The League of Women Voters of Licking County | The Reporting Project
OBSERVER REPORT
Government Body Observed: Johnstown City Council Meeting
Meeting Date: 05-20-2025
Meeting Details
Attendance: Council Members: Mayor Donald Barnard, Tiffany Hollis, Dave Selan, Ryan Green, Wesley Kobel, Jeff Barr, Bob Orsini
Staff: Sean Staneart - City Manager, Dave Delande - Finance Director, Jack Liggett - Service Director, Rusty Smart - Chief of Police, Teresa Monroe - Clerk of Council
Public: Tyler Thompson from Denison Reporting Project, Kendall Polen.
Mike Keller, Justin Fuller and Steve Samuels from EMH&T
Public Comment: None
Old Business: May 7, 2025 minutes approved 5-0 (2 abstained since they were not present)
New Business: EMH&T Presentation by Mike Keller and Justin Fuller: Firm representing the Municipal Utility Coalition of Licking County gave a presentation on the 20 year Facility Plan Overview. The Municipal Utility Coalition of Licking County was formed by the mayors of Johnstown, Alexandria and Granville to provide wastewater service in western Licking County under a revised 208 Plan in contrast to the Licking Regional Water District. Per the document, “This plan proposes a community-led regional framework that (1) addresses both short-term and long-term utility needs that accommodates intelligent, planful growth for the cities and townships in western Licking County; (2) addresses OEPA’s proposed update to the Statewide Water Quality Management Plan (“WQM Plan” or “208 Plan”) specific to west and northwest Licking County; and (3) proposes appropriate designated management agencies (DMA’s) that would best serve the goals and interests of the state of Ohio and the people and businesses in the region.” Link to document: MUNICIPAL UTILITY COALITION OF LICKING COUNTY – WATER & WASTEWATER PLANNING DRAFT Facility Plan
Link to the Coalitions response to the Ohio EPA on May 15, 2025: Municipal Utility Coalition Letter to Ohio EPA
Council Committee reports
a. Design Review Board: 5/13/25 canceled; Next 5/27/25 @ 5:00 pm council chambers
b. Planning & Zoning: 5/13/25 canceled; Next 5/27/25 @ 6:30 pm council chambers
c. Finance: 5/20/25 canceled; Next 6/17/25 @ 5:30 pm council chambers
d. Facilities Committee: Next 6/3/25 @ 5:00 pm council chambers
e. Safety & Service: Next 6/3/25 @ 5:30 pm council chambers
Director Reports
a. Police Chief
Report included in packet. Question from Mayor Barnard to Chief Smart regarding why officer initiated calls were down in April compared to other months. Chief Smart replied it was due to a lack of staffing. He also stated they are in the process of hiring another officer.
b. City Manager
Report included in packet. Mayor Barnard asked for an update on number 8 on the report regarding union negotiations. Mr. Staneart stated he would like to hold off answering until after the executive session.
Public Hearings of Legislation
a. RESOLUTION 2025-19 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
REAPPOINT THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
The current City Finance Manager, David Delande desires to retire effective June 30, 2025 and is requesting to retain his employment with the city and be rehired to his current position.
Questions arose as to when this retirement was initially announced and at what committee. Ms. Monroe looked this up and determined it was announced at the Finance Committee on March 18, 2025.
Mr. Green asked if this has occurred before and is there a precedent for this? The answer was yes.
Mr. Barr requested that any additional questions/discussions be addressed in the Executive Session to maintain privacy regarding council’s questions.
Motion to table this item until the executive session passed 7-0.
Mayor Barnard announced the Licking County Jail Ministry’s Jail & Bail fundraiser is upcoming and wants to know who all will participate.
He also announced he would like to hold a State of the City on their finances and invite the community. Council members like the idea and suggested other topics could be addressed with defined times for each topic. Mayor Barnard stated he would like it to be held in June or July.
Mayor Barnard stated he would like to honor the history of the city by recognizing past mayors with a proclamation. He’s already asked for a list of past mayors who are still living.
Mr. Selan announced Fiesta Del Rio will hold a fund raiser tomorrow for the Big Red Band, 3-9 PM.
He also announced May 26th at 11:30 AM at Green Hills Cemetery the America Legion will be holding their Memorial Day service followed by a cookout at the Legion
Mr. Selan gave a shout out to JYAA and Travis Dowell’s trucking company, who handled the parking lot issues and a great tournament this past weekend.
Mr. Green thanked all the first responders who responded to the fire two weeks ago and all the community who stepped up to help the family.
Also announced SpringFest coming up on the square June 7th 5-9 PM.
Mr. Barr thanked Johnstown Monroe school educators for another excellent year educating the children.
Mr. Staneart announced that some of the roadway projects came in under budget thanks to Jack Liggett.
Mr. Liggett stated that both Liberty St and McCracken Rd will be repaved for slightly less than it would have cost to repave McCracken alone.
Mayor Barnard brought up the house on Main St that was just repainted pink. He questioned the change. Mr. Staneart explained that if the material is changed, it is a major improvement that would need to go through the Design Review Board for approval, but since it was not a change in material it did not need to go through the board. The house had siding that was already painted so it was paint on paint (same material).
Move to adjourn to Executive Session to consider the appointment, employment or compensation of a public employee and to discuss collective bargaining matters approved 7-0
Next Meeting: June 3, 2025
Related documents, websites: Meeting Agenda and packet
MUNICIPAL UTILITY COALITION OF LICKING COUNTY – WATER & WASTEWATER PLANNING DRAFT Facility Plan
Municipal Utility Coalition Letter to Ohio EPA
Observer: Beth Kistler Olds
Submission Date: 05/22/2025
Reviewer: Karen Semer