The Bellefontaine City Council met Tuesday evening and considered several items of City business, including a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) application for the Deercreek Village Apartments on Kristina Drive, ongoing flood mitigation efforts, public safety updates, and several pieces of legislation.
America 250 Parade & City’s Continued Flood Mitigation Efforts
Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds thanked the many residents, organizations, volunteers, City employees, and others who helped organize and participate in the America 250 Parade held Sunday.
Dodds noted that nearly a year of planning and preparation went into the event. Despite concerns about severe weather, the weather held off, allowing the community to enjoy the parade and celebration.
Dodds updated Council on the City's continued efforts to address flooding concerns throughout Bellefontaine.
The City has rented a second vacuum truck, allowing City crews to increase efforts to clear storm sewer lines throughout the community. City service departments have been working to clear and maintain storm infrastructure in areas where additional attention is needed.
Dodds also reported that the City is digitally documenting its infrastructure. This process will provide City officials with a more complete record of existing infrastructure and help identify potential problem areas both now and in the future.
Flood mitigation work is also continuing in the Red Pines and White Pines area. Plans are being developed to remove the berm separating the existing retention ponds, which would increase the available capacity of the ponds and potentially provide additional protection during future heavy rain events.
Dodds also reported that an existing lift station in the area has been identified and could potentially be repurposed as an emergency pumping station after being outfitted with the appropriate pumps.
City Engineer Jim Bischoff provided additional information regarding the City's flood mitigation efforts. He clarified that the pumps used to remove water do not automatically increase or decrease their speed based on the amount of water present. The pumps operate at a set speed rather than speeding up or slowing down as water levels change.
Bischoff also reported that City officials have discovered multiple residential sump pumps connected to the sanitary sewer system. The City will continue working to identify these connections and address the issue, as the additional water entering the sanitary system can contribute to capacity concerns.
Police Department Update
Police Chief Chris Marlow reported that the City's two new police cruisers are now in service.
The cruiser that was damaged by a falling tree is scheduled to be rebuilt in the near future.
Marlow also reported that six Police Department employees are currently in training. The group includes two dispatchers, two officers completing field training, and two officers attending the police academy.
Fire Department Update
Fire Chief Brian Wilson reported that the City's ladder truck, which recently developed engine problems, is scheduled to be reassembled this week.
Wilson said he will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Code Enforcement Update
Code Enforcement Officer Amber Palmer reported that all of the properties included in the City's recent voluntary demolition program have been completely demolished.
Palmer noted that the demolitions were completed at no cost to the City. She also reported that she has already begun working on the next round of voluntary demolitions.
The voluntary demolition program through the Logan County Landbank is a great resource for the City to remove abandoned, blighted and public nuisance structures from the City utilizing funding granted by the State. The City, Property Owners, and neighboring property owners benefit from these projects.
Council Considers CRA Application
Council again considered a Community Reinvestment Area application from Kristina Bellefontaine, LLC, concerning renovations at the Deercreek Village Apartments on Kristina Drive. The application requested a 70% tax exemption for 15 years. The Council previously considered a 75% exemption for 15 years and rejected that proposal on July 29.
Ben Vollrath spoke in support of the CRA application. Vollrath said the proposed tax exemption would give the apartment complex's new owners an opportunity to make improvements to the property and move it from what he described as a “C Level” complex to a “B Level” complex.
During Citizens Communication, Brandon Virgallito, one of the owners, also addressed Council. Virgallito said the ownership group has been in business for nearly a decade and considers itself a long-term investor. He said the group has previously utilized tax abatements in Sidney, Urbana, and Piqua.
Virgallito said that after taking ownership of the 100-unit apartment complex, the owners initially understood that there were no outstanding work orders. He said the owners subsequently identified and completed approximately 420 work orders during their first 10 weeks of ownership.
During the discussion, Council Member Devin Palmer raised questions about the financial impact of the proposed tax exemption and whether rents would increase. Virgallito said a rent increase would be necessary to maintain the apartments and complete the planned improvements.
Legislation
Council considered several resolutions and ordinances during the meeting.
Resolutions
R26-42 – A resolution authorizing the City of Bellefontaine to order the Logan County Auditor to remove an additional tax lien on certain real estate taxes as stated in the resolution. Adopted.
R26-43 – A resolution accepting the amounts and rates determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor. Adopted.
R26-44 – A resolution approving the Bellefontaine Community Reinvestment Area Project application of Kristina Bellefontaine, LLC, authorizing the City to enter into a Community Reinvestment Area Agreement, and directing the Housing Officer and City Auditor to take the necessary actions regarding the tax exemptions. Failed. Council Members Reser, Palmer, Springs, and Easton voted against the resolution. Council Members Lile, Davis, and James voted in favor of the resolution.
Ordinances – First Reading
26-45 – An ordinance approving, adopting, and enacting the 2026 Replacement Pages to the Codified Ordinances. Passed on first reading only.
26-46 – An ordinance amending the pay rate for the Bellefontaine City School District Seasonal School Resource Officer. Passed on first reading only.
Ordinances – Second Reading
26-40 – An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations ordinance for purposes of the Insurance Trust Fund. The motion to waive the three-reading rule passed, and the ordinance was adopted.
Ordinances – Third Reading
26-37 – An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations ordinance for purposes of Group Insurance. Adopted.
Communications from Council
During Communications from Council, Council Member Davis shared an update on behalf of Downtown Bellefontaine Partnership (DBP), noting that the recent Fall in Love with Bellefontaine event was a great success.
Davis also reminded Council, the administration and residents that the Pumpkin Walk will take place October 10. The event will include road closures similar to the downtown footprint used for Pineapple Palooza.
The next meeting of the Bellefontaine City Council will be held Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. City Council meetings are open to the public.