Full minutes

Members present

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

A regular meeting of Ironton City Council was held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Vice Mayor Chris Haney presided. Seven members were present. All persons stood for the reciting of the Lord’s Prayer and then the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Approval of minutes

The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 9, 2026, the Finance Committee Meeting of April 9, 2026, and the Public Utilities Committee Meeting of April 9, 2026 stood approved as submitted.

Mr. Harvey moved, seconded by Mr. Haney, to deviate from the normal agenda to address Communications, Ordinances, and Resolutions at the start of the meeting due to a scheduling conflict. The agenda was reordered accordingly.

Communications

1. Mr. Haney presented a communication from the Division of Liquor Control regarding a new license for Johnson Property Investments, LLC — After Party Carryout. Discussion followed regarding the location of the property. Mr. Harvey moved, seconded by Mr. Kline, to request no hearing on the Division of Liquor Control communication. Ayes: Haney, Harvey, Hock, Kline, Scott, Simmons — five. Nays: Brown. Motion passed.
2. Mr. Harvey moved, seconded by Mr. Haney, to receive, file and make a part of the minutes the email letters from the Mayor on April 16th regarding veto of Resolution 26-16 and 26-17. Motion passed unanimously.

Reports

None.

Ordinances

1. Ordinance No. 26-29 — Requiring the Mayor 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. Mr. Harvey explained this is the alternate to Ordinance 26-17, replacing Department Heads with the Mayor, in line with the Solicitors’ recommendation to collect the information from the Mayor prior to Budget Workshops. Mr. Harvey moved, seconded by Mr. Scott, to suspend the rules and give Ordinance No. 26-29 second and third reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. Ordinance No. 26-29 was given second and third reading. Mr. Harvey moved, seconded by Mr. Scott, to adopt Ordinance No. 26-29. Motion passed unanimously. ADOPTED.
2. Ordinance No. 26-30 — Amending the Permanent Operating Budget for the City of Ironton, State of Ohio, for the fiscal year ending 2026 and declaring an emergency — given first reading. Mr. Kline noted the Finance Committee provided a favorable recommendation. Mr. Kline moved, seconded by Ms. Simmons, to suspend the rules and give Ordinance No. 26-30 second and third reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. Ordinance No. 26-30 was given second and third reading. Mr. Kline moved, seconded by Ms. Simmons, to adopt Ordinance No. 26-30. Motion passed unanimously. ADOPTED.
3. Ordinance No. 26-09 — An ordinance of the City Council of Ironton, Ohio, to amend the Ironton Zoning Code to Centers and Data Center Accessory Uses — given second reading. Mr. Harvey noted the ordinance received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission and its Public Hearing was completed. He noted that language was removed and a new ordinance was provided to Marta, and that the ordinance must receive three separate readings as amended. The Amended Ordinance No. 26-09 is carried to third reading at the next meeting.
4. Ordinance No. 26-23 — Adjusting Monthly Rates for Waste Water, Water Administrative Fee and Garbage Fee and declaring an emergency — given third reading. Mr. Kline noted that without passing Ordinance No. 26-23, Ordinances 26-20 and 26-21 are not financially possible, and that both are receiving third reading this evening. Mr. Kline moved, seconded by Mr. Harvey, to give Ordinance No. 26-23 third reading by title only. Motion passed unanimously. Ordinance No. 26-23 was given third reading. Mr. Kline moved, seconded by Mr. Harvey, to adopt Ordinance No. 26-23. Ayes: Brown, Harvey, Hock, Kline, Scott, Simmons — six. Nays: Haney — one. ADOPTED.
5. Ordinance No. 26-18 — Amending Section 1060.02 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Ironton, Ohio — given third reading. Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mr. Kline, to adopt Ordinance No. 26-18. Motion passed unanimously. ADOPTED.
6. 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 third reading. Mr. Kline moved, seconded by Mr. Harvey, to adopt Ordinance No. 26-20. Motion passed unanimously. ADOPTED.
7. 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 third reading. Mr. Kline moved, seconded by Mr. Harvey, to adopt Ordinance No. 26-21. Motion passed unanimously. ADOPTED.
8. 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 third reading. Mr. Harvey moved, seconded by Mr. Kline, to adopt Ordinance No. 26-22. Mr. Haney noted that all parties involved had been consulted and reached agreement on the directional arrangement. Motion passed unanimously. ADOPTED.
9. Ordinance No. 26-16 — Veto reconsideration: Mr. Haney moved, seconded by Mr. Harvey, to reconsider Ordinance 26-16 regarding the Fire and Police Chief residency requirement. Brigham Anderson (City Solicitor) clarified that under the City Charter, a motion to reconsider is equivalent to overriding the Mayor’s veto, and requires a two-thirds vote — five of the seven members. Ayes: Haney, Harvey, Kline, Scott — four. Nays: Brown, Hock, Simmons — three. Motion failed. Ordinance 26-16 is not reconsidered.

Resolutions

1. Resolution No. 26-26 — Resolution authorizing participation in the Remnant Defendant Opioid Settlement Agreement — read. Mr. Harvey moved, seconded by Mr. Haney, to pass Resolution No. 26-26. Motion passed unanimously. ADOPTED.
2. Resolution No. 26-27 — A resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for, accept, and enter into a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) agreement on behalf of the City of Ironton for planning, design and/or construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements — Ironton Digestor, Filter & Disinfection Project; and designating a dedicated repayment source for the loan — read. Mr. Harvey moved, seconded by Mr. Kline, to adopt Resolution No. 26-27. Mr. Kline explained this resolution allows the City to submit a nomination to the EPA for the third phase of the sewer project in pursuit of a forgivable loan and funding. Motion passed unanimously. ADOPTED.
3. Resolution No. 26-28 — Requesting the County Auditor to certify the estimated property tax revenue for a renewal recreation levy and declaring an emergency — read. Discussion: Brigham Anderson explained this is the first step, certifying the millage, and that the submission must reach the Board of Elections by August 1. Once received back from the Auditor, a second resolution will be prepared with the goal of having it on the agenda by the end of June. Mr. Harvey noted this is a renewal recreation levy, important for youth basketball, street beautification, park upkeep, and revitalization of 8th Street Park. Mr. Haney added that recreational sports are expected to be revamped and revitalized in the near future, making the levy extremely important. Mr. Harvey moved, seconded by Mr. Haney, to pass Resolution No. 26-28. Motion passed unanimously. ADOPTED.

Audience participation

Mary Ann Tussey, 1507 Karin Street, addressed the Council.

Ms. Tussey asked what the CAO intends to do with the Rice property. Mr. Kline clarified it is the Port Authority — not the CAO — that is looking to purchase the property to facilitate development of new single-family housing. He explained that when sold, deed restrictions would require single-family use, built within a set timeframe and to specified square footage. Ms. Tussey asked why the property could not be sold directly to the public or to neighboring property owners whose lots back up to the parcel. Mr. Kline explained the goal is to increase the availability of single-family housing for new residents who will pay income taxes and utilities, and that selling with deed restrictions protects the development guidelines. Mr. Brown stated the Port Authority would act as developer and sell the homes — not retain ownership or rent them — and that he is not opposed to selling lots to individuals. Mr. Kline acknowledged the desire of Council is to develop the land into single-family homes with deed restrictions protecting how it would be developed, rather than expanding neighboring yards.

Ms. Tussey raised a concern about a house on Charlotte Street owned by the CAO — described as a single-family brick home — where one person with 24-hour home health care currently lives, and noted she had called about the high grass today. Mr. Kline stated the goal for the area is single-family homes with residents who pay taxes and utilities. Brigham Anderson clarified that home health care does not violate the City’s zoning ordinances.

Ms. Tussey asked whether the water meter project had been completed and whether residents’ water bills were being adjusted. The Mayor confirmed the water meter project is complete.

Ms. Tussey expressed concern about multiple fees being increased under recently passed ordinances — referencing Ordinance No. 26-23 and its mention of water and garbage fees, and asking whether a storm water fee on vacant lots was also coming. Mr. Haney clarified that the recreation levy is a renewal and adds no new cost to taxpayers. Mr. Kline clarified that Ordinance No. 26-23 reduces the residential garbage rate and the water administrative fee, and increases only the sewer rate. He explained the sewer plant has not been updated in 40 years; the rate increase funds a phased refurbishment to avoid a $70 million new plant construction, which would cost residents far more. He noted that commercial garbage rates increased while residential rates went down. Regarding storm water, Mr. Kline stated no storm water rate increase has been proposed. The City is studying a change in billing methodology — from water usage to run-off units based on lot size, consistent with how most Ohio communities charge — but no rate increase is under discussion. Ms. Tussey asked about a ditch behind her house related to ODOT run-off. Mr. Kline stated he is not fully informed on her specific situation but has been seeking legal opinions on ODOT’s responsibility for run-off and would like to pursue having ODOT remedy its contributions. Mr. Kline and Mr. Haney expressed agreement with Ms. Tussey’s suggestion that ODOT should be charged rather than residents.

Miscellaneous

1. Mr. Haney moved, seconded by Mr. Hock, to receive, file and make a part of the minutes the March 2026 financials. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Mr. Kline reported that he reached out to the Solicitors for an opinion regarding commercial parking lots in disrepair — potholes, trash, etc. — and requested a Strategic Planning Committee meeting to discuss the matter and possible legislation. He proposed meeting following the CIC meeting at 5:00 p.m. on May 14th. Mr. Hock agreed.
3. Mr. Haney reminded all members to complete their Ohio Ethics Commission paperwork and submit it on time, noting the Commission assesses a penalty of approximately $10 per day for late filings.
4. Mr. Scott recognized Mayor Cramblit, John Kehoe, and Brad Bear Media for their contributions to planning the opening of the City’s time capsule. He noted that Roger Malone posted an update on Facebook expressing appreciation for their ideas and that the community is receiving the effort with considerable positive feedback, with significant excitement building for the summer event.

Executive session

Mr. Kline moved, seconded by Mr. Hock, to enter into executive session to discuss pending litigation, personnel and contracts, with the Mayor, Finance Director, HR Director and Solicitor, with no action to follow.

Attestation

Minutes were taken by Marta Leach, Clerk. Also in attendance: John Elam, Mayor Cramblit, Brigham Anderson. Signed by Marta Leach, Clerk, and Chris Haney, Vice Mayor. Approved by the Mayor.