[{"_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",6218517,"mediaKeyId","3627805-8b4d4b3e0118c0fa5555722fa8a7c005","parentId",3627805,"title","Council welcomes $2 million state award to HAPCAP for homelessness response","audioSeconds",114,"startMs",1726000,"endMs",1840000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3627805-8b4d4b3e0118c0fa5555722fa8a7c005&start=1726&end=1840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3627805-8b4d4b3e0118c0fa5555722fa8a7c005/thumbnail_1726000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218517/Ohio/Council-welcomes-2-million-state-award-to-HAPCAP-for-homelessness-response","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218517-e1cb39bfac5abad3eaf478cfb7b62ef0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134008&Signature=KU5VCSSMhLGCpS-L3lP7AysgZlQElGi4qtLKRWAznyXd0Zlzo4d49OPcmQAJnGGfBgPkrH5NdV1QCRs5CqDQ6Qn-W9mhDupPmhEB5SKfYZ-cIKUfi6TlhQ2RNpBXky-dagnP3hFMeg8~L5LdLTS8yzAcvmtm0mXuG0mSOqHccntx-e-0xHA0-uQaCKnMp56bzTSQTt-yssbQsAZLAYH2bc~KmAXaLDJML9XaF03300iYPv51CVsHuRwW7Z~~XrE~AGJ3q8qv17xqxT98w8Sc1gQaPSLIS~q~-rUlK4lk3DoZg0cbER1w3P1K~W-lr0VZFWRdTYX9oocB5A1c~MXY3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Athens Ohio","date","2025-06-03T12:09:26Z","article","Council members announced that Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) received an additional $2,000,000 in state funding to address homelessness and expand emergency housing options.

Member Spence said the award will support noncongregant emergency housing, expanded services, and safe-parking areas. The member noted the funds will allow the renovation of the Sunset motel into a shelter and provide services the community had hoped to offer. Member Spence also encouraged public participation in a community conversation about insecure housing scheduled for the next day from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the community center.

No council action was required on the announcement; it was shared under communications to inform council and the public of the grant award and upcoming community engagement opportunities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Athens City Council - June 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council member announced that Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) received an additional $2 million in state funding to expand noncongregant emergency housing and services; a community conversation on insecure housing was scheduled for the next day.","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},6218522,"Council advances first reading to reclassify mayor’s DEI/training post to community engagement role amid staffing debate",341,3110000,3451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3627805-8b4d4b3e0118c0fa5555722fa8a7c005&start=3110&end=3451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3627805-8b4d4b3e0118c0fa5555722fa8a7c005/thumbnail_3110000.jpg","/articles/6218522/Ohio/Council-advances-first-reading-to-reclassify-mayors-DEItraining-post-to-community-engagement-role-amid-staffing-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218522-3ea4127d28edc909c3e2ba71fb86181b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134008&Signature=i-55L1wkZmHKmMlg16RPawpzH7G7KEslQpjzv4rABbQ1NCf-USUHXkMB69aIak4rwDqQjkGHp~fHeGcIiny1-1jYIgGkKhN3i7hSgrLFiYLFh4uu8vPpVwVP~nlXDJnkcApiDKLX-e~flEml~bqI61YrrJFGuOsghoYWtB6mRKzRKMc7QuRbINrxdhfywKUmLA4dQNvnTy1Ay18lozzrVZmYY6yO74XU1N~iqgQcUM8VqEmudEVM7ghFul6bd7Aut9IK5I44C-5ljrmppanLowpL9L5vkG9fFGeMmNcGpjqVqw23WUqg2GviQwmZNCE5AH~IYy-AL7mowIqIrOMVbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council considered a first reading Monday for Ordinance 64-25, which replaces the mayor’s “DEI/training coordinator” position with a “community engagement and accessibility coordinator” title and updated duties. Member Reisner read the ordinance language during the meeting.

Supporters described the change as a reclassification rather than a new hire. Member Spieltjes relayed correspondence from community mediator John Schmeeding endorsing the role as vital to city–community partnerships and continuity after Ohio University’s cutbacks in DEI programming. “I want to express my strong belief that this position is crucial for the city at this time,” the mediator wrote, as reported by Spieltjes.

Some council members said they worried about budget trade-offs. Member Swank said he was “laboring” with the choice because grant-funded firefighter positions will end when the federal grant expires, and he contrasted keeping public-safety headcount with creating or reclassifying a mayoral position. Member Klockfelter countered that the reclassification does not add staff and that the budget lines are not identical across departments; the mayor reiterated the aim to have a dedicated public-facing staffer experienced in connecting residents with services.

Council did not take a final vote on the ordinance at the meeting; the matter remains at first reading and will return for further consideration as budget and staffing discussions continue.","Council heard first reading of an ordinance (64-25) to reclassify a mayoral position from a DEI/training coordinator to a community engagement and accessibility coordinator. Members discussed the reclassification and whether city resources should prioritize retaining grant-funded firefighters once federal funding ends.",{"_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},6218526,"Neighbors urge council to reject rezoning of 111 Hooper Street; developer grant noted as contingency",1031,454000,1485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3627805-8b4d4b3e0118c0fa5555722fa8a7c005&start=454&end=1485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3627805-8b4d4b3e0118c0fa5555722fa8a7c005/thumbnail_454000.jpg","/articles/6218526/Ohio/Neighbors-urge-council-to-reject-rezoning-of-111-Hooper-Street-developer-grant-noted-as-contingency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218526-1ba1b35d4b7563fb96afc2aab71c282c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134008&Signature=O-vY4MQac7wLy712AXW0pQPuPd6GQzQaP~nUajYYdVt2B~pSilHm~N7Er2~n4jkRUi~fJvTa-1NwvZ4RAQOde5H~B9KReY~7GXvUcE1a3lnOdu97eC1PE1InrKWEt5NoR-I4scPqPzmTbOOgz~kFc2A3o1irDJiwyyn48kzjcCAEY8~4frcR-AlfgneGH2dG5Yx3ii6r-iQ~Mld-YcgQAL6hX5CoBfKRUvy2PT5vhxHhgeqAmAeNRW7I81WLGd-faNiQDJN8xUVOt6G7RQZK07WcjG2N4VEbFVWzdH5ahjJLXAucJGBIzLbG8FiZKwvARNXZdU6AJ2Y7NPPQNtdqpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the public and council members discussed a Planning Commission recommendation to rezone 111 Hooper Street — a 5.13-acre parcel — from R-1 and R-2 (single- and two-family) to R-3 (multifamily) during a public hearing at Monday’s Athens City Council meeting.

Several nearby residents said rezoning would change neighborhood character and raise safety and environmental concerns. “It’s a blind corner, especially with speeders,” Aaron Romero told council, and he said runoff and freeze–thaw icing at the Hooper–Nottingham intersection pose seasonal hazards. Romero also described narrow road conditions, absent sidewalks, recurring litter, and erosion near a creek that borders his yard.

“Putting in a massive development — let’s call it what it is, it’s a business — you would be putting in a huge sprawling business right next to our homes,” Diana Marvel said. Marvel and other neighbors said the change from single-family zoning to multifamily housing would “irrevocably change” the community and urged council to prefer sites already zoned for higher density housing.

Other speakers supported the rezoning as a way to increase housing supply. Rob Delich, who said he represents Porch Fest and broader community interests, said the proposed development would be relatively small — “50 or 60 units, I think” — and argued that the city’s comprehensive plan anticipates densifying places like this. Delich noted that the project’s development is contingent on a state grant to the developer and that site planning and Planning Commission review would follow if the rezoning proceeds.

A procedural question from the public record noted that even if council votes in favor of rezoning at a later reading, the matter would then proceed to review under Title 41, which could address mitigation measures such as traffic, environmental, and site-design concerns. Council closed the public hearing and moved to the regular session without voting on the rezoning at this meeting.","At a public hearing, neighbors and community members raised safety, drainage, tree loss and character concerns about a proposed rezoning of 111 Hooper Street from R-1/R-2 to R-3; proponents said the change matches the city’s comprehensive plan and the project depends on a state grant to the developer.",{"_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},6218531,"Council discusses large appropriation amendment, oversight concerns for fire headquarters project",262,2511000,2773000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3627805-8b4d4b3e0118c0fa5555722fa8a7c005&start=2511&end=2773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3627805-8b4d4b3e0118c0fa5555722fa8a7c005/thumbnail_2511000.jpg","/articles/6218531/Ohio/Council-discusses-large-appropriation-amendment-oversight-concerns-for-fire-headquarters-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218531-f1688a8cd7213d1ccce97944bca8daaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771134008&Signature=SYLXEOwRx8XCwZW8p7M9di1zQNgxrpFJmxilYT2Cw7VPI3lcL7ugCYo8CF0rUgthNJn5Pyzr9dzt8t0MedM3Q5Cgw4Li4jhISUtidOaK7X~OjMqre1IOnpyiM6V-eIpsavuN5Dd66yAqFc9fJbIqCzrXf8zt1~5qqTngyJnaT9UFVYPL57g0X73MJcpUIP3eEOh~6cnCi2~zU-G7RKBP7KvcCC758fpZYJLRcKMMJ4w6MUgKHFB0Qr6NE4SBA~7Gi06CWLdG7Tw-q1TLznMEt0l8eiOq163TDAwTAtjA3xYHkBUvkAEvW5csBbl-18JyUhVOjUgAhfFTJ5Q77nrqNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council members discussed an amendment to the 2025 appropriation ordinance that would increase appropriations tied to the new fire headquarters and related capital projects, but did not vote on the measure at Monday’s meeting.

The amendment (Ordinance 63-25) would appropriate specific sums from unappropriated balances — including $350,000 to the Safety Services Fund (206) and $30,000 to the Capital Improvements Fund (580) — and would increase the project authorization amounts, including expanding a project total to $14,352,000 and raising the Safety Services Fund portion from $9,000,000 to $9,932,000. Member Thomas reviewed the ordinance’s line-item changes during the first reading.

Council members asked for clarification about an earlier $500,000 appropriation that, according to Member Seck’s questions, did not have a clearly identified project in the materials provided to council. “What was this appropriated to pay for originally?” Seck asked. Auditor Hecht and the mayor said they would provide a firm answer, noting possible ties to the armory project or a purchased fire pumper expected in 2026.

Concerns about additional costs and oversight surfaced in several exchanges. Member Wood asked whether the administration had taken on roughly $200,000 in projects without prior council approval; the mayor and other staff characterized the situation as an oversight amid multiple concurrent issues, including several change orders, a $722,000 scam against the city, and open purchase orders. Auditor Hecht explained that some expenditures are expected to be reimbursed through FEMA or other sources.

Council members also asked about specific cost overruns. Member Swank said the art walk project cost an additional $63,000 beyond what was anticipated, and that the city’s contribution to a sport court was about $192,000. The mayor and staff said some items (for example, art and fitness equipment) are partly reimbursable or tied to previously authorized percentages baked into the main project budget, while other increases exceeded those allowances.

No motion was recorded to adopt the ordinance at this meeting; the item was considered in the first-reading stage and remains pending further clarification and documentation. Council members requested follow-up information about the previously appropriated $500,000, the exact composition of the $200,000 in additional projects, and which costs are expected to be reimbursed by FEMA or grants.

Council members and staff said they would return with additional details in future committee meetings and in materials distributed before the ordinance’s next council reading.","Council members debated amendments to the 2025 appropriation ordinance that increase funding for the new fire headquarters and other capital items, with questions about prior unassigned appropriations, change orders, and additional costs for art and recreational projects tied to the larger construction budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council welcomes $2 million state award to HAPCAP for homelessness response

Council advances first reading to reclassify mayor’s DEI/training post to community engagement role amid staffing debate

Neighbors urge council to reject rezoning of 111 Hooper Street; developer grant noted as contingency

Council discusses large appropriation amendment, oversight concerns for fire headquarters project