Fairfield City Council Regular Meeting - May 11, 2026

The City of Fairfield City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM at 5350 Pleasant Avenue. Mayor Steve Miller presided. All councilmembers except Gwen Brill (excused) were present. The meeting included special presentations, public comment, council reports, and votes on several ordinances and motions, all passed 6-0. Council recessed to executive session at 7:37 PM and adjourned at 7:58 PM.

Special Presentations

• America250 Gift to Fairfield: Mayor Miller and Councilmember Tim Meyers presented a handcrafted commemorative flag to the City in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States. The flag is dedicated to the city's commitment to public service and community.

• Mayor's Youth Commission – Human Resources Presentation: Members of the Youth Commission presented findings from a project on recruiting recent graduates to city government. Key highlights: Fairfield has 319 full‑time and 123 part‑time employees. A survey of 400 Fairfield High School students at Careerfest 2026 found that 55.1% had never considered government employment. Of 343 respondents, 57.4% search for jobs on social media and 44.9% consider salary most important. The Commission recommended increasing social media presence, improving job listings with buzzwords, and more outreach to high schools and trade schools. Mayor Rhodus commended the students.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marc Conter (5772 Gray Road) submitted written comments (distributed after the meeting) raising multiple concerns about the Marsh Park Improvements Project. He questioned environmental compliance with clean water restrictions, the $12 million cost without a clear return on investment, the sample size of community engagement (832 survey respondents vs. city population), and whether opposition to a restaurant was tracked separately from support for other park improvements. He also questioned the lack of a feasibility study for the commercial component, the use of an emergency measure for the Prus contract, the selection process for the Ad Hoc Committee, and the potential for taxpayer-subsidized operational deficits. Conter provided a set of "Marsh Park Design Considerations" advocating for a community-scaled design subordinate to the natural landscape.

Council Reports

• Councilmember Tim Meyers reported that the solar field is progressing well and is expected to be online in July.
• Councilmember Adam Kraft announced the Memorial Day Parade on May 25 at 10:00 AM, the first summer farmers market on May 13 at the Community Arts Center, the aquatic center opening on May 23 at noon, and the Harbin Park splash pad opening on May 22.
• Councilmember Debbie Pennington announced the Ross/Woodridge intersection closure for roundabout construction beginning after school ends.

Discussion Items

• Approval of Minutes: The regular meeting minutes of April 27, 2026, were approved as written.

• Old Business – Development Services (Councilmember Gwen Brill, presented by Tim Meyers):

  • Ordinance (2nd Reading) to authorize a $100,000 grant to the Fairfield Helping Neighbors Fund at the Fairfield Community Foundation for exterior home repairs for residents unable to physically or financially complete them. Held for second reading.
  • Ordinance (2nd Reading) to affirm the Community Improvement Corporation of Fairfield as the city's development agency and authorize a $100,000 grant to the CIC for public purposes. Held for second reading.

• Old Business – Parks & Recreation (Councilmember Adam Kraft):

  • Ordinance (3rd Reading, emergency) to authorize a professional services contract with Prus Construction Co. for Construction Manager‑at‑Risk (CMR) services for the Marsh Park Improvements Project. Estimated total project cost: $12 million. Councilmember Meyers noted the project was scaled from 30 acres/$30 million to 5 acres/$12 million based on community input. City Manager Scott Timmer read prepared responses to correspondence addressing conflicts of interest (none identified), environmental protections (all site restrictions incorporated), no eminent domain actions, and that the flexible‑use building is only one component. Councilmember Kraft detailed the extensive community engagement process including an online survey (832 respondents, ~83% city residents) and multiple public meetings. He noted that 166 respondents supported a restaurant and ~150 supported a taproom. Motion to adopt carried 6‑0 (Ordinance No. 55‑26).

• New Business – Community & Public Relations (Councilmember Matt Davidson):

  • Simple motion to approve the Marsh Park Ad Hoc Committee nominations: Scott Willis (Ward 1), Sheri Sparks (Ward 2), Zach Ketring (Ward 3), Tim Jung (Ward 4), Jeremy Hatfield (At‑Large), Justin Janszen (At‑Large), Kevin Clark (At‑Large), and Nathan Gibbs (by City Manager). Carried 6‑0 (Simple Motion No. 17‑26).

• New Business – Parks & Recreation (Councilmember Adam Kraft):

  • Ordinance (1st Reading, emergency) to authorize the purchase of Flex Lighting Equipment from Cincy Entertainment Services for use at Parks and Recreation events. The equipment is proprietary and compatible with existing Village Green infrastructure. Motion to suspend second and third readings carried 6‑0; motion to adopt carried 6‑0 (Ordinance No. 56‑26).

• New Business – Public Safety (Councilmember Dale Paullus):

  • Five separate simple motions not to request a hearing regarding liquor permit applications for the following establishments:
    1. Chavez Marin Restaurants (Las Cazuelitas Taqueria), 4600 Dixie Hwy, Suite B (Class D1)
    2. Oaxaquena Mexican Restaurant, 6116 Winton Road (Class D1 & D3)
    3. Everyday Stop LLC, 3152 Lighthouse Dr, Suite C1 (Class C2)
    4. Multinicks Inc., 5000 River Road (Class C1 & C2)
    5. Jay Madhusudan Investment LLC, 4613 Dixie Highway (Class D1 & D2) All five motions carried 6‑0 (Simple Motions Nos. 18‑26 through 22‑26).

• New Business – Public Works (Councilmember Debbie Pennington):

  • Ordinance (1st Reading) to accept public improvements and release maintenance/performance bonds for Emerald Lakes Section 4 (High Point Court). Held for first reading.
  • Ordinance (emergency) to authorize a contract with Atlantic Emergency Solutions Inc. for a Horton Ambulance (replacing a 2016 unit) and a Stryker Power Pro 2 custom cot, purchased under State of Ohio contract. Motion to suspend second and third readings carried 6‑0; motion to adopt carried 6‑0 (Ordinance No. 57‑26).
  • Ordinance (emergency) to authorize a contract with FYDA Freightliner Cincinnati for a Freightliner 108SD single‑axle truck cab/chassis for the Street Division (replacing a 2006 snowplow truck), purchased under ODOT contract. Motion to suspend second and third readings carried 6‑0; motion to adopt carried 6‑0 (Ordinance No. 58‑26).

• New Business – Finance & Budget (Councilmember Leslie Besl):

  • Ordinance (1st Reading, emergency) to amend Ordinance No. 148‑25 (2026 appropriations) for contractual appropriations totaling $823,791: $145,000 for Village Green lighting system, $133,000 for snowplow truck, and $545,791 for Horton ambulance. Motion to suspend second and third readings carried 6‑0; motion to adopt carried 6‑0 (Ordinance No. 59‑26).
  • Ordinance (1st Reading, emergency) to amend Ordinance No. 148‑25 for non‑contractual appropriations totaling $130,108: $7,168 for Golf Course Upgrades (Parks & Rec), $71,000 for Firehouse Repairs (Public Works), and $51,940 for Public Works Repairs and Upgrades. Motion to suspend second and third readings carried 6‑0; motion to adopt carried 6‑0 (Ordinance No. 60‑26).

Key Outcomes

• All 14 votes taken during the business meeting passed unanimously (6‑0).
• The Marsh Park Improvements Project CMR contract (Prus Construction) was approved, moving the $12 million project forward.
• Five liquor permit applications (Las Cazuelitas Taqueria, Oaxaquena Mexican Restaurant, Everyday Stop, Multinicks Inc., Jay Madhusudan Investment) were allowed to proceed without a city hearing.
• Emergency purchases were authorized: a Horton ambulance ($545,791), a Freightliner snowplow truck ($133,000), and Flex Lighting equipment ($145,000), partially funded through contractual appropriations.
• The 2026 appropriations were increased by $953,899 ($823,791 contractual + $130,108 non‑contractual).
• The Marsh Park Ad Hoc Committee was appointed with eight members.
• Council recessed to executive session at 7:37 PM to discuss collective bargaining and pending litigation; the regular meeting adjourned at 7:58 PM.