Fairfield City Council Regular Meeting - June 8, 2026

The Fairfield City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM at 5350 Pleasant Avenue, Fairfield, OH. The meeting lasted approximately 29 minutes, adjourning at 7:29 PM. All council members were present except for Councilmember Gwen Brill (At-Large), who was excused by unanimous vote (6-0). All votes during the meeting passed 6-0. Key actions included approval of the 2027 tax budget, a $375,000 grant to the Community Improvement Corporation, and authorization to apply for a FEMA grant for firefighter PPE.

Special Presentations

• Mayor's Youth Commission Year-End Presentation: Members Sarah (Secretary), Myra Marez (Vice President), Layla (Treasurer), and Jocelyn Moore (President) presented a review of the 2025–2026 year. Highlights included attending the National League of Cities Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, where participants engaged in leadership workshops and met youth from other cities. They also reported on an HR department project aimed at attracting younger employees to the city. The outgoing seniors were thanked, and plans for the upcoming year—including the Nashville conference—were discussed.
• Brenda Davenport, Community Crafters Crafting Community: Davenport invited council and staff to participate in the "Reading with Friends" events, where community leaders read stories to children. The group uses donated craft materials; donations from craft sales support local food banks (Free Store Food Bank, Shared Harvest Food Bank, and Appalachian Ministries). Davenport expressed a goal of obtaining a permanent building. Mayor Miller and several council members volunteered to read at the next event on July 20.

Council Reports

• Councilmember Besl: Reported that an income tax study report was distributed to council; a briefing is scheduled for the July Council-Manager briefing.
• Councilmember Pennington: Announced a public open house on Tuesday, June 9, from 5–7 PM at the Community Arts Center to discuss plans for the River/Groh/Chateau roundabout and a multi-use path connecting Groh Lane and Wessel Drive.
• Councilmember Kraft: Reported on recent and upcoming community events: Taylor Swift tribute concert attendance ~1,600; Peter Frampton tribute ~1,000; weekly Yoga on the Green (Tuesdays, no goats) and Dancing on the Green (Wednesdays); art gallery opening June 5; Fairfield Fest on June 27 with a drone show at 10 PM; Movie in the Park (Hamilton) on July 1 at Village Green; and Red, White and Kaboom on July 3 at Harbin Park. Goat Yoga was canceled due to weather.
• Councilmember Meyers: Announced that a restoration company has been hired to renovate about 20% of the city's fire hydrants (blasting, priming, painting). Hydrants will remain in service during restoration. He also questioned whether the roundabout open house could be broadcast via Facebook Live; staff will consider the option after the meeting.

Public Hearing

• 2027 Tax Budget Hearing: Opened at 7:20 PM and closed at 7:21 PM with no comments or questions. The tax budget estimates revenues and expenditures for funds deriving from property taxes (General Fund and Fire/Paramedic Levy Fund) and must be submitted to the Butler County Auditor by July 15.

Approval of Minutes

• The regular meeting minutes of May 26, 2026 were approved as written and submitted.

Old Business

• Public Works – Emerald Lake Section 4 (High Point Court): Ordinance accepting public improvements and releasing the maintenance and performance bonds (Ordinance No. 70-26). Third reading; motion to adopt carried 6-0.

New Business

All new business items were read by title only, with motions to suspend second and third readings and motions to adopt. All passed 6-0.

1. Community & Public Relations – Environmental Commission Membership: Ordinance to amend Section 170.01 to eliminate the requirement for a minimum number of members (previously 9), while retaining a maximum of 12 members. (Ordinance No. 71-26)
2. Development Services – Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) Grant: Ordinance affirming the CIC of Fairfield as the city's development agency and authorizing a $375,000 grant from the Transformative Economic Development (TED) Fund and Downtown Development Fund for project implementation within targeted areas (Route 4 corridor, Town Center). (Ordinance No. 72-26)
3. Public Safety – Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG): Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to apply for a FEMA grant to purchase 71 additional sets of firefighter turnout gear. Total project estimated at ~$300,000; FEMA would fund 90% and the city 10%. The gear addresses increased cancer risk from carcinogen exposure. (Ordinance No. 73-26)
4. Finance & Budget: a. Resolution adopting the 2027 tax budget of the City of Fairfield and submitting it to the Butler County Auditor, declaring an emergency. (Resolution No. 10-26) b. Ordinance amending 2026 appropriations for contractual appropriations of $375,000 ($375,000 for CIC Grant). (Ordinance No. 74-26) c. Ordinance amending 2026 appropriations for non-contractual appropriations of $120,966, covering four items: Firebird Drive Metroparks Trailhead Parking Lot ($10,000), Water Division Raw Water Well #7 Pump Rebuild ($36,171), Purchase of SCBA compressor for Fire ($67,100), and Parks CAC Replacement Copier ($7,695). (Ordinance No. 75-26)

Meeting Schedule

The next meetings will be on Monday, July 13 (Council-Manager Briefing at 6:00 PM, Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM), Monday, August 10, and Monday, September 14, 2026.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM by unanimous consent.