11-22-2025 11:15pm

Ryan Roberts Sworn In To Fill Vacant Council Seat

Beth Callahan Editor

Franklin City

FRANKLIN, OH -- While many of the newly elected are not going to be sworn into office until later this year, newly elected Franklin Councilman Ryan Roberts was sworn in by Judge Ron Ruppert at the City of Franklin's Council Meeting on Nov., 10.

Roberts, who won the most votes in the General Election this past Nov. 4, was voted in by council to fill the seat left open by Denny Centers who retired on Sept., 15. A resolution appointing Roberts as a qualified person to the vacant council seat to serve through December 31, 2025 was made by councilperson Michael Aldridge and seconded by councilperson Debbie Fouts. Even though there are only 7 weeks left until the end of the year, the empty council seat had to be filled to fulfill the Ohio Revised Code.

Newly elected council member Robert Lipps will be sworn in at the end of the year, when Aldridge and Roberts will again be sworn in to serve their "new" four year terms.

In other news:

RESOLUTION 2025-76 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ILIA FUNDS THROUGH THE MIAMI VALLEY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION FOR STP FUNDING FY31 - MOTION PASSED
- Resurfacing of the eastbound travel lanes along 1.03 miles of S.R. 73 from the city limits at the Butler/Warren County line to the S. Main Street/Dixie Highway intersection. The westbound lanes will be completed separately as part of Phase II of the project. This Resolution is the first step in the application for funding process, with funds to be distributed in 2031. If funding is received, the City's local share would be approximately 25% of the overall project cost for the State Route 73 Improvement Project. The Engineer's estimated cost for this Project is $1,200,960.
RESOLUTION 2025-77 AMENDING POSITION DESCRIPTIONS - MOTION PASSED
- The lift requirement should be standardized across all job descriptions to 50lbs. These amendments reflect that standardization and also update older job descriptions for ADA Compliance.
RESOLUTION 2025-78 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE 2026 FRANKLIN REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT - MOTION PASSED
- This is an agreement between Warren County, City of Franklin, City of Carlisle, City of Germantown, and the Great Miami Wastewater Authority. The Municipalities desire that Warren County, which has extensive experience operating and maintaining wastewater treatment plants, serve as the exclusive operator and manager of the Franklin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. This agreement formalizes that arrangement, effective January 1, 2026. The Public Works Committee reviewed the agreement at their October 30, 2025 meeting and unanimously approved recommending passage to Council.
RESOLUTION 2025-79 ACCEPTING THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE CITY OF FRANKLIN, OHIO, PURSUANT TO AN ANNEXATION PETITION FILED WITH AND GRANTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WARREN COUNTY, OHIO, AS PROVIDED FOR IN OHIO REVISED CODE SECTION 709.023 - MOTION PASSED
- On July 8, 2025, a petition was filed with Warren County for the annexation of 10.003 acres in Franklin Township to the City of Franklin. On August 5, 2025 the Warren County Commissioners approved the proposed annexation. Passage of this resolution accepts the annexation.
RESOLUTION 2025-80 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN ANNEXATION AGREEMENT IN ACCORANCE WITH OHIO REVISED CODE SECTION 709.192 WITH FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP RELATING TO THE CITY'S ANNEXATION OF WARREN COUNTY, OHIO PERMANENT PARCEL NUMBERS 824126002, 824101002, 824176002, 824200005, AND 824400033 - MOTION PASSED
- City staff recommends that Council approve this annexation agreement, which, following Franklin Township approval, will allow for an Expedited Type 1 annexation petition to be filed with the Warren County Board of County Commissioners in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 709.022.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT (Jonathan Westendorf)

The Camp Chataqua annexation is going to Montgomery County Commissioners for approval later next week.
He thanked the community for the Fire Levy passage. Chief Stitzel also thanked the community, his crews, and Council for their support. He is working to fill vacant positions as quickly as possible.
Ohio Valley Cruisers are happy with how the year played out. The club may change the time next year to 5-8pm and would like to add additional events and possibly combinetheir trunk-or-treat event with the City’s trunk-or-treat event.
The Northwest Warren County Chamber is hosting the Window Wonderland Spectacular again this year.

THE MAYOR'S REPORT (Brent Centers)

The Mayor congratulated Mr. Aldridge, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Lipps. He said that we have a great staff, and you're going to enjoy working with Council and staff.
He is sad to see Mr. Wilcher go. He has enjoyed working with him, has learned from him, and it's a loss to the City.
The Fire levy passing is great. It’s a vote of confidence in the City and Fire & EMS who shows up professionally. He is so excited and appreciative of the community and those who helped educate the voters.
The School levy did not pass. The Mayor has been in communication with the school board president and said that Council will continue to support schools and work with them.