Upper Arlington · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Upper Arlington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
UAFD Lieutenant Examination Protest
A protest was filed concerning the fire division's lieutenant promotional examination, and the Civil Service Commission was scheduled to take it up as new business. The outcome could affect who is eligible for promotion within the fire department.
Flock License Plate Reader Surveillance and Ordinance 38-2026
The city's 20-camera Flock network has drawn intense resident opposition over outside-agency access, data security, and privacy. A proposed ordinance would create tiered search approvals, with judicial review for searches older than nine days. Council takes it up again October 12 with crime-data analysis.
Bob Crane Community Center Public Art
Arts on Arlington drew 1,700 attendees (up 41%), Arts on the Block drew 700, and the Labor Day Arts Festival is coming September 7 at Northam Park. Residents also asked for more food options and broader alcohol availability at future events.
Leaf Collection
Get ready, Upper Arlington! The city's seasonal leaf pickup kicks off in mid-October, so it's time to start raking and prepping your yard for the curb.
City Code Cleanup Ordinance
Council is modernizing the city code, including raising the campaign contribution limit from $250 to about $400 with periodic reviews, revisiting the employee political activity ban, and bumping the settlement authority to $50,000. Final votes come June 1.
Flock license plate reader system and privacy oversight
Police explained how the city's 20 Flock cameras collect only plate and vehicle data, delete it after 30 days, and block federal access — but council members pressed hard on privacy, data sales, and constitutional limits. No vote was taken; this was a transparency session for residents with concerns.
Roberts Road Yard Waste and Recycling Facility
A new SWACO lease keeps the composting site running and adds a free drop-off for Styrofoam, batteries, e-waste, paint, appliances and TVs — plus possible on-site food waste processing that would cut a long haul to London, Ohio.