[{"_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",6299767,"mediaKeyId","2495361-12bbd79bd46e6bb8a75a260771edd099","parentId",2495361,"title","Votes at a glance: March 3 Athens City Council actions on bonds, street fair and routine city business","audioSeconds",319,"startMs",2959000,"endMs",3278000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495361-12bbd79bd46e6bb8a75a260771edd099&start=2959&end=3278","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495361-12bbd79bd46e6bb8a75a260771edd099/thumbnail_2959000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6299767/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-March-3-Athens-City-Council-actions-on-bonds-street-fair-and-routine-city-business","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299767-08b9a4f1e0d6db4b61e256b392636e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1777123075&Signature=YRbdUAmL-X4C9z911wBds9N~ogcM2deqopH2dXTllgTOfJ-TCDipVnr0ArA1fujQikkT8P7CXVuzxWNz6TyI4MVwVTx21JZyyJguWsoncL5vEYuhVMvJLSUuilesaW44PhWr8ab-hEoF6bbGIwQZMDWeDC~sEdPjlZ4ylf~u5IBcb6oXlCMA3A~EsZXCozEjds01yeQKhv2RBDM-U5Oq1I-6JUlrGlVGlG8xie91xYbAjejJBqgPEoM9ueau0uo5HNIu9jsT1~42D1CZaXfRU9Q4CKPfLermjlOgNgfW4DnwrRhk7w744xiIVrwGfKX1fZWp5Sd72KOLP-nQfGkH5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Athens OH","date","2025-03-04T15:05:07Z","article","Athens City Council took the following formal actions on March 3. Where a roll‑call tally was not recorded in the minutes, the minutes record voice votes and the clerk announced the outcome.

Votes and outcomes

- Resolution R02‑25: “Support for the preservation of the federal tax exemption of municipal bonds.” Adopted by council after members and the mayor noted statewide municipal interest. The measure directs the clerk to transmit copies to the Ohio congressional delegation. (Introduced by Member Reisner.)

- Ordinance O14‑25: Annual purchase authorization for water softening salt for the water treatment plant; authorizes up to $190,244 from water plant fund 740.637. Adopted, third reading. (Introduced by Member McCarrie.)

- Ordinance O16‑25: Authorize compensation adjustment for a promoted diversion program coordinator in municipal court (pay increase from $19.89 to $22; retroactive to first pay period of 2025). Adopted, third reading.

- Ordinance O17‑25: Close East Union Street between Court and University Terrace on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the Ohio University International Street Fair; authorizes use of police and other city staff and bans on‑street parking in the closure area for the event day. Adopted, third reading. (Introduced by Member Spiones.)

- Ordinance O18‑25: Suspend enforcement of vending, peddling and soliciting rules to allow vendors in the designated International Street Fair area on April 5; establishes vendor registration and fees. Adopted, third reading. (Introduced by Member Bianez.)

- Ordinance O24‑25 (referred in minutes as 20‑4‑25): Authorize mayor to enter lease agreement for the Mansfield House and declared an emergency; council suspended rules and adopted the ordinance; the mayor and the administration noted a related planting event with local students.

Other routine actions

- Council accepted March financial reports and credit card transactions for January 2025.

Procedural notes

Most of these items were handled on second or third reading with voice votes recorded in the minutes as “aye” or “nay.” Where council members recused themselves from discussion (for example, two members abstained on a street‑closure item because of business ownership in the closure area), the minutes record the recusal and the item proceeded with remaining members.

Several items were introduced or read for first reading and will return for future votes, including the Dairy Lane sewer appropriation (Ordinance 26‑25) and a proposed annexation series (Ordinances 19‑21‑25).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Athens City Council - March 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council passed a set of resolutions and ordinances on March 3, including a resolution supporting preservation of the federal municipal bond tax exemption, street‑closure and vending rules for the International Street Fair, purchase authorizations, personnel pay changes and the Mansfield House lease.","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},6299771,"Council advances city‑county sewer work, authorizes nearly $6.93 million to close Dairy Lane project",147,2985000,3132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495361-12bbd79bd46e6bb8a75a260771edd099&start=2985&end=3132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495361-12bbd79bd46e6bb8a75a260771edd099/thumbnail_2985000.jpg","/articles/6299771/Ohio/Council-advances-citycounty-sewer-work-authorizes-nearly-693-million-to-close-Dairy-Lane-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299771-37cdf8cac35fa6b8cb0ada176fbe43d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1777123075&Signature=brixstehVcshV7K3lRIm6W~QqMA1SRVfb-lecWHXWFCe9gclgurOS9lYccc2i3z3f2hLmjmOMWRHCsnJjzliRawV4VEPKeTV3XoebhiUmm-Ac-U0UjBnfzang8gAokyvsWCaaZHNf3F3~149pYr-vjEZ2a0Ak-nnvm9syzHhMjyUSC4GR~CQEgg22fsL5dUWcaNJEElF2K2y~-ok0rW6CICD7BC4F52H6rjuOYEgPnl-Qhs8AepYVZs8ks-0pulVhchXeUzZ7diWBf10JvSaPYIWGU~ODXdALkH4TJj~crs~uscXCaoskJ08mGgYdJJEStlX-t7S7UHTSfWuTNU1wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council read Ordinance 26‑25 on March 3, which would appropriate an additional $6,930,801 for the City‑County sewer expansion and related projects, including final work on the Dairy Lane/Stagecoach sewer segment.

Section 3 of the ordinance describes how the $6,930,801 would be expended: $285,000 from the street fund (220) for sidewalk design and construction; $1,351,306 from the water fund (740) for water line construction, construction engineering and contingency; and $5,294,495 from the sewer fund (750) for sewer easements, construction, construction engineering and loan fees. The ordinance was presented in committee and read for the first time at this meeting.

Council members asked whether the sewer fund could handle the appropriation; Mayor Patterson said the sewer fund can handle the additional expense. The presenter said this is intended to be the final allocation needed to complete the long‑running projects 03/17 and related project 03/30.

Because the item was read for the first time at the March 3 meeting, it will return for further consideration in subsequent meetings per council rules. The ordinance will require future votes for final adoption and appropriation of funds.","Ordinance 26‑25 was read for the first time on March 3 to allocate $6,930,801 across street, water and sewer funds to complete the Dairy Lane/Stagecoach sewer expansion as part of the City‑County sewer expansion; council heard administration say sewer fund can absorb the cost.",{"_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},6299776,"Council approves $6.25 million Stimpson Avenue reconstruction, adds emergency clause to speed work",328,2422000,2750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495361-12bbd79bd46e6bb8a75a260771edd099&start=2422&end=2750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495361-12bbd79bd46e6bb8a75a260771edd099/thumbnail_2422000.jpg","/articles/6299776/Ohio/Council-approves-625-million-Stimpson-Avenue-reconstruction-adds-emergency-clause-to-speed-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299776-dc580c88603e234278aa20cdb53ee43f/orig.mp4?Expires=1777123075&Signature=Tb1d1RKQPLKqGeQyayHbeXj4Bib~SFPBPQDnNHerUTBgWtBT~Zc908U787GRdF30KIhgBk5~2OQUqgl5GJon-h4S1si9CgGTA77I0TOv6jE6lh6yQdzpalZrBuzVw4y6o24wrl6krjK4IZ0D23n1zHuLnZ~IxgK2G8mhEcmXUIOtx0R7UEFQMdKKCZiZtxV0cwP56L0qCY7XRpBSEw54-K8apZheiA~1fA0LOB2wOFZloyRd0uMJjOSu8dEq~cqr17rrJR2qqDD-yk8318s7BypKkV74k4~LI3p3t9M94B548R~ZhqyS5ivQs~pejxrsROQ8l9aKALxdwbksDWTrig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council on March 3 voted to adopt Ordinance 08‑25, authorizing the city to advertise bids and spend up to $6,254,900 for the Stimpson Avenue reconstruction project and related engineering and construction costs.

Council Member Spieltz presented the changes to the project's appropriation language after the administration reported rising cost estimates. The ordinance breaks the authorization into two fund sources: $4,470,590.19 from the small cities fund (fund 589) and $1,784,309.91 from other appropriations, though the administration clarified a clerical typo during the meeting and confirmed the $1,784,309.91 figure.

Council suspended the rules to consider the changed appropriation, approved an amendment to add an emergency clause, then adopted the ordinance so the city could proceed without the standard 30‑day wait. The mayor and service/safety director told council the street rehabilitation fund balance is “healthy” and that the money will support the last major work on the Stimpson Avenue corridor, including signalization of the bridge approach and staged deck replacement similar to the Richland Avenue work.

Member Swank asked about the street rehabilitation fund’s remaining balance and future projects; the mayor replied the fund can cover the Stimpson Avenue work and other planned projects such as the Roundabout and Columbus Road improvements. Council discussed whether an emergency clause was required to expedite work; the law director said adding the clause required an additional amendment and the council approved that amendment before adopting the ordinance.

Council recorded the procedural steps on the floor: suspension of rules to consider the revised appropriation, amendment adding an emergency clause, suspension of rules again, and final passage.

The ordinance authorizes the service/safety director to advertise and accept bids and to expend the authorized funds; the city will move to bidding and construction management under the city’s procurement rules and project oversight.","Athens City Council voted to amend and adopt Ordinance 08‑25, authorizing up to $6,254,900 for Stimpson Avenue reconstruction and related engineering, and approved an emergency clause so the city can proceed to bidding and construction work sooner.",{"_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},6299781,"Athens council adopts resolution declaring city a safe haven for gender‑affirming health care",1656,1193000,2849000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2495361-12bbd79bd46e6bb8a75a260771edd099&start=1193&end=2849","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2495361-12bbd79bd46e6bb8a75a260771edd099/thumbnail_1193000.jpg","/articles/6299781/Ohio/Athens-council-adopts-resolution-declaring-city-a-safe-haven-for-genderaffirming-health-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6299781-0cb9f93e6f2dc69599cde32d37aa38ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1777123075&Signature=lWiJUyCB2CyaJrSwaWU7IcdAU0tSjNqYLg~yV-xneQ-XTs6KXDum8-YRAjgstHFt0VqBjt5rp5tKDGWLvveS1235i6J6zoissHvQTUfl7Bn4yc0LnghFntLmapRRtUYMVCPRoUG~Imi56Ni0k4xYDxqgpn~dDbteXdvfRXafmwdoUb-iB120oXHR~ukEU8siSMR-yjQSlpCAv-KZGpNL2YzUFOvl3EwvUKElq9OVoRHRG8RgRoRgGxhZpdSYCLGIM2zUO8yjOg9QGlz6KeU-NLxX76xfWIZrpmCAmjk1enO4YK-ble7jZ-I22ANIWQddwdsohfwMERPhrMFpcS3qGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council on March 3 approved Resolution 01‑25, declaring the city a safe haven for individuals seeking gender‑affirming health care and urging the administration to adopt policies that protect patients and providers.

The resolution, introduced by Council Member Wood and passed by voice vote after public comment, directs the city to encourage nondiscriminatory service provision, protect health‑related privacy as required by law, support telehealth and pop‑up clinics to narrow access gaps, and oppose criminal prosecution or administrative penalties against people or organizations providing or assisting gender‑affirming care.

The resolution drew more than a dozen public speakers during the allotted public‑comment period. Indigo Snyder, who gave a local address, described moving to Athens to access care she had been denied elsewhere and said the availability of gender‑affirming services “has drastically changed my life for the better.” Spencer Stein, who identified themself as a second‑year medical student at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, said major medical organizations conclude gender‑affirming care saves lives and cited suicide‑related statistics compiled by the Williams Institute. “Gender‑affirming health care saves lives,” Stein said.

Other speakers included longtime Athens residents and local nonprofit leaders who urged council to adopt language that protects providers and patients. Arlie Faber, acting executive director of United Campus Ministry and a board member of the Southeast Ohio Rainbow Alliance, told council that while the resolution cannot override state law, it “tells transgender people that Athens is a place where they are valued, protected, and affirmed.” Several speakers told personal stories of denial of care, risk of mental‑health harm, or positive outcomes from receiving care.

In its findings the resolution cites Athens ordinance 0‑82‑17 (a local ordinance banning conversion therapy for minors) and notes the passage of the Ohio Legislature’s SAFE Act, which the resolution characterizes as restricting gender‑affirming care for minors. The resolution also references the positions of national medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, in support of gender‑affirming care.

Council members who spoke in support praised the community organizers who drafted the resolution and noted Athens’ prior local ordinances protecting minors from conversion therapy. Mayor Patterson said he would sign the resolution if council approved it. The resolution allows the administration to consider specific policy actions, including protecting patient privacy, encouraging telehealth and travel clinics, and reviewing local policies and ordinances to promote access and protection of gender‑affirming care.

The resolution passed by voice vote after the public comment period concluded. The measure does not alter state law; it expresses city council’s policy preferences and asks the administration to adopt supporting municipal policies where allowable by law.

Council recorded no roll‑call tally in the minutes; the resolution passed on a voice vote and was announced as approved.

The council president closed the item and moved to the next agenda items.","Athens City Council on March 3 approved Resolution 01‑25 declaring the city a safe haven for people seeking gender‑affirming health care and urging the administration to adopt supporting policies after extensive public comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: March 3 Athens City Council actions on bonds, street fair and routine city business

Council advances city‑county sewer work, authorizes nearly $6.93 million to close Dairy Lane project

Council approves $6.25 million Stimpson Avenue reconstruction, adds emergency clause to speed work

Athens council adopts resolution declaring city a safe haven for gender‑affirming health care