[{"_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",6198836,"mediaKeyId","3842111-8dd87ed4394e8b6204031179ce7589ef","parentId",3842111,"title","Council joins Columbus amicus brief backing Cincinnati in taxpayer-standing case","audioSeconds",2093,"startMs",818000,"endMs",2911000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842111-8dd87ed4394e8b6204031179ce7589ef&start=818&end=2911","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842111-8dd87ed4394e8b6204031179ce7589ef/thumbnail_818000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198836/Ohio/Council-joins-Columbus-amicus-brief-backing-Cincinnati-in-taxpayer-standing-case","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198836-008c22f4593440ff6662d2feb6a56cbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775497498&Signature=mNqDeUm1eegKTGannMVIfw9jzME~kw-ja~C65ien86daa~lf1xxaVeEH2ynEgkm59OEzMylykF9DQLESZcSNg-RIFxb8AVt7YRjyXpklZNCT81hPwzpyvmGc30Bw9UiqB6huJ1ao~AORIzXCySa19QBo~uuNftSx3EEo7f8obGv9CV6ZjiVl43IgegpTIa-uZbrxTffPlPoeu8EsjCXpxT6Znccftanurg4ck1fg7-jthQ~iA14J7fsy~q-LM7OYs52X6NROpnDODgnOegcU1aiCCnen6yawTjLcOOB6ryb~hF-C~pqaJPCTSJ4JB3qTK~nDUqu9JcJatXKi7oPMmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Athens Ohio","date","2025-06-17T01:06:10.927Z","article","The Athens City Council voted June 16 to join an amicus brief, prepared by the City of Columbus, in support of the City of Cincinnati in a case pending before the Ohio Supreme Court that concerns taxpayer standing to bring a lawsuit.

The Law Director told council the Ohio Municipal League contacted multiple municipalities asking them to sign on to the brief. The matter, described by the Law Director, involves a plaintiff (identified in the meeting as Mark Miller) who sued the City of Cincinnati claiming personal standing in a taxpayer lawsuit; a lower court had ruled in Cincinnati’s favor and the case has been taken up by the Ohio Supreme Court.

“The Ohio Municipal League has asked for other support. All we have to do is give our moral support basically. We don't have any financial obligation in this,” the Law Director said during the communications section of the meeting.

Council moved and seconded a motion to join the amicus brief and adopted it by voice vote. There was no recorded financial commitment; the Law Director characterized Athens’ participation as moral support requested by the municipal league.

Council members did not request additional briefings on the legal issues during the meeting. The vote memorializes Athens’ position in support of the lower-court ruling in the Cincinnati case, as requested by the Ohio Municipal League and the City of Columbus’ filing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Athens City Council - June 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Athens City Council voted to join an amicus brief drafted by the City of Columbus in support of the City of Cincinnati in a case before the Ohio Supreme Court about taxpayer standing; the Law Director said the request came via the Ohio Municipal League and requires no financial commitment from Athens.","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},6198840,"Council appoints members to new Ridges community authority as controlling board action advances",1826,987000,2813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842111-8dd87ed4394e8b6204031179ce7589ef&start=987&end=2813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842111-8dd87ed4394e8b6204031179ce7589ef/thumbnail_987000.jpg","/articles/6198840/Ohio/Council-appoints-members-to-new-Ridges-community-authority-as-controlling-board-action-advances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198840-c79612776308f34e7c38328f2606a787/orig.mp4?Expires=1775497498&Signature=VVqw56TswyD~a4Cijw4efNWBIQeLTQN1S4lw15Qnz4IQJFpPuBM1HQZoSnxixZRnrs-ZH8YH1HEkCbc0CmDhJZH8DBsw-2ZcwklDPlFXaqIQLo-Br2cnHhT49jXvusQsUtWK9GTNBpBvZkfmebQpAk7C4C-SxyoKw2n844Y0py3LHsJQDPCLBnAXVImZNYHNsD04ushAcsw7MslBcfo3GLC46MpUii6Fy3OupqP0ok4iax1A9l2Ep9h7MZQCfN4zRUac3D6SyjVe-RiVqBOaYx2bZ~JN60eWvqXVfHnt7atdVkRLj~BscfAAwwsoG9IHDPhyGT4MEzo5nB7QDlM61A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council on June 16 adopted Resolution R03-25 to fill vacancies and reappoint members to the board of trustees of the Ridges New Community Authority (the new community authority created to manage land and future development at the Ridges). The resolution appoints James Kaufman to fill an unexpired citizen-member term, and reappoints Chris Nisley (citizen member) and Andrew Stone (local government member) to terms expiring June 16, 2027.

Earlier in the meeting, administration staff told council that the proposed community authority item had appeared on the Ohio Controlling Board agenda that day. Administration also said Joe Retchie would present to the Affordable Housing Commission the following day at noon in City Council Chambers to discuss next steps for Ridges development and “how they're gonna do to actually build some housing units out there,” including a remark that the project could include up to about 700 housing units.

Council members described the appointments as routine and said the selected individuals bring experience to the authority’s role in overseeing transferred land and development activity. “Now that, hopefully, the new community authority will be in charge of making sure that this land that is being transferred to the new community authority can be developed, we need to have some strong people,” a council member said during consideration of the resolution.

The resolution passed by voice vote following a motion and second.

The June 16 minutes record the appointments and the administration’s report that the controlling board had the matter on its agenda; council indicated it expects staff and authority representatives to report back with implementation steps, including any required approvals, budgets, or developer agreements needed to proceed with housing development.","Council passed Resolution R03-25 to appoint James Kaufman and reappoint Chris Nisley and Andrew Stone to the new community authority board; administration said the authority item appeared on the state controlling board agenda and staff will discuss next steps, including plans that could allow up to 700 housing units.",{"_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},6198844,"Council creates community engagement and accessibility coordinator; disability commission asks for ADA certification in job description",175,2222000,2397000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842111-8dd87ed4394e8b6204031179ce7589ef&start=2222&end=2397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842111-8dd87ed4394e8b6204031179ce7589ef/thumbnail_2222000.jpg","/articles/6198844/Ohio/Council-creates-community-engagement-and-accessibility-coordinator-disability-commission-asks-for-ADA-certification-in-job-description","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198844-2f9ee2085ff333aaad95c4d8f972ac7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775497498&Signature=KfsnIoW-JI6st~7E70XJNArg6xFzjzCV9TqHAQklA0-YlvNQ1Y0OzLpvNVGvOfPSiwdONEeV3rjOvZhvqQlNyhEfIzC33xOOwTHFXZ6Ma26kIgObrPWWEYjO39qhsLHb1Lki0mRt3XkghM5a9szgm8T8hF7nRgCwX2boNjBDZehLNz-9gpqb0y0Y8lgIcJ9nwnnq9eA0RtF2u4FS~H-mQLeJIzWaUxUbc7DDEkF8XmDfYuoHSXWXL7Up6D7M3ASZ~~9hdjquct~M~b3u6E3hLwaQj1YOZr4HPtGb19x2FRsyVvKLH9xeYvNE4PWLoc2T3270Ove8nAB-xtUHt-a~IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council on June 16 adopted Ordinance 64-25, amending the city’s 2025 staffing ordinance to replace the DEIA/training coordinator position with a community engagement and accessibility coordinator in the mayor’s office.

Michelle Hahn, who identified herself as a member of the disabled community, a member of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities and co-chair of its outreach and communications committee, addressed council during the ordinance discussion. Hahn asked that the city require the new position’s job description to include completion of the ADA coordinator certification program offered by the Great Plains ADA Center and requested that the city cover the cost if the appointee does not already hold the certification. “The job description should include an expectation to complete the ADA coordinator certification program provided by the Great Plains ADA Center,” Hahn said.

Hahn also said the commission learned of the job change “through the grapevine” and asked the administration and council to improve communication with the commission and to involve its members when city policy or positions affect disabled residents. “If this is something that's going to be involving us, then we should probably be involved in knowing at least knowing about it,” she said.

Council members had no further discussion after Hahn’s remarks and moved to a vote. The ordinance was adopted by voice vote.

The change renames and refocuses an existing position toward community engagement and accessibility; the council record shows no amendment to funding levels discussed at the June 16 meeting. Hahn’s request places a specific training expectation into the public record for council and administration to consider when finalizing the position description and hiring process.","Council adopted Ordinance 64-25 to reclassify a mayor’s office position from DEIA/training coordinator to community engagement and accessibility coordinator. Michelle Hahn, a member of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities, urged the council to require ADA coordinator certification and better communication with the commission.",{"_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},6198849,"Athens council OKs extra funds for new fire headquarters after debate over change orders",1076,1124000,2200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3842111-8dd87ed4394e8b6204031179ce7589ef&start=1124&end=2200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3842111-8dd87ed4394e8b6204031179ce7589ef/thumbnail_1124000.jpg","/articles/6198849/Ohio/Athens-council-OKs-extra-funds-for-new-fire-headquarters-after-debate-over-change-orders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198849-b85a36967e6b878193093c9c9088a679/orig.mp4?Expires=1775497498&Signature=B2000wVDciNw0YTCRtMs8-iR7RYOJQYZi6h8wQjctG3~sqYhXNY2p5pThF~fjKyFbI5CYhzaYzj8IbXrhbjQcFfB2GLAgsHLkTbYrX1EWK35LbL-irzRBhNoWcaxTjXr5pt20XrIOQPHp90ptlHzYcXIoW7HG2qSdAkx6wGmv~8LmSBtcI8ZSyI4mT4ehmSN1xlPNKkXweJ4-GYh6VlXU7nQXUe0j~Qk4VlqU5p-H1zHaClWuBUCMfvfzbA2vFEjlEdCd1ZoGojra8xfGp1WhnC2tpbryHmU4Yt6aZ78nVj7B~LLwHcx0QDBH1l2fIGAZ3q95gx3UdRIdbVENrIDZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Athens City Council on June 16 approved Ordinance 63-25, amending the 2025 appropriation ordinance to authorize additional transfers and increase the total authorized spending for the new fire headquarters project (project no. 346). The measure passed with five affirmative votes, activating the emergency clause needed for immediate effect.

Council members debated whether to approve roughly $992,000 in additional funds tied to completed work and change orders, with concern from some members about change orders that were not brought to council for prior approval. “I’m inclined to vote against it. I don’t like how it’s done,” Council Member Wood said, later adding that the mayor was not present to explain the decisions.

The dispute centered on several line-item reallocations and a larger tally of project authorization. Deputy Safety Services Director (recorded in the meeting as the deputy safety services speaker) explained that the ordinance amends the total authorized expenditure to $14,352,000 and allocates $9,932,000 from the Safety Services Fund for land purchase and site preparation. The ordinance text also includes appropriations from unappropriated balances, including a $350,000 transfer and smaller internal reallocations of $27,000 and $25,000.

Council members pressed staff on consequences of not approving the ordinance. The deputy safety services speaker said the city remains obligated to pay contractors for completed work and that nonpayment could prompt contractor claims on bonds and related legal consequences. “Contractors do have an… obligation to contractors to pay for work that they've done,” the deputy said.

Treasurer remarks in support of the funding noted the additional amount represented roughly a 6.9% increase over the original $13,420,000 projection and characterized the size of the overrun as within common ranges for municipal construction projects. The treasurer also said that, excluding identified fraud-related charges, the overrun on this project would be about 2%.

Council discussion identified five change orders overall, including an early change order in 2024. Specific payments were discussed: a final payment to a contractor identified in the record as Pepper of roughly $700,000, plus about $200,000 for later cost overruns, bringing a sub‑total discussed in the meeting to about $900,000 for those items.

Several members said they supported paying contractors for completed work while criticizing the process that allowed some additional work (for example, extra paving and a fitness court) to proceed without explicit council approval. One council member said the fitness court and additional parking were part of the department’s plan and that delaying the work could have raised future costs.

After extended debate, the council voted to adopt Ordinance 63-25. Members were told five affirmative votes were required for the emergency clause and the presiding officer counted five ayes.

The ordinance text as read at the meeting amends prior appropriation ordinances referenced in the discussion (including earlier ordinance numbers cited by staff), authorizes interfund transfers, and adjusts appropriation line items for the fire and capital improvement funds.

Council members asked for better communication on change orders going forward; council record shows the concern will remain part of the project’s oversight record.","Athens City Council adopted Ordinance 63-25 to increase appropriations and authorize additional spending for the new fire headquarters project after members debated unapproved change orders, contractor payments and oversight. The measure passed with five affirmative votes, enacting the emergency clause.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council joins Columbus amicus brief backing Cincinnati in taxpayer-standing case

Council appoints members to new Ridges community authority as controlling board action advances

Council creates community engagement and accessibility coordinator; disability commission asks for ADA certification in job description

Athens council OKs extra funds for new fire headquarters after debate over change orders