[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6301997,"mediaKeyId","2482858-e5b6452df46c36ce0b7825af68866276","parentId",2482858,"title","Canal Winchester council moves ahead on Winchester roundabout property steps, awards 2025 street contract and picks up mayor’s OPERS contribution","audioSeconds",5330,"startMs",210000,"endMs",5540000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482858-e5b6452df46c36ce0b7825af68866276&start=210&end=5540","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482858-e5b6452df46c36ce0b7825af68866276/thumbnail_210000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301997/Ohio/Canal-Winchester-council-moves-ahead-on-Winchester-roundabout-property-steps-awards-2025-street-contract-and-picks-up-mayors-OPERS-contribution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301997-fc6a20611690b01b5979244844e8a24f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179481&Signature=bYV1KfXfbEfnf8Ml2sUoRM6NkyCIZ951bBjLxM0jWpuG6LkKLS6xNM9EXJB4AyWzFEpB3yG37J6fBGm~tf~VZelev7d-h-pwI-Cf~9uxDF7SuUOvW2qPDaXl4~PXX3JYjeQ~Dx0uo3GxOuAxVwSnj7kKClw0-iSRrCe67-oboL265pX5s8TMkHGgrp0ELLwx3~t7xBkkkXUGjh07gX6QpXH78IGnCCMt6vPaS52v8h~d-XYX1Wl8t86zgTCxQEs2yfJv4TP3Dugb1zcALcbOUe47QefGwGQqzerrqN6y5J83Cgk6IH4paSt42t2Nt3ezvilCPCI935vh3YxZ~M413w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Canal Winchester OH","date","2025-03-04T02:08:46Z","article","Canal Winchester City Council on March 3 approved measures that start the property-acquisition process for a planned roundabout on Winchester Boulevard, awarded the 2025 street program contract and amended and adopted an ordinance authorizing the city to pick up the mayor’s Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) contribution.

The council adopted three companion resolutions authorizing notice of intent and authority to appropriate limited fee interests and temporary easements on multiple Franklin County commercial parcels to allow construction of a roundabout at Winchester Boulevard. \"This legislation is the opening step that is necessary to acquire property by eminent domain,\" said Thad Boggs, the city law director. He told council appraisals will be completed and good‑faith offers made to property owners before any legal action would be taken.

Why it matters: the property actions clear an early legal step so appraisals and offers can proceed on a schedule the city says is necessary to secure funding and keep the Winchester Boulevard project on track.

Council also moved forward with the 2025 street program. Bill Sims, director of construction services, summarized the bid results and recommended awarding the contract to Strauser Paving Company, the low bidder. \"We had 3 bidders, and the low bidder was Strauser Paving,\" Sims said, adding the bid came in below the engineer’s estimate and that asphalt prices were lower than the prior year. Council waived additional readings and adopted the emergency ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute the contract.

In a separate action the council recalled and amended an ordinance that authorizes the city to pick up the statutorily required OPERS contribution for the mayor under federal tax code Section 414(h)(2). Amanda Jackson, finance director, said council previously approved the benefit but staff discovered the ordinance implementing the pick‑up was not on the books. After recalling the ordinance, council amended the pay‑period effective date and declared an emergency so the benefit takes effect immediately. Jackson explained the city must follow specific procedures to implement the contribution pick‑up.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 25‑008 (Winchester Blvd. parcel appropriation notice): adopted. Motion: Councilmember Shea; second: Councilmember Buskirk. Vote recorded as yes: Shea, Buskirk, McLaughlin, Moore, Amick. (Appraisals and offers to be sent before any appropriation filing.)
- Resolution 25‑009 (Winchester Blvd. parcel appropriation notice): adopted. Motion: Councilmember Shea; second: Councilmember Buskirk. Vote recorded as yes: Shea, Buskirk, McLaughlin, Moore, Amick.
- Resolution 25‑010 (temporary easement notice): adopted. Motion: Councilmember Shea; second: Councilmember Buskirk. Vote recorded as yes: Shea, Buskirk, McLaughlin, Moore, Amick.
- Ordinance 25‑002 (2025 Street Program contract; emergency): adopted. Motion to adopt: Councilmember McLaughlin; second: Councilmember Moore. Vote recorded as yes: McLaughlin, Buskirk, Moore, Shea, Amick.
- Ordinance 25‑003 (city picks up mayor OPERS contribution; amended and emergency): adopted as amended to change the first pay period and declared an emergency so the benefit begins immediately. Motion to adopt (final): Councilmember Shea; second: Councilmember Buskirk. Vote recorded as yes: Shea, Buskirk, McLaughlin, Moore, Amick.

Details and limits: Boggs told council that the resolutions do not mandate immediate filing of appropriation lawsuits; they authorize the next steps (appraisals and offer letters) and preserve the city’s timeline. Sims said temporary easements are included to allow maintenance of traffic during construction. Jackson said the OPERS pick‑up requires specific municipal ordinance language before payroll implementation can occur.

Next steps: appraisals and good‑faith offers to property owners are expected before any appropriation filing; Strauser Paving will receive a contract to begin the 2025 street program work under the emergency authorization; the finance and payroll offices will implement the mayor’s OPERS pick‑up per the amended effective date.

Sources: City staff presentations and council roll calls at the Canal Winchester City Council meeting on March 3, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 3, 2025 Work Session & City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Canal Winchester City Council on March 3 approved measures that start the property-acquisition process for a planned roundabout on Winchester Boulevard, awarded the 2025 street program contract and amended and adopted an ordinance authorizing the city to pick up the mayor’s Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) contribution.","taxTitle","Canal Winchester City Council, Canal Winchester, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",72201,"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},6301992,"Council to revisit pool access and nonresident day‑pass policy after staff provides revenue breakdown",3231,833000,4064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482858-e5b6452df46c36ce0b7825af68866276&start=833&end=4064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482858-e5b6452df46c36ce0b7825af68866276/thumbnail_833000.jpg","/articles/6301992/Ohio/Council-to-revisit-pool-access-and-nonresident-daypass-policy-after-staff-provides-revenue-breakdown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301992-3e9c9e3c2bc754cacbc6d917df78533c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179481&Signature=lcvbA7WShY6JJthy2~3yFC5Pp6Ety4xQeFLpFYFyc6bLno3GAJRzakbMsjgoRtgKAuU-KHZUNhW921cHmnStCscvdeJ7hb9vfpj2n08kBQSDsRLgn8dN6UEWLMZeIkuKJf8ZJuyp8VW5SOaiNuLBOPEyV3hUh5y1RixmlTlzTDL4HjVbW4EStYvuDq~KPBttYfwuB5OnC5Cj59Jr0HcsiSi-ycwIMw3a2uNeFNhDsii~HMicnNIbVGm0tMb1ciW7gdUR3DuooxAr4ECjXy3uihb-ccUiXfc0n0mJr11GnT6WKey5wHopFcf9Hz~4lppTefaMYRN6qzpvmZL1RUyO9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Canal Winchester City Council discussed whether to restrict nonresident day passes at the municipal pool and asked staff for a revenue breakdown before deciding on legislation.

Councilmember Shea reopened a discussion about access and membership rules that began the prior summer. \"At some point, I think we owe it to our residents to limit the access to the pool to... residents,\" Shea said, proposing that nonresident day passes be eliminated while allowing memberships for nonresidents.

Finance Director Amanda Jackson told council staff recommends not raising base membership rates for 2025 because the school year starts early (Aug. 12) and the pool season will be shorter. \"We do not believe that this year, with the shortened season, that it would be prudent for us to increase those rates,\" Jackson said. She said the city has not raised the individual resident pass base price (the \"base rate\") since at least 2016 and can provide a breakdown of revenue sources.

Nut graf: Council asked Jackson to return with a breakdown showing revenue from day passes, memberships, concessions and rentals. Jackson later reported that daily passes comprised about 58% of admissions revenue in 2024 and the remainder came from membership and other sources; staff said they could not reliably separate resident from nonresident day‑pass revenue without changed systems.

Council direction and next steps: Jackson said she would run reports and provide a more detailed breakdown to council within days so members could consider whether to draft legislation restricting nonresident day passes. The item will remain on the old‑business list until staff presents the requested figures.

Context and tradeoffs: Council members expressed competing priorities — preserving resident benefits and limiting nonresident access, while recognizing the pool operates partly on seasonal staffing (many lifeguards are high‑school students) and that day passes are a significant portion of pool admission revenue. Jackson noted staff difficulty verifying residency at the point of sale and the operational burden on seasonal staff.

Sources: Councilmember Shea and Amanda Jackson during the March 3 Canal Winchester City Council meeting; follow-up revenue note from the finance director to council.","Councilmembers debated limiting nonresident day passes at the city pool; staff said pool season will be shorter in 2025 and provided preliminary revenue figures and committed to a full breakdown ahead of the next meeting.",{"_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},6301994,"Madison Township officials brief Canal Winchester council on police, fire staffing and mutual/automatic aid",917,1523000,2440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482858-e5b6452df46c36ce0b7825af68866276&start=1523&end=2440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482858-e5b6452df46c36ce0b7825af68866276/thumbnail_1523000.jpg","/articles/6301994/Ohio/Madison-Township-officials-brief-Canal-Winchester-council-on-police-fire-staffing-and-mutualautomatic-aid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301994-9f335c88c335d99c53623b6f4b3bd553/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179481&Signature=Dk0~5TMj2IuOK533q44Ikeug1ggattKh5x9szXZlwZtb32pIdnlR~Q6qH93AR~uBMIogSg1wTRa2VsvTckp3LXMkwQjWKNQDB9Vk-okLySmjQ4gja4h85BKn1kb9MfBjn2CE9kMGciWLJ0GAzPKMLDYsW2raKtuVS-MB~6kFWv2ovm1i8IL5CSXnXKTrWdMlt28MMeW1Db7REoncSA01jcfVnmgzPDWb41BsnhKopbscWlFcQp7DLOXAq5ergTL3Q2AWcmnF~ZQ7DMCIQi-jS-~6PklH4GrcBew3pSJJ~8o7I4aTuPdDbDwxeT8z7tya5JgSfRv6LRCi5W7onf3MYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madison Township trustees and public‑safety chiefs briefed Canal Winchester City Council on March 3 about police staffing, fire and EMS responses, and interagency mutual and automatic aid arrangements.

Trustee Mrs. Groves began the presentation and thanked city staff and the Fairfield County Sheriff for ongoing partnership. \"We very much appreciate how our relationship has grown over the past 5 or 6 years,\" she said, summarizing township funding and noting that property taxes are the primary township revenue source.

Chief Boyd, Madison Township police, said the department currently staffs about 15 officers on patrol for most of the year and described the use of school resource officers and mutual aid with six neighboring agencies, including the Franklin County Sheriff and Groveport. He noted technology investments — five Flock cameras — and a mobile command trailer used to focus enforcement in problem areas.

Chief Justin Robinson (title in transcript: Chief Robinson) from Madison Township Fire & EMS described the area’s automatic‑aid system that dispatches the closest available unit regardless of municipal boundary. \"If a Canal Winchester resident is paying their taxes to Madison Township ... they just want someone to show up and take care of their worst day,\" Robinson said, explaining that automatic aid and enhanced 911 run cards are designed to speed response.

Why it matters: Much of Canal Winchester’s public safety response is layered across municipal lines; the briefing clarified which services Madison Township provides and how mutual and automatic‑aid agreements work during staffing shortages or high call volumes.

Key details: Boyd reported current police patrol staffing of about 15 officers (with more officers on the street in summer after SROs finish school assignments). Robinson outlined recent vehicle and apparatus purchases, explained how vehicle build times and chassis choices affect replacement cycles and noted a recent ladder truck purchase that rose in cost from $1.29 million to $1.89 million in three years. Both chiefs described close operational coordination with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Groveport and Bloom Township.

Council response: Council members thanked township officials and said the briefing answered questions raised at a prior meeting. Mayor Steger and council members asked for continued communication when region‑wide operations or out‑of‑area staging occur (council raised concerns about a recent Columbus police staging that had not been communicated locally).

Next steps: Councilmembers said they would continue outreach and coordination with Madison Township leadership to maintain clear lines of communication about shared operations and resource needs.

Sources: Remarks by Trustee Groves, Chief Boyd and Chief Robinson during the Canal Winchester City Council meeting, March 3, 2025.","Officials from Madison Township described staffing, mutual and automatic aid arrangements, camera and command-trailer deployments, and recent equipment investments; council members said the briefing clarified the township’s role as a public safety partner.",{"_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},6301996,"Experts brief council on tax increment financing and new community authorities, outline risks and municipal controls",3691,2953000,6644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482858-e5b6452df46c36ce0b7825af68866276&start=2953&end=6644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482858-e5b6452df46c36ce0b7825af68866276/thumbnail_2953000.jpg","/articles/6301996/Ohio/Experts-brief-council-on-tax-increment-financing-and-new-community-authorities-outline-risks-and-municipal-controls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301996-4a0957f1a4a2cab450197056d214b61a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179481&Signature=Gf6gZaMZ7yi8yKEln21Rv9lzc3p0dDJTEIsNQuKIz4odrbmugLABNUHfgMBLAhmRVe7AIkcCkEo2Mb2BOdHMULAnszDnWYXlh5kJk3roXJlIVo0-pNAyA4VgPCKAfqoPmBdF7unFEI28VYc3oSqjlEx~92YjtHa7-7NTZ8LpZL7fZfrTN5vSeaqrjgrBRvOteLIPigK~IRR1Gcv9ZgXs2llf7DDHKrREhW00g5lOTikHqu1yTGCP-7HT34RnX4un9~MVG68E-z1bti7ARkFxgvoE56XVOx6muYLTxyJsbJx380O6zKF-eCJtOGysO1ZcmAc6dPDsPudLcAiwFo~f7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Canal Winchester council received an extended briefing on March 3 that explained tax increment financing (TIF) and the New Community Authority (NCA) — two legal tools developers and municipalities use to finance public infrastructure and community amenities.

Emma Mulvaney, an economic development attorney with Forrest Brown & Todd, told council that TIFs divert the increase in property tax revenue above an established base to finance public infrastructure or repay bonds. \"When we're talking about TIF, you do not see any difference,\" Mulvaney said, explaining the mechanism operates through auditor/treasurer accounting rather than an immediate change to a taxpayer’s bill.

Nut graf: The presentation framed both tools as flexible financing options but emphasized trade‑offs: TIFs redirect future tax growth for a limited period to pay for roads, sewers and utility oversizing, while NCAs can levy additional community charges, own property and fund long‑term amenities — giving developers and cities multiple options to stage or fund large projects.

TIF highlights in the presentation: Mulvaney explained typical commercial TIFs capture increments for financing public improvements and can be structured as rolling districts activated parcel‑by‑parcel. She noted statutory protections for school districts under certain TIF structures, and that state lawmakers have occasionally enacted project‑specific TIF extensions in the past.

New Community Authority overview: Mulvaney described NCAs as a ‘‘HOA on steroids’’ — nonprofit, quasi‑public corporations that can levy community charges (mills, sales or bed taxes, gross receipts or lease fees) and issue bonds. She highlighted statutory controls intended to preserve municipal oversight: NCA boards are composed of developer, municipal and local‑government appointees (the municipality is entitled to a one‑member advantage), public‑meeting and audit requirements apply, and the petition and feasibility study are part of the formal creation process.

Questions from council addressed transparency and local impacts. Councilmember Amick asked how a buyer would learn an NCA charge applies; Mulvaney said the declaration must be recorded in property records and typically appears on title reports or in developer disclosures. Councilmembers also raised whether NCAs could be applied to noncontiguous parcels and how NCA charges interact with school levies; Mulvaney said noncontiguous additions are possible with justification and cautioned that high NCA charges can affect voters’ appetite for other levies.

Why it matters: both tools can reshape how growth is financed in Canal Winchester. Mulvaney and staff urged careful feasibility analysis and consultation with the city’s municipal financial adviser before pursuing either a TIF or an NCA for a specific project.

Follow-up: Mulvaney offered to provide staff and council with additional analyses and said petition language, expected project list and an economic feasibility study are required steps if the city were to consider an NCA petition.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A with Emma Mulvaney, Forrest Brown & Todd, and questions from council members at the March 3 council meeting.","An outside economic development attorney explained how TIFs and new community authorities work, their uses for infrastructure financing, and governance features that allow cities to retain oversight.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Canal Winchester council moves ahead on Winchester roundabout property steps, awards 2025 street contract and picks up mayor’s OPERS contribution

Council to revisit pool access and nonresident day‑pass policy after staff provides revenue breakdown

Madison Township officials brief Canal Winchester council on police, fire staffing and mutual/automatic aid

Experts brief council on tax increment financing and new community authorities, outline risks and municipal controls