[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6376552,"mediaKeyId","2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07","parentId",2140078,"title","Votes at a glance: council appoints acting clerk, adopts pay increases and accepts December financials","audioSeconds",1121,"startMs",739000,"endMs",1860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07&start=739&end=1860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07/thumbnail_739000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6376552/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-council-appoints-acting-clerk-adopts-pay-increases-and-accepts-December-financials","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376552-40a5fe89fc470ff8fc3e9f99f7ea8739/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528615&Signature=iRkHgEWIpt5XoOvccibYaosfCLi-IYXglwQSnReL40AdgM4p1X29gGr4Ab1Zqnvj9VU-IuGOKh0Ms9I5CMacVMumXNP9l0nMCYWyA7WINFYKUu6PHZdMeO0NVw1BMAM5gauvwX3cUeyBfSIb1wwsCOS4WTRLh2ZDzvoJwZ5HRcdRN~rvupdzVU-9zRpVKYFwVaFynSXnScy0puiM0GU4lc8IrgAC2yKq-9wtIDts-J4LNwL4OTjhHAeqhUza8E0ng78woMcb8prFEwWR7DlCa4M6qoyUEc~1SZGXhGuJ-475uaG0ri8vKbvFKSP0iqQDL~1HUQbBiMBWE62jHNJHPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Athens OH","date","2025-01-22T13:53:59Z","article","Athens City Council recorded several formal actions during its Jan. 21 meeting.

Appointment of acting clerk: Council appointed Scott Thompson as acting clerk for the evening by voice vote. A motion to appoint Thompson was made and seconded and the motion carried.

Ordinance 137‑24 (adopted): Council voted to adopt Ordinance 137‑24, which amends Ordinance 116‑24 to increase nonunion compensation for the assistant law director and the prosecutor. Section 1 specifies a general hourly pay increase effective the first pay period of 2025 with retroactive pay: assistant law director (pay grade 11) from $39.37 to $42.94 per hour; prosecutor (pay grade 10) from $36.85 to $39.39 per hour. The law director reported that the prosecutor position has been filled and the hire will start Feb. 10.

Financial reports accepted: Council moved to accept the December 2024 financial reports as submitted by the auditor; the motion passed by voice vote.

Amendment to Ordinance 06‑25: Council approved a motion to amend Ordinance 06‑25 by striking Section 2 (rezoning five parcels immediately west of 0 Pomeroy Road), returning that portion of the proposal to planning and development committee. The motion carried by voice vote.

Adjournment: Council adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.

Each of the above actions was recorded in the meeting minutes and approved by voice vote unless a roll call was requested; where specific vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript, the action is reported as approved per the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Athens City Council - January 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Athens City Council recorded several formal actions during its Jan. 21 meeting, including an appointment, an adopted pay ordinance and acceptance of the auditor’s December financial reports.","taxTitle","Athens City Council, Athens , Athens County, Ohio","taxId",70977,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6376570,"Council hears wide-ranging opposition and technical defenses of proposed Pomeroy Road rezoning",2055,1501000,3556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07&start=1501&end=3556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07/thumbnail_1501000.jpg","/articles/6376570/Ohio/Council-hears-wide-ranging-opposition-and-technical-defenses-of-proposed-Pomeroy-Road-rezoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376570-640a57cc49f721bcf69a5be10970d2cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528615&Signature=ThhMJhu8N35fU13W-PAMwF5-AanSvkcXVvsnT~ASnKFsQ-yALeAtrEutsB16fU5GXGwlWPbEdgrvOTkSTq0MsSREoB5In6A4h9QD1fz2OxuvtGq15APUzv-efq84U1laU9HS7Mqz-FFESGtq2Vd~v5rJdtCAfwLR5SQ9J8W53RjAYz5CETPX1O80rGM7KROPUzppmkUydPwuwx98j6q-TsaKFxT27jQsEADC-dKsl2LWQKsmiXpB5kBCG4J8j~Bqvdhtjp5yMdXX-vyvKvW4yPuUmudzZyMZcIi-ZUwZltux8FZvdzagKVsk4XexKpqZ4oapkfR3YJs7eMMcQVUc9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council held first reading on an ordinance to rezone a parcel on Pomeroy Road to allow multi‑family development, and during the meeting on Jan. 21 residents raised safety, drainage and neighborhood‑character concerns while the developer described engineering work it says would mitigate those risks.

The rezoning measure, introduced as Ordinance 06‑25, would rezone an undeveloped lot on Pomeroy Road from R‑1 (single family) to R‑3 (multi‑family) to facilitate a proposed 50‑unit affordable housing project, according to Sean McMickle of Spire Development. “We’re proposing a 50‑unit affordable housing project that’ll be financed by tax credits through the state of Ohio,” McMickle said, adding that the project would include an elevator, additional accessible units, and an underground detention system to control stormwater runoff.

The ordinance’s sponsor, Council Member Swank, moved at first reading to strike Section 2, which would have rezoned five parcels immediately west of 0 Pomeroy Road; council approved that amendment and the removed portion will return to the planning and development committee. That change leaves the original petition to rezone 0 Pomeroy Road intact while routing the adjacent‑parcels question back for additional committee review.

Why it matters: the proposal pits a state‑funded affordable housing plan against neighborhood concerns about traffic safety, flooding and impacts on nearby businesses. Residents said Pomeroy Road already carries high‑speed traffic and has a history of vehicles leaving the roadway; neighbors and business owners told council they fear added density would worsen those problems.

Residents described repeated crashes and near misses near the curve where the project would be located. “Pomeroy Road is extremely dangerous,” said Sharon Walker, a Pomeroy Road resident who lives on the curve; she described vehicles leaving the road, repeated fence and shed damage to nearby properties, and a recent collision at a veterinary clinic entrance. Another neighbor, Aaron Leatherwood, described the parcel as a leftover interior farm lot and warned that the site has long been regarded as a difficult development location.

Spire Development responded with technical studies it said should allay neighborhood concerns. McMickle said a civil‑engineering review concluded the project will require an underground detention basin using a “critical storm” method that the engineer expects will reduce runoff and not increase flood elevations on adjacent properties. McMickle also said a traffic analysis found peak‑hour trips would be small — roughly 25 AM trips and 23 PM trips — and would represent about 1.9% of daily traffic at the Pomeroy/Richland intersection.

Council and other commenters asked for more documentation. Council Member McCarrie asked for the engineering analysis and other supporting materials to be posted or provided to council so they can be shared with neighbors. “If we can have some factual data that we can even share with community members, that would be really helpful,” McCarrie said.

Other public commenters raised concerns about the configuration and likely impacts of three‑story buildings. Adam Lewis, a neighborhood resident, compared other local developments and cited police call‑volume concerns, parking pressure and potential spillover onto Coventry Lane. Lewis also criticized the developer’s financial incentives and said similar tax‑credit projects in the area receive substantial tax abatements.

Several speakers urged a broader planning approach. Jerry Miller and others asked that the city lead coordinated neighborhood engagement instead of reacting to developer proposals, and that council consider whether other, more walkable areas might be better candidates for higher‑density affordable housing.

What happens next: the council amended Ordinance 06‑25 by striking the portion affecting five parcels west of 0 Pomeroy Road; that section will return to the planning and development committee for further review. The rezoning of 0 Pomeroy Road remains in the ordinance and will proceed through second reading, a public hearing scheduled for Feb. 3, and later readings if it continues through the legislative process.","Athens City Council held first reading on an ordinance to rezone a parcel on Pomeroy Road to allow multi‑family development, and during the meeting on Jan. 21 residents raised safety, drainage and neighborhood‑character concerns while the developer described engineering work it says would mitigate those risks.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6376556,"Council approves additional funds for West State Park restroom and tennis/pickleball repairs; officials cite one‑off construction costs",523,5560000,6083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07&start=5560&end=6083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07/thumbnail_5560000.jpg","/articles/6376556/Ohio/Council-approves-additional-funds-for-West-State-Park-restroom-and-tennispickleball-repairs-officials-cite-oneoff-construction-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376556-6a81e8c79fc38671e184a9e8aa508f41/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528615&Signature=EZPv8H61ILhcTq33s8cdnDnY1qEkv2U0RAwCQFEhpfkMt2BhGRxBvQ2XCffhVDxpJulQ2RRLcftSy6lINsFLo5Z0~TqOfwKh4vSew54H6gNflHQy2NDDEl6mHYGaZKF9eSKRH1S~sL0UTvtcGUUCLCWHdxdC9STtxG0R36ppNxEHiUezSsA7JRkbXWTTOiUdZVn7aFqMIDPjV-3EmmNhUN4sZvLBUZsnPoJYmd8jUhUuE3mLth5MorO4o9KVlJ2Rt5wOmrKDFMV49bOFplgDHhedTXnAMVKGtJCEA~muuf3DPvXXQNF~WgWvzyU-E04NBtQXSTgY3ZAaecHNkd8b7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council heard first readings on ordinances authorizing increased spending to complete a new restroom at West State Park and to address problems on tennis and pickleball courts.

Ordinance 10‑25 would increase the authorized expenditure for a new restroom facility at West State Park (project number 349) to up to $300,000 from the city’s income tax fund, according to the ordinance read by Councilor McCarrie. Councilors said the facility will add capacity, improve ADA accessibility and include features such as changing tables.

Councilors and the mayor acknowledged sticker shock at the price but explained that single‑site, shorter‑run projects can be more expensive because contractors and materials are not purchased at scale. The administration said the project has been rebid multiple times and APR (Arts, Parks & Recreation) staff pursued modular options before arriving at the current recommended approach.

Ordinance 11‑25 would authorize up to $350,000 for tennis and pickleball court repairs and remediation, including addressing iron aggregate issues that have caused surface problems. Administration staff said bidders did not include a specification limiting iron content in aggregate — adding such a requirement would likely require hauling aggregate from distant quarries and increase costs — and there is no contractual basis for a cost share under the existing contract.

Council members asked for plans and engineering details. Council Member Reisner asked the administration to circulate design plans and engineering details so council and the public can better understand the scope and expansion capability; staff agreed that plans could be provided.

Why it matters: both items address heavily used parks infrastructure and include accessibility upgrades. Officials said they weighed multiple procurement approaches and recommended increased appropriations to complete the projects rather than delay indefinite rebidding.

What happens next: ordinances were read at first reading. If approved in later readings, the administration will proceed with contracting and begin construction; council requested that project plans be distributed to council members and made available to the public.","Council read ordinances authorizing higher expenditures for a new restroom at West State Park and repairs to tennis and pickleball courts; officials said higher costs reflect one‑off construction and accessibility upgrades and committed to sharing design plans with council and the public.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6376561,"Council advances funding for Stimpson, Richland and Strouds Run bridge projects; planners promise maintained traffic flow during Stimpson work",513,4716000,5229000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07&start=4716&end=5229","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07/thumbnail_4716000.jpg","/articles/6376561/Ohio/Council-advances-funding-for-Stimpson-Richland-and-Strouds-Run-bridge-projects-planners-promise-maintained-traffic-flow-during-Stimpson-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376561-2ea6975ece723baa7e28e23e36fc8962/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528615&Signature=Q2UgF76IXJIKMM5c-pR4~wsTUD2gmB7FavfMnHRm1OlL9eCJWSLfuHlgPwS~EE5H1BZ1K5mZA7NY3uSaJVV5qvV~FJL~I~EHmVwNnFWWmXU9Jwj-GxXBTZESC598syA9fSbsBm30HzXXx1JQq5xGmplS0z68fmvq3yg6HLac3Dh3Rn1rCnjpTzYlBd167xUyPsFBN2KqQnjJ7NxHSqjDDp9bKkiTQXOVzkPYceG3X-98Wa07SHBC4lqrENPgoiLm3HiT7k0PaNPonVUtr3ZCxyDALDTA~uNcCwOwKUfQ-z~eCQC3FpmY44Zd~9gvB~aACVYGrwWgfIY3OjjAoNknSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council reviewed ordinances on Jan. 21 to advance work on three bridge projects: a full rehabilitation of the Stimpson Avenue bridge and design/maintenance work on the Richland Avenue and Strouds Run bridges.

Ordinance 08‑25 would amend 2025 appropriations and authorize engineering and construction for the Stimpson Avenue Bridge rehabilitation (project number 358). The ordinance text shown in council reads as authorization to expend up to $5,300,519 — $4,470,590 from a small cities ODOT fund and $830,000 from the street rehabilitation fund — to replace the bridge deck and parapets, rehab and paint beams, repair abutments, install decorative lighting, and add a separated shared‑use path on the upstream (southern) side of the bridge.

Mayor Patterson and staff said they intend to maintain traffic flow through the Stimpson corridor during construction, similar to the city’s prior Richland Avenue bridge work. “It will be signalized with traffic flow maintained through Stimpson Avenue across the bridge,” the mayor said, and staff committed to advance signage and communications to discourage cut‑through traffic in nearby narrow neighborhoods while work is underway.

Ordinance 09‑25 authorizes advertisement for bids and contracting for design, maintenance and additions to the Richland Avenue bridge over the Hocking River and the Strouds Run bridge over U.S. 33 (project number 381). Council discussion noted concerns about graffiti and pedestrian safety on the Strouds Run structure and described plans to reapply protective coatings and add fencing or barriers where needed; the text includes a proposed appropriation of about $240,000 and a total authorization of $262,000 from the street fund for project 381.

Why it matters: the Stimpson Avenue bridge carries vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic and provides a key east–west connection. Officials emphasized the importance of limiting disruption for businesses and residents while addressing structural needs and improving pedestrian access.

Public commenters supported the Stimpson project. Andrew Guittarelli, a member of the city’s pedestrian and bicycle task force speaking as a private citizen, urged consideration of a physical barrier between the shared‑use path and vehicle lanes and welcomed the improvements for pedestrian access to nearby businesses.

Council members asked for robust communication and signage plans to discourage neighborhood cut‑through driving during construction; one council member suggested exploring lowering speed limits or installing radar speed signs as long‑term traffic‑calming measures on Pomeroy and other streets.

What happens next: the ordinances were read at first reading; if appropriations and contracting authorization proceed, the service/safety director will advertise for bids and the administration expects to move forward with design and procurement steps.","Council read ordinances to fund rehabilitation of the Stimpson Avenue bridge and to authorize design and repairs for Richland and Strouds Run bridges. The Stimpson rehabilitation carries an estimated $5.3 million authorization and will include a separated shared‑use path; officials said traffic flow will be maintained during construction.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6376565,"Council holds public hearing on political sign size change; ordinance limits political signs to 432 square inches",3105,501000,3606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07&start=501&end=3606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140078-3427149d570ca4a3188f2ca459bdbe07/thumbnail_501000.jpg","/articles/6376565/Ohio/Council-holds-public-hearing-on-political-sign-size-change-ordinance-limits-political-signs-to-432-square-inches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376565-f208922651a0334afbac67fe03780d18/orig.mp4?Expires=1775528615&Signature=n4w3m6LtbWQ9YAc64IqrKbtLlPEoJXJAGkDY9rBAN3FFg464BVL9XgttRKXM4PamQyJQqQ8JOEXZHOxQ2CgCMXfyBUYYGs5WtPNWhaHYDh9m9zGadBZgCB-p2l-uZBzsGCGfv9c77ih3Dqss2-Bi4buBiQ6J5gkK4ktDA8ctqGyWjX28UVrmbql11bvSeNZdArpMtaMpbzRAwwy8SBVs4hAqxe6~wH0szZXYNSoFf8XlsOehaoeTcMtXDppFdzqH4f96wW~C7q3sk~jX6TGd0ePGoFfKU3R9AGe5mVhWwGh8p0c0NBhGwFQADuc3lOqMSkPd4uiLayJ5-zuxy5yqaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council conducted a public hearing on Jan. 21 on a proposed change to city sign regulations that would increase the maximum size for political or ideological temporary signs from 350 square inches to 432 square inches.

Council Member Swank explained the change as an effort to align the municipal code with commercially available sign sizes and said it is not intended to regulate content. “No way, shape, or form are we regulating content, the design of your sign, what it can say, but simply the size to make it uniform and consistent with what you can buy at the local store or online,” Swank said.

The ordinance, introduced as Ordinance 07‑25, would amend Chapter 23.03 sign regulations so that political or ideological signs may be up to 432 square inches and must be maintained in safe condition or removed. The law director told council that the city enforces size and placement but cannot regulate speech; enforcement would be handled through code enforcement and the police when necessary.

Council members asked about enforcement and penalties. The law director indicated that previous enforcement actions asked property owners or students to remove large signs and said complaints are typically handled by the city’s code office or police department. Council Member Spank (sic) asked what happens if oversized signs remain; the law director replied that residents may report violations to code enforcement.

Why it matters: the change would remove a practical mismatch between the city code and the signs many candidates and residents buy. Staff and council characterized the change as clarifying regulation of size and safety rather than content control.

What happens next: the matter was read for first reading and will return as legislation for subsequent readings; residents will have additional opportunities for comment when the ordinance reaches later readings.","Athens City Council held a public hearing on Ordinance 07‑25 to increase the maximum permitted size of political or ideological yard signs from 350 to 432 square inches; council members said the change aims to align code with commonly sold sign sizes and is intended to regulate size, not content.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council appoints acting clerk, adopts pay increases and accepts December financials

Council hears wide-ranging opposition and technical defenses of proposed Pomeroy Road rezoning

Council approves additional funds for West State Park restroom and tennis/pickleball repairs; officials cite one‑off construction costs

Council advances funding for Stimpson, Richland and Strouds Run bridge projects; planners promise maintained traffic flow during Stimpson work

Council holds public hearing on political sign size change; ordinance limits political signs to 432 square inches