[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6540589,"mediaKeyId","3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d","parentId",3395538,"title","Grove City library officials warn House Bill 96 would cut funding, add costly censorship duties; council agrees to send letter","audioSeconds",581,"startMs",508000,"endMs",1089000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d&start=508&end=1089","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d/thumbnail_508000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540589/Grove-City/Franklin-County/Ohio/Grove-City-library-officials-warn-House-Bill-96-would-cut-funding-add-costly-censorship-duties-council-agrees-to-send-letter","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540589-051e20f14dc92ca9694e11df98615bb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436874&Signature=o5qpOBPH0Y-FfeIw7oqXOrSadNJkOjCV9xyZRA1AoKlrIYTORAun9nzriPgmB4aJILJANCgC~97CNiNGFeKgGgzvb9oFSige-ZhLlzg7SvVS13zGhR9SS5amFicmvMFpgcVqFj9EqWW4gOqQ54Jdmfy3ca11fAWqFJeU8Aie0bWLxNnBaRjTccZN1dMiu-rMZuF4HhBshx5hgVARZHLM-5SpyQX1CkhvCkpSJCRI24y5-JR6ljCPDPXp-l37MCkVD25Og4WYiBAFPc04yqXrGmKTG3NxfsbrdVaAKbq9JjQ8fPpovNnGnlzQ6klqDa-ZPP4kbRA7hFQLn2NVe-XwWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grove City","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","Meredith Wickham, a representative of Southwest Public Libraries, told Grove City Council on May 20 that Ohio House Bill 96, still pending in the legislature, would freeze public library funding and add new censorship and monitoring requirements that she said would threaten Grove City Library operations.

Wickham said HB 96 would “maintain our funding for 2026 and 2027 at approximately the same level we received in 2024,” leaving the library with state support that does not keep pace with rising costs. She and Debbie Blair, the library fiscal officer, described both operational effects and the estimated costs to comply with the bill’s access restrictions.

Wickham told council the bill would change the public library fund from a percentage of the state general revenue fund to a single line-item appropriation, a structure she called historically unstable and susceptible to cuts. She warned that the fund equals “almost 62% of our funding every single time that the budget comes up for consideration every 2 years,” and said the library has already reduced hours and staffing after prior state budget actions.

Blair outlined the library’s estimate for compliance costs tied to the bill’s required restrictions on materials referenced to gender identity and sexual orientation. The library projected it would need to hire staff to screen patrons and monitor restricted areas at about $150,000 per year in wages and benefits; allocate approximately $300,000 per year in staff time to review and catalog the collection for restricted content; and pay a one-time estimated $100,000 per location to remodel and segregate areas of the building. Blair summarized those figures as “an unfunded annual burden of 450,000 and 1 time investment of 200,000” as she spoke.

Wickham and Blair urged the council to press state senators to restore the public library fund to a percentage basis and to oppose what they described as unfunded censorship mandates. “We ask that you oppose shifting library funding to a line item,” Wickham said, and requested support for a percentage of the general revenue fund of 1.75%, up from the current 1.7%.

Mayor Sage said he had spoken with two state senators and recommended the council authorize a legal firm to draft a letter opposing the changes. After discussion the council agreed to proceed: “Everyone in agreement? Yes,” several members answered in the chamber. The council chair directed staff to prepare and send the letter shortly so senators would receive the city’s position ahead of final Senate action, which Wickham said the presenters expected to be resolved around June 2.

Why it matters: The library representatives described immediate, quantifiable costs and staffing impacts if HB 96 becomes law as written. Library funding and potential new compliance costs intersect with local budgets and services such as early literacy, job-seeker assistance and community meeting space that the presenters said would be at risk without state support.

Council action and next steps: Councilmembers agreed to authorize staff and counsel to draft and transmit a letter to state senators urging (1) restoration of the public library fund to a percentage of the general revenue fund (the presenters requested 1.75%), and (2) rejection of unfunded censorship or monitoring mandates included in HB 96. Staff will circulate the draft letter for council review and transmit it before the Senate’s expected deadline.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grove City - City Council - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Meredith Wickham, a representative of Southwest Public Libraries, told Grove City Council on May 20 that Ohio House Bill 96 would freeze library funding at recent low levels and create new, costly requirements to monitor and segregate materials, and the council agreed to authorize a letter to state senators opposing those changes.","taxTitle","Grove City, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",53876,"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},6540569,"Grove City resident urges tougher penalties for drivers who injure pedestrians, recounts son's crash and recovery",331,1839000,2170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d&start=1839&end=2170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d/thumbnail_1839000.jpg","/articles/6540569/Grove-City/Franklin-County/Ohio/Grove-City-resident-urges-tougher-penalties-for-drivers-who-injure-pedestrians-recounts-sons-crash-and-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540569-d95c429f0545706fcf28623e6a39bf64/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436874&Signature=QJJCh-KgT~Qc02nQ~4dNXpO8uc3wcyevs0b7-SXAmyPHbYkk6Dqfe8h1m~Hyf~qmsYJ6VU-7txEt45Jwl8xLKKqg32HQNKUsY0Bx9OA7FN5lSBRy04r9WDWt2XMGWRHrVSegnKhuqal3Wf3IPn5RQPuH85Mo6y9w1RPggun9Zn7vQb3wM2OybdE6cbPkZ9TZn530314TjI5PgmEP-nthOy5Kp2XuQF7LX5wJpWh89R4zSwKuK0i6-DOu02qs-EwZCf6CX0lmncuQeQ~zhg8Pzr~kUaBlL7aLGouqrYPEXzqwgNXkA2ghskEm2V~uah1kF8uYlsPrMLodNrqx6rE2gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Grove City resident identified in the record as Sandra spoke during new business on May 20 to urge continued action and tougher penalties for drivers who injure pedestrians in crosswalks.

Sandra described a February 2023 crash in which her son was struck while crossing a street; she said the injuries included traumatic brain injury, loss of limbs and long-term medical complications. She thanked council for earlier changes tied to ordinance C21-24 that raised local penalties in some cases — she said fines are now $750 for certain offenses and up to $1,000 for more serious charges — and asked that the city continue to pursue stronger accountability for drivers who cause major injuries.

Council members and staff responded with information about an ongoing statewide “Road Safety Starts with Us” campaign and noted that city staff and council members had presented at a recent Ohio Traffic Safety Summit. The administration said it would share additional information from the summit with the resident and that the resident’s advocacy remains part of the city’s safety conversation.

Why it matters: The comments illustrate continued community concern about pedestrian safety and the local effects of traffic enforcement and penalties on victims and families. The resident said she will continue to pursue advocacy and participate in statewide safety efforts.

Next steps: City representatives said they would connect the resident with traffic-safety staff and summit contacts and continue the conversation on enforcement and local policy.

","A resident, Sandra, addressed council to press for stronger enforcement and higher penalties under local crosswalk ordinances after her son sustained severe injuries in a pedestrian crash; she thanked council for prior ordinance changes and said she will continue advocacy.",{"_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},6540574,"Administration: Hoover Road shared-use path design ready; $1.7 million possible if CODA reallocates construction dollars to 2026",87,2872000,2959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d&start=2872&end=2959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d/thumbnail_2872000.jpg","/articles/6540574/Grove-City/Franklin-County/Ohio/Administration-Hoover-Road-shared-use-path-design-ready-17-million-possible-if-CODA-reallocates-construction-dollars-to-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540574-fb9b7ad200b9db03c84caefc4525e213/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436874&Signature=EkoAGAhW2pXfTaS7fMPCrEqcCR~pwziIS88bsXuXlJStzbJOKUFYsYChcYivkO5o7-HNvTmj-UywW912hjuRluycDgdTrcZ~g2LiuDsAPaERhXbpQAY--47GWJR~sDi5Os81hnz-f8OyC9cu8tKJsv2yIYI4hw7OZiMQiIrv9ayuZoTEpt10-7zT--AnFT3zp-hpz4joIpXwyop27s6GN3XvEO5t7CUA3ZJYfzqgaYiqs71JcyLiK1Q7Ck-x2viXqjtNVKevntrUO0faoWsbTDvh5ipYd00qKB4-JXGqTzh5Bkp6SiohT02QP8uHaFCEHIIncgk-XYRZBoYPkdDO5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineering staff reported May 20 that the Hoover Road shared-use path, a project that will narrow a three-lane section to two lanes to provide continuous pedestrian and bicycle facilities across a bridge, has completed design work and is ready for construction if funding is available.

Project manager (department representative) Erin Fitzpatrick told council the project was included on the CODA (LinkUS/TSI) capital improvement program; construction had been scheduled for 2027 but staff requested earlier funding and reported that CODA staff indicated they can consider moving construction dollars to 2026. Fitzpatrick said that shift would bring approximately $1,700,000 to the project, and that a meeting next week will finalize the capital-program scheduling.

Fitzpatrick noted the city also has other projects on the same CIP that will receive project-development funding in stages, and that the McDowell Road project has OPWC funding listed for 2026. The department recommended delaying construction into 2026 rather than proceeding this construction season to align with the expected funding availability.

Why it matters: A shift of CODA construction dollars to 2026 would accelerate a pedestrian and bicycle safety project across a bridge and provide $1.7 million toward construction. The change affects scheduling and contractor planning and may move other projects on CODA’s list.

Next steps: Staff will attend the CODA meeting next week to finalize schedule changes; if approved, the city would move from design to construction-phase procurement and scheduling in 2026.

","Engineering staff told Grove City Council the Hoover Road shared-use path design is nearly complete and that $1.7 million in construction funding could be available in 2026 if the CODA capital improvement program shifts projects; staff said a meeting next week will finalize the funding schedule.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540579,"Council renews designated outdoor refreshment area maps and rules for downtown",91,1644000,1735000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d&start=1644&end=1735","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d/thumbnail_1644000.jpg","/articles/6540579/Grove-City/Franklin-County/Ohio/Council-renews-designated-outdoor-refreshment-area-maps-and-rules-for-downtown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540579-7cb5d2f07a19a6705685132ca8f87079/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436874&Signature=HwZcBJam0zFojBRGGJyEJ7msyQK~xJuvHZs6unP67-cnD3M3EOiHMUeQyab9myIC2CgO9rNJlQBr6kbS0tz11sJh7V32wMaik92m96whX5SK8x8ktWk83rarPNHuDFvcW14LUtftd2HiwoBXjsPv8vF14j87nGEn1z3MdFLXmdZtix9IMvk7lPPnx64KKKiEMwbcNwfJsO4Ln1~sBjwqGe9aqp~P5Tx1vjxCGSrwL9N02hPFd5XSs6Xe-Lga8GyDNAqxDbwZoJtCSgzOf60H3-hmgzXX2ppu9XCYCv044T4hLsgYbS8ULRguCAtTGcnvzQldnWyobYZYdjZinGzvuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grove City Council on May 20 approved a resolution to continue the city’s designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) under the updated regulations and maps presented in the meeting packet.

Council Member Anderson introduced resolution CR-20-25 as a routine housekeeping item that updates maps to reflect previously adopted amendments. The item had no public speakers. Director Kevin Tiefer and other staff said businesses and enforcement officials had not reported problems with DORA operations and that the expansion to include Sundays had been the most recent substantive change.

After a brief exchange, the council moved and approved the resolution by roll call. The clerk recorded unanimous approval.

Why it matters: The DORA permits patrons to carry certain alcoholic beverages within specified downtown areas subject to rules. The updated maps and continuing authorization formalize previous amendments and maintain the downtown program as a tool for business activity and special events.

Next steps: Staff will publish the updated DORA map and continue compliance checks in coordination with downtown business owners.

","Grove City Council approved a housekeeping resolution to continue the city's designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) and update maps and regulations, including a recent Sunday expansion; council recorded unanimous approval.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540584,"Council approves certificate allowing demolition of nine structures for Broadway Live development; one council member dissents",165,1467000,1632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d&start=1467&end=1632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3395538-6edfd0b5972d4445dfbb6bf26854df0d/thumbnail_1467000.jpg","/articles/6540584/Grove-City/Franklin-County/Ohio/Council-approves-certificate-allowing-demolition-of-nine-structures-for-Broadway-Live-development-one-council-member-dissents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540584-7889f99c724863e0500ce48437efb0e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436874&Signature=K0Bs5VqO9U05kpXCoNhrYYozaN2uyDFSVypmOTXO6gRKzqhUCopx9Fp069A4-9c7gmSbslUxzAZZXvxuSsDrD8FBVohesrQv91OQlsKxHd-Holk~CWBzha0WvMo3RIOeY092ohBhWlFGDZkim0HviqPMW1xgEpeBMIBAweFYkMsym-Vkf7dB1cL3UoZeCZ6XAdg4DU5S1ET7pxRaL2ymf-81WjVCz~3Wl5A5CRRcGNhl6GlfIdCcx9F-9oE8YBEkETw7AkseD8L5ziqt6ubiQ~xcfD3vYqIg5lYjRIaEchZlsnFjhJUwglSJCHBTa9GgIajuTq7-KxD43GC2zMKb5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grove City Council voted on May 20 to approve a certificate of appropriateness permitting the demolition of nine structures as part of the Broadway Live redevelopment project in the town center.

Tim Kaskuski, the property owner and developer, told council the properties had become “pretty tough to maintain” and that planning staff had recommended proceeding with demolition. He said the developer had walked the buildings with historic-preservation representatives and identified salvageable items, including two columns and a hand-hewn beam from 3306 Columbus Street, and that those items would be offered to the preservation body for retention.

The council item, resolution CR-1-25, was handled by the councilmember presiding over the lands docket. After the public comment and the reading, the resolution was moved for approval. The motion passed; the roll call recorded a single dissent: Council Member Dew voted no.

Why it matters: Approval clears the way for the Broadway Live project to move forward in the town center by removing nine existing structures. The developer indicated intent to coordinate with historic-preservation stakeholders to salvage identified architectural elements.

Council record: The item was read and opened for public hearing. The developer represented that planning commission had recommended demolition with conditions, and he described work to identify salvageable historic elements for preservation. The council then approved the certificate of appropriateness by voice/roll-call vote. The clerk recorded Dew as the lone negative vote.

Next steps: With the certificate approved, the developer may proceed with demolition subject to any conditions imposed by the certificate and continued coordination with the historic-preservation representatives.

","Grove City Council approved a certificate of appropriateness to demolish nine structures for the Broadway Live project after a developer said salvageable historic materials would be preserved; the resolution passed with one 'no' vote from Council Member Dew.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Grove City library officials warn House Bill 96 would cut funding, add costly censorship duties; council agrees to send letter

Grove City resident urges tougher penalties for drivers who injure pedestrians, recounts son's crash and recovery

Administration: Hoover Road shared-use path design ready; $1.7 million possible if CODA reallocates construction dollars to 2026

Council renews designated outdoor refreshment area maps and rules for downtown

Council approves certificate allowing demolition of nine structures for Broadway Live development; one council member dissents