Shelby City Council Meeting Recap

By 1812Blockhouse

Shelby City Council convened for its latest meeting earlier this week and addressed a range of community and economic development initiatives, infrastructure projects, and legislative updates. Notably, discussions included grant funding for the rehabilitation of the historic Shaw Building, updates on road and sidewalk projects, and strategic planning efforts aimed at ensuring government continuity.

Community and Economic Development Committee Updates

The Community and Economic Development Committee reported on key initiatives, including a $20,000 pre-planning grant secured by the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). This grant, which requires a matching investment, will fund a study to assess the feasibility of rehabilitating the Shaw Building (see photo). The goal is to determine what updates are necessary to make the property viable for new use.

Additionally, the Shelby Library announced an expansion of its programming, with a new voter education course beginning in late February and running through March. These classes aim to equip residents with essential knowledge on the voting process.

Public Works and Infrastructure Discussions

The Public Works and General Operations Committee covered several important city projects:

• Property Record Cleanup: The city is working to correct a long-standing administrative oversight involving a piece of property near the Fire Department, which was sold to the city by the school board but never officially recorded.
• Council Term Staggering: A discussion took place about staggering City Council terms to prevent a complete turnover in city leadership during elections. A previous attempt to introduce staggered terms was rejected by voters, but officials are considering a clearer explanation for a future ballot initiative.
• Repeated Property Violations: Council discussed measures to address cases where property owners quickly correct violations but then revert to non-compliant conditions. Officials are considering new language in the city code to improve enforcement.
• Mickey Road Sidewalk Project: Plans are underway to install sidewalks along Myrtle Drive to the Reservoir, following recent safety concerns about pedestrians walking along the road. However, funding for the sidewalk is not included in the current budget allocation, prompting city officials to seek additional financing.
• Zoning Fee Updates: Shelby has not updated zoning fees since 1991, despite rising costs for administration, postage, and processing. The city is working on a proposal to revise these fees.

Mayor’s Annual State of the City Address

Mayor Steven Schag delivered his annual State of the City Address, highlighting accomplishments from 2024 and plans for 2025.

Key Accomplishments in 2024

• New Business Openings: The city saw several new business developments, including the reopening of Little Shops of Shelby and the launch of Avita’s Walk-in Clinic at 25 E. Whitney Ave.
• Infrastructure and Revitalization: Shelby celebrated the dedication of the Kilgore Alleyway Mural, the return of the Downtown Car Show, and upgrades at Veterans Park’s Skate Park.
• Renewable Energy Initiatives: The installation of Tesla batteries near Shelby’s solar field marked a major step in launching the city’s 10-megawatt battery energy storage system.
• Healthcare and Community Investments: The Shelby Health and Wellness Center completed major renovations.

What’s Ahead for 2025

The mayor outlined several upcoming projects:

• The anticipated grand opening of Mickey Mart and Dunkin’ Donuts on Mansfield Ave.
• A 48-home modular housing project planned for the city’s northeast quadrant.
• The CIC’s redevelopment of the Shaw Building using the newly secured grant.
• Expansion of Buy Super Store on Mansfield Ave.
• The East Main Street Subdivision continues its development with five new duplexes under construction.
• Lloyd Rebar’s Growth: A local business continues its rise as a national leader in rebar fabrication technology.
• Phase 3 of Black Fork Commons Park Expansion.
• Shelby’s First-Ever Bee Festival: The event is scheduled for May 31 as part of the city’s “Bee City USA” recognition.

Legislative Updates

Council reviewed and passed several key ordinances and resolutions:

1. Ordinance 1-2025 (Council Salaries Adjustment)
   • Council passed an emergency measure adjusting salaries for elected officials, aligning them with Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) thresholds.
   • The measure was expedited due to the state’s deadline of February 15.
2. Ordinance 2-2025 (Solar Energy Systems)
   • This ordinance regulates solar energy system installations in Shelby, ensuring safe and efficient expansion of renewable energy infrastructure.
3. Ordinance 3-2025 (Traffic Impact and Access Management)
   • Council completed the second reading of updates aimed at improving road safety and traffic impact analysis requirements for new developments.
4. Ordinance 4-2025 (Alley Vacation on East Main Street)
   • A proposal to vacate an alley near a three-story office building sparked discussion about potential parking challenges for future tenants.
   • Concerns were raised about long-term fire safety access and adequate parking for the site.
   • Further research is needed before moving forward with the ordinance.
5. Ordinance 5-2025 (Firefighter Union Contract)
   • Council approved a new contract with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 2492 after an executive session to finalize negotiations.
6. Resolution 1-2025 (Demolition Assessments)
   • Council approved assessments for the demolition of a dwelling at 50-52 East Main Street and certified the costs to the Richland County Auditor.
7. Resolution 2-2025 (AT&T Tariff Challenge)
   • The city formally supported the Ohio Municipal League’s challenge of AT&T’s tariff application, which could impact municipal utility costs.

New Business & Future Discussions

• Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) Housing Council: Council appointed Councilmen McMillan and Roberts to review CRA agreements before April 1.
• Future Use of Main Street Fire Station: Once property records are fully updated, the city will determine whether to repurpose or sell the former fire station.

Closing Remarks

Councilman Martin reminded residents of the importance of Black History Month, emphasizing Shelby’s historical significance as the home of Charles Follis, the first Black professional football player.

Mayor Schag encouraged community involvement in Shelby’s continued economic growth and downtown revitalization efforts, reinforcing a commitment to public safety, infrastructure improvements, and quality of life enhancements for residents.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.