The Newark City Council voted 9-0 to permit leasing of the city-owned public building at 33 West Main Street and to direct staff to negotiate a management agreement with 33 West Main LLC.

Ordinance 25-27, described by the clerk as permitting the public building at 33 West Main Street to be leased to private businesses pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 7.21.23 until the city completes and implements expansion plans for city administration offices, passed on a roll call vote of 9-0.

Resolution 25-59, authorizing and directing the director of public service to negotiate and enter into a new management agreement with 33 West Main LLC for the property at 33 West Main Street, North Ohio, also passed 9-0. The resolution was described as subject to appropriation of funds.

Why it matters: the council gave staff authority to lease and to negotiate a management agreement for a city-owned building. That creates a pathway for private operation of a municipally owned property while the city reports it plans future administrative expansion.

Details: The ordinance language cited Ohio Revised Code 7.21.23 as authority for leasing city property to private businesses until such time as the city completes expansion of city administration offices and other public purposes. The resolution directs the director of public service to negotiate a management agreement with 33 West Main LLC once funds are appropriated.

Votes and motions: The clerk read both the ordinance and the resolution into the record. Councilmember Rath moved to adopt Ordinance 25-27; the motion carried 9-0 on roll call. Resolution 25-59 was moved by Councilmember Rapp and seconded by Councilmember Koss and passed 9-0.

Provenance: Ordinance 25-27 and Resolution 25-59 were read and voted on during the meeting; both measures passed unanimously on roll call.