Lima · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lima public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Parks grant through Land and Water Conservation Fund
Council authorized applying for Huntington Community Development and Foundation grants to help fund the Community Aquatic Park.
2027 Mayor's Estimate / city budget
Revenues are $1.8M above budget, income tax collections at $13.1M, and the city is on track to meet the 2026 budget — though the self-insured health fund is being watched closely.
Lincoln Park pedestrian safety
Councilor Lowe watched kids dash across speeding Shawnee Street from the basketball court and moved to add a painted crosswalk and slow-down signs — referred to the Traffic Commission.
Brightspeed broadband service failures
A returning resident described a 1.3-star internet provider whose technicians never show and whose billing hurts elderly customers — and asked council to pursue accountability or oversight.
Fire Station Study and $46M rebuild plan
The fire department handled 6,474 calls in 2025, hired 8 firefighters, and logged over 5,000 training hours. It's developing a 5-20 year strategic plan that could include a new fire station or renovating existing ones — a decision that could shape fire coverage for years.
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.
Consumer protection against contractor fraud
Autumn Budd shared how a failed contractor cost her family thousands and delayed her dying father's homecoming. She asked for affordable legal help, contractor verification, and a 90-day city action plan.
Free meter parking for handicapped placard holders
Councilor Gordon referred the question of free parking meter use for handicapped sticker holders to the safety-services committee.
Cable Road sanitary sewer force main replacement
Councilor Wilkerson questioned spending $35,400 on engineering before the November Cable Road vote; Utilities Director Caprella said the forcemain has leaked 11-12 times in five months and must be replaced no matter what.
Lead service line replacement — Phase 4
Council advanced a $3 million Ohio EPA loan — over half forgiven — to replace lead water service lines, a major public health win for homeowners with old pipes.
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.'
Metcalf Street Bridge replacement study
Lima signed on to an ODOT-administered project to modernize traffic signals citywide, with 80% federal funding and a 20% local match.
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.
Contract labor for city operations
Contracts with Spherion of Lima and Custom Staffing would let the city cover employees on extended leave and short-term vacancies in 2027.
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.
Infill development land sales
Two small city-owned lots go to buyers for infill development at $447 each — one on North Elizabeth to New Lima – Housing for the Future, one on West Elm to Blass Holdings.
Traffic signal modernization
Council moved forward on a plan to modernize traffic signals at 37 intersections, with engineering costing up to $495,265 — 80% covered by federal air-quality funds.
Sidewalk repair assessment prioritization
A resident's complaint about a $471 assessment for a sidewalk 1/16 inch out of compliance blew up into the night's biggest debate. Councilor Lowe argued the city should fix its own worst sidewalks before fining homeowners; the mayor and Public Works defended a citywide rotation program.
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.
2027 Tax Budget
Council scheduled a public hearing on the City of Lima's 2027 Tax Budget for June 22 at 7 p.m. — the public's chance to weigh in on next year's tax spending plan.
Sex offender residency restrictions near parks
A resident asked Lima to ban registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of city parks, citing registry data showing offenders on properties bordering four of the city's 16 parks. Council sent the idea to two committees for study, and the mayor said she'd pursue state legislative help.
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.
Expedited property maintenance abatement
A proposed change would swap the slow 10-14 day mailed violation notice for one annual published notice plus a 72-hour posted notice before the city cuts grass or removes trash and bills the cost to property taxes.
Rumpke trash service performance
Residents near Republic Garbage's dumpsters have dealt with rats for years because the dumpsters aren't cleaned out. Council referred the issue to the Neighborhood Concerns Committee and asked that the company's manager be contacted.
Cary Estates No 2 rezone referred for study
The city petitioned to rezone 35 parcels from industrial to residential to preserve neighborhood integrity; a public hearing is set for September 14, 2026.
Schoonover Observatory Improvements
A $426,300 project replaces the observatory's telescope with a modern PlaneWave system, funded by state capital dollars, a local astronomy club gift, and park funds.
Police staffing and crisis response grants
Council advanced applications for federal grants that could add five patrol officers, buy forensic and drone equipment, and fund crisis intervention training with a dedicated crisis team.
Golf at Sugar Creek water agreement termination
The city planned to formally end a 2004 water service agreement with Golf at Sugar Creek, which would then just be treated like any other water customer under standard rates and policies.
CDBG/HOME-funded community programs
Contracts with local groups to run youth, food, and housing programs — from the Freedom School to Weekend Meal Boxes to fair housing services — funded with federal community development dollars.
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.
18-month Moratorium on Standalone Data Centers
Lima would freeze new standalone data center development for 18 months and stop supplying water to data centers outside city limits while officials study the issue.
Resident sewage backup and flood damage claims
A resident described a sewage backup during street work that ruined belongings and said no one from the city or his councilman followed up. Councilman Neeper said calls were returned and heavy rain caused flooding.
Liquor permit concentration concerns
The state sent Lima council two liquor permit referrals — a supper club on North Main Street and a business on Kibby Street. Council's input can influence whether the state grants the permits.
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.
Billboard message controversy
The 'No child has two dads, no child has two moms' billboard on Allentown Road drew residents on both sides and strong pushback from several council members, who shared personal family and foster-care stories.
Regional transportation funding
About $2M a year in federal/state transportation funds is available regionally; projects need engineering readiness and a 20% local match.
Denied road-hazard damage claim
A resident whose tire and rim were damaged by a street hazard urged the city to do more for drivers who report hazards, since current rules penalize the first reporter.
Enbridge Gas Ohio rate increase opposition
Council formally opposed Enbridge Gas Ohio's request to raise distribution rates, asking the state utilities commission to deny it. Rising utility bills are squeezing household budgets.
FLOCK Camera System Use and Privacy
Police clarified how the city's 12 FLOCK cameras work: they photograph vehicles, not people, don't do facial recognition or automatic plate reads, and every inquiry is logged and auditable, with data kept 90 days.
Stormwater assessment updates
Property owners whose stormwater assessments changed after the 2026 citywide review are getting notices — some up, some down — with instructions for requesting a re-review.
Street pavement preservation program
The preliminary 2027 paving list is out for council review — comments are due by July 17, with a final list expected at the July 27 meeting for submission to the state.
Nuisance Activity at Former Save-A-Lot Property
Councilor Glenn reported ongoing late-night parties at the old Save-A-Lot near Elizabeth and Vine Streets, frustrating buyers of new nearby homes. Council directed Law Director Tony Geiger to explore a nuisance action against the property.
Youth Mental Health and Community Programs
Council promoted several youth efforts: Kimbrough's basketball camp July 20-22, the 'Straight Talk No Cap' youth summit July 17, and the YC4MH scholarship banquet July 27 — all aimed at giving kids a safe outlet and a voice.
HR leadership restructuring
The city is renaming its HR director role to include labor relations and hiring a temporary consultant from The Third Path, LLC.
Cheryl Allen Center renovation design expansion
The Kleinfelder design contract grows by nearly $100,000 to incorporate a $1.3 million state capital grant for the Cheryl Allen Center renovation.
Youth jobs program expands
The city's summer youth employment program tripled to 20 placements with local employers, up from 6 last year.
Hover Park Playground Replacement
New playground equipment would replace aging structures at Hover Park, funded through CDBG dollars.
Lima Municipal Center HVAC Replacement
An aging rooftop air handler at City Hall would be replaced by All Temp Refrigeration for up to $123,112, after parts became hard to find.
OHFA Multifamily Housing Applications
Four developers — Spire, Fairfield Homes, and Buckeye Community Hope Foundation (twice) — notified the city they're applying for state multifamily housing funds for Lima projects. Council accepted the notices and let legislation drafting begin.
Board of Building Appeals Appointment
Mayor Smith proposed appointing James Wall to the Board of Building Appeals to finish an unexpired term through November 2028, with council concurrence needed.