[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6124679,"mediaKeyId","2680656-773d48a87989bf548bfbead10ff1161d","parentId",2680656,"title","Newark City Council unanimously adopts vaping restriction, approves easement; multiple zoning items referred to planning commission","audioSeconds",19,"startMs",657000,"endMs",676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680656-773d48a87989bf548bfbead10ff1161d&start=657&end=676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680656-773d48a87989bf548bfbead10ff1161d/thumbnail_657000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124679/Ohio/Newark-City-Council-unanimously-adopts-vaping-restriction-approves-easement-multiple-zoning-items-referred-to-planning-commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124679-3bf72b4c65a32aeee938987857b2e522/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986905&Signature=Ct6OCn6hDN483-rD1xnPmDRZ0-gYwN4Xqfou8sj~WRnlkK~80LnEE7dxeXs1ZslUkrVezoPneALsPVnHbWGV0j~qPEhnvtvS9zV58~Lj-VqyHD9XWMPYWBw3qfvvsc4ZqLsSU-BCanQTCfUb2Ll7S~ZhIpRmjRz69WDGsXsPk0oEjNvtIhD5y650HsbFYIhKzy3PV3pJdCSAwdLTFmXLmDBW61tocVd4b4KtSnr7NlHSkEainplevqrd-Zmlm0E00EhGNzwE15hbz3vHyE9XvDnds4qEw1sF-oLkVYVWAlyTb7EcuDhAOs6NlhRyO2pI1eXkGTBob30pQKekqlSLAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Newark OH","date","2025-03-19T05:34:23.267Z","article","Newark City Council moved unanimously to adopt an ordinance restricting cartridge-based electronic nicotine delivery systems lacking premarket authorization and approved several other routine items during a regularly scheduled meeting.

The council voted 9-0 to adopt Ordinance No. 25-06, an amendment to Part 8, Title 2 (Business Regulations) of the city codified ordinances that targets cartridge-based electronic nicotine delivery systems and products that have not obtained premarket authorization. Council members made no substantive amendments during the vote. Council member Barker thanked colleagues for their support after the vote, saying, \"I appreciate everyone's support on 25 0 6\".

Council members also unanimously approved Ordinance No. 25-07, accepting the deed of dedication of easement and right-of-way for public use of Stimflex Way, a newly developed street on the west side of Mount Vernon Road between North 20 First Street and Myrtle Avenue (vote 9-0).

Several proposed zoning changes were introduced and will be referred to the planning commission for review. Ordinance No. 25-08 would change multiple parcels generally described as 134 East Main Street from MB (medium-intensity business) to DC (downtown). Ordinance No. 25-09 would change 330 Thornwood Drive from MFC (multifamily condo) to MFH (multifamily high rise). Ordinance No. 25-10 would change 360 Thornwood Drive from MFC to MFH. These items were placed on first reading and referred to the planning commission.

On resolutions, the council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 25-07 authorizing and directing the mayor to apply for financial support from the State of Ohio 2025 Urban Forestry Grant (vote 9-0). The council also passed Resolution No. 25-08 (vote 9-0) and Resolution No. 25-09, an appropriation for current municipal expenses (vote 9-0). Resolutions 25-11, 25-12 and 25-13 were held until the council's next meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 25-06 (amend Part 8, Title 2 — restrict cartridge-based electronic nicotine delivery systems lacking premarket authorization): Adopted, motion by Council member Labuidis; second by Council member Parker; tally 9 yes, 0 no.

- Ordinance 25-07 (accept deed of dedication for Stimflex Way — easement/right-of-way): Adopted, motion by Council member Raff; second by Council member Marmee; tally 9 yes, 0 no.

- Ordinance 25-08 (134 E. Main Street zoning change to DC): First reading; referred to planning commission.

- Ordinance 25-09 (330 Thornwood Drive zoning change to MFH): First reading; referred to planning commission.

- Ordinance 25-10 (360 Thornwood Drive zoning change to MFH): First reading; referred to planning commission.

- Resolution 25-07 (apply for State of Ohio 2025 Urban Forestry Grant): Adopted, motion made and seconded; tally 9 yes, 0 no.

- Resolution 25-08: Adopted; tally 9 yes, 0 no.

- Resolution 25-09 (appropriation for municipal current expenses): Adopted; tally 9 yes, 0 no.

- Resolutions 25-11, 25-12, 25-13: Held until next meeting.

Why it matters

The tobacco-related ordinance changes local business regulations to target cartridge-based nicotine products that lack federal premarket authorization; if pursued at the state level as some council members requested, the rule could affect retailers and public-health enforcement locally. The zoning referrals move land-use requests to the planning commission for a public-review process that can change development timelines for parcels on East Main Street and Thornwood Drive.

The council scheduled its next meeting for April 7.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Newark City Council Meeting 3/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","Newark City Council moved unanimously to adopt an ordinance restricting cartridge-based electronic nicotine delivery systems lacking premarket authorization and approved other routine items.","taxTitle","Newark City Council, Newark, Licking County, Ohio","taxId",68992,"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},6124674,"Citizen accuses city service director of misuse of funds tied to scoreboard; council members say multiple investigations found no wrongdoing",564,999000,1563000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680656-773d48a87989bf548bfbead10ff1161d&start=999&end=1563","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680656-773d48a87989bf548bfbead10ff1161d/thumbnail_999000.jpg","/articles/6124674/Ohio/Citizen-accuses-city-service-director-of-misuse-of-funds-tied-to-scoreboard-council-members-say-multiple-investigations-found-no-wrongdoing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124674-71630de596d71ba592ba4cfec38bcd2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986905&Signature=J~4uygLSgMbY6uH9v0KSPvOVEl8c4V5zpBgVQG5k8nANMwqzLgXnllgPi~DnF3VOASJmbdGMK~RBYn9oPXkijaF5T7BkJg9XjR-np~VBMPZbrKlKVbIOeb6-uhOAkGHDZlhEgBWZYTH4EAeRDFXFhVx3yi~TrZAY10lwGiW82QAFSbuMCDxOf~TVZy3Q2pF~MhWx3gCPsOPsWJGbzEpgeKssOQQ3T2dC0esuJPyfDEXj0NBy3i7qy9cVIsrLvGRi2k2tS~zlsxJK5tTKUbJBiQOob80X4sWsEWi9a3LLx3nTZ3HjZCbEMrb-dx2UFWIXdfpZTQuUKl9rpD1N8XB4vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Newark resident used the council's public-comment period to accuse the city's service director of improperly obtaining public funds related to a scoreboard project and to say the city faces a civil lawsuit; council members responded that multiple investigations found no illegal activity.

Dave Rowley, identifying his address as 648 Woods Edge Lane, told the council he had sent numerous emails about Service Director Dave Rhodes and said those messages received no reply. \"Rhodes used his position to falsely obtain public funds,\" Rowley said. He alleged that the scoreboard project approved by council produced far less revenue than projected and that the city is now exposed to civil litigation. Rowley said a county prosecutor told a Bureau of Criminal Investigation investigator that \"it does not appear based on my 20 years of legal experience that a crime has been committed in this case,\" and he criticized council members for not taking further action.

A second public commenter, who identified herself only as Kyla and said she lives at 130 Delmar Avenue, spoke about homelessness and community support; her remarks called for compassionate treatment of people experiencing homelessness and did not reference the scoreboard matter.

Council members responded during the meeting. Council member Barker thanked colleagues for support on other business and separately noted the scoreboard did not produce the revenue anticipated; other council speakers said the city's service director has been the subject of repeated inquiries and that \"investigation after investigation has shown that there was no illegal activity, nothing that was founded.\" One council speaker said unforeseen events including the COVID-19 pandemic affected the scoreboard's revenue projections.

What happened and what the transcript shows

- Rowley alleged that the scoreboard project — which he described as an effort to sell advertising and fund Edwards Park — cost far more than initial estimates and produced substantially less revenue. He gave dollar figures during his remarks (Rowley's statements on cost and revenue are reported here as his allegations).

- Council comments on the record said multiple investigations completed to date found no illegal activity; council members cited prior investigations as the reason no further formal probe was necessary.

What is not in the record

- The transcript includes Rowley's allegations and council members' statements that prior investigations found no illegal activity, but it does not contain the formal findings or reports from those investigations, the text of any complaint, or the current status/details of the referenced civil lawsuit. The transcript does not state whether the city has set aside settlement funds or whether any litigation has been filed; those items were not specified in the meeting record.

Next steps noted in the meeting

Council members scheduled committee meetings and the council's next full meeting for April 7; no formal motions or votes on the Rhodes matter were recorded during this session.","A resident accused the city service director of improperly obtaining public funds tied to a scoreboard project and said the city faces a civil lawsuit; council members said repeated investigations found no illegal activity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Newark City Council unanimously adopts vaping restriction, approves easement; multiple zoning items referred to planning commission

Citizen accuses city service director of misuse of funds tied to scoreboard; council members say multiple investigations found no wrongdoing