London City Council Adopts Comprehensive Plan, Approves Sanitation Privatization

LONDON, Ohio – The London City Council on April 14 unanimously adopted a new comprehensive plan after a presentation from OM Advisors, and narrowly approved a contentious resolution authorizing the safety service director to contract for sanitation privatization.

The meeting, which stretched more than three hours, also included an update from the Mid Ohio Water and Sewer District on capital investments and infrastructure challenges.

Kim Littleton of OM Advisors presented the comprehensive plan, describing it as a “clear roadmap” aligning land use with infrastructure, housing and mobility. The plan, which had undergone two previous readings, was adopted by a 7-0 vote under Resolution 126-26.

“Comprehensive plans are supposed to be done about every five years,” Littleton told council. “It’s important to time your land use decisions with the extension of infrastructure.”

The most heated debate centered on Resolution 128-26, which authorizes the safety service director to enter into contracts for trash pickup and related services. Council members sparred over whether the director should have sole authority to sign contracts without council review.

A motion to table the resolution failed, and the measure ultimately passed 6-1.

Tom Taylor, director of the Mid Ohio Water and Sewer District, provided an update on operations, reporting that the district plans to invest $465 million over five years. The update included details on the $22.3 million East Side Trunk Sewer project, which has faced delays due to bid issues.

Council members questioned whether London residents would subsidize projects in Plain City and whether the combined district approach would lead to higher rates. Residents also expressed frustration during public comment over flooding and sewer backups while the East Side Trunk Sewer project remained delayed.

The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 127-26, amending codified ordinances to allow the historic downtown restoration commission to access funds without requiring reimbursement-only approval.

Ordinance 130-26, which amended parking fine amounts for handicap and veteran parking to comply with the Ohio Revised Code, passed 7-0 with an emergency clause.

The council also approved Resolution 134-26, authorizing the safety service director to advertise for qualifications for NCA and TIF advisory services. Councilman Greg Eids explained that a municipal advisor would help administer the program, with fees paid out of TIF funds rather than city coffers.

“It wouldn’t cost us anything and it would keep the auditor from pulling her hair out trying to manage 23 of those,” Eids said.

Councilman Rich Hayes closed the meeting by thanking city employees and offering a blessing: “God bless the city of London. Watch over our citizens. Keep us safe and keep us well.”

The council is scheduled to meet next on May 7.

Key moments

Contentious

Sanitation privatization debate

Councilman Hayes moved to table the resolution until bids are received, but the motion failed 3-4.

Significant

Mid Ohio water and sewer update

Tom Taylor reported 37 main breaks and 11 service line failures since June 2024, and outlined $465 million in capital investments.

Public interest

Public comment on sanitation

Doug Piles criticized council for delegating contract authority to the safety service director, calling it 'wrong' and urging council to retain approval power.

Significant

Comprehensive plan adoption

Council adopted the comprehensive plan unanimously after discussion about its use as a guiding document.

Significant

East Side Trunk Sewer cost and delay

Tom Taylor explained the project cost rose to $22.3 million due to bid issues and that construction is expected to start in June/July 2026.

Full analysis

Show structured analysis

Meeting Analysis

City of London City Council — 2026-04-14

Meeting Information

Title: London City Council Meeting, 4 16 2026

Parish: City of London City Council

Date: 2026-04-14

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 4038

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Comprehensive Plan Presentation and Adoption	Kim Littleton from OM Advisors presented the comprehensive plan, which provides a roadmap for land use, infrastructure, housing, and mobility. The plan was adopted after third reading.	Resolution 126-26 adopted unanimously (7-0).	7-0
Mid Ohio Water and Sewer Update	Tom Taylor, director of Mid Ohio Water and Sewer District, provided an update on the district's operations, capital investments, and the East Side Trunk Sewer project. The district plans to invest $465 million over five years.	Informational presentation; no formal action taken.	No action
Sanitation Privatization Resolution	Resolution 128-26 authorizing the safety service director to enter into a contract for trash pickup and related services. Passed after a motion to table failed.	Resolution 128-26 adopted (6-1).	6-1
Historic Downtown Restoration Ordinance Amendment	Ordinance 127-26 amended the codified ordinances to allow the historic downtown restoration commission to access funds without requiring reimbursement-only approval.	Ordinance 127-26 adopted unanimously (7-0).	7-0
Parking Fine Ordinance Amendment	Ordinance 130-26 amended parking fine amounts for handicap and veteran parking to comply with Ohio Revised Code. Emergency clause passed.	Ordinance 130-26 adopted unanimously (7-0) with emergency clause.	7-0

Mid Ohio Water and Sewer District plans $465 million in capital investments over five years, with an additional $355 million long-term.
East Side Trunk Sewer project cost $22.3 million; loan application submitted.
Comprehensive plan cost $82,000.
City's expenses year-to-date higher than revenue, primarily due to police department costs.

Sanitation privatization: Residents want council to retain approval over contracts and rates.
Water and sewer infrastructure: Concerns about aging pipes, main breaks, and sewer backups.
Development impact: Worries about increased water demand and capacity constraints from new housing developments.

Sanitation privatization: Council debated whether the safety service director should have sole authority to sign contracts without council review. A motion to table failed, and the resolution passed 6-1.
Water and sewer rate concerns: Council members questioned whether London residents would subsidize Plain City projects and whether the combined district approach would lead to higher rates.
East Side Trunk Sewer delays: Residents expressed frustration over flooding and sewer backups while the project was delayed due to bid issues.

Police

New police station construction progressing; completion scheduled for July with dedication July 30.
Applications for open officer position accepted until April 30.
Internal applications for chief of police due; assessment center May 30.
First quarter stats: 1,616 calls for service, 277 incident reports, 337 traffic stops.

Parks and Recreation

Pickleball courts completed and in use.
Hobby Hour Easter event had 200-300 attendees.
Adult sports leagues starting: co-ed softball June 7, men's June 4, sand volleyball July 12.
Pool opens May 23 with new hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; online registration required.

Street Department

Three pieces of equipment (two dump trucks, one Dura Patcher) to be sold by sealed bid.
Sidewalk repair on Center Street due to Columbia Gas project to be handled by the utility.

Safety service director to proceed with sanitation privatization bids following resolution passage.
Mid Ohio Water and Sewer to conduct a rate study with Raftelis.
Council to set a public hearing for May 21, 2026 on the London Gateway Community Authority expansion.
Street department to bring legislation for sale of three pieces of equipment at next meeting.
Safety service director to advertise for RFQ for NCA/TIF advisor.