Fairfield City Council Regular Meeting - April 27, 2026

The Fairfield City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM at 5350 Pleasant Avenue, Fairfield, Ohio. Mayor Steve Miller presided. Councilmember Matt Davidson was excused (6-0 vote). The meeting opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Dale Paullus, followed by special presentations, citizen comments, council reports, Old Business, and New Business. A Council-Manager Briefing on the Urban Forestry Action Plan by Miami University students took place earlier at 6:00 PM.

Special Presentations

• Proclamation – Childcare Provider Appreciation Day: Mayor Miller proclaimed Friday, May 8, 2026, as Childcare Provider Appreciation Day in Fairfield.
• Proclamation – Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive: Mayor Miller proclaimed Saturday, May 9, 2026, as Letter Carriers Food Drive Day. Retired USPS employee Barbara Sheyer noted it is the nation's largest one-day food drive. KT Sills from Shared Harvest Food Bank expressed excitement for the donations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vivian Paul (5367 Lakeside Drive, Environmental Commission member) expressed support for the Marsh Park development, stating that developing 5% of the 150-acre park is not commercialization but rather a focus on community. She commended the city for transparency and open meetings, with over 800 people attending previous meetings.
• Kim Braunig (5834 Leslie Drive) requested a delay on further voting and actions related to Marsh Park's tap room, brewery, and commercial lease components, to allow for organized, mutual decision-making. She expressed concern that the city shifted from a "focus on nature" to commercial development and asked for compromises.
• Sherry Sparks (5093 Southview Drive) thanked Council for their service and listening. She stated she is a longtime friend of the Marsh family and noted that Thomas Marsh was a naturalist. She felt surveys don't always capture all viewpoints and asked for a compromise, a smaller footprint, and more discussion to honor the marsh's natural legacy.
• Dona Canaan (5073 West Scioto Drive) thanked Council for moving the conversation forward on the community compost drop-off project and expressed excitement about partnering with the city.

Discussion Items

• Marsh Park Improvements Project (Old Business): Councilmember Adam Kraft presented the second reading of an ordinance authorizing a professional services contract with Prus Construction Co. for construction manager-at-risk (CMR) services for the Marsh Park Improvements Project, which includes trails, parking, fishing piers, a boat launch, kayak launch, public restrooms, concessions, and a commercial lease space. Councilmember Tim Meyers proposed creating a temporary ad hoc committee (8 members: one per ward, one from at-large, and one appointed by the City Manager) to review architectural designs during the 30%, 60%, and 90% design stages. The committee would serve in an advisory capacity, with final authority remaining with Council. The motion to implement the ad hoc committee passed 6-0. The ordinance itself remains on second reading, with a final vote expected in two weeks.
• Fairfield Helping Neighbors Fund Grant (New Business – First Reading): Ordinance to authorize a $100,000 grant to the Fairfield Helping Neighbors Fund at the Fairfield Community Foundation to assist residents with exterior home repairs. The pilot program has already helped 11 homes, leveraging $4 in external investment for every $1 invested. First reading held.
• Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) Grant (New Business – First Reading): Ordinance to affirm the CIC as the city's development agency and authorize a $100,000 grant for a pilot Commercial Revitalization Grant Program. First reading held.
• Temporary Moratorium on Motor Vehicle Fueling/Charging Facilities (New Business): Resolution imposing a 365-day moratorium on permits for gas stations and charging facilities to allow the city to study trends, environmental impacts, and propose updated regulations. Councilmember Meyers noted there are 106 gas pumps on Route 4 between Bypass 4 and Crescentville. Resolution adopted 6-0.
• Liquor Permit Objection for Cobblestone Tavern (New Business): Resolution objecting to the renewal of the liquor permit for JS Sizemore, LLC dba Cobblestone Tavern due to an unfavorable enforcement record and disruption to the neighborhood. Resolution adopted 6-0.
• Collective Bargaining Agreement (AFSCME) (New Business): Ordinance authorizing a three-year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Ohio Council #8, Local 3646, effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029. Adopted 6-0 (Ordinance No. 50-26).
• Salary and Wage Ordinance (New Business): Ordinance establishing salaries and hourly rates for city employees, including a 3% base wage increase each April 1 from 2026 to 2028, and market adjustments for dispatchers ($1.30), mechanics ($3.00), and maintenance worker laborers ($0.50). Adopted 6-0 (Ordinance No. 51-26).
• Supplemental Appropriations (New Business): Ordinance amending the 2026 appropriations to provide $285,000 from the unappropriated special assessment fund for refunding monies related to the former Forest Fair Mall parking garage debt. Adopted 6-0.
• Contractual Appropriations (New Business): Ordinance amending the 2026 appropriations for $200,000 in contractual appropriations ($100,000 for CIC designation/grant and $100,000 for Fairfield Helping Neighbors grant). Adopted 6-0 (Ordinance No. 53-26).
• Non-Contractual Appropriations (New Business): Ordinance amending the 2026 appropriations for $361,030 in non-contractual items, including: $36,000 for wireless integrated headsets (Fire), $37,750 for energy efficiency studies (Sustainability), $50,000 for a Police staff vehicle #7033, $10,780 for water well #7 inspection, $11,000 for Aquatic Center repairs, $18,500 for a composting shelter (Sustainability), $75,000 for a Police truck #7032, $85,000 for Public Works building repairs, and $37,000 for medication vaults and key-secure devices (Fire). Adopted 6-0 (Ordinance No. 54-26).

Key Outcomes

• Marsh Park Improvement Project: The second reading of the CMR contract ordinance was presented; final vote scheduled for May 11, 2026. A temporary ad hoc committee was established to review designs.
• Zoning Map Amendment: Removed from agenda (applicant withdrew).
• Summer Meeting Schedule: Approved (Simple Motion 16-26) – meetings on the second Monday only in June, July, and August 2026.
• Building Permit Fee Waiver: Ordinance No. 49-26 adopted (6-0), authorizing the Building Superintendent to waive building permit fees for projects under the Helping Neighbors and Commercial Revitalization Grant programs.
• Motor Vehicle Fueling/Charging Moratorium: Resolution No. 7-26 adopted (6-0), imposing a 365-day moratorium on new permits.
• Cobblestone Tavern Liquor Permit Objection: Resolution No. 8-26 adopted (6-0), objecting to renewal.
• AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement: Ordinance No. 50-26 adopted (6-0), effective April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2029.
• Employee Salaries and Wage Rates: Ordinance No. 51-26 adopted (6-0), with a 3% annual base increase and market adjustments.
• Supplemental Appropriations (Parking Garage Debt): Appropriation approved (6-0) for $285,000.
• Contractual Appropriations (CIC & Helping Neighbors): Ordinance No. 53-26 adopted (6-0) for $200,000.
• Non-Contractual Appropriations (Various Departments): Ordinance No. 54-26 adopted (6-0) for $361,030.

All votes were unanimous (6-0) unless noted.