London council approves ballot question on natural-gas aggregation, plus six other measures

London City Council voted unanimously to place a natural-gas aggregation question on the ballot and approved a slate of resolutions authorizing surplus sales, an equipment appropriation and other administrative actions.

The council adopted Ordinance 140-26, sponsored by Councilwoman Shannon Trainer, directing the Madison County Board of Elections to submit a ballot question on a governmental natural-gas aggregation program with opt-out provisions under Ohio Revised Code section 4929.26. Council members said the aggregation process would allow the city to explore packaged natural-gas purchases that might yield lower rates while leaving individual customers free to choose their own supplier.

Council also approved the following items in single votes or by bypassing three-reading rules:

- Resolution 135-26 (sponsored by Lisa Jackman): authorize advertisement for bids for personal property no longer needed for city purposes; adopted unanimously after staff described mechanical problems with the vehicle proposed for surplus.

- Resolution 141-26 (sponsored by Greg Eids): increase appropriations of up to $21,000 for equipment upgrades at city hall (or the Walnut Street building), including improved audience microphones; adopted unanimously.

- Resolution 145-26: second reading of job-description revisions that add residency requirements for some positions and adjust maximum-age language for police and fire to align with state practices; council retained the item for consideration with changes visible in redline in the packet.

- Resolution 146-26: authorize advertisement for bids and sale of a forfeited 2025 Ford Mustang GT; council added an emergency clause, bypassed the three-reading rule and adopted the resolution; members noted proceeds will be deposited to the law-enforcement training fund as required by state law.

- Resolution 147-26: authorize advertisement for bids to sell a 2004 GMC Yukon (fire department); council bypassed the three-reading rule and adopted the resolution unanimously.

What it means: The ordinance on aggregation sends the question to voters rather than making a council-level procurement decision. The approved appropriations and vehicle-sales actions are administrative steps to upgrade equipment and dispose of surplus assets; proceeds from the Mustang sale were cited as earmarked for police training under state law.

The meeting also included public comments about inconsistent towing enforcement during the Strawberry Festival and a resident’s questions about the transition to the new sanitation contractor (Rumpky), both of which council members said they would follow up on. The council adjourned after routine roundtable remarks and holiday reminders.