Lima · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lima public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Referendum petition against Ordinance 022-26
The Clerk certified referendum petitions on Ordinance 022-26, and a group of citizens challenged the ordinance's legal validity in correspondence to Council.
Civil Rights
A hookah lounge owner and a resident separately alleged improper police conduct — warrantless entries to a business and an arrest off hearsay with alleged excessive force. A council member also said complaints of police disrespect from people of color are mounting and 'something's going to have to change.'
Vehicle Removal
Lima police towed 84 abandoned cars last month to clean up neighborhoods and get rid of junkers taking up street space. It's all part of a push to make local streets look better and feel safer.
Event venue enforcement and business compliance
Mayor Smith laid out a timeline and compliance path for unapproved event venues, pushing back on discrimination claims while giving owners a written checklist, technical assistance, and public information sessions. Councilman Glenn pressed that neighborhood complaints drove the enforcement.
Neighborhood code enforcement and e-bike safety
Lima is trying to write its first local rules for e-bikes after resident complaints about kids riding them recklessly. Council members split over age limits, helmet rules, sidewalk riding, and "immediate impoundment" of bikes — concerns included due process, enforceability, and not damaging police relationships with young riders.
Legal Dispute
Lima just notched a temporary legal win in a local building dispute, meaning the city's occupancy rules will stick around while the courts figure out the rest. For now, the city's authority on how buildings are used remains firmly intact.
Shared living facility moratorium extension
The city planned to extend its six-month freeze on new shared living facilities — including recovery housing — through September 23, 2026, while Ohio finalizes new certification rules under House Bill 58. This pauses new facilities while the zoning code is updated.
Vehicle Cleanup
Lima police are launching a major neighborhood sweep this September to clear out abandoned and broken-down vehicles. If you've got an eyesore parked on the street, it's time to move it before the city does.
Zoning code amendment for Board of Adjustment
The administration wants to amend zoning code Section 1244.01 so the mayor or their appointee can serve as an alternate voting member on the Board of Adjustment. It was referred to the Planning Commission for a recommendation.
Ethics and Conduct
Footage shows Lima Councilman Glenn getting into a heated argument with police officers. It's a rough look for local leadership and makes you wonder how our elected officials are behaving behind the scenes.
Electric aggregation rate increase
The city's group electric aggregation rate rises slightly in June to about 9.998 cents per kilowatt-hour — still below AEP's price to compare. About 5,732 households participate and have averaged $110 in savings; letters go out May 11 and the opt-out window closes June 1.