[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6107076,"mediaKeyId","2779031-759c3bdf45bd3a995c48fae749722abb","parentId",2779031,"title","Council schedules special meetings to consider AFSCME contracts and financial recovery plan","audioSeconds",700,"startMs",3530000,"endMs",4230000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779031-759c3bdf45bd3a995c48fae749722abb&start=3530&end=4230","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779031-759c3bdf45bd3a995c48fae749722abb/thumbnail_3530000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6107076/Norwood/Hamilton-County/Ohio/Council-schedules-special-meetings-to-consider-AFSCME-contracts-and-financial-recovery-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107076-3fbf624cab56c178856689de0aec5ee9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011206&Signature=PpjQTufEiyME49y41Nz0w-8q5b1BZcXtgUuXJNMPxMcZH7Bi1tcad3I5yz-MFQYaBDf2lUWwjZBW6FxUkSXmgi8KP7UNMIoidBUP7NGhyW3yH8gFx8pZ-rt4lQnKsr5lXeGRCVlUlNj27oWRdxqCp~KBaQC3dLNzYLbhTghGhMWetHcb1U-J3Oqxo0vMsFMIhpd8le8qAbCeMPLPXun9Jv4wJ9nZKpNEFVKAhAoWR4qUPpVaXZHCaebRjKiRDJVu7vYidCyzW6AEzroPYn7-MQV10NmdjLvTaO5AJ97bDHXL20QDA~Zwec65bvTvbVg5E6mL5oOJGYHTFVO5cJB-XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Norwood, OH ","date","2025-03-26T13:15:54Z","article","Norwood City Council conducted first readings Tuesday of multiple ordinances authorizing collective bargaining agreements with AFSCME locals and agreed to call special meetings to consider those contracts alongside the city’s financial recovery plan (FRP).

Council read ordinances proposing collective bargaining agreements for the period March 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, with local unions referenced in the agenda. The mayor and administration asked council to consider these measures at special meetings because the contracts are dated March 1 and implementing pay changes will be delayed unless ordinances are approved promptly.

Mayor Schneider told council he would present the city’s financial recovery plan later in the meeting and asked for special sessions to pass the FRP and related ordinances. The mayor proposed three special meeting dates; council later confirmed planned meeting times for March 27 (7:30 p.m.), March 28 (6 p.m.) and March 29 (10 a.m.). The items identified for the special meetings are the FRP, the OEPA lead-line loan ordinances and the collective bargaining ordinances discussed at the meeting.

Administration and council members discussed the procedural constraints for urgent adoption. Councilmember Moore explained that state law normally requires three readings over three separate meetings unless council suspends the rules by supermajority to permit all three readings at one meeting; he also clarified that an emergency clause affects when an ordinance goes into effect. Councilmembers said they would call special meetings so staff can present the FRP and the contracts and so employees can receive negotiated pay changes without undue delay.

First readings were completed for the contracts; the mayor and administration requested that staff add the contracts and the lead-line applications to the planned special meetings to allow timely final votes and, if necessary, emergency clauses.

Why it matters: Collective bargaining agreements affect employee pay, benefits and the city budget; the FRP governs fiscal recovery actions while Norwood remains in fiscal emergency status. Timely adoption matters for payroll, benefits implementation and compliance with state oversight.

What’s next: Administration will circulate the FRP and contract exhibits to council; special meetings will be publicly posted with the specific agendas limited to the FRP, the specified ordinances and standard opening formalities.

Ending: Council and administration agreed to pursue the special meetings and to bring the FRP and the union contracts forward for final consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Norwood City Council Regular Meeting - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council set special meetings and held first readings of several collective bargaining ordinances covering AFSCME locals; the administration asked for special sessions so negotiated contracts and the financial recovery plan (FRP) can be considered promptly.","taxTitle","Norwood, Hamilton County, Ohio","taxId",71319,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6107081,"Council holds first readings on two OEPA loan applications to replace lead service lines",435,3045000,3480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779031-759c3bdf45bd3a995c48fae749722abb&start=3045&end=3480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779031-759c3bdf45bd3a995c48fae749722abb/thumbnail_3045000.jpg","/articles/6107081/Norwood/Hamilton-County/Ohio/Council-holds-first-readings-on-two-OEPA-loan-applications-to-replace-lead-service-lines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107081-904e5d8f6a9ba134e5323c13e10d3483/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011206&Signature=V34eCzFLUPpx2v6EJwNyOwGyRg2zT-fUwVOzDEim0cCePcETQ324UmHibTQMqYxTe790jOL9obvk6EwbBmPBEx56CJphjMUnjFrr71EycsSzx6LBzN4vrBtJ3rKCRUs4XfPM12WTj5XS1idvS3ptktMq9f-6C4zNHoOYv2PKNO3Zlxz1~oxnSJif3x4ZZ0fw6LA3snbqPzfsrCI1L~fwzQS~shNoVAkflIxRyBQg7ng9Avxf02ye5TwVl3wOvlqGa3P1VmshVRVgDFcPf7BNqgQnuyVSrijlvFZJ6Aaobeo-UdRzXSfufm61sH6jn2iXm0H0gSdcjSnN4ChixUrrcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwood City Council gave first readings Tuesday to two loan-application ordinances that would let the city seek about $400,000 from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) to replace lead water service lines on two corridors: Montgomery Road (Norwood Avenue to Fenwick Avenue) and Ralston Avenue (Worth Avenue to Dale Road).

Mr. Powers, identified in the meeting as the safety service director, told council the loan program would cover the private-side portion of service-line replacements. Under the program described at the meeting, homeowners would typically repay about 47% of the replacement cost (the example given was $470 on a $1,000 job) with the remaining share forgiven; the city has 20 years to repay the loan, although residents commonly repay over five years.

Council members asked how the $400,000 figure was determined. Mr. Powers said the figure is the maximum loan amount and assumes every property in the targeted stretch has a lead line; actual expenditures should be lower if some properties do not require replacement. He also said the typical consumer-side replacement cost is around $8,000.

Council and staff noted timing advantages from coordinating replacements with planned road or water-line construction on Montgomery Road to avoid repetitive digging and potential lead disturbance during separate works. \"It's definitely a better move to go ahead and just make sure that it's not lead all the way back into the house,\" Mr. Powers said.

Both ordinances received unanimous first-reading votes (all members present voted yes). Council discussed that, because only five members were present, it could not suspend the rules to consider all three readings in one meeting; members identified special-meeting procedures as an option if time-sensitive action is required.

Why it matters: Replacing lead service lines reduces exposure risk for residents and may be timed efficiently with other infrastructure work; the OEPA loan requires local action to apply and a repayment mechanism for participating properties.

What’s next: The ordinances will return for subsequent readings; staff recommended applying for the OEPA loan promptly to align construction with planned road work and to meet program timing requirements.

Ending: Council moved the measures forward on first reading and asked staff to include the lead-line applications among items to consider at forthcoming special meetings focused on the city’s financial recovery plan and time-sensitive funding applications.","Norwood council approved first readings for two ordinances to apply for roughly $400,000 each from the Ohio EPA to replace lead water service lines on Montgomery Road and Ralston Avenue; staff described payment terms and typical costs for homeowners.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6107085,"Norwood council advances Factory 52 CRA and TIF measures amid school district objections",2523,162000,2685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2779031-759c3bdf45bd3a995c48fae749722abb&start=162&end=2685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2779031-759c3bdf45bd3a995c48fae749722abb/thumbnail_162000.jpg","/articles/6107085/Norwood/Hamilton-County/Ohio/Norwood-council-advances-Factory-52-CRA-and-TIF-measures-amid-school-district-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6107085-b88d2c50e362235c585ab8bb800560d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011206&Signature=E7RyRbM~S~tuZiFVd6iy2l9W62nUisp5qYBxBd~WHJiqqzFeL5VVox7y~nWnbypO1bY3FrYwtE2DxOa-v61q6zYr5pOfj99K~~tOE1SP7HLi9wsqBQCHfAZIHRphI8IXNBfhM5F7UAPhZYT04B-NPOLtR6cmFcNGLezc0uAtgZ7U5x2b8PwaoLKky-fD0B3NIRpGVmUzieOJr4ZnVhYt2xiaF26BLf8Je2AMkBKGNywOs97RWM1yXWNsk5~AUaFGdE1fgBfYGnhYJvIKtnAOhkZwo4-Yd1fxKVUVI47Tng1d7vLK8G4ZejiiQhzdUcBp8mtYPtM1zgsR8nmDiLXAVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwood City Council moved forward on several economic incentive measures tied to the Factory 52 redevelopment on second reading Tuesday after discussion that included a public request from the Norwood City School District to delay approvals and renegotiate terms.

The Norwood City School District, represented at the meeting by Brandon Atwood, asked council to withhold approval of current CRA agreements, revert the city’s CRA ordinance to its February 2009 language, and form a 2-by-2 committee of council members and school board members to negotiate future agreements. “We respectfully request that council motion not to approve these agreements as presented,” Atwood said, speaking on behalf of the school district and the board of education.

The requests followed a joint meeting March 19 where the district highlighted how state law and differing tax-code definitions have allowed some developments to receive residential tax abatements while remaining classified as commercial on tax rolls. Atwood said the mismatch stems from ambiguities in the housing statute of the Ohio Revised Code compared with TIF and enterprise zone (EZ) statutes.

Council members discussed those concerns at length. Councilmember Semar Moore, who attended the March 19 joint session, said the district felt excluded from parts of the negotiation: “The district very much feels like however it shook out, the district very much feels like they were cut out prematurely from the proceedings,” Moore said. Several council members said they want additional data and direct briefings from administration before final votes.

City staff described the Factory 52 applications. A city staff member, Mr. Skelly, said the Factory 52 site includes a multi-building plan with a 9–10 story apartment building (with ground-floor retail), a roughly 125-room hotel and associated parking; several CRA applications cover separate parcels or condominiumized components of the site. Mr. Skelly and an administration financial analyst, Andrew Broussard, told council they had run preliminary financial forecasts to inform the administration’s recommended terms.

Council handled multiple related ordinances on second reading. Votes recorded in the meeting minutes were:
- Ordinance authorizing a CRA agreement with Factory 52 LLC for 14,700 square feet of ground-floor commercial space at 4580 Bicycle Boulevard — motion to have the second reading carried 4–1 (mover: Mrs. Hoover; second: Mrs. Franzen).
- Ordinance authorizing a CRA agreement with Factory 52 LLC for a 100–125 room hotel at 4580 Bicycle Boulevard — motion to have the second reading carried 4–1 (mover: Mrs. Franzen; second: Mrs. Hoover).
- Ordinance authorizing execution of a TIF agreement with Factory 52 LLC and related documents — motion to have the second reading carried unanimously (mover: Mr. Braden; second: Mrs. Franzen).
- Ordinance establishing priority of property tax exemptions for parcels in Norwood — motion to have the second reading carried unanimously.

Multiple council members said they support economic development but want clearer, district-informed terms. Councilmember Gordon (recorded in the transcript as concerned about school funding) said he opposed the immediate passage of the CRA in question because of its effect on school revenues; Councilmember Guertin voted against some of the second-reading motions.

Separately, council considered a proposed temporary moratorium on processing residential CRAs for projects with three or more units above $125,000 construction cost; Councilmember Hoover moved to remove that moratorium ordinance from the agenda, and the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The Factory 52 project occupies a large redevelopment parcel in Norwood; the shape and duration of CRA and TIF agreements will determine when property tax revenues flow fully to the city and school district. School officials say the current ordinance language and practice have reduced the district’s expected revenue, and they asked for renegotiation and structured collaboration before council approves final agreements.

What’s next: Council set follow-up requests for administration to present more detailed financial analyses and to coordinate with the school district. The items that passed second reading remain subject to future readings and final votes; council members emphasized that those future actions should incorporate additional data and consultation with the district.

Ending: The communication from the Norwood City School District was received and filed; councilmembers agreed to place further discussion on the committee calendar and to consider a standing 2-by-2 ad hoc process to improve city–school coordination.","Council approved second readings for multiple Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreements and a tax-increment financing (TIF) agreement tied to the Factory 52 development after extended discussion and a public letter from the Norwood City School District urging renegotiation and procedural changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council schedules special meetings to consider AFSCME contracts and financial recovery plan

Council holds first readings on two OEPA loan applications to replace lead service lines

Norwood council advances Factory 52 CRA and TIF measures amid school district objections