The League of Women Voters of Licking County | The Reporting Project
OBSERVER REPORT
Government Body Observed: Granville Village Council
Meeting Date: 09/04/2024
Meeting Details
Attendance:
● Board/Commission/Trustee Attendance: Mayor Hartfield, Vice Mayor Johnson, Councilpersons, Mickelson, Koehler-Ball, Dermarest, Leithauser. Councilperson Olbur was absent and excused.
● Staff Attendance: Manager Kuehler, Law Director Mattes, Debi Walker-Yost (Village Planner), Police Chief Caskey, plus Autumn Klein, Village Clerk.
● Three citizens were also in attendance.
Public Comment: Resident expressed concerns regarding bow hunting of deer in the “new” Munson Springs Nature Preserve, which is adjacent to residential communities. Primary concerns included safety of residents, especially children, using the natural area for hiking and exploring. Concern was also expressed that bow hunting does not always result in a direct kill and that animals suffer because of it eventually dying from the wound. Resident understood that there were concerns about managing the deer population in the area; however, they noted that there are other ways to manage herds other than through hunting programs. The Humane Society has developed processes to help in this area.
City manager with input from the police chief reported that all approved hunters have background checks and must pass a skills test with bow/arrow before being approved to hunt in the area. Hunters are not only local residents but several come from out of state. Culling of deer last year was initially thought to be about a half dozen but reported data appears to be closer to several dozen. It was unclear if this date was just from Munson Springs Nature Preserve or from all approved sectors in the Village, many of which are private property. ODNR guidelines apply to all hunting within Village limits.
Council agreed that while development of plans for the use of Munson Creek property are in-progress that signage would be posted on the property alerting individuals that it is an active hunting area from September through December.
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 11th meeting. Village Manager explained that a small number of petitions for properties included in the current plan are still awaiting signature and return by property owners. Additionally, the Township has secured a new attorney who is looking at the tax burden incurred by small businesses; some concerns have been raised on this issue. It is expected that these will be returned prior to the Township voting on the JEDD next week. Agreement to table passed on voice vote, 6-0.
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. Council agreed 6-0 to consider this an “emergency” and then ordinance was passed by voice vote 6-0.
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. Ordinance was amended to include the words “public green space”. Council agreed 6-0 to consider this an “emergency” and then ordinance was passed by voice vote 6-0.
New Business: RESOLUTION NO. 2024-52 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS
AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND
AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO
THE COUNTY AUDITOR. Considered a “housekeeping” action. Agreed to on voice vote 6-0.
Next Meeting: 18 SEPTEMBER 2024
Related documents, websites: Council Packet: can be found at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e74de6f4749db7726b1e9fe/t/66d202ace7eb596985d2a051/1725039279232/Council+Packet+09.04.24.pdf
Observer Notes: PUBLIC HEARINGS: No comments were received during the public hearing of proposed Ordinances below. The period for public comments regarding the proposed JEDD agreement can still be submitted until September 18.
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. Tabled until Sept 18 meeting.
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.
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
Committee Reports. Three items of interest. (1) Planning Commission reported there are discussions regarding development and zoning changes around the Buxton Inn. Deliberations are on-going. .
(2) Bryn Du Commission. Cost of bird waste abatement came in under budget.
(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. Contact Lyn Boone for more information.
Do you have any attachments? No
Observer: DIANA BEARDSLEY
Submission Date: 09/05/2024
Reviewer: