[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6371285,"mediaKeyId","2150097-647a988c98b076013ec0cfe2d4a702c3","parentId",2150097,"title","Whitehall Council summary: minutes approved, one ordinance tabled, two emergency measures adopted","audioSeconds",152,"startMs",3543000,"endMs",3695000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150097-647a988c98b076013ec0cfe2d4a702c3&start=3543&end=3695","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150097-647a988c98b076013ec0cfe2d4a702c3/thumbnail_3543000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371285/Ohio/Whitehall-Council-summary-minutes-approved-one-ordinance-tabled-two-emergency-measures-adopted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371285-56cd88990be488d4f839ff6249eba30a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138388&Signature=Y59fClxEe01ZaBdNnZGQqt6SJtp5e7qEKLeCj12HTA1ifDtIzOICRIY~h3hVfzATwYWUt0kX6rI8Lf4PYupmqRf-r5SJgbHi1ZXZOK47dmsLdZaURVGYyVWuc9YhFGChyr~UwRNs95iXC3YYNBfDscdvViv6JYfCBS8ymm97NCeHbnFE2ASVa7LBF2C6gJ2ubv4x1bztH0-fJVbkM3lxmSRahie-tWwIUiFDkq9Ld0gTtaPCXrnh9a0EN4n1GGZKrX25-vonhpo5njMVHqrPS7Yp~NWNyler6oiKpIikDzCgXX~dZhasHm34HgK4dGLKVjjhzmDpMGbNhSiwpLx0iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Whitehall OH","date","2025-01-22T18:43:21Z","article","The Whitehall City Council on Jan. 21, 2025, recorded several formal actions during its meeting: approval of prior meeting minutes, tabling of an ordinance for further review, an amendment to a redevelopment tax‑exemption ordinance, and the immediate adoption of an appropriation and a resolution after suspending rules.

Minutes approved
Council voted to approve the Dec. 17, 2024 regular meeting minutes, the Jan. 7, 2025 minutes and the Jan. 14, 2025 special meeting minutes. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Miss Elmore and seconded; a roll call recorded unanimous approval (Elmore, Morrison, Heck, Smith, Harcourt, Dixon, Brown).

Ordinance 1-21-20-24 — tabled
Miss Elmore moved to table Ordinance 1-21-20-24 “until further notice” to allow additional investigation and community input. The motion was seconded by Mr. Brown and approved by roll call. The ordinance was formally tabled; council minutes record unanimous 'yes' votes on the roll call.

Ordinance 10-20-25 — amendment approved
Council Member Dixon moved to amend Ordinance 10-20-25 to replace the previously listed figure of 36 new townhomes with 50; Mr. Brown seconded. The amendment passed on roll call; the clerk recorded unanimous 'yes' votes for the members present.

Ordinance 13-20-25 — emergency appropriation adopted
Council introduced Ordinance 13-20-25, a settlement appropriation moving $25,000 into Parks & Recreation expenses (donated by Discover), and moved to suspend the rules and adopt on the same night. The suspension and adoption motions were approved by roll call; the clerk recorded unanimous votes in favor. Council recorded that the funds came from a Discover donation to Parks & Rec and will be used for events.

Resolution 4-20-25 — adopted
Council introduced Resolution 4-20-25, moved to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution that evening. After a second and roll call, the resolution was adopted; the roll‑call record shows unanimous approval by the members voting.

Roll‑call practice and timing
Where roll calls were recorded, the clerk read member names and recorded “yes” votes for Elmore, Morrison, Heck, Smith, Harcourt, Dixon and Brown. In two instances clerk and councilors used slightly different name spellings on the audio transcript; the meeting record shows all present council members voting in favor on the recorded items.

Why it matters: Multiple emergency suspensions and on‑the‑spot appropriations can accelerate spending and implementation. Council also used a tabling motion to pause at least one ordinance for further review and community input. The amendment to Ordinance 10-20-25 changes the scale of a proposed development and therefore will inform later fiscal and land‑use decisions.

Provenance: Actions and roll‑call results appear in the official meeting record and were read into the public transcript during the Jan. 21 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Voting Meeting 01-21-2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Jan. 21 meeting council approved minutes, tabled Ordinance 1-21-20-24, amended Ordinance 10-20-25 to change the townhome count, adopted Ordinance 13-20-25 (settlement appropriation) and adopted Resolution 4-20-25; roll calls recorded unanimous 'yes' votes for those actions.","taxTitle","Whitehall City Council, Whitehall, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",71203,"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},6371290,"Whitehall mayor proclaims January 2025 National Human Trafficking Prevention Month",466,114000,580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150097-647a988c98b076013ec0cfe2d4a702c3&start=114&end=580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150097-647a988c98b076013ec0cfe2d4a702c3/thumbnail_114000.jpg","/articles/6371290/Ohio/Whitehall-mayor-proclaims-January-2025-National-Human-Trafficking-Prevention-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371290-2dd0563079eee010638661498652868d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138388&Signature=HPrZu0CcwJYxzdYCux3whrBRkJBVT9xghEkvkyu6Ywz5cxJxqD7Ny6jJAb98ou-WI15Pl9khT91~1qIec2fCmJ4~bApDeLC8NTNE6c2S1pyPZjiR22qGuz8GUV~fLdp0JTrqS4vec1VfVMOAZON4AJ-ZsELCeVx6nCEJg7FqZzCNPth5p8~vebrQOpbUAnlufA4kR~Mboby~Bi2puGQ24ABfkNCzGq2V9J1y--IiB1ITqLXIcrChZGA~zWxDooOppsrQ4RB686tHGQ6VYUpX~lmFo8oy5kjnbYZUEB-WJXPqDzLegy07-s6RFJwZvcig9c0t4RSzMxssznE2GFuWYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Michael T. Bivens used the Whitehall City Council meeting on Jan. 21, 2025, to read a proclamation declaring January 2025 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Whitehall and to highlight local efforts to support survivors.

The mayor invited representatives of Still I Stand and Whitehall police to add context before reading the proclamation. Cara Austin of Still I Stand told council the organization and local partners serve survivors of domestic servitude, labor trafficking and sex trafficking and that awareness is critical because traffickers exploit vulnerabilities such as poverty, isolation and unstable housing. “If we don't acknowledge that it happens right here at home, we're not gonna be able to eradicate it,” she said.

Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispin provided local and statewide figures, saying that in 2023 the Polaris hotline received over 850 calls for trafficking incidents in the state and that the Whitehall division investigated six local cases that year, many identified through traffic stops and the narcotics unit. He described a November operation in which law enforcement rescued multiple victims; he said some rescued people return to exploitation because of underlying vulnerabilities and emphasized the need for trauma‑informed services and a clear help pathway when survivors are ready to accept assistance.

The mayor's proclamation cited the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act and national estimates of millions of people affected worldwide; it called on residents, businesses and organizations to raise awareness, support survivors and work collaboratively across sectors. The proclamation also thanked local partners — including Still I Stand and the police department — and Council Member Amy Harcourt for help drafting the language.

Why it matters: Council members and presenters said human trafficking is both a criminal justice and public‑health issue that requires coordinated, trauma‑informed responses. The proclamation does not by itself create new programs or funding but formalizes the city's commitment to awareness and cross‑sector coordination.

What was said: Mayor Bivens read the proclamation text into the record. Cara Austin and Chief Crispin described local outreach and enforcement work. Chief Crispin urged the public to know that help exists and that survivors often need sustained support beyond rescue.

What happens next: Council members praised the proclamation and thanked presenters. The city did not approve new funding or a specific new program at the Jan. 21 meeting; council members and the mayor suggested continued collaboration with local nonprofits and state partners to improve survivor services and public awareness.

Provenance: The presentation and proclamation began during the special presentation item and concluded when the mayor signed the proclamation at the dais.","Mayor Michael T. Bivens read a proclamation recognizing human trafficking as a persistent public‑health and criminal issue; local nonprofit representatives and police described local incidence and the need for survivor services and public awareness.",{"_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},6371295,"Residents press council over Fairway Cliffs development, council amends townhome count",2631,919000,3550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150097-647a988c98b076013ec0cfe2d4a702c3&start=919&end=3550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150097-647a988c98b076013ec0cfe2d4a702c3/thumbnail_919000.jpg","/articles/6371295/Ohio/Residents-press-council-over-Fairway-Cliffs-development-council-amends-townhome-count","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371295-244c5f652405dc8e68957677876f9010/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138388&Signature=T1Ari8tpXgVMilgFN5S2sYKYSNUV8oYm9Y3n-6pQl5iZgEAbpU8mOuvIqoCLNxNR5wNoj~hzx9mPEKYqjGyUKTng0UaAUQ5YnmI9F0JeXvypoJIcdi4hq0bF4KL5Y7RgNMJpfmiDHA2JF0ap0Bfcw6JPHSoqhaLByQqfnvMKIC8o3NrmmvqWoy49M1mMR3jL8vAivTvJ6TWguYB2UjXYykFvt~6J8wRs5uosnlqtKCCA7zH7fyRzHHwHwwBqb-6QWQyiL04G33jrkLmvPv4hhnASU4xv1bS6JoagCqvkmugjoE36GCHHSIBR1nIfIQO22D62Zf7kltnhVO4txdpscw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposal to redevelop parcels along Fairway Boulevard drew more than a dozen public comments and questioning from members of the Whitehall City Council on Jan. 21, 2025, as the administration and the developer sought approval for Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) exemptions and other incentives tied to the project.

Supporters of the neighborhood pushed back at a council meeting where the developer, Evan Rivera of Cordova Real Estate Group, described plans to build townhomes and add 2,000–2,500 square feet of ground‑floor retail to an existing office building. Rivera said the team expects to start construction in April and estimated 20 townhomes on one side of Yearling Road and matching units on the other; the townhomes he described are four‑bedroom models. Rivera told council the design has been revised repeatedly over two years because of a newly discovered gas‑line easement and parking constraints.

Council members and multiple neighbors said they did not have enough detailed drawings to evaluate the latest proposal. “This is too much change for me to try to anticipate and try to verbally and visually understand what you're saying,” Council Member Smith said during the applicant presentation, asking for updated renderings before council action. Multiple residents said they had not been informed in time and questioned why the legislation was being presented as an emergency measure.

Residents cited zoning and traffic concerns, questioned the proposed parkland trade, and criticized the tax incentives being requested. Patricia Bolster, a Fairway resident, asked what zoning allows converting single‑family lots to townhomes and warned the project would change neighborhood character. Holly Stein urged council to reject the proposed tax incentives, saying the petition submitted for the Community Authority reported “0 full‑time equivalent employees.” Joan Zagasca and other speakers called the emergency designation inappropriate and said public outreach had been limited. Amanda Waller and others raised environmental and canopy concerns for parkland that the administration says would be added as part of negotiations with a partner bank.

City staff and the applicant told council the plan has already changed several times because of a gas easement and parking limitations. City legal staff reminded council the applicant holds an earlier ordinance approval for a prior design (Ordinance 043-20-22); the new ordinance under consideration would repeal that earlier approval and add the commercial component laid out in the new submission.

On procedural actions tied to the project during the meeting, Council Member Dixon moved to amend Ordinance 10-20-25 to replace an earlier figure of 36 new townhomes with 50; the motion was seconded by Council Member Brown and passed on roll call. Elsewhere on the agenda, Council Member Elmore moved to table Ordinance 1-21-20-24 “until further notice” so staff and a committee could gather more community input; that motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

Why it matters: the measures before council would change permitted uses and offer real‑estate tax exemptions and related infrastructure agreements that can affect city revenue, project design, parkland and neighborhood traffic patterns. Neighbors said the proposed parkland sits in a floodplain and that the long‑term maintenance and safety costs would fall to the city if accepted; proponents argued the development will bring new housing and redevelopment of underused parcels.

What happens next: several council members pressed the applicant for finished renderings and clearer parking and site‑layout plans. The developer said more detailed plans and renderings would be provided within roughly 90 days. Council did not vote to approve the overall development package or final CRA agreement at the Jan. 21 meeting; the council instead voted on the amendment described above and tabled at least one separate ordinance for deeper review. Council members repeatedly asked for more time and for improved public outreach before any final votes.

Votes at the meeting affecting this topic included the amendment to Ordinance 10-20-25 (townhome count increased to 50) and the tabling of Ordinance 1-21-20-24 for further study. The administration said if the current proposal is rejected, the earlier ordinance (Ordinance 043-20-22) would remain in effect.

Developers, council and residents agreed on one practical point in the meeting: parking and an existing utility easement materially altered the options the applicant can present. Several council members told the applicant they expected a full, consistent set of renderings, site plans and parking analysis before voting on final development agreements or tax incentives.

Provenance: The discussion and public comments on Fairway Cliffs began when Mayor Michael T. Bivens called out Fairway Cliffs during his report (transcript excerpt: “I see a lot of, members that are here that are just, have signed in that are gonna speak, potentially as it relates, to the Fairway Cliffs, development.”) and continued through the developer presentation and ordinance readings later in the meeting.","Developers presented a revised Fairway Cliffs plan without finished renderings; residents raised zoning, traffic, park and tax-incentive concerns. Council amended a related tax-exemption ordinance to increase the number of townhomes and tabled an unrelated ordinance for further study.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Whitehall Council summary: minutes approved, one ordinance tabled, two emergency measures adopted

Whitehall mayor proclaims January 2025 National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Residents press council over Fairway Cliffs development, council amends townhome count