SUNBURY, Ohio — The Sunbury City Council on Dec. 3 approved multiple items included on the evening’s agenda, including a resolution to begin the statutory process for annexing approximately 95.982 acres adjacent to the city’s industrial park, the sale of bonds to finance JR Smith Park improvements, and final plats for two sections of the Eagle Creek subdivision.

Annexation: Council voted to suspend the rules and passed Resolution 2025.29, which states the city is willing to provide municipal services to the petitioned property and move forward with the statutory annexation process. The motion to suspend rules and subsequent vote to adopt the resolution were moved by Mister Martin and seconded by Mister Capel; roll calls recorded six affirmative votes and the resolution passed.

Park bonds: On third reading the council approved Ordinance 2025.31, authorizing issuance and sale of bonds in a maximum principal amount of $3,500,000 to pay costs for improvements at JR Smith Park — parking, walkways, restrooms, playground areas and equipment, multi‑use athletic courts, landscaping, a shelter, bike trails and a splash pad. The motion to adopt the ordinance was moved by Missus Cooper and seconded by Mister Martin; roll call showed six yeas and the ordinance passed.

Subdivision plats: Council declared emergencies and approved Ordinances 2025.32 (final plat for Eagle Creek Section 3) and 2025.33 (final plat for Eagle Creek Highland Section 1). Emergency declarations and final approvals were passed by recorded roll calls.

Other procedural actions: Council approved prior meeting minutes and formally closed the public hearing on the Meadows at Sunbury Apartments amendment (the hearing will be followed by a formal ordinance reading for the amendment at a later meeting). Several first readings and reports (including a tax‑increment financing reimbursement agreement to be negotiated with Sunbury Development LLC and additional first readings) were taken up but not decided tonight.

What happens next: Annexation filings proceed to county authorities as required by state statute; staff said the annexation petition will return to council later for acceptance after county review. The park bond ordinance authorizes the financing but implementation steps (bond sale scheduling, project procurement) will follow standard finance and procurement procedures. Project and annexation timelines were not further specified at the meeting.