[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6208082,"mediaKeyId","3749743-7f275f63c695b20e943bb03281002829","parentId",3749743,"title","Zoning staff: code rewrite near completion; city handling grass, vacant properties and façade program","audioSeconds",869,"startMs",152000,"endMs",1021000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3749743-7f275f63c695b20e943bb03281002829&start=152&end=1021","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3749743-7f275f63c695b20e943bb03281002829/thumbnail_152000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6208082/Ohio/Zoning-staff-code-rewrite-near-completion-city-handling-grass-vacant-properties-and-façade-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208082-f52dccdb987a7d198b200e7e9a28b7f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581108&Signature=lvupxYulpKFoF4AKogj8EHx3pAZmqF2-z-h5UdO6JbZTXIVp9iO-mDSPikwSBe18dZEVK4lE515w21p9NYY2pvOqJxhr3Gd5w1E0oU--GRMw1XAlHu2~vfJTd7Dva6GEsN9172yUGmA40i~qCXt6jn1Xj5P6psKNyQoLL6xCA9ipyC7C~D3PavHWFq9oWsbdDYYsmMybwwM0arcRhGVAUcfkSgUMcaJ3hHmRpXNz-98sWh1APwTmZ~eYlMZJRNE1lLPRkRpF0HieJkpyl0kWIZkVoXUlqzIVS0Jdn6PA1aTN1CDEkmcF0rS2~ct7UvD5e0pzIJM8HdBNIXY9Gnp8lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Geneva, OH","date","2025-06-11T00:37:59.473Z","article","Noel from the city’s zoning department updated Geneva City Council on June 9 on property-maintenance enforcement, a pending zoning-code rewrite and a downtown storefront improvement program.

Noel said the city has been issuing notices for grass that exceeded the current enforcement threshold and is scheduling contractor cuts for several properties. Regarding a downtown building known as the Bridal Building, Noel said the structure is being purchased by an out-of-state company that engaged a local contractor to cut the property’s grass; Noel said the new buyer has agreed to address outstanding maintenance issues.

Noel told council the zoning-code rewrite administered by the planning commission is nearing completion and staff hopes to bring the new code before council in August. \"The zoning code rewrite is very, very close to completion,\" Noel said, adding that a full commission membership has sped up review work.

On a separate downtown revitalization program, Noel said 19 properties had completed initial steps and were awaiting the next phase managed by the Land Bank’s contractor (LDA). That process includes written applications, owners’ affirmation of taxes and 20% local matching funds for façade or storefront work.

Councilmembers and Noel also discussed enforcement of boulevard and embankment vegetation, the possibility of allowing intentional native-plant/wildflower ground cover in steep embankment areas, and how the city might accept documented seed mixes as intentional landscaping. Noel said staff will work with property owners who wish to propose native-plant mixes, and that intentional plantings could be treated differently from neglect.

Noel said staff continue rental registrations and safety inspections, and are coordinating with building and fire departments for business occupancy inspections and alarm registrations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6 9 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Zoning official Noel told council the city is nearing completion of a zoning code rewrite, is addressing lawn-height complaints and vacant-property maintenance, and that 19 properties have applied for a storefront improvement/facade program.","taxTitle","City of Geneva, Ashtabula, Ohio","taxId",72371,"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},6208087,"Geneva council authorizes grant applications and borrowing for streets, stormwater and equipment",2408,1102000,3510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3749743-7f275f63c695b20e943bb03281002829&start=1102&end=3510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3749743-7f275f63c695b20e943bb03281002829/thumbnail_1102000.jpg","/articles/6208087/Ohio/Geneva-council-authorizes-grant-applications-and-borrowing-for-streets-stormwater-and-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208087-c1631a0213c3a231dd169aa798fbb375/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581108&Signature=fQiRCP4B7ZNiTW3aPJKdOGZpzNKrS8wy99XNZpgDGFWSyOGifZvKcpZfKM3JE1aIH4hUAtoIokY7KRbcLUPxs87KJsAISQMnzygIw5jrMYCuDljXihMeLXXJ-HQbKXJD5ym2dR3LbTvs9nDeNtaAuSHZf6bIwWESGdr~SSj~BSeTSRiQCpwE9tfzk9XEB7pK3gilcCDB~yxCFWNaVWuLHZXfWe6-l7xE1uTDsNZYU5GvUBAJStFk-0ELcbNmeH2P8WsG7a1womqDcrgtMs1YMRoKEfs6KCqzfuFt5tBoLVqeRz~ZkNY74cYD2Qv5xwz7W7x7p-To9yKZPCLNFb3qHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Geneva City Council on June 9 authorized city officials to pursue multiple funding and financing steps for infrastructure and equipment projects, including a state grant application for West Main Street, a low-interest loan application for a sewer jet/vacuum vehicle, and emergency bond adoption to finance a fire truck.

City Manager Joseph Marquette said the city will seek authorization to submit a $2,000,000 application to the Ohio Department of Transportation Small Cities Program for phase 2 of the West Main Street reconstruction project; he said the estimated cost of phase 2 is about $3,700,000. \"Our effort right now is to definitely try to re-grant money in so they can reduce any loans that would need to be taken to get that project off the ground,\" Marquette said.

Council also moved forward with a request to apply to the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) for a loan to purchase a 2025 Super Products Campbell 1,200 EJ sewer jet/vac truck, with a submitted amount of $589,207.21. Marquette said staff had secured multiple quotes and that OWDA offered the best financing option.

An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in a maximum principal amount of $675,000 was introduced and passed by emergency vote; the ordinance will fund the remaining costs of a replacement fire truck. Council discussed the original purchase structure and past financing of fire apparatus and agreed the equipment was critical to public safety.

Separately, Marquette updated council that the city had been recommended for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award near $153,000 for a Depot Street stormwater improvement project; the project’s total estimated cost was $228,800 and award amounts and final obligations will depend on bidding. The city also reported applications and pre-applications for other waterline and street projects including OPWC and OVWC submissions for waterline replacement, and an HTAP award of $66,000 toward a comprehensive plan update (total project estimated at about $75,000).

Several resolutions and an ordinance related to these items were acted on by roll-call vote during the meeting. Council voted to authorize the West Main Small Cities application, the OWDA loan application for the sewer truck, the NAD dispatch agreement extension, the CHIP partnership with Ashtabula County, the HTAP agreement and the contract for a comprehensive plan update; the bond ordinance for the fire truck was also passed under emergency provision.","Council approved applications and emergency financing measures for multiple projects including a $2 million ODOT Small Cities grant application for West Main Street, an OWDA loan application for a sewer jet/vac truck and bond issuance for a fire truck.",{"_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},6208092,"Geneva council moves to oppose state bill that would eliminate 'inside millage' property tax",613,4033000,4646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3749743-7f275f63c695b20e943bb03281002829&start=4033&end=4646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3749743-7f275f63c695b20e943bb03281002829/thumbnail_4033000.jpg","/articles/6208092/Ohio/Geneva-council-moves-to-oppose-state-bill-that-would-eliminate-inside-millage-property-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208092-a583c8d81fa22e1a6da5c2e4d1513328/orig.mp4?Expires=1770581108&Signature=RuP1S-f9O0zGwj62E3Q0zpHuJoXoz43jq0ACf82EO5rvq6u9VjJvZLyGiDDWprIHmx5ATJnI7Z5QKJrLkNPBVOuWyImiV9rn3cVHV1HD11pLn909KwjxFwqXBvZJj9tObBPm-vqAutVjasWpK9C3wDTcE78-JoIm8O8JNfwoW~Z9LTTb-p9wJ0JJz0ev8KJug6BAGoM1KvoYfE9OCweIy1Y3Vgg08hiTKBII4qa8JPWBNV1PDKl8yxjXGFwelbe-5gDzbNotuFTbPP88vAIWYiQTCJn92Ln2h87JUsAfxmcKIY0fLqJ4W3wqj9wImI85sPhKs5j7lNX-wrvKgSR-yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Geneva City Council members were told June 9 that proposed state legislation to end municipal “inside millage” property-tax collections would remove roughly $500,000 in local revenue and prompted council members to prepare a formal statement opposing the bill.

City Manager Joseph Marquette told the council the legislation, referenced in the meeting as H.B. 335, would eliminate the city’s inside millage and that the bulk of the lost revenue — about $400,000 — flows to the general fund. \"This is gonna be devastating to schools,\" Marquette said, adding that the bill would also cut funds earmarked for police pension and the cemetery.

Marquette and several council members discussed the bill’s stated proposal that municipalities could make up revenue losses through other local taxes such as income or sales levies. Marquette said the suggestion was unrealistic for Geneva: \"You can raise your income tax. I do not see us going to the public at this point, you know, seeking an increase in our income tax.\" He also noted that some counties have already raised sales taxes to shore up revenues, but said that is not an option for Geneva because county sales tax is not controlled by the city.

Council members asked for a prompt response. The mayor proposed drafting and voting on a resolution opposing H.B. 335 to make the city's position public; council members agreed to schedule a short special meeting in the coming weeks to consider that resolution and to meet during daytime hours so members who will be absent for the regular July session can participate. Council members also discussed contacting the city’s state representative to express concerns.

Marquette said the bill text runs about 170 pages and remains under review; he and city staff are preparing detailed impact information for the council. Council members emphasized the proposal’s timing as especially problematic because local governments and schools are already facing reductions in other state and federal funding streams.

The council did not take a formal vote on the substance of the bill during the meeting but directed staff to prepare a draft resolution for an upcoming special meeting and to share impact figures publicly and with state lawmakers.","City officials told the Geneva City Council that House Bill 335 would cut roughly $500,000 annually from the city’s revenues and asked the council to draft a formal resolution opposing the measure.","actionData","errors"]

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Zoning staff: code rewrite near completion; city handling grass, vacant properties and façade program

Geneva council authorizes grant applications and borrowing for streets, stormwater and equipment

Geneva council moves to oppose state bill that would eliminate 'inside millage' property tax