Mayor announces new zoning/code enforcement hire, CIC sale to Civitas and Vine Street redevelopment proposals

Mayor Jonathan Stuchill and village staff used their reports to outline several administrative and redevelopment steps for St. Bernard.

Stuchill said the village will begin the process immediately to create an in‑house position for zoning and code enforcement to improve property compliance. “This is a process that we'll be going to start on immediately, to try to get more properties under compliance, and being handled, of course, in house,” Stuchill said. He added staff will begin working on existing issues before the hire is complete.

The mayor also announced the Community Improvement Corporation has a fully executed purchase and sale agreement with Civitas Development Group; contractor O'Rourke Reking is expected to start demolition of the old bank building within two weeks, with strip‑mall work to follow. Stuchill thanked CIC board member Chris Schulmeyer for coordination.

Director of law Van Volkenberg told council she is reviewing a proposed engagement with Energy Alliance and will present a resolution or draft at the Committee of the Whole. She also said she could not find a local ordinance requiring house numbers and will follow up with building and personnel staff.

Auditor Brickway reported operational matters including pool supply and equipment needs and said the chlorine tank failed; the temporary and replacement tank will cost about $5,000. Tax Administrator Helm reported March tax collections of $1,606,173 (down 17.31% year over year), and noted delinquent assessments totaling about $485,750 were sent to the Ohio attorney general’s office for collection.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with due diligence and contract steps related to the CIC transaction and the Vine Street Heritage District study; council expects a recommendation from an ad hoc review committee within a few months.