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Votes at a glance: March 3 Athens City Council actions on bonds, street fair and routine city business
Summary
Council passed a set of resolutions and ordinances on March 3, including a resolution supporting preservation of the federal municipal bond tax exemption, street‑closure and vending rules for the International Street Fair, purchase authorizations, personnel pay changes and the Mansfield House lease.
Athens City Council took the following formal actions on March 3. Where a roll‑call tally was not recorded in the minutes, the minutes record voice votes and the clerk announced the outcome.
Votes and outcomes
- Resolution R02‑25: “Support for the preservation of the federal tax exemption of municipal bonds.” Adopted by council after members and the mayor noted statewide municipal interest. The measure directs the clerk to transmit copies to the Ohio congressional delegation. (Introduced by Member Reisner.)
- Ordinance O14‑25: Annual purchase authorization for water softening salt for the water treatment plant; authorizes up to $190,244 from water plant fund 740.637. Adopted, third reading. (Introduced by Member McCarrie.)
- Ordinance O16‑25: Authorize compensation adjustment for a promoted diversion program coordinator in municipal court (pay increase from $19.89 to $22; retroactive to first pay period of 2025). Adopted, third reading.
- Ordinance O17‑25: Close East Union Street between Court and University Terrace on Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the Ohio University International Street Fair; authorizes use of police and other city staff and bans on‑street parking in the closure area for the event day. Adopted, third reading. (Introduced by Member Spiones.)
- Ordinance O18‑25: Suspend enforcement of vending, peddling and soliciting rules to allow vendors in the designated International Street Fair area on April 5; establishes vendor registration and fees. Adopted, third reading. (Introduced by Member Bianez.)
- Ordinance O24‑25 (referred in minutes as 20‑4‑25): Authorize mayor to enter lease agreement for the Mansfield House and declared an emergency; council suspended rules and adopted the ordinance; the mayor and the administration noted a related planting event with local students.
Other routine actions
- Council accepted March financial reports and credit card transactions for January 2025.
Procedural notes
Most of these items were handled on second or third reading with voice votes recorded in the minutes as “aye” or “nay.” Where council members recused themselves from discussion (for example, two members abstained on a street‑closure item because of business ownership in the closure area), the minutes record the recusal and the item proceeded with remaining members.
Several items were introduced or read for first reading and will return for future votes, including the Dairy Lane sewer appropriation (Ordinance 26‑25) and a proposed annexation series (Ordinances 19‑21‑25).
