London Council OKs Police, Fire Age Caps; Debates Surplus Truck Sale

LONDON, Ohio — The London City Council on Thursday approved new maximum hiring ages for police officers and firefighters and clarified residency requirements for top city officials, while a debate over the condition of two surplus dump trucks stalled a proposed sale.

Council voted 6-0 to adopt ordinances setting the maximum age for original appointment as a firefighter at 41 and as a police officer at 41. Both measures passed with emergency clauses, making them effective immediately. The council also adopted a resolution revising job descriptions to include the new age limits and residency requirements.

In a separate unanimous vote, council approved an ordinance requiring the police chief, fire chief, and other designated employees to reside in Madison County or a contiguous county.

The council’s most extended discussion centered on Resolution 135-26, which would authorize advertising for bids on a 2008 Workstar dump truck and a 2004 GMC C4500 dump truck. Councilman Greg Boyd moved to table the item until the next meeting, citing concerns about the vehicles’ condition and a desire for a formal inspection. The motion failed after no other council member offered a second, leaving the resolution on the agenda for future action.

Council unanimously adopted several other measures, including a resolution authorizing the police chief to sell a primary duty weapon to retiring, disabled, or deceased officers for $1, reducing the required service from 25 years to 10. A similar resolution allows the fire chief to gift a surplus helmet and badge upon retirement, disability, or death.

The council also approved the sale of a forfeited 2025 Ford Mustang GT convertible after amending the resolution to include a minimum bid of $45,000. The vote was 6-0 on the amendment and on the resolution as amended. A separate resolution authorizing bids for a 2004 GMC Yukon used by the fire chief, with 170,149 miles, also passed unanimously.

Council gave a first reading to an ordinance that would place a natural gas aggregation program on the ballot, similar to the city’s existing electricity aggregation program. A public hearing is scheduled for July 2.

In committee reports, council members noted the street department had a busy month addressing sinkholes, road repairs, and traffic light replacements. The new police facility is nearing completion, with an anticipated end-of-July finish. The mayor announced a new sanitation contract with Rumpke that will save residents money starting Aug. 1.

Public comments included concerns about mosquito spraying, sinkholes, and electric bike regulations in parks. Council discussed the issue and directed staff to post signs prohibiting bicycles and wheeled vehicles on park paths.

Key moments

Contentious

Surplus dump truck debate

Councilman Hayes moved to table the resolution until next meeting to allow for a mechanic's inspection, but the motion failed due to lack of a second.

Significant

Minimum bid on forfeited Mustang

Councilman Eads successfully amended Resolution 146-26 to include a minimum bid of $45,000 for the 2025 Ford Mustang GT convertible.

Public interest

Natural gas aggregation program introduced

Councilwoman Trainer introduced Ordinance 140-26 to place a natural gas aggregation ballot question, noting residents felt the pinch of increased costs last winter.

Significant

Police and fire age requirement ordinances

Council adopted ordinances setting maximum hiring age at 41 for both police and firefighters, aligning with state law.

Public interest

Rumpke contract update

Mayor announced the signed Rumpke contract will save residents money immediately with no service interruption, starting August 1st.

Full analysis

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Meeting Analysis

City of London City Council — 2026-06-18

Meeting Information

Title: London City Council meeting 6 18 2026

Parish: City of London City Council

Date: 2026-06-18

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 1103

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Resolution 135-26: Surplus vehicle sale	Authorizing advertisement for bids for a 2008 Workstar dump truck and a 2004 GMC C4500 dump truck. Discussion about vehicle condition and inspection.	Motion to table until next meeting failed due to lack of second; item remains on agenda.	Motion to table failed (no second)
Resolution 137-26: Police weapon sale upon retirement	Authorizes police chief to sell primary duty weapon to retiring, disabled, or deceased officers for $1, reducing required service from 25 to 10 years.	Adopted.	Unanimous (6-0)
Resolution 138-26: Fire helmet and badge gift	Authorizes fire chief to gift surplus helmet and badge upon retirement, disability, or death.	Adopted.	Unanimous (6-0)
Ordinance 139-26: Residency requirement clarification	Amends city policy to specify certain employees (police chief, fire chief, etc.) must reside in Madison County or a contiguous county.	Adopted.	Unanimous (6-0)
Ordinance 140-26: Natural gas aggregation program	Authorizes placing a ballot question for natural gas aggregation with opt-out provisions, similar to existing electricity aggregation.	Public hearing scheduled for July 2; second reading.	No vote taken (first reading)
Resolution 141-26: Sound system appropriation	Increases appropriations for city hall sound system repairs and new cordless microphones, amended to use miscellaneous city hall fund.	Amended and adopted as amended (second reading).	Unanimous (6-0) on amendment; adopted as amended
Resolution 142-26: Parks donation appropriation	Increases appropriations by $100 to accept a donation to Parks and Rec.	Adopted.	Unanimous (6-0)
Ordinance 143-26: Firefighter age requirement	Amends code to require original appointment as firefighter between ages 18 and 41.	Adopted with emergency.	Unanimous (6-0)
Ordinance 144-26: Police age requirement	Amends code to require original appointment as police officer between ages 21 and 41.	Adopted with emergency.	Unanimous (6-0)
Resolution 145-26: Job description revisions	Revises job descriptions to include residency requirements and maximum age for various positions.	Adopted.	Unanimous (6-0)
Resolution 146-26: Forfeited Mustang sale	Authorizes advertisement for bids for a 2025 Ford Mustang GT convertible, with a minimum bid of $45,000.	Amended to include minimum bid; adopted.	Unanimous (6-0) on amendment; adopted
Resolution 147-26: Fire chief vehicle sale	Authorizes advertisement for bids for a 2004 GMC Yukon with 170,149 miles.	Adopted.	Unanimous (6-0)

Personnel Budget and Finance Committee reported monthly revenue $3,165,283, expenses $2,078,476; year-to-date revenue $11,338,367, expenses $12,088,769 (including $1.2M for police).
Pickleball and pool parking lot project approved to go to bid up to $225,000 from Parks and playground funds and general funds.
Street department authorized to purchase a smaller dump truck for approximately $150,000 (previously approved up to $275,000).
Rumpke sanitation contract signed for three years with two one-year options; rates guaranteed for first three years, saving residents money.

Mosquito spraying schedule and effectiveness.
Sinkholes appearing on city streets, particularly near the legion and on East High Street.
Electric bikes and motorized vehicles on park pathways.
Grass in streets and sidewalk ramp issues.

Debate over condition of surplus dump trucks (2008 and 2004) and whether to table sale pending inspection; motion to table failed.
Discussion about electric bikes in parks leading to new signage prohibiting bicycles and wheeled vehicles on park paths.

Street Department

Met with residents about water in basements.
Replaced traffic lights around town.
Met Columbia Gas at center street project.
Put signs up at pool, cleaned ditches, delivered trash cans.
Performed coal patching, had Zoom meeting with Choice One on fourth street project.
Addressed sinkhole with Middohio, reported lights out to Ohio Edison.
Weed eating, tree trimming, called in about sinkhole at Cowling Park.
Visit from Bureau of Workman's Comp.
Worked on trash trucks, changed oil, sewer repair, met contractor about blacktop repairs.
Mowed city property, worked on drain and mowers, delivered signs for flea market and church.

Police Department

Participated in safety town, Fair Haven Touch a Truck, London High School graduation parade, middle school color run.
Participated in Click It or Ticket event with Madison County Public Health.
Participated in torture run and lunch in Cowling Park for Special Olympics.
Assisted Ohio State Highway Patrol with OVI checkpoint.
Chief assessment center completed; candidates advanced.
Applications for police officer positions submitted to Civil Service Commission.
Acquired 2025 Ford Mustang convertible through forfeiture; being prepared for auction.
New police facility construction progressing; dedication ceremony July 30 at 10 a.m.

Fire Department

EMS training in Madison Health activities and advanced stroke life support.
Fire training: driver training and new part-time orientation.
Hosted students for ride time and grant paramedics class.
House maintenance projects.
Attended London Lion Club summer bash, escorted London track team.
Medical director meeting, hosted safety town tours, participated in senior parade and eighth grade clapout.
Interacted with 638 kids, 200 senior citizens, 50 adults for public education.
Attended Madison County Senior Fair.
Statistics: 1,206 incidents this year vs. 1,204 last year.

Parks and Recreation

Pool memberships and punch cards available online; daily passes at front desk.
Pool rentals filling up quickly; $350 for 7-9 p.m. slot.
Still hiring lifeguards; swim lessons may be delayed.
Adult sports: co-ed softball only this year; sand volleyball co-ed starting July 12.
Movie night in Cowling Park well attended.
New park signage prohibiting bicycles and wheeled vehicles on paths due to electric bikes.
Mary Mack Miracle Park Board finalizing plans for two new dugouts at ball field, completion expected in August.

Street department to obtain mechanic's inspection on surplus dump trucks before next meeting.
Administration to publish mosquito spraying schedule on social media and website.
City to prepare for public hearing on natural gas aggregation on July 2.
Police department to continue processing police officer candidates and background investigations.
Fire department to proceed with sale of 2004 GMC Yukon via sealed bids.