years and department heads providing a listing each November. She said she again wished to raise the matter of unmarked City vehicles, noting she continues to receive reports from a particular person that vehicles are being used for personal use, and with gas at $4 a gallon she does not think citizens should be paying for that. She said she thinks every City vehicle should have a placard or some form of identification, and she hoped Council would consider that when purchasing new vehicles or addressing existing ones. She also raised the matter of a camper at the Water Works. She said a camper had previously been parked at the Water Works, apparently belonging to a relative of a City employee, and was moved when questions were raised about why the City was providing a free place for it. She said a camper is now again parked at the Water Works, and since it was not sold at the last sale she assumes the City does not own it. She asked why the City is providing free services for someone’s camper. She also asked whether the City owns Sta-Tan or has any connection to that property. Mr. Haney said no. Ms. Tussey said she received the tax code for landlords from Mr. Elam, Ordinance 25-47. She said she did not know Council had passed it in November, and she is wondering, if someone buys property intended as a rental, how are they being notified they need to fill out the required form. She also asked whether good feedback is being received from existing rental property owners. Mr. Kline said that went through the Income Tax Department and is communicated to those clerks. When a person goes to file their income tax, if they buy rental property, that would need to be included in their return. Ms. Tussey asked whether people who already have rentals are providing that information. Mr. Kline said it is his understanding that the Income Tax Clerks sent that notice to anyone who may have filed a Schedule E. Ms. Tussey also said she remembers Officer Gue from when he started, when there was a neighborhood watch in Green Valley, and said he was dedicated and would come every time they called.

Sherri Cooke, 632 Knife Branch, Glenwood, West Virginia, said she had a follow-up question pertaining to Officer Gue. She asked: if the hiring process goes through Civil Service, which has been a trusted means the City has always used to choose a candidate, why would that process be stopped mid-stream to change a law on residency requirements after scores have already been submitted? She said, in her view, that makes Council appear less transparent, and some may view it as indicating ill intent, given that the proposed change was introduced during an ongoing hiring process. She offered the observation as food for thought.

Reports

None.

Ordinances

• Ordinance No. 26-16 — Requiring the Chief of Police Department and the Chief of Fire Department to be residents of Lawrence County, Scioto County, Jackson County, or Gallia County and declaring an emergency — given first reading.
• Ordinance No. 26-17 — Requiring City Department Heads to provide a list of all major vehicles and equipment to the City Finance Director by November 1st of each calendar year and declaring an emergency — given first reading.
• Ordinance No. 26-18 — Amending Section 1060.02 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Ironton, Ohio — given first reading. Mr. Kline noted that Ordinance No. 26-18 received a favorable recommendation from the Finance Committee.
• Ordinance No. 26-19 — Repealing Chapter 876 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Ironton, Ohio regulating taxicabs and declaring an emergency — given first reading.
• Ordinance No. 26-20 — An Ordinance providing for the issuance of not to exceed $3,000,000 of bonds by the City of Ironton, Ohio, for acquiring and constructing improvements to the wastewater system, and declaring an emergency — given first reading. Mr. Kline noted that Ordinance No. 26-20 received a favorable recommendation from the Finance Committee.
• Ordinance No. 26-21 — Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a professional services contract with Arcadis for design and construct of the Ironton Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements — Digester, Trickling Filter, and Disinfection Project and declaring an emergency — given first reading. Mr. Kline noted that Ordinance No. 26-21 received a favorable recommendation from the Finance Committee.
• Ordinance No. 26-22 — Limiting traffic on South Thirteenth Street between Vine Street and McGovney Avenue to operate only in a northerly direction and prohibiting on-street parking on said street and declaring an emergency — given first reading. Mr. Harvey asked whether a public hearing could be called by the Chair alone or required the majority of Council. Brigham said the Chair. Mr. Harvey requested the Chair call a public hearing at 5:00 p.m. on April 3 regarding South 13th Street, explaining that a resident had contacted him, Nate, and Sam about the narrowness of the street. He noted the street has functioned as an alley but the five houses on it carry 13th Street addresses — hence the legislation — and he would like public input from those five residents. He confirmed it is not a zoning change and there is no legally required public hearing; he is asking for one. Mr. Haney asked if the hearing could be held on April 23 instead. Mr. Harvey confirmed there is no requirement for a specific date. Brigham confirmed that the Chairman or a majority of Council can call such a meeting. Mr. Haney called a public hearing for April 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers regarding Ordinance No. 26-22, Limiting Traffic on South 13th Street.

Resolutions

None.

Miscellaneous

Mr. Kline moved, seconded by Mr. Harvey, to receive, file, and make a part of the minutes the February 2026 financials. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Kline noted that he had forgotten to mention in the Finance Committee meeting that Mr. Elam provided expenses exceeding $25,000 for the month of March, which had been distributed to all members’ desks.

Mr. Haney reported that the City Clean-Up was very well received and appreciated by the residents who spoke with City employees on-site. He noted that on Friday and Saturday approximately 20 dumpsters were removed, and he expressed hope that the effort would continue to reduce trash in the alleys and improve conditions around the community.

Mr. Kline moved, seconded by Mr. Harvey, to go into Executive Session to discuss property and contracts with Council, the Solicitor and Finance Director, with no action to follow. Motion passed unanimously.

Attestation

Minutes were taken by Marta Leach, Clerk. Signed by Marta Leach, Clerk; Chris Haney, Vice Mayor; and Mayor Cramblit.