Fairfield City Council Regular Meeting - March 23, 2026

The Fairfield City Council held its regular meeting on March 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM, following a Council-Manager Briefing at 6:00 PM. The meeting included special presentations from community organizations, council reports, and the unanimous approval of numerous ordinances and resolutions. Councilmember Gwen Brill was excused. All votes on new business were 6-0.

Special Presentations

• Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities: Jenny Mann and Lindsay Riley presented on the agency's services, supporting over 4,300 individuals from birth to end of life. The board is in fiscal emergency, with 97.5% of revenue consumed by waiver obligations in 2026. A new 2-mill continuing levy will appear on the May 2026 ballot, expected to generate $26,447,060 annually to sustain current services. The last levy passed in 2004.
• Fairfield Optimist Club & Mid-American Soccer Classic: John Harmon announced the 40th annual MASC tournament scheduled for April 10-12, 2026, with 440 teams (8,000 players) from seven states, using 54 fields. Estimated direct economic impact is $2.3 million, with total impact of $3.5 million. The Optimist Club also hosts a fishing and field day for special education students on April 28.
• Fairfield Prevention Coalition – Safe Prom Proclamation: Student officers described campaigns including stickers, silhouettes, letters on lockers, and tulip planting to promote a drug- and alcohol-free prom season. Mayor Miller presented a proclamation. Council noted that $350,000 from opioid settlements was endowed with the Fairfield Community Foundation to fund prevention grants perpetually (estimated $14,000–$18,000 available annually).

Council Reports

• Councilmember Pennington announced the curbside brush program starts in April; residents should check the website for pickup schedules. Brush dumpsters are available year-round.
• Councilmember Kraft announced Marsh Park Bait House season begins Friday, March 25, open 8 AM–5 PM daily. The Groovin' on the Green lineup will be announced Wednesday on Facebook.

New Business – Unanimous Approvals (6-0)

All items were approved after suspending second and third readings where applicable.

• Approval of Minutes: March 7, 2026 Special Meeting and March 9, 2026 Regular Meeting.
• Charter Review Commission Nominations (Simple Motion 11-26): Edward Kammerer (1st Ward), Edward Swain (2nd Ward), Teresa Durbin (3rd Ward), Lori Brown (4th Ward), Terry White (At-Large), Ron Snell (At-Large), Don Moser (At-Large).
• 2026 Boards and Commissions Appointments (Simple Motion 12-26): Effective April 1, 2026 – Larry Bagford (BOZA), John Kinkade (Civil Service), Doug Meece (Parks & Rec), Dona Canaan (Sustainability), Lauren Duncan (Sustainability), Daniel Vitale (Cultural Arts), Kathryn Green-Meyers (Environmental), Marie Wiegand (Environmental).
• Development Services:
  • Ordinance 30-26: Authorized City Manager to sign Ohio Division of Liquor Control Economic Development Transfer (TREX) form for a liquor license transfer to Multinicks Inc. (doing business as Minnick's Drive Thru) at 5000 River Road.
  • Ordinance (First Reading): Amended zoning map for 2.5 acres at 6640 and 6660 Dixie Highway from M2 (General Industrial) to C3A (General Business District). Joint public hearing set for April 13, 2026.
• Parks & Recreation – Ordinance 31-26: Authorized contract with Century Equipment for golf maintenance equipment (fairway mower, cab, reels) for South and North Trace; funded under CIP 6RC04.
• Public Safety:
  • Simple Motion 13-26: Not to request a hearing regarding a liquor permit application for QuikTrip Corp, Store 7091, at 7330 Dixie Highway (Class C1 & C2).
  • Ordinance 32-26: Authorized contract with Vance's Law Enforcement for 85 new Glock Gen 6 firearms, holographic sights, weapon-mounted flashlights, and holsters.
  • Resolution 6-26: Authorized participation in a $97,625,000 nationwide opioid settlement with six Remnant Defendants per February 23, 2026 agreement.
  • Announcement: Interim Fire Chief Chad Cooper appointed after retirement of Chief Lakeham.
• Public Utilities:
  • Ordinance 33-26: Authorized contract with Bain Enterprises (sole source) for a new valve maintenance trailer for the Water Division, replacing a 16-year-old unit.
  • Ordinance 34-26: Authorized contract with Bayer Becker for engineering services for Lake Manor Sewage Lift Station replacement (1970s era station), including design for new wet well, pump station, and controls.
• Public Works:
  • Ordinance 35-26: Authorized contract with JW Brennan for emergency drainage repair of Pleasant Run Creek wall (undermined sections; sinkhole already formed).
  • Ordinance 36-26: Authorized contract with Southeastern Equipment Co. for a 2026 Case 590 Super N 4WD Backhoe, replacing Unit #200 (2002 model); trade-in accepted.
• Finance & Budget:
  • Ordinance 37-26: Authorized contract with Mobilcomm for Avigilon video surveillance system upgrade (centralized storage, perpetual camera licensing, professional installation).
  • Ordinance 38-26: Established salary and hourly rates for city employees per CBAs: FOP patrol and supervisors receive a 2.5% base wage increase plus a 2% lump sum; IAFF members receive a 3% base wage increase, effective April 1, 2026. Repealed Ordinance 9-26.
  • Ordinance 39-26: Supplemental appropriations for transfers from General Fund, Water, and Sewer funds; additional funds for outsourced plan review in Building Division due to vacant superintendent position.
  • Ordinance 40-26: Contractual appropriations totaling $857,083 for seven projects: Firearms Upgrade ($94,944), Video Surveillance System ($155,000), Emergency Drainage Repair ($100,000), Backhoe Purchase ($170,328), Golf Maintenance Equipment ($119,111), Valve Maintenance Trailer ($125,000), Lake Manor Lift Station Engineering ($92,700).
  • Ordinance 41-26: Non-contractual appropriations totaling $597,710 for 15 projects: including $50,000 additional for Pleasant Run Creek wall repair, $40,000 for sidewalk trip hazard repair, $20,000 for CCTV cameras, $8,000 for street light installation, $90,000 park site amenities, $20,000 playground equipment, $20,450 water division valve, $62,000 for 250 trees (Sustainability Unit), $85,260 municipal/annex emergency repairs, $40,000 Ventrac sidewalk tractor, $8,100 sludge realignment, $80,000 ballistic panels (Police), $47,000 aquatic center repairs, $8,900 utility cart at Marsh Park, $18,000 Huffman Park garden refresh.

Key Outcomes

• All 11 ordinances, 1 resolution, and 2 simple motions were approved unanimously (6-0). No public testimony was received.
• A joint public hearing for the zoning map amendment was scheduled for April 13, 2026.
• The next council meetings are set for April 13, April 27, and May 11, 2026 (briefing at 6:00 PM, regular meeting at 7:00 PM). The council recessed to executive session at 8:04 PM and adjourned at 8:45 PM.