CITY OF IONE COUNCIL MEETING RECAP
American Legion Hall October 13, 2026
Morrow County Sheriff’s Office Report: Scott Carter, Criminal Sargent with the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), presented the Council with the department’s August 2026 activity statistics. The report summarizes law enforcement services and community safety efforts completed within the city during the month.
• Patrol duties: Deputies completed 13.5 hours of patrol. Patrol Hours decreased
• School Resource Officer services: School Resource Officer had 10 support hours.
• Incident response: Personnel responded to and documented 34 incidents during the month,
covering a range of calls and situations.
• Area checks: Deputies completed 18 proactive area checks to watch local conditions and support
community safety.
Speeding Concern: Ms. Dozier, Ione resident, asked Sergeant Carter to increase patrols along Highway 74 in response to vehicles exceeding the posted speed limits. The speed limit is 45 mph and decreases to 40 mph near the sports field.
Approval of Minutes: Council reviewed the minutes of the September 8, 2026, meeting. Councilor McMinn moved to approve the minutes as presented. Council Chair Bailey-Cave seconded the motion.
Public Comment(s):
Resident Inquiry: Gayle Eynetich, an Ione resident, asked the Council about the new concrete patio and accessible parking space in front of the library, including which budget line would fund the work. Project Background: The Council explained that a water line had broken beneath the new sidewalk and needed to be replaced. The lawn also contained roots from a tree that had previously been removed. The Library Board endorsed using the improved area as an outdoor reading patio. Proposed Features and Funding: Becky Doherty, an Ione resident and Director of the Ione Library District, said the library may add planter boxes and stencil a welcoming message, such as “Come Read with Us,” near the existing sidewalk. The Library District would like seating for patrons and guest, and the Free Book Little Library will be moved to the patio area. Funding: The project will be funded through the General Fund maintenance budget.
Permits and Public Requests: None
New Business
Appointment of New Councilor for Position 6. Candidates: Two candidates applied for the position: Tammera Haase and Becky Doherty. Ms. Haase was not present at the meeting. Candidate Interview: Mayor Shoemake invited Ms. Doherty to the table to answer questions and ask any questions of her own. Ms. Doherty stated that she is a longtime Ione resident who is familiar with the city and its history. Priorities and Communication: In response to Mayor Shoemake’s question about what she hoped to accomplish as a councilor, Ms. Doherty said she would like to improve transparency and communication between City Hall and the community. She acknowledged that communication has improved through posts on the City’s website. When Councilor McMinn asked how she would further improve communication, Ms. Doherty suggested using social media, possibly publishing a newsletter, and attending community meetings and gatherings. The council appointed Ms. Doherty was asked to take a seat at the table as the city’s newest councilor.
Discussion of Ways to Provide Help to the Community to Follow City Ordinances.
Code-Enforcement Concern: Ann Milder, an Ione resident, asked about enforcement of ordinances addressing junk vehicles and alley cleanup. Enforcement Discussion: Mayor Shoemake reported that he, Ms. Peterson, and Mr. Hass met on Thursday, October 8, with Morrow County Sheriff John Bowles and Justice of the Peace Glen Diehl to discuss enforcement options. The available code-enforcement solutions appeared limited. Suggested Assistance: The officials recommended that the city explore practical ways to help residents comply with the ordinances, including programs for recycling old appliances, which may be taken to the county landfill at no charge, disposing of old mattresses, bring back a dumpster for cleanups. The city will continue to seek solutions and ideas from the community.
Revision and Combining of Animal Ordinances. Proposed Consolidation: Ms. Peterson informed the Council that the city’s dog, chicken, and livestock ordinances are old. Therefore, she proposed archiving the existing ordinances and developing a single, updated ordinance addressing all animals. Council Direction: The Council agreed with the proposal and emphasized that the community should be involved in developing the new ordinance.
Old Business
Legion Hall (Standing Item). Mayor Shoemake requested that this standing agenda item be removed from future agendas.
French Drain on Second and Spring Street (Standing Item) No discussion.
Mayor’s Comments. No Comments.
Council Comments.
1. Council Chair Bailey Cave requested that Zoning Ordinance No. 158 be amended to establish age requirements for manufactured homes newly placed within the city limits. The proposed amendment had been requested for presentation at this Council meeting but was not included. It will instead be presented at the November 2026 Council meeting.
2. Councilor McMinn informed the council that he has asked two of his neighbors to follow the nuisance ordinance and they complied. He said he would be willing to go door to door to ask residents to follow the ordinances and what the city could do to help them.
3. Councilor Skow shared that Sergeant Carter informed him that the radar speed sign previously located near his home will be moved to Highway 74 near Ella and Emert.
City Administrator Report: School-Zone Sign Relocation: Ms. Peterson reported that she contacted the Morrow County Road Department to request moving the school-zone sign from Third and Spring Streets to Second and Spring Streets. The sign currently marks the beginning of the school zone at the elementary school. Jurisdiction and Follow-Up: Because Spring Street is part of the county road system, Council Chair Bailey-Cave recommended sending a formal letter to the Morrow County Board of Commissioners at its mailing address.
Public Works Report. Septic-Tank Filter Maintenance: Mr. Hass expressed concerns about cleaning the filters on the new septic tanks. He recommended that the city hire a septic contractor to perform the work rather than cleaning the filters back into the tanks, as currently recommended. He also raised concerns about the amount of debris being removed from the drainfield filters. Septic Odor: Councilor Spivey reported a strong septic odor along Third Street toward the school. Follow-Up: Ms. Peterson will meet with Larry Myers and Bill Ledbetter of Anderson Perry to discuss current issues.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m.