[{"_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",6125353,"mediaKeyId","2677315-03db646dc5b75e65bf3f9b62be0105ea","parentId",2677315,"title","Votes at a glance: Athens City Council actions, March 17, 2025","audioSeconds",6880,"startMs",0,"endMs",6880000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677315-03db646dc5b75e65bf3f9b62be0105ea&start=0&end=6880","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677315-03db646dc5b75e65bf3f9b62be0105ea/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125353/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-Athens-City-Council-actions-March-17-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125353-e39f72402213a53627061794acee34f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179557&Signature=MOo3vaoOJbWzhg8PnhHMOQVwK5CBAREk7mRLlhATBNOk~E92Snfdx1Y8OT68tB~syLdyLenFh9nNVgm5fJ~ZW~SLCxKmQVVK5SQ~0heRtUkzAtFPH5erJ6kBfIV5hALVWkAXzNXGsh7NXdiTWwDgwqu7Q2YtjZXtetCK8JBALuqFkuhDgThj7v1i3sOR8YpElqW~u6rd~GRcnnSAQ~f9Sf-ihPAUvd1RP8K4uPACi-qS-rvTq8OiSQ2N3tdvaln14rneYwkyuq-t3GQi7pyxgZPh9hPbsiQ~nybyn-jib~Aqe2BCbGFknmi47VnF4q91h6HXtBEjSACf9eplF8ViwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Athens OH","date","2025-03-18T13:03:29Z","article","This is a concise list of motions, ordinances and other formal actions recorded during the Athens City Council meeting on March 17, 2025. Where the record shows only a voice vote, the item is noted as adopted by assent; roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.

Appointments and minutes
- Appointment of Ryan Schwartzoff as acting clerk for the meeting: motion and second recorded; appointed by voice vote (\"aye\").
- Approval of minutes from the March 3, 2025 regular session: motion and second recorded; minutes approved by voice vote.

Ordinances adopted (final or as recorded)
- Ordinance 015-25 (amending ordinance 120-124 authorizing 2025 staffing levels): motion to adopt made by Council Member Reisner; ordinance adopted by voice vote.
- Ordinance 19-2025 (accepting petition for annexation of approximately 34.874 acres owned by Frander Properties LLC, east of Cable Lane): motion and second recorded; ordinance adopted by voice vote.
- Ordinance 20-2025 (designating zone for Cable Lane annexation as R-1 residential): motion and second recorded; ordinance adopted by voice vote.
- Ordinance 20-125 (authorizing Service Safety Director to execute perpetual right-of-way utility easement with Frander Properties LLC): motion and second recorded; ordinance adopted by voice vote.
- Ordinance 203-25 (amending 2025 appropriation ordinance to appropriate $10,000 for driver intervention programs for the municipal court): motion to adopt by Council Member Reisner; ordinance adopted by voice vote.
- Ordinance 38-25 (authorizing a then-and-now certificate to pay HAPCAP, $18,393.24; emergency measure): Council suspended rules by voice vote; motion to adopt the then-and-now certificate adopted by voice vote and declared an emergency.

First readings and procedural actions (no final vote recorded)
- Ordinance 29-25 (authorizing street closures in uptown for specified events) was amended and read for the first time as amended.
- Ordinance 30-25 (suspending enforcement of vending, peddling and soliciting for designated event areas) received a first reading.
- Ordinance 31-25 (suspending enforcement of unnecessary-noise code in designated event areas) received a first reading.
- Ordinance 34-25 (Route 682/56 intersection improvements) received a first reading; council requested further design and cost information before final action.
- Ordinance 35-25 (Athens streetscape beautification, $6.5M Appalachian grant appropriation) received a first reading.
- Ordinance 36-25 (engineering services for Columbus Road lift station project) received a first reading.
- Several other appropriation and interfund transfer ordinances were introduced and read (see transcript for titles and first-reading status).

Other
- February 2025 financial reports accepted by voice vote.

Notes on vote format: Most adopted ordinances in the transcript were approved by general voice vote; the record shows \"all those in favor signify by saying aye\" rather than a roll-call. Where a suspension of rules was requested (Ordinance 38-25), the motion to suspend and subsequent adoption were recorded as voice votes and the ordinance was declared an emergency.

Ending: This summary captures formal outcomes recorded in the March 17 meeting transcript; items with only first readings will return to council for later votes and any contracting or appropriation actions will be contingent on subsequent approvals and bid results.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Athens City Council - March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal votes, appointments and adopted ordinances from the March 17 Athens City Council meeting (voice votes unless noted).","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},6125358,"Council amends uptown street-closure ordinance, debates vendor and noise suspensions amid event congestion concerns",791,1799000,2590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677315-03db646dc5b75e65bf3f9b62be0105ea&start=1799&end=2590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677315-03db646dc5b75e65bf3f9b62be0105ea/thumbnail_1799000.jpg","/articles/6125358/Ohio/Council-amends-uptown-street-closure-ordinance-debates-vendor-and-noise-suspensions-amid-event-congestion-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125358-5b8997d75f87e8b9c210b1d7174fbee4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179557&Signature=WosIeydBwPH9QPidJq43D0xTEmjjQ63RV4mKBlg2ZJDEcL37~oDh6HCDIIGw7-MbS6pRGquvPeONC11En6wRxSaJKyaUp6oVOVxEaJMoA2VZBC3MhWhg0y303aU7HEGRxC97yzasg8XySyc3FLucslZv2kb9-AWP02BBx0WMF5oGcUNf-oK7LOXDZsMAXQ5nqMGwRrmFOAf0tjpuWBYh7h6UpBW67ucH3-9qUkjFeAgrMNMpL3Oy0-4bBBUQMwyGiQHP1GA2FW~hpZ8~KE7fyukG4ppmJstxexFyD3bupu37Wdc9sBw5RykiNpbPN8VhD-wv-ChOPRVZRqOzIU1xwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council considered a cluster of related ordinances authorizing temporary street closures in the uptown area for scheduled events and suspending enforcement of vending and late-night noise rules in designated event areas.

Council Member Spieltjes moved an amendment to Ordinance 29-25 to add the DORA kickoff on West State Street (May 17) and to adjust dates for a Bridal Festival and other events. The amendment passed on a voice vote. Council discussed which events would be covered by the ordinance and confirmed that the Deputy Service Safety Director had vetted the requested closures.

Council Member Swank raised concerns about event timing and public-safety capacity, noting potential conflicts between Ohio Brew Week Fall Fest (Sept. 6) and an Ohio University home football game the same day. \"We need to take a very, very close look to see if we can handle this from a health and safety standpoint,\" Swank said, suggesting moving the Fall Fest a week later if necessary.

The administration and council also discussed the interplay between a potential F-2 liquor permit (for Ohio Brew Week late-evening events) and game-day public-safety demands; the administration said those permits are commonly approved but that staffing impacts should be assessed.

Ordinance 30-25 would suspend enforcement of the city's vending, peddling, and soliciting code in designated event areas to allow registered vendors during closures; it was read for the first time. Ordinance 31-25 (noise-suspension for late-night events) also received a first reading. Council discussed clarifying whether the \"Ohio Brew Week\" references included the Fall Fest and requested clearer language.

Several council members noted capacity concerns when multiple large events cluster in the same weeks. Council also discussed ethics-related recusal: two council members had recused themselves from certain street-closure votes because the Ohio Ethics Commission advised local business owners not to participate when items could financially affect them.

During public comment Samantha Joe Lylan, a local employee, said business is light when students are gone and expressed concern about scheduling. Council asked administration to coordinate with the university's athletic director to avoid conflicts and to require event organizers to submit requests earlier to allow staffing plans.

Ending: The amendment to Ordinance 29-25 passed; vending and noise-suspension ordinances were read for the first time and will return with clarifications on covered events, vendor rules, and safety staffing before final votes.","Council amended an ordinance to authorize street closures in uptown for a series of events and held first readings on related vending and noise-suspension ordinances; council members raised safety and capacity concerns for overlapping events and recusal constraints for members with potential conflicts.",{"_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},6125363,"Council advances $6.5 million Appalachian grant for uptown streetscape project; businesses seek construction protections",944,5501000,6445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677315-03db646dc5b75e65bf3f9b62be0105ea&start=5501&end=6445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677315-03db646dc5b75e65bf3f9b62be0105ea/thumbnail_5501000.jpg","/articles/6125363/Ohio/Council-advances-65-million-Appalachian-grant-for-uptown-streetscape-project-businesses-seek-construction-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125363-da8abfb34af0a344a79e15038c3f9e2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179557&Signature=gdOQm2IeAMxwZpfJQOJQaOSxvQepBmaUFwCPcrs47qZsmneGR00upzDaDoG4HWJV2~id-AAU0zM9CXCnVgNJwKX0z8jPtXvwR0~ZKE8GsmGZlxbVCSmnN-fZXoOPnxezN0Eu9P4OBM4d4e8qp4co24mt2WNFcuWltNpRbDuiyTXmAEr8zRO2p1deRH2CEyHNttZeGM1lZwYqX~nWF1o5qZuqXquki7ckwv5IPnFDAnTPx5so5ZZpQBUeeiGS-VttaTZ5k7Ap578T-fWecIGAhd8EhF5wxjpRQbDIXG9EGLGO9xXI2TJYVKjsb~Je5l69gNmm79ACHR5dYU6VdyADWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members introduced an ordinance authorizing engineering and construction for the Athens streetscape beautification project (project 383), funded by a $6.5 million award from the Appalachian Community Grant Program. The ordinance would also appropriate the grant funds into the designated account and authorize the Service Safety Director to enter contracts for the work.

Council Member Bianez, who introduced the ordinance, said the project will bury overhead electric and telecommunications lines along sections of State, Mill and Carpenter streets and add sidewalks and streetscape features. \"This is a project we've been waiting for a long time,\" Bianez said, noting the project is aimed at improving appearance and resiliency of uptown utilities.

Business owners and residents raised concerns about construction impacts and parking. Sally Jo Wiley, a local business owner, warned that lengthy closures or reduced parking could harm newer establishments: \"If you shut that down for any length of time, you've condemned those businesses to fail,\" she said. Council members and the mayor responded that contractors must provide a maintenance-of-traffic plan and that the city expects to use lessons learned from prior downtown projects to coordinate with businesses and preserve pedestrian access.

The administration said the program will likely run about 12 months but clarified that the entire project duration does not mean a full closure of all streets at once. The funds are managed through Ross County, which is acting as the grant lead; contracts will specify traffic management measures and coordination with affected merchants.

Members also discussed potential traffic-pattern changes: staff said East State Street is likely to be converted to two-way traffic on a short stretch to improve connectivity; other signal and roadway changes (for example on West Union) would require additional funding and separate engineering work.

The ordinance received a first reading. Council indicated it expects further discussions on phasing, maintenance-of-traffic plans, and detailed coordination with affected businesses before a final vote.

Ending: Council moved the ordinance forward for later readings while asking staff to produce construction phasing and traffic-management details to minimize impacts on uptown businesses.","Council introduced an ordinance to authorize engineering and construction contracts for an uptown streetscape and utility burial project funded by a $6.5 million Appalachian Community Grant; business owners urged the city to limit traffic disruptions during construction.",{"_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},6125368,"Athens council advances Route 682/56 roundabout project but residents press for sidewalk extension to Kershaw Green",1152,3914000,5066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677315-03db646dc5b75e65bf3f9b62be0105ea&start=3914&end=5066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677315-03db646dc5b75e65bf3f9b62be0105ea/thumbnail_3914000.jpg","/articles/6125368/Ohio/Athens-council-advances-Route-68256-roundabout-project-but-residents-press-for-sidewalk-extension-to-Kershaw-Green","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125368-24dd731ea56781fce804c199839ec0d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179557&Signature=QZxQQrcNFGo4214SDYDipms0sCEh8rjKYwfQVcF-PEmTkaCWhhMkpGQzoysZwQV8b9HhXCF5~OjOILaYrvcueDtYmR9o12cp6o7hekwyaJqFf95RJDSg~HVRXyPHSlTryi6dlQpqAC4oYe-c99-d4NZVSP5HcyT1a2IbzSwU5BGNbRZ72ZPBYjbRwqknqUHJlircHdGJZJE6DEGn~io8R3cwIOCHqCfS66nUISpj8jR470Pt052hQBL17NfoISJ5LHCHnBA7gAwiIgLEMadr1AyE-CX1jnd72PSX4FBUZ9NMyZcFByvZ7aaekvhSB-DqEmfvwQwkdUv9mmO15VHkxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council Member Spiales introduced an ordinance to advertise for bids and contracts for the Route 682/56 intersection improvement project, a proposed roundabout intended to improve traffic flow and pedestrian crossings at a frequently used corridor.

The measure was given a first reading; council and members of the public used the session to press for design changes, primarily an extension of sidewalks to better serve residents of nearby Kershaw Green. \"I have supported the Route 60 Two-fifty 6 roundabout from the beginning with two stipulations,\" Council Member Spiales said, adding that those conditions were adequate traffic maintenance during construction and sidewalks where pedestrians need them.

The ordinance authorizes the Service Safety Director to advertise and accept bids for project number 357. Mayor Clodfelter and members of council discussed that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is the principal funding and technical partner and that project scope was shaped by the application submitted to the agency. Council members asked whether portions of the proposed sidewalk alignment could be flipped or adjusted so the walking route reaches Kershaw Green residents rather than following the currently designed alignment toward Whites Mill.

Public speakers described safety risks on the existing corridor. John Molinaro, speaking for the University Homeowners Association, said the most dangerous stretch is the narrow shoulder adjacent to ODOT property and asked council to prioritize the final few hundred feet of sidewalk: \"If we can get that hundred feet taken care of, we can probably cure 80 percent of the risk in that area,\" he said. Andrew Gudarelli, a member of the city task force on pedestrian accessibility, said he \"strongly support[s] changing the intersection to a roundabout\" but urged sidewalks in all four directions and ADA-compliant connections to nearby neighborhoods.

Council members asked the administration to obtain cost estimates for extending sidewalk work toward Kershaw Green and to continue discussions with ODOT and other funders about potential scope adjustments. The mayor said shifting sidewalk alignment or requesting a supplementary project is worth exploring but cautioned that grants and ODOT funding are tied to the original application and that a separate application or additional funding might be required. Council Member Swank asked the administration to provide a rough cost estimate to inform whether reallocating funds or seeking additional grants is feasible.

No final decision was made tonight; the ordinance received a first reading and will return for subsequent readings where council can vote on awarding contracts after bids are received and the administration provides the requested cost and engineering clarifications.

The discussion included references to private-property constraints and railroad easements that could affect sidewalk routing; council asked staff to document those constraints and return with responses ahead of second and third readings.

Ending: Council members said they want the roundabout built but want clearer evidence that the design will prioritize pedestrian safety near Kershaw Green; staff will seek estimates and continue coordination with ODOT and the railroad before council acts on final award.","Council introduced an ordinance to advertise bids for a roundabout at Route 682 and Route 56; council members and residents urged design changes to extend sidewalks toward Kershaw Green and address pedestrian safety.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Athens City Council actions, March 17, 2025

Council amends uptown street-closure ordinance, debates vendor and noise suspensions amid event congestion concerns

Council advances $6.5 million Appalachian grant for uptown streetscape project; businesses seek construction protections

Athens council advances Route 682/56 roundabout project but residents press for sidewalk extension to Kershaw Green