The League of Women Voters of Licking County | The Reporting Project
OBSERVER REPORT
Government Body Observed: Newark City Council
Meeting Date: 09-15-2024
Meeting Details
Attendance: Full Council, City Attorney. Mayor was absent from the meeting.
Public Comment: There was a meeting of the Safety Committee that was to begin at 5:45 pm, prior to the 7:00 pm Council meeting. The meeting began at approximately 6:20 after Council members called for an executive session - where doors were closed and the public was moved into the hallway. It was difficult to count the number of public members, estimated 80 to 100 members moved into the hallway. The crowd began to raise their voice in song as they waited for the doors to be opened again. Public included a multitude of people there to speak against the proposed Ordinance No. 24-36 regarding camping/sleeping on public property targeted at the homeless population.
Due to the shortened time of the meeting only 7 citizens had time to speak with three being opposed and four demanding this ordinance go forward. Concerns raised by the citizens in opposition included criminalization of being homeless, how the issue was not addressing the needs of the unsheltered (housing and other resources), and how having a criminal record would make it almost impossible to gain housing. One citizen, who is currently unhoused, spoke of the medical condition that led to losing job and then his housing. He stated we are "looked upon as if we want to be homeless." Another citizen appealed to coming together to work collaboratively on the housing crisis and the shame this would bring on Newark, to criminalize those who are unsheltered. There were several requests to table this to find solutions that helped the situation versus causing more work for the currently overburdened first responders.
Those speaking for the ordinance pointed to homeowners feeling unsafe, people leaving trash in yards and on the bike path including dirty needles, with several stating that the homeless needed to be responsible for themselves and were against the handouts from local organizations. There was a statement that "they have chosen this lifestyle."
Several people objected that those speaking for the ordinance were given more than the three minute time allotment.
The committee meeting was stopped in order for the full Council meeting to begin and the crowd was told that they would finish the Safety Committee Meeting after the Full Council meeting.
At the council meeting during the two citizen comment periods, 20 more citizens commented on the ordinance with those supporting and those opposing. The crowd responded with clapping when those speaking supported their views. In the second round of comments, several speakers spoke to the problem being drug use and not homelessness, that there are individuals with addiction issues who are housed and unhoused. Some asked for low barrier homeless shelters, supported the need for clean needles so that people don't die, "not everyone that is homeless is bad". Some pointed out the cause of homelessness is complicated and is not always due to drug addiction or mental illness. One individual called for the issue to be addressed from top down and bottom up. One citizen noted that there had been a project prior to 2020 where consultants had explored the local issues and compiled a report that was shelved during the pandemic and has not been revisited.
When the safety committee reconvened, there were 5 more citizens giving testimony, several pleading for this to be tabled. At this point the number of citizens had been reduced to about 30, with the meeting stretching to 8:45 pm. One noted that the Safety Director had given a report on how situations have been handled and indicated this would be continued, where subjects would be given 24 to 48 hours to move off the property - however, this was not how the new ordinance read.
Note: full comments of the Public Safety Committee meeting held 09-02-2024 can be found in the Public Safety Committee section under the Council Meeting Minutes
Old and new business:
Caucus for 24-18A. An ordinance amending portions of the current articles of zoning coded and implementing additional articles of the zoning code. This can be found in the packet of information for the Council Meeting. Passed 10-0.
The Council noted receiving a report from Rian Bubb, the City Auditor for the period ending August 31, 2024 and from the Tax Administrator, Brenda Cooper.
Communication:
Ohio Division of Liquor Control communicated the transfer of a liquor permit application from Flat Tire LLC, 388 W. Main St., Newark to Newark Premium Liquor LLC, dba Giant Eagle, 388 W. Main St.
Received communication from Janine Paul with an opinion regarding Ordinance No. 24-36.
Licking County Courthouse Lighting Committee is holding a fundraising campaign through Friday, October 20, with a community goal of $45,000. To donate or learn more about helping, visit their website at www.courthouselighting.com.
Resolutions on Second Reading:
24-71. A resolution authorizing Newark Development Partners to act as agent for the city for the sale of certain parcels of property and authorizing the Director of Public Service to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Newark Development Partners governing the sale and distribution of proceeds. Adopted 10-0.
24-72 CI appropriating monies for the current expense of the municipal corporation ($333,854.53 Contingency). Passed 10--0
24-73 Appropriating monies for the current expenses of the Municipal Corporation (originally paid to the incorrect vendor, sent back to pay the correct vendor).
Ordinances on First Reading. None
Resolutions on First Reading
24-77. Authorizing and directing the mayor to prepare and submit to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development a one year use of funds/action plan along with an application for FY 2025 Federal community block Grant funds. This will be held until the next meeting.
24-78 exp. The council waived the 2-day reading rule for this to be adopted - a resolution appropriating monies for the current expense of the municipal corporation ($40,000 Ohio Ambulance Transportation Impacted Industry Program Grant). Adopted 10-0.
24-79. 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. Declared an emergency and adopted 10-0.
24-80. Resolution authorizing the director of public service to prepare and submit applications to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Program. Held until next meeting
Miscellaneous
Councilman Marmie stated Council needs to provide oversight of the city's health insurance fund as administration has not provided adequate oversight leading to a crisis that the City Council has to address.
Note: at the end of the Safety Committee Meeting Councilman Rath noted the officer shortage, that the community must work on the homelessness issue, that legislation is not the answer and this ordinance has sparked a discussion to find solutions, noting that there is a significant problem with affordable housing. He then motioned to move the ordinance forward to full council and it was approved with a 4-1 vote with Council member Cost voting against.
Next Meeting: October 7, 2024
Related documents, websites: Council Meeting Minutes
The Reporting Project Article on the Newark proposed Ordinance
Newark Advocate Article on the Newark proposed Ordinance
Observer Notes: The room was filled with individuals very passionate about the Ordinance that would criminalize sleeping in public areas. The murmur in the crowd was fear that the Council would push this ordinance through using the Emergency status to call a vote on the first reading even though several times the Council President stated that there would be two more readings with opportunities for the public to speak.
Observer: Cindy Webb
Submission Date: 09/19/2024
Reviewer: Karen Semer