WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OHIO — At the city finance and personnel meeting Wednesday evening, the committee learned that more pickleball courts are coming to the city.

In addition to the pickleball courts at Eyman Park, the Washington City School District presented a lease agreement and license agreement to the city to take over the tennis courts at 100 Circle Ave. near Gardner Park.

The city will lease from the school district, the tennis courts at the corner of South Main Street and Circle Avenue to provide tennis courts and pickleball courts. City Manager Joe Denen said that four new pickleball nets have been ordered to add pickleball to the tennis recreation facility. The term of the lease is until 2034.

The license agreement was presented to provide for improvements that might be needed in the future, such as resurfacing and/or improvements to the tennis/pickleball courts. The term of this agreement is also until 2034.

In financial matters, finance director Ron Sockman said that the status of the city finances was good and current investments are doing well.

In personnel matters, the city’s Health Care Consortium was discussed regarding the upcoming 2025 health insurance projections for all city employees. A breakdown of all health care options was presented in an evaluation report. The projection was for 198 employees of the city.

Another matter presented to the committee was a new draft ordinance regarding new regulations for fireworks within the city. A fireworks survey was sent out with city water bills and due to staggered billing, there are two rounds of surveys yet to be returned. The results of the upcoming returns will be combined with the results already received for evaluation.

Currently, of 116 results, 86 replies were against the use of fireworks, nine had no opinion, and 21 said they like or use fireworks at home. Out of 119 results regarding the question of fireworks being a problem, 64 said yes, 14 no opinion, and 41 said no. The highest number of replies stated that the subject of fireworks was of high importance to that responding household.

Denen said there were various comments included with the surveys returned, such as safety issues, disturbance of peace and harmony in the household, safety of pets and patriotic issues. After some discussion, it was determined that the proposed draft ordinance would need further review and updating to give law enforcement and fire department officials specific regulations that could result in citations for violations thereof.

The proposed draft ordinance states: “No person shall discharge, ignite, or explode any fireworks within the City of Washington Court House except as provided in this ordinance and in compliance with ORC Section 3743.45.”

Consumer fireworks would only be allowed on July 3, 4 and 5, from 4 p.m to 11 p.m., and on Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m on Jan. 1. The ORC states that individual municipalities may make laws governing their area restricting the broader ORC as needed.

It was stressed in this ordinance, as in the ORC, that any and all aerial consumer fireworks must be kept a minimum of 150 feet from any structure of any kind, and away from persons under the age of 18. Ground fireworks shall be kept a minimum of 50 feet from any and all structures and persons under the age of 18. This ordinance does not restrict any small items like sparklers and items that can be purchased at a grocery store, only items that must be purchased from a licensed Ohio fireworks store.

The draft ordinance will undergo further review and updating as needed to be enforceable within city limits and be presented to council at a later date.