DUBLIN, Ohio — Dublin City Council on Tuesday introduced a series of ordinances aimed at curbing noise pollution, including a proposed ban on engine braking, and took initial steps toward acquiring land for a major infrastructure project in the city’s Northern Historic District.

The council also unanimously approved a $367,679.94 contract for a pedestrian hybrid beacon at the intersection of Highland Croy and Tellymore, a measure designed to improve safety at a busy crosswalk.

The meeting, held Jan. 20, saw council members introduce three sets of ordinances on first reading. The first addresses amendments to the city’s noise code, including new decibel thresholds for motor vehicle noise and a section that would prohibit engine braking — the use of a vehicle’s engine to slow down, often associated with loud, rumbling sounds from large trucks.

The other two sets of ordinances involve the acquisition of temporary and permanent easements from multiple property owners for roadway improvements in the Northern Historic District. For properties where negotiations have not reached an agreement, the council introduced ordinances to initiate appropriation proceedings. All three items are scheduled for a second reading and public hearing on Feb. 9.

In a discussion-only item, council members reviewed draft code revisions for micro-mobility devices such as e-bikes and scooters. The proposed regulations include a ban on miniature motorcycles. While council members were divided on the issue of requiring helmets for riders, the consensus leaned against a mandate. Staff was directed to return with proposed ordinances for formal adoption.

Public comment brought two contentious issues to the floor. A resident urged the council to pass a resolution affirming Dublin as a “welcoming city,” citing increased activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in central Ohio. Another resident criticized the Planning and Zoning Commission’s process for approving development plans, saying residents lack a meaningful avenue for appeal.

Council also received an update on the Sports Ohio facility, which reported a net income of more than $262,000 under new management. The facility’s new general manager was introduced.

Two other topics — wood lot maintenance grants and a Greenway corridor pilot program — were referred to committees for further study.

The meeting adjourned after council members reported on community events, including a Martin Luther King Jr. Day supper and a visit by the mayor to a high-speed rail project in Nevada.