Fairfield City Council Regular Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Fairfield City Council held a Regular Meeting on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting was preceded by a Council-Manager Briefing at 6:00 PM covering the ADA Transition Plan, Title VI Plan, and the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan. Key actions included the adoption of the Whispering Hill Planned Unit Development, a major contract for police technology with Axon Enterprises, and the appropriation of property for the Pleasant Avenue Road Improvement Project. All roll-call votes passed 6-0.

Special Presentations

• Police Department Oath of Office: Mayor Miller administered the oath of office to four new police officers: Connor Helms, Adam Lawson, Nicholas Beckham, and Samuel Lohrey.
• Hayden & Crue Project: Co-founders Kelsey Hambrick and Nicole Campbell presented their organization, which provides Angel Suites in local hospitals for families experiencing the loss of an infant. Mayor Miller presented them with Keys to the City.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Schultz (5559 Lakeside Drive): Asked about a planned pathway from Lakeside Drive to Marsh Lake. Mayor Miller confirmed the necessary easements exist and the connection is in the city's plans. Mr. Schultz also inquired about canoe rentals at the lake. City Manager Timmer noted that kayak rentals are currently available and that adding canoe rentals is under consideration.

Discussion Items

• Pleasant Avenue Re-Zoning (Public Hearing): A joint public hearing with the Planning Commission was held for the rezoning of the rear portion of 5145 Pleasant Avenue from R3 (multifamily) to D1 (downtown). Planning Manager Erin Lynn explained that the site, owned by the CIC, previously housed a commercial building and two apartment buildings now demolished. The CIC is marketing the site for redevelopment. No public comments were offered. A second reading is pending a recommendation from the Planning Commission.

• Whispering Hill Planned Unit Development (Final Development Plan): The council approved the final development plan for an 18-acre site on South Gilmore Road. Mitchell Development and M/I Homes are building 68 owner-occupied paired villas (34 buildings). The units range from 1,476 to 3,284 square feet, featuring brick and vinyl siding. The plan includes a pond, a 290-foot retaining wall, landscaping with ~260 trees, and a sidewalk connection to South Gilmore Road. A condition of approval was added to consider a rental limitation clause in HOA documents. The ordinance was adopted 6-0.

• Axon Enterprises Contract: Council authorized a 5-year, $2,359,318.66 contract with Axon Enterprises. The agreement provides the police department with tasers, body-worn cameras, fleet cameras, VR training simulators, and a suite of AI software. Funding is provided through the police department's operating budget. The ordinance was adopted 6-0.

• Liquor Permit Simple Motion: Council passed a motion (6-0) not to request a hearing regarding a D-5J liquor permit application for Lockstop Capital LLC, doing business as Wings & Rings, at 5486 Dixie Highway.

• Public Utilities Agreements: Council adopted two resolutions (6-0 each) authorizing the City Manager to execute service agreements with Butler County. The first formalizes retail sewer service for specific parcels on the city's far east side. The second establishes reciprocal retail water service between the City of Fairfield and West Chester Township.

• Pleasant Avenue Road Improvement Project (Property Appropriation): Council debated and ultimately voted 6-0 to adopt an ordinance appropriating property interests for the Pleasant Avenue Road Improvement Project from Hunter Road to Nilles Road.

  • Scott Lepsky (7 Carousel Circle) opposed the design, which reallocates a southbound lane into a center turn lane. He argued this would worsen traffic congestion, that the final plan had not been transparently shared with the public, and requested a dedicated safety study before proceeding with the project.
  • Public Works Director Ben Mann stated the center turn lane is intended to provide a safe refuge for left-turning vehicles and that the design was stamped by ODOT-approved engineers. Law Director Walterman clarified the ordinance was needed to meet a September 1st property acquisition deadline and did not represent a final approval of the overall project design.
  • Councilmember Kraft noted the design aims to prevent rear-end collisions caused by vehicles passing stopped cars attempting to turn left.

• Finance & Budget Items:

  • An ordinance updating Municipal Court employee staffing was adopted (6-0), correcting a prior mistake by converting a Bailiff position into a third Deputy Bailiff position due to difficulty hiring part-time candidates.
  • A non-contractual appropriation ordinance was adopted (6-0) for a total of $186,253, funding ESRI software training ($23,000), wastewater engineering services ($47,535), a sewage pump replacement ($63,600), a generator transfer switch ($9,058), and fleet management software ($43,060).

Council Reports

• Councilmember Pennington reported that Precision Safe Sidewalks work is beginning, and the roundabout at Ross Road and Woodridge Boulevard is scheduled to open on August 21.
• Councilmember Kraft reported a paved trail was added at Oakwood Park. Village Green hosted a record attendance of 5,800 people for the Who's Bad concert, along with other successful events.
• Councilmember Meyers announced the commissioning ceremony for the new solar array at the wastewater treatment plant is scheduled for August 27 at 5:30 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All legislative items requiring a roll-call vote were approved unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinances Adopted: 90-26 (Whispering Hill PUD), 91-26 (Axon Contract), 92-26 (Pleasant Ave Appropriation), 93-26 (Court Staffing), 94-26 (Non-Contractual Appropriations).
• Resolutions Adopted: 12-26 (Sewer Agreement), 13-26 (Water Agreement).
• Simple Motion: 24-26 (Liquor Permit - no hearing requested).
• Executive Session: Council recessed to executive session at 8:05 PM to discuss confidential matters concerning economic development, pending or imminent litigation, and property purchases. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.
• Next Scheduled Meetings: September 14, September 28, and October 13, 2026.