By Amantha Garpiel
For Miami Valley Today
TIPP CITY — The Tipp City City Council, Monday, voted to approve funding an outdoor fitness court, approved a change in the zoning code and map of the city and held an executive session to discuss personnel.
During the Monday, May 20, regular session, City Council heard a resolution to allocate funding for a new outdoor fitness court as part of the 2024 National Fitness Campaign. The resolution is also a commitment from the city for the construction and opening of the court by the end of 2024.
According to Finance Director John Green, the city has already received a grant of $30,000 for the court and City Manager Timothy Eggleston is currently working with Upper Valley Medical Center to possibly receive more funding toward the project.
Council member Ryan Liddy raised concerns about the planned location being at City Park.
Liddy said City Park is already “cramped” with the numerous amenities already there. He also noted the minimal equipment at Kyle Park, arguing the latter would be a better location for the new equipment.
Liddy also requested this project go before the Parks Advisory Board to receive a recommendation concerning the location.
Council President Kathryn Huffman noted that she feels the project did not follow the city government’s proper channels by not going before the Parks Advisory Board before City Council. Her other concern is that this project is outside of the parks’ needs.
“We have a lot of needs for the parks that we’ve identified and going through those and then taking $190,000 and putting it somewhere else makes me concerned that we’re not using the funds to hit priority items first,” said Huffman.
The resolution passed in a 6 to 1 vote with Huffman voting “no.”
The council also approved a change in the zoning code and map of 4155 Peters Road. The approval of the change from conservation district interim to conservation district zoning classification is the final step in the city’s annexation of the property. The property is the future location of substation four. The motion passed unanimously.
At the end of the regular session meeting, council entered an executive session to consider the appointment of a new city manager. No action was taken following the executive session.
In other business, City Council:
• Unanimously appointed Tasha Weaver to the Restoration and Architectural Board of Review for an unexpired term expiring Dec. 31, 2024.
• Passed a motion approving an encroachment license at 101 W. Broadway St., Tipp City.
• Moved to not request a public hearing for the issuance of a C1, C2, D1 liquor license to Ohio Springs Inc. doing business as Sheetz on South County Road 25A.
The writer is a regular contributor to Miami Valley Today.
