The League of Women Voters of Licking County  |  The Reporting Project

OBSERVER REPORT

Government Body Observed: Granville Village Council

Meeting Date: 08/21/2024

Meeting Details

Attendance: Mayor Hartfield, Vice Mayor Johnson, Councilpersons Mickelson, Keethler-Ball, Demarest, Leithauser, and Olbur.

Staff Attendance: Village Manager Koehler, Law Director Mattes, Debi Walker-Yost (Village Planner), Police Chief Caskey, plus Autumn Klein, Village Clerk.

Nine citizens were also in attendance

Public Comment: Representative from the Granville Chamber and member of the committee that helped develop the Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) spoke in support of the plan and asked the Council to approve. The planning process has been on-going for four years and the committee believes all major concerns have been addressed.

Old Business:  ORDINANCE NO. 08-2024 AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO SIGN A JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF GRANVILLE AND THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES OF GRANVILLE TOWNSHIP TO ESTABLISH A JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN GRANVILLE TOWNSHIP.  Vote on approving this Ordinance is tabled until the September 4th meeting.  The Village Manager explained that a small number of petitions for properties included in the current plan are currently awaiting signature and return by property owners.  It is expected that these will be returned prior to the Township voting on the JEDD next week.  Should property owners have concerns about inclusion in the JEDD, their properties can be exempted from the plan. However, it does not appear there is any push-back on the concept at this time.  The JEDD will provide a seamless zoning overlay between the Village and the Township.  Data centers were not included in the plan.  Agreement to table passed on voice vote, 7-0.

ORDINANCE NO. 15-2024 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE APPLICATION TO REZONE PROPERTY OWNED BY JUST HOMES OF OHIO, LLC LOCATED AT 204 MUNSON STREET, FROM COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT (CSD) TO VILLAGE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (VRD).  This request is applicable to a single property and the current owner. All other properties along Munson Street are currently residential and this would move the neighborhood toward a more consistent appearance.  The property is buildable and could accommodate an 1850 sq foot residence. If approved the zoning change would not be transferable unless the zoning process was re-initiated. Approved 6-0, Vice Mayor Johnson recusing himself.

New Business: ORDINANCE NO. 16-2024 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $1,250,000 OF NOTES BY THE VILLAGE OF GRANVILLE, OHIO, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PART OF THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING A SERVICE DEPARTMENT COMPLEX, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.  Introduced, no comment or discussion by Council.

        ORDINANCE NO. 17-2024 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $515,000 OF NOTES BY THE VILLAGE OF GRANVILLE, OHIO, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PART OF THE COST OF ACQUIRING APPROXIMATELY 57.5 ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF CHERRY VALLEY ROAD NE AND NEWARK-GRANVILLE ROAD FOR USE AS GREEN SPACE AND AS A NATURE PRESERVE, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY  Introduced, no comment or discussion.

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-51 A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONSULTING ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH ZHF CONSULTING FOR POLICY CONSULTING SERVICES.  Introduced.  Discussion focused on ensuring an effective communications loop between the Village and ZHF consulting so that the Village gets their money’s worth from the contract. Village Manager reports that the proposed agreement is of reasonable cost and that the Township may also sign on and in that case tailoring of the agreement would be needed in the future.  Introduced and passed, 7-0.

ORDINANCE NO. 18-2024 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 23-2023 PROVIDING FOR ADJUSTMENTS OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND REVISING SUMS FOR OPERATING EXPENSES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.  Additional funds of $229,355 are requested to accommodate changes to the contract for the Bryn Du Woods Paving project.  After the project was started it was discovered that conditions on part of the construction site required additional work and materials to ensure a viable paved surface 11-12 years out.  Cost increase is necessary to cover (primarily) additional material costs.  Village Manager reports that the “lesson learned” is to ensure robust engineering assessment of project sites are done prior to project planning and contracting. Introduced and passed.

Next Meeting: September 4, 2024 at 7:30pm.

Related documents, websites: Granville Village Council Agenda

Observer Notes: Regarding Public Hearing of Pending Ordinances:  No public comments were received on either of the proposed Ordinances below. Public comments can still be submitted regarding the proposed JEDD agreement until September 7.

ORDINANCE NO. 08-2024 AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO SIGN A JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF GRANVILLE AND THE BOARD OF TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES OF GRANVILLE TOWNSHIP TO ESTABLISH A JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN GRANVILLE TOWNSHIP

ORDINANCE NO. 15-2024 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE APPLICATION TO REZONE PROPERTY OWNED BY JUST HOMES OF OHIO, LLC LOCATED AT 204 MUNSON STREET, FROM COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT (CSD) TO VILLAGE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (VRD)

Regarding Committee Reports:  Three items of interest.

(1) Questions were raised by the Arts Commission regarding budget planning for FY2025.  It was confirmed that committees need to begin looking at their needs and know that this will be an on-going process through early fall.  Approval of the budget is scheduled for December for implementation beginning Jan 1.  

(2)  Tree and Landscape Committee reports seven invasive Bradford pear trees have been identified for removal in the coming weeks.  Although some neighborhoods are requesting that their pear trees be spared, this cannot be accommodated.  

(3)  Union Cemetery Committee reports that fall work-day is scheduled for September 14 beginning at 9:30 am.  Interested citizens are invited to join the effort.

Observer: Diana Beardsley

Submission Date: 08/22/2024

Reviewer: Sarah Finke-Fyffe