London City Council Passes Multiple Resolutions, Tables Comprehensive Plan

LONDON, Ohio – The London City Council voted unanimously on several resolutions during its March 20 meeting, including funding for a new dump truck, storm sewer projects and police equipment, while tabling a vote on the city’s comprehensive plan after council members raised concerns.

Council held a public hearing on Ordinance 106-26, which vacates an alley on West High Street. Property owner Sudep Paul told council he plans to renovate the property and add studio apartments, increasing the number of units from two to four. No public opposition was voiced, and council voted 7-0 to pass the ordinance.

Council adopted Resolution 107-26, increasing appropriations by $275,000 from the capital fund for the street department to purchase a dump truck. The vote was 7-0.

Resolution 115-26, transferring $1,464.98 from a concluded COPS grant to the general fund, passed unanimously. Council also approved Resolution 116-26, raising the capital asset threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 for bookkeeping purposes.

Ordinance 118-26, eliminating dispatcher job descriptions from the city’s strength ordinance because dispatching is now handled by the sheriff’s department, passed 7-0.

Council approved several resolutions under suspension of the three-reading rule, including Resolution 120-26, accepting a $1,500 donation from the American Legion for the police department; Resolution 121-26, increasing appropriations by $300,000 for storm sewer projects; Resolution 122-26, increasing appropriations by $23,281.90 from the law enforcement trust fund for police equipment; Resolution 123-26, appropriating $27,500 for furniture for the new police building; and Resolution 124-26, authorizing $100,000 for 39 new handicap ramps.

Resolution 125-26, adopting recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council, passed unanimously.

Council discussed Resolution 126-26, approving the city’s comprehensive plan for the next 5-10 years. Councilman Boyd opposed a proposed 2-6 story commercial corridor, preferring 2-3 stories. Councilman Eids insisted on a presentation from the consultant before he would vote. The item was tabled for further discussion.

Ordinance 127-26, amending section 289 to allow the historic downtown revitalization committee to use funds from a tax compliance fund, was kept on the agenda with no action taken.

Resolution 128-26, authorizing the safety service director to enter into a contract for privatized trash pickup, drew debate. A motion to suspend the three-reading rule failed 6-1, with Councilman Eids opposed, citing concerns about timing and employee impact. The resolution remained on the agenda.

Police Chief announced his retirement for July. Council observed a moment of silence for fallen service members. Public comment focused on road conditions on Laurel Street.

Key moments

Public interest

Public comment on Laurel Street road conditions

R.J. Timmons requested that Laurel Street be considered for repaving, noting grass growing in the street and patch-on-patch repairs.

Contentious

Comprehensive plan debate on building heights

Councilman Boyd argued that allowing 2-6 story buildings on Lafayette Street does not match London's character and could be used to justify variances.

Contentious

Councilman Eids opposes trash privatization motion

Councilman Eids voted no on suspending the three-reading rule for the trash privatization contract, citing timing concerns.

Significant

Police chief announces retirement

Chief Nichols announced he will be retiring in July of this year.

Significant

Moment of silence for fallen service members

Councilman Stall requested a moment of silence for two local soldiers lost in Iran and all 13 lost in the war.

Full analysis

Show structured analysis

Meeting Analysis

City of London City Council — 2026-03-20

Meeting Information

Title: London City Council meeting, Thursday, 3 19 2026

Parish: City of London City Council

Date: 2026-03-20

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 2096

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Public Hearing: Ordinance 106-26 (Alley Vacation)	Public hearing on ordinance to vacate an alley on West High Street. Property owner Sudep Paul explained plans to renovate the property and add studio apartments. No public opposition was voiced.	Council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance.	7-0 (all present in favor)
Resolution 107-26: Dump Truck Purchase	Resolution to increase appropriations by $275,000 from the capital fund for the street department to purchase a dump truck.	Council voted unanimously to adopt.	7-0
Resolution 115-26: Transfer COPS Grant Balance	Resolution to transfer $1,464.98 from fund 235 (COPS grant, concluded 2014) to the general fund.	Council voted unanimously to adopt.	7-0
Resolution 116-26: Capital Asset Threshold Increase	Resolution to raise the capital asset threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 for bookkeeping purposes.	Council voted unanimously to adopt.	7-0
Ordinance 118-26: Remove Dispatcher Positions	Ordinance to eliminate dispatcher job descriptions from the city's strength ordinance, as dispatching is now handled by the sheriff's department.	Council voted unanimously to adopt.	7-0
Resolution 120-26: Police Donation Acceptance	Resolution to increase appropriations to accept a $1,500 donation from the American Legion for the police department.	Council voted unanimously to adopt, suspending three-reading rule.	7-0
Resolution 121-26: Storm Sewer Project Funding	Resolution to increase appropriations by $300,000 for storm sewer projects, including work in the third ward, Olive Street replacement, and catch basin repairs.	Council voted unanimously to adopt, suspending three-reading rule.	7-0
Resolution 122-26: Law Enforcement Trust Fund	Resolution to increase appropriations by $23,281.90 from the law enforcement trust fund for police equipment.	Council voted unanimously to adopt, suspending three-reading rule.	7-0
Resolution 123-26: Police Building Furniture	Resolution to increase appropriations by $27,500 for furniture for the new police building, to lock in state bid pricing before end of March.	Council voted unanimously to adopt, suspending three-reading rule.	7-0
Resolution 124-26: Handicap Ramps	Resolution to authorize $100,000 for 39 new handicap ramps to accompany a 42 project.	Council voted unanimously to adopt, suspending three-reading rule.	7-0
Resolution 125-26: Tax Incentive Review Council Recommendations	Resolution adopting recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council, confirming that all participating developments met or exceeded their promises.	Council voted unanimously to adopt, suspending three-reading rule.	7-0
Resolution 126-26: Comprehensive Plan	Resolution to approve the city's comprehensive plan for the next 5-10 years. Council discussed several amendments, including a request for OM to present. Vote was postponed to next meeting.	Tabled for further discussion.	No vote taken; continued to next meeting.
Ordinance 127-26: Downtown Revitalization Fund	Ordinance amending section 289 to allow the historic downtown revitalization committee to use funds from a tax compliance fund for projects like repainting light poles.	No action taken; kept on agenda.	No action
Resolution 128-26: Trash Pickup Contract	Resolution authorizing the safety service director to enter into a contract for privatized trash pickup. Discussion included timing and employee notification.	Motion to suspend three-reading rule failed (1 no vote); resolution remained on agenda.	Motion to suspend failed 6-1 (Eids opposed)

$275,000 from capital fund for dump truck purchase.
$1,464.98 transferred from COPS grant fund to general fund.
$300,000 additional appropriation for storm sewer projects.
$23,281.90 from law enforcement trust fund for police equipment.
$27,500 for police building furniture.
$100,000 for 39 handicap ramps.

Laurel Street road conditions: resident requested repaving due to repeated patching and grass growing in street.
General appreciation for city services and downtown improvements.

Debate over height limits in comprehensive plan: Councilman Boyd opposed 2-6 story commercial corridor, preferring 2-3 stories.
Councilman Eids voted against suspending three-reading rule for trash privatization resolution, expressing concern over timing and employee impact.
Councilman Eids insisted on OM presenting the comprehensive plan before he would vote to approve it.

Police Department

Building construction progressing with drywall installation; completion expected early July.
Three new officers hired, starting basic training next week; one open position remains.
Three officers on restricted duty or leave; accepting lateral entry officers.
New cruiser being upfitted; Chief Nichols retiring in July.

Fire Department

EMS training on do not resuscitate interpretation; fire training on rural water movement and pre-incident planning.
Hosted students for ride time; attended Davis Road farm incident debriefing.
Year-to-date runs: 496 (7.2/day) vs 524 (7.6/day) last year.

Parks and Recreation

Spring volleyball: 184 participants, 20 teams; practices started, games end of month.
Still hiring lifeguards; pickleball grants applied for with AARP for shades.
Parking lot expansion explored; Happy Hour event April 4th.

Street Department

Strauser presented on surface patching methods and street prioritization.
Laurel Street identified as failed road needing full redo.
Mid Ohio meeting held; pothole repairs to begin in April when hot mix available.
Storm sewer projects: Olive Street replacement, catch basin repairs, third ward work.

Street Superintendent Tim Long to follow up with R.J. Timmons about Laurel Street.
Council to continue discussion on comprehensive plan amendments at next meeting.
Safety Service Director to proceed with bidding process for trash privatization.
Councilman Boyd to email about specific storm sewer funding needs for Ward 3 project.
Council to invite OM to present the comprehensive plan at a future meeting.
Council to invite Auditor Colmes to discuss state audit at a future meeting.