Lima City Council honors Reverend Jesse Jackson, approves ordinances and liquor permit actions

Lima City Council opened the meeting with a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson; councilors offered personal recollections of Jackson’s advocacy and the council adopted Resolution 4‑26 on first reading by an 8‑0 vote.

The council handled routine business: it approved the consent calendar, authorized the clerk to notify the Ohio Division of Liquor Control of no objections for a Family Dollar Stores of Ohio LLC application (the motion passed 7‑1 after one councilor opposed), and approved a liquor permit transfer for Club Octane LLC (804 West North Street) by an 8‑0 vote after a clerical‑address question was resolved.

Councilors amended Exhibit A of Ordinance 49‑26 (the 2026 annual budget amendment) by removing pages 9–16 and passed the ordinance on first reading as amended. Ordinance 50‑26 (temporarily extending hours for the designated outdoor refreshment area), Ordinance 51‑26 (authorize bids and contract for janitorial services for Utilities Department buildings) and Ordinance 52‑26 (zoning map amendment to Class 3 residential for multiple parcels) each passed first reading by recorded votes of 8‑0.

Visit Greater Lima provided its annual report, noting marketing efforts, a rebrand, distribution of 30,000 visitor guides and a reported $2.9 million economic impact from a recent Hearst Mania event. Daniel Harmon, a regional Crisis Intervention Team coordinator, spoke during public comment about CIT training and co‑response models for mental‑health calls.

Councilors used the miscellaneous‑business portion of the meeting to promote local volunteer and housing outreach efforts, announce a utilities‑committee meeting related to a consent decree and to thank staff and community partners. Council agreed to adjourn to March 23 at 7 p.m.