Obetz council adopts package of ordinances, including new utility rates and project contracts

Obetz City Council on Feb. 2 adopted a slate of ordinances by unanimous votes, approving changes ranging from parking restrictions to water and sewer rate adjustments and authorizing contracting for a riparian restoration project.

Clerk Stacey Boumis read several ordinances during the meeting and Council suspended the rules to adopt multiple items as emergencies. Highlights recorded in the meeting minutes include:

- Ordinance 70-25: Amends Codified Ordinances §351.03 to prohibit parking in the apron of a public or private driveway within three feet of a street, sidewalk, or multi-use path. City Administrator Rod Davisson discussed the ordinance; Council adopted it on third reading unanimously.

- Ordinance 05-26: Changes to 2026 appropriations. Davisson said the appropriation covers the City's tuition reimbursement program for two employees; Council suspended the rules and adopted the ordinance as an emergency.

- Ordinance 06-26: Authorizes a contracting procedure for the Jermoore Road riparian stream restoration project. Davisson said Davey Resource Group prepared the restoration plan and helped secure grant funding; Davisson recommended contracting with Davey, and Council adopted the ordinance as an emergency.

- Ordinance 07-26: Clarifies and expands materials or obstructions prohibited from placement on public streets and rights-of-way, prompted by a recent issue in the Butler Farms subdivision where snow was placed into the street; Council adopted the emergency ordinance unanimously.

- Ordinance 08-26: Approves 2026 water, sanitary sewer, and refuse service rates. Davisson explained that Obetz produces about 35% of its water locally and purchases the remainder from the City of Columbus, which plans rate increases over the next five years. Davisson said Obetz will need to revisit rates annually in December to respond to Columbus' increases; Council suspended rules and adopted the ordinance, making the new rates effective immediately.

- Ordinance 09-26: Authorizes the Mayor to transfer land by Dixon Quarry to the Big Walnut Area Community Improvement Corporation for proposed light industrial use; adopted as an emergency.

- Ordinance 10-26: Designates and credits unencumbered general fund balance to stabilization reserve accounts pursuant to Ordinance 75-25 and Ohio Revised Code §5705.13; Davisson said the funds will be locked and released only by Council; adopted as an emergency.

- Ordinance 65-25: Removed from the table and adopted; amends Codified Ordinances §939.03 regarding water and sewer rates.

All motions to suspend rules and adopt these ordinances carried on recorded unanimous votes (Councilmembers Richardson, Kimbler, Flaherty, Kramer, Varney and Gibbs voted yes on each recorded emergency adoption). Where noted in the minutes, Davisson provided background about cost drivers (for example, Columbus' wholesale rate increases) and project partners (Davey Resource Group for the riparian project). The meeting record shows limited public debate on individual ordinances; a public commenter later asked whether the driveway apron parking restriction would preclude brief drop-offs on short driveways; Mayor Kirk and Council said it would not be an issue.

Council did not identify implementation dates or contractor awards for the riparian project beyond authorizing contract procedures; the ordinance record indicates grant assistance was involved but the meeting minutes did not list grant amounts or contract values.

Council adjourned at 8:52 PM after entering a subsequent executive session on economic development.