[{"_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",6190034,"mediaKeyId","5052987-f10adf6c2ad1c0d996dc9c649d0acf2f","parentId",5052987,"title","Whitehall council adopts emergency ordinance updates and approves three fund transfers/settlements","audioSeconds",218,"startMs",2430000,"endMs",2648000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052987-f10adf6c2ad1c0d996dc9c649d0acf2f&start=2430&end=2648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052987-f10adf6c2ad1c0d996dc9c649d0acf2f/thumbnail_2430000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6190034/Ohio/Whitehall-council-adopts-emergency-ordinance-updates-and-approves-three-fund-transferssettlements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190034-3a82f2fdb02aad9d710688e80841306f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775594147&Signature=ihKXcglnn-dzD3-m3wroDUeobssObLvCdnnWCopZtFB4A0XV8ptjqOIihbyuqX17zTL92T3zVV6zBnB9QAm8VxAXdAqkTMK-FkUCOhrMwCFJduw8S6j1WkBCHVWF7jbeqlWaA5DeCPFFPWZTSNanW4OY3ryxfdsOybVOCPmWMbjfHgrYh4CkWFMxjb0VghDDgRAhEfBwyScrBBQ1SPuKnWTcm~d628GiHLd6KniGrIfjBisek7Cmncho7BezDIlxUlra0KK~J27CYU7w~fUrrqGKnpzsjPpPucmbvbz6U9XkmvXRcFIEgsYnZmnPwXALvI1VxXFpwXgQ4HXYf-8aFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Whitehall, OH ","date","2025-06-23T14:39:39Z","article","WHITEHALL, June 17, 2025 — The Whitehall City Council on Tuesday adopted a set of ordinances and fund transfers, authorizing replacement codified ordinance pages and approving three budget moves that together reallocated $430,000 across city funds.

Council adopted Ordinance 37-20-25 (amending the planning and zoning code, section 110302), after a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission and a council motion to untable and adopt. The council also adopted Ordinance 40-20-25, which authorized May 2025 replacement pages to the city’s codified ordinances and was declared an emergency.

On first reading with suspension of rules, the council approved three financial ordinances: Ordinance 55-20-25, a $125,000 settlement appropriation from the general fund to a water bridge repair expense account; Ordinance 56-20-25, a $100,000 fund transfer to move money to the technology fund (life-cycle replacement fund transfer); and Ordinance 57-20-25, a $205,000 settlement appropriation from the accrued benefit reserve fund. Each ordinance was introduced with suspension of the rules and adopted after recorded roll-call votes; the council’s roll calls showed unanimous approval on all.

Treasurer Alexander earlier reported the city’s May finances: cash receipts of about $8,800,000, cash expenses of about $7,600,000, a portfolio balance of roughly $35,600,000 and an average yield of about 3.34%.

Why it matters: The adopted measures clear administrative housekeeping items and provide funding for an immediate settlement and internal technology and lifecycle needs. The settlement appropriations and transfers modify near-term budget allocations and were adopted under suspension of rules, indicating council members regarded them as urgent.

What’s next: Departments receiving transfers or appropriations will proceed with the authorized expenditures. Treasurer’s office and relevant departments will report on how funds are used consistent with council direction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Voting Meeting 06-17-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council adopted multiple ordinances Tuesday including a zoning amendment (Ordinance 37-20-25), codified ordinance replacement pages (40-20-25) and three financial ordinances moving/appropriating a combined $430,000 for settlement and technology/lifecycle funds.","taxTitle","Whitehall City Council, Whitehall, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",71203,"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},6190039,"EPA assumes oversight of GFL oil-spill cleanup; Whitehall says it will seek reimbursement",124,558000,682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052987-f10adf6c2ad1c0d996dc9c649d0acf2f&start=558&end=682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052987-f10adf6c2ad1c0d996dc9c649d0acf2f/thumbnail_558000.jpg","/articles/6190039/Ohio/EPA-assumes-oversight-of-GFL-oil-spill-cleanup-Whitehall-says-it-will-seek-reimbursement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190039-cbc3500e9e8c9d4b6a2b2915bae6ccc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775594147&Signature=Jx6T-c6-1QGOKNhXpVrof1Hurf9nHZ~xwTdsexF9ti0BJgMRfvwHz4nE3tbVXPtJrq7ChJU1uSEdwPqgqTUQ4lYMNYFgOIqCSjyZEvQ0623b8EymUKtCY4C2v~eNeGu~8zYrHbnc9SB6y1FLbcjLT-~icjTnsTBn89AQl90RAG4-qo1ob6FCmuCYCeVkPyS1SMgoSacINlYq5cY4xvNsH5cojExtKPV9MLChv0qIXFMiOCYf8Bcgds2kR-qGejnKh5ZO14bs~F4lroNOx0TlNa0eu0lFv1UQLmjaUG~mZvJOhiO9pCmaZcPS8NM-9Q2E~HBXcXNAEeGI9O1vLNDglA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WHITEHALL, June 17, 2025 — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken over oversight of a recent oil spill cleanup in Whitehall, Mayor Michael Bivens told the city council Tuesday, and the city intends to seek reimbursement from the responsible company.

Mayor Michael Bivens said the city and partner agencies have logged about 85,000 man-hours on cleanup work tied to the spill connected to GFL. “Interesting enough today of all days, United States EPA has taken over all health and sanitary and remediation measures,” Bivens told council, adding that EPA’s role is now to \"trust and verify\" remedial work completed from Broad Street through the affected area.

Bivens said EPA has tasked GFL with providing a final report to determine the spill’s cause and to identify fines and costs. The mayor said the city has calculated its own remedial man-hours and will present those expenses to GFL when appropriate.

Bivens also said that, as a precaution, permanent observation towers are being installed along the creek to monitor for residual oil under rocks during the summer; the mayor described the installations as surface-level monitoring rather than “big tall” towers.

The mayor characterized the immediate remediation step as complete and in a verification phase, but said EPA would determine if further action is needed after reviewing GFL’s final report. He also thanked city staff and volunteer groups involved in related community events and response efforts.

Why it matters: Local remediation costs, oversight by a federal agency and a pending final report may influence any fines, reimbursements and long-term monitoring responsibilities. The city’s calculation of its man-hours could form the basis for a recovery claim against GFL.

What’s next: EPA will review the final report from GFL and may assess fines; Whitehall officials plan to present the city’s cleanup costs to GFL for potential recovery.","Mayor Michael Bivens said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken over remediation of an oil spill tied to GFL; the city logged tens of thousands of man-hours and plans to present its cleanup expenses to GFL for recovery.",{"_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},6190044,"Whitehall council postpones vote on Fairway Boulevard overlay after staff flags broad restrictions",1406,1182000,2588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5052987-f10adf6c2ad1c0d996dc9c649d0acf2f&start=1182&end=2588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5052987-f10adf6c2ad1c0d996dc9c649d0acf2f/thumbnail_1182000.jpg","/articles/6190044/Ohio/Whitehall-council-postpones-vote-on-Fairway-Boulevard-overlay-after-staff-flags-broad-restrictions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190044-c6e5259f5e9e85007860ffe5d09682d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775594147&Signature=lwKswG8eSX~2bVg7NrWKp~SiJiH3GRNeeVi4NQnaCnlT20TIh-eMOMLNjXGGEVoC7pxpf-fsJZpYsbSpX9d04wlPRrOzn9NSZ60EQGq3cv6fXyETVf02~3DojXEJlN-uKWTN6SaIeMTqDnigfnBujPkoSNRHmTnTN-BM9pF~0hobRGTeMky3TupregVPLY1cxXau73R4ibfexKllockoY~AnsxMLEtNqrtssp4z7GM6AcTxlwn4vzB6SuxFwV7Sabn6l2fll8SDDEz0qOQ3nwPXkXOZIFb8obUU0r37o3uKNn53DeIZMTKnbe-Soie44OsQXPNSYkQ90zSaTwPLYRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WHITEHALL, June 17, 2025 — The Whitehall City Council on Tuesday postponed consideration of an initiative petition that would create a Fairway Boulevard overlay district after city staff described new limits on development, infrastructure work and the use of public funds.

The proposed ordinance, introduced as Ordinance 42-20-25 and driven by an initiative petition, would add an overlay to the city’s planning and zoning code covering 13 parcels along Fairway Boulevard and would, among other changes, restrict permitted building types and impose new review requirements for public infrastructure projects. Councilman Dixon moved to postpone the ordinance to no later than July 15; Councilwoman Smith seconded the motion, and the roll call vote was unanimous.

The proposal drew sustained scrutiny from staff and council because the overlay would: allow only detached single-unit buildings in the district; change how “frontage” is measured; require a community impact analysis, a traffic study and an environmental study for public infrastructure projects; mandate a 90-day public notice for hearings; and require an ordinance 180–270 days before construction could begin. Director of Economic Development Russell told council, “At this time, I want to provide a factual review of the ordinance items that are going to directly impact the planning and zoning code,” and later summarized that under the new overlay \"we are no longer permitted to allow for subdivision development improvement and renovations.\"

Russell also said the overlay text would prevent the city from using capital funds in the district — including grants, bonds and standard capital improvement allocations — unless the overlay’s more stringent process is followed. That would mean some projects normally handled through the city’s capital improvement processes could require additional studies and an extended approval timeline, she said.

Council members asked for clarification about which parcels would be covered and how the overlay would interact with existing zoning. Russell said the map under consideration shows the 13 parcels in a red outline and that, if language in the overlay is ambiguous, it would default to existing zoning code provisions. She recommended postponement so staff could work with petition committee members to reconcile intent and wording and give council time to do “due diligence” on potential impacts.

Council questions focused on practical effects: who would vote on future infrastructure projects; whether the overlay was a form of spot zoning; and what constituted an \"exhaustive traffic study.\" Russell said final votes on infrastructure projects would remain a council decision but would have to follow the overlay’s more stringent public-notice and study requirements. On technical definitions such as the traffic-study threshold, Russell said the overlay text does not define every term and that some study requirements may depend on the specific project and its funding source.

The petition committee can amend the initiative text before it goes to voters; Russell said the petitioners and city staff had scheduled a meeting to clarify intent. City attorney Nicodemus explained the amendment process: if council amends committee-drafted language and the petitioners do not accept the changes, petitioners have 10 days to notify the city that they want the original language presented to voters, in which case council amendments would be removed.

The council’s postponement motion, introduced by Dixon, was seconded by Smith and carried in a recorded roll call. The ordinance is postponed to no later than July 15, 2025.

Why it matters: The overlay would change the permitting and funding path for public infrastructure and private development in the overlay area, potentially lengthening timelines and increasing up-front costs for projects. Petitioner-driven overlays also raise legal and procedural questions about voter-initiated changes to zoning rules and how those interact with existing development standards.

What’s next: City staff will meet with members of the initiative petition committee to refine language and clarify implementation details; council will review revised language before any vote on whether to place the measure on the ballot or to take local legislative action.","City staff and petitioners clashed over proposed Fairway Boulevard overlay rules that would restrict development, require extensive studies and block use of capital funds; council voted to postpone a decision to give staff and petitioners time to reconcile language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Whitehall council adopts emergency ordinance updates and approves three fund transfers/settlements

EPA assumes oversight of GFL oil-spill cleanup; Whitehall says it will seek reimbursement

Whitehall council postpones vote on Fairway Boulevard overlay after staff flags broad restrictions