London Council Approves 245-Home Development, Expands Parking Near Pickleball Courts

LONDON, Ohio — The London City Council on May 21 unanimously approved adding 245 homes to the London Gateway Community Authority, a self-help financing district that will require new residents to pay for infrastructure costs while providing 20% of collected funds to city safety forces.

The council voted 7-0 to adopt Resolution 133-26, adding parcels for the Madison Reserve Project to the New Community Authority district. The action followed a public hearing where developer representative Mr. Gross described the mechanism as a way to ensure incoming residents help fund the infrastructure demands they create.

“This is a self-help mechanism to make sure that the residents that come into this new development are helping to pay for the infrastructure that they bring on to the city,” Gross told council.

In a separate unanimous vote, council authorized bids for a parking lot expansion at Park Avenue near the city’s pickleball courts. Resolution 136-26 allows spending up to $225,000 to resurface and expand the lot by 55 spaces. Council suspended the three-reading rule to adopt the measure immediately.

The most contentious debate of the evening centered on Resolution 132-26, which revised job descriptions for street department positions. Councilman Boyd proposed an amendment to strike the street superintendent from the changes, arguing that removing prerequisites for a commercial driver’s license and herbicide applicator license would lower standards and reduce council oversight.

“It removes council oversight,” Boyd said during debate.

The amendment failed 1-6, with Boyd the sole supporter. The original resolution then passed 6-1, with Boyd again opposed.

Council also unanimously adopted Resolution 129-26, increasing the blanket purchase order limit to $50,000, a recommendation from the 2024 audit. Resolution 134-26, authorizing advertising for qualifications for advisors to manage multiple tax districts, also passed unanimously.

Council introduced Ordinance 140-26, which would place a natural gas aggregation program on the November ballot, allowing residents to opt into a bundled rate. The measure was left on second reading, with a public hearing scheduled for July 2.

During committee reports, council members discussed dust mitigation issues, with Boyd noting EPA jurisdictional challenges. Councilwoman Jackman raised concerns about low mileage on a 2008 dump truck being sold and said she would follow up with the street department.

The meeting opened with the acting president presiding, as Council President Peters attended a senior parade for his daughter. Council members offered congratulations to graduating seniors and eighth graders, and reminded residents of the Lions Club summer bash scheduled for June 6 at Cowling Park.

Councilman Hayes announced that a presentation on ward redistricting is expected in the near future, noting that current ward sizes are “illegal to say the least” due to population disparities.

Key moments

Contentious

Amendment to strike street superintendent from job description changes

Councilman Boyd moved to strike the street department superintendent from all changes in ordinance 13226, arguing it removes council's power and lowers standards.

Public interest

Public comment on dump truck mileage

Raymond Anthony questioned why a 2008 dump truck with only 35,649 miles is being sold, noting it averages 1,890 miles per year.

Significant

Sanitation bid opening results

Councilman Hayes reported only one bid received for sanitation services, from Rumkey at $20.75/month per residential user, expressing surprise at lack of other bids.

Significant

Natural gas aggregation program introduction

Councilwoman Trainer introduced a resolution to place natural gas aggregation on the November ballot, noting gas bills doubled last winter and the program could lower rates.

Significant

Ward redistricting announcement

Acting council president announced a future presentation by Mr. Campana on redistricting wards, noting current wards are 'illegal' due to population disparities.

Full analysis

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Meeting Analysis

City of London City Council — 2026-05-21

Meeting Information

Title: London City Council meeting

Parish: City of London City Council

Date: 2026-05-21

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 1818

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Public Hearing - Resolution 133-26: Adding property to London Gateway Community Authority	Public hearing held to add parcels (Madison Reserve Project, 245 houses) to the London Gateway Community Authority, a self-help mechanism for infrastructure funding.	Motion to exit public hearing and return to regular meeting; resolution adopted later in meeting.	Unanimous roll call to exit public hearing.
Resolution 129-26: Blanket purchase order amount limit	Amends resolution 179-25 to increase blanket purchase order limit to $50,000, a recommendation from the 2024 audit.	Adopted on third reading.	Unanimous roll call (7-0).
Resolution 132-26: Revising job descriptions	Updates job descriptions for street department positions; debate over removing CDL and herbicide applicator license prerequisites for superintendent.	Amendment to strike superintendent from changes failed; original resolution adopted.	Amendment failed 1-6; resolution adopted 6-1 (Boyd opposed).
Resolution 133-26: Adding property to London Gateway Community Authority	Adds parcels for Madison Reserve Project (245 houses) to the NCA district, allowing infrastructure costs to be covered by new residents and providing 20% of funds to city safety forces.	Adopted on third reading.	Unanimous roll call (7-0).
Resolution 134-26: RFQ for NCA and TIF advisors	Authorizes advertising for qualifications for advisors to manage multiple tax districts; costs paid from TIF funds or developer contributions.	Adopted on third reading.	Unanimous roll call (7-0).
Resolution 136-26: Parking lot expansion at Park Avenue	Authorizes bids for resurfacing and expanding parking lot near pickleball courts, adding 55 spots, with a not-to-exceed amount of $225,000.	Suspended three-reading rule and adopted.	Unanimous roll call (7-0).
Ordinance 140-26: Natural gas aggregation program	Proposes placing a natural gas aggregation program on the November ballot to allow residents to opt into a bundled rate; requires public hearing.	Left on for second reading; public hearing scheduled for July 2nd.	No action taken.

April gross revenue: $1,716,728.17; expenses: $1,595,481.61.
Year-to-date gross revenue: $8,173,842.70; expenses: $10,200,293.36 (mostly due to police building bond expenditures).
Police compensation running high due to short staffing and overtime.
Tax department general and fire funds down ~15% in April (market reset from March increases).
Sanitation bid opening: single bid from Rumkey at $20.75/month per residential user.

Clarity on job description differences between street maintenance worker 1 and 2.
Funding source for NCA/TIF advisors and whether costs come from developer contributions.
Low mileage on surplus dump truck raises questions about need for replacement.
Residency requirements for certain city positions and impact on hiring.

Debate over removing CDL and herbicide applicator license prerequisites for street superintendent position; councilman Boyd argued it lowers standards and removes council oversight.
Concerns about low mileage (35,649) on 2008 dump truck being sold; councilwoman Jackman to follow up with street department.
Dust mitigation issues raised by councilman Boyd; EPA jurisdictional challenges noted.

Fire/EMS

Training: PHTLS refresher, hose movement, new part-time orientation.
Community events: Fair Haven Touch a Truck, Mother's Day event, life career fair, station tours, volleyball match.
Statistics: 2,016 runs year-to-date (7.7/day), up slightly from last year.

Police

Community engagement: STEAM event, Fair Haven Touch a Truck, volleyball match, life career fair, senior fair.
Recruitment: Applications closed; background investigations to begin after Civil Service Commission approval.
K9 Cento completed annual state certification.

Streets

Repaired trash truck, replaced downtown lights, started street sweeping, repaired curbs on Wood and Lafayette, inspected cement, changed traffic lights, mowed city property, planted 12 trees at Cowling Park, replaced signs, repaired ditch on Midway Street, serviced rental trash trucks, moved hope boxes, reported lights to Ohio Edison, met with Boring Company, replaced sidewalk panel on Center Street, removed three trees from Cowling Park, cleaned curbs, met with contractor about sewer on Center Street, repaired pole barn roof, ordered electric box for South Main, addressed water in basements, pothole patching, road grading, delivered trash cans, ran camera in pool drain, picked up dead animals, mowed ditches.

Parks and Recreation

Pickleball courts open and used daily; seeking instructor for clinic; leagues start later summer.
Grant for court covers not received; applying for fencing replacement grant (deadline July 1).
Adult sports leagues: slow pitch softball ($400, starts June 7 co-ed, June 4 men's), sand volleyball ($125, starts July 12).
Pool opens May 23; first movie night June 12 ('The Goat'); new park signage donated by Madison Health Collaboration.

Councilwoman Jackman to follow up with Bill Long on the condition of the 2008 dump truck.
Safety service director to verify sanitation bid specs and enter into contract with Rumkey.
Council to schedule public hearing for natural gas aggregation (target July 2nd).
Council to place sound equipment purchase on next meeting agenda.
Council to prepare questions for executive session on public officials' pay at next meeting.