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South Lebanon council sets public hearing on cannabis zoning, OKs $10,000 Ohio EPA grant and a two‑year electric rate
Summary
At its May 20 meeting the South Lebanon City Council voted to set a public hearing on a Planning Commission recommendation to amend zoning for retail cannabis, approved a $10,000 Ohio EPA water‑audit grant agreement and authorized a two‑year electric contract for city facilities.
South Lebanon Mayor Burke and the City Council on May 20 approved emergency resolutions to set a public hearing on a Planning Commission recommendation to amend the city zoning code for retail cannabis sales, accepted a $10,000 Ohio Environmental Protection Agency grant for a water audit and authorized the city administrator to execute an electric supply agreement for city facilities.
The council voted unanimously to waive the two‑reading rule and approve Emergency Resolution 2025‑10 by title only to schedule a public hearing on a zoning text amendment "with respect to any retail sale of cannabis," following a Planning Commission recommendation. No hearing date was announced in the meeting record.
Council also unanimously approved Emergency Resolution 2025‑11 authorizing the mayor and the director of finance to execute a grant agreement with the Ohio EPA’s water audit and water loss program in the amount of $10,000.
City Administrator Jerry described the electric agreement as applying to the city offices (not wholesale townwide service) and said the vendor quoted a rate of "7.39 cents" per kilowatt‑hour, which the administrator said was lower than current aggregation rates approaching about 9 cents. Jerry told the council staff recommended locking the rate for two years if it remained advantageous; the council voted to authorize the city administrator to execute the electric agreement.
The council also handled routine business with unanimous votes: approving invoices, accepting the February financial statements and approving meeting minutes. Mary Anne Harrison moved to approve the invoices; Linda Allen seconded. A motion to accept the financial statements was seconded by Linda Allen and carried.
In reports and communications, Mayor Burke and staff updated the council on upcoming events and projects: finance Director Tina said the tax office will offer after‑hours help on April 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a Saturday session on April 12 from 8 a.m. to noon; City Administrator Jerry reported the county awarded the King Avenue paving project and that Amaro Road bids came in below estimate and that River Creek Lofts remains active with road work underway. Jerry also noted a county transportation improvement district project at state routes 71 and 48 aiming for substantial completion by year‑end.
No public commenters appeared on the public comment list during the meeting. Several council members encouraged attendance at the municipal league meeting and discussed community service and spring cleanup events. The public works director was not present and the law director reported no items to present.
Votes at a glance
- Emergency Resolution 2025‑10 (set public hearing on zoning text amendment for retail cannabis): motion to waive two readings moved by Council Member Linda Allen, seconded by Council Member Lisa Feder; vote: Allen (yes), Feder (yes), Harrison (yes), Spicer (yes). Outcome: approved (motion carries).
- Emergency Resolution 2025‑11 (authorize mayor and finance director to execute Ohio EPA water audit grant agreement, $10,000): motion to waive two readings moved by Linda Allen, seconded by Lisa Feder; motion to approve by title moved by Linda Allen, seconded by Lisa Feder; vote: Allen (yes), Feder (yes), Harrison (yes), Spicer (yes). Outcome: approved (motion carries).
- Authorization for city administrator to execute electric agreement (city offices): motion moved by Linda Allen, seconded by Lisa Feder; vote: Allen (yes), Feder (yes), Harrison (yes), Spicer (yes). Outcome: approved (motion carries). Note: Administrator characterized agreement as for city offices (streetlight/service distinctions noted) and cited a quoted vendor rate of 7.39 cents/kWh and staff recommendation to lock for two years if favorable.
- Invoices: moved by Mary Anne Harrison, seconded by Linda Allen; outcome: approved.
- February financial statements: moved (mover on record), seconded by Linda Allen; outcome: approved.
The meeting adjourned following routine business. The council did not take final action on the proposed cannabis zoning text amendment itself; the council set a public hearing to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
