Forest Park council adopts 30-foot corner parking setback, approves budget and contracts

The Forest Park City Council on July 15 adopted an amendment to its parking rules that requires vehicles to be parked at least 30 feet from intersections and approved a series of budget and contract measures, including an appropriation ordinance and emergency drainage work.

The action came as part of a broader consent-and-new-business sequence in which the council adopted Ordinances 21–23 and Resolutions 34–39, all by recorded votes that registered unanimous support (6–0 where roll call is recorded). Mayor (acting chair) and council members framed the parking change as a safety measure after resident complaints and near misses at corners.

"After reviewing ordinances, the city has determined that a distance of 30 feet from the corner should be maintained to ensure residents can safely see oncoming traffic," said the Mayor, urging adoption on public-safety grounds.

Law Director John Wyckoff said the city is also moving to allow property-code enforcement to address certain nonmoving parking violations now enforced only by police, which he described as a practical step to broaden enforcement. "We're gonna take all of our parking violations from the traffic code... and put it right in conjunction with junk vehicles, so our property code enforcement people can ticket nonmoving parking violations," Wyckoff said.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 21-2024 (dedication/acceptance of a section of Southland Road) — adopted 6–0; Ordinance 22-2024 (amend appropriations for fiscal year ending 12/31/2024) — adopted 6–0; Ordinance 23-2024 (amend stop/parking rules; change corner setback to 30 feet and emergency clause) — amended and adopted 6–0; Resolution 34-2024 (authorize city manager to apply for/accept Patrick Leahy bulletproof vest partnership funds) — adopted 6–0; Resolution 35-2024 (authorize payment of vendor invoices) — adopted 6–0; Resolution 36-2024 (increase amount for JTL Contracting LLC for drainage work on Evangeline Road, emergency) — adopted 6–0; Resolution 37-2024 (accept bid for network switches) — adopted 6–0; Resolution 38-2024 (amend personnel pay rates and add part-time positions) — adopted 6–0; Resolution 39-2024 (adopt 2025 tax budget for submission to Hamilton County Auditor) — adopted 6–0.

Council member Sylvester explained the need for the JTL Contracting increase, describing sinkholes and erosion along the storm-sewer path that pushed the project cost above $50,000 and created an emergency need for drainage repairs. "JTL construction was the lowest bidder after reviewing the area of the damage," Sylvester said while urging approval of the emergency increase.

Council member Adams outlined the Patrick Leahy bulletproof vest partnership grant, noting it is a federal reimbursement program that can cover up to 50% of vest costs and supports a five-year replacement cycle. "The grant allows acquiring up to eight vests each year on a five-year replacement cycle," Adams said; funding is provided as receipts are submitted.

Ordinance 20-2024, a rezoning request affecting about 46.506 acres of the Forest Fair Mall property, was read by title but tabled until the council's next regular meeting (scheduled for Aug. 5) because the city is still negotiating a development agreement with the applicant.

The meeting concluded after the council accepted the general-fund summary report and voted to take a summer recess from Aug. 6 through Sept. 8.

Reported votes, motions and outcomes in this article are taken from the council's roll calls and on-the-record motions during the July 15 meeting.