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Northfield council adopts several emergency ordinances, approves $133,600 sewer district cost-share
Summary
At its March 27 meeting the Village of Northfield council adopted multiple emergency ordinances (including updated rules for marijuana businesses and new drug-use prohibitions for elected officials), approved a $133,600 cost-share with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District for street reconstruction, and heard reports on stormwater compliance and salt procurement.
The Village of Northfield council met on March 27, 2024, and adopted multiple emergency ordinances and resolutions, including rules regulating marijuana cultivators, processors and retail dispensaries, and new provisions making councilmembers and the mayor subject to the Village's drug-use prohibitions. The council also authorized a $133,600 cost-share agreement with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) to support reconstruction work on Cambridge Drive, Stratford Drive and portions of Huntington Drive.
Engineer Dan Collins told council, “I submitted the Village MS4 EPA stormwater report today,” and said this was the first time the Village filed the report as a sole applicant rather than jointly with the County; he described the year's filing as 45 pages and noted the reports are due each year before April 1. Collins also flagged legislation on the agenda that would allow the Mayor to use $133,600 of Village NEORSD cost-share funds, accumulated from stormwater fees (approximately $4,000 per month from Village property owners), toward pipes, curbs, manholes and catch basins on the reconstruction project.
Service Department Superintendent Jason Walters reported operational and procurement details. “The Village ordered 600 tons of salt for the year and needs to accept 90% of that allocation,” Walters said; he told council the Village has used 480 tons so far this season and under contract must accept roughly another 175 tons. Walters said staff are preparing the new salt bin and cleaning the shop for spring and summer work.
Recreation Board activity drew positive mention: Mayor Jenn Domzalski reported the Board's adult and children's egg hunts drew roughly 70 adults and about 40 children despite poor weather; over 50 baskets were raffled and several new donors reduced event costs. The Rec. Board's next meeting was announced for April 3 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance No. 2023-67 (amending Chapter 889: medical and adult-use marijuana cultivators, processors, dispensaries) — motion to suspend three readings made by Alan Hipps and seconded by Kevin Lewis; suspension and adoption passed on roll call (Ferko-yes; Noack-yes; Vojtush-yes; Hipps-yes; Lewis-yes). - Resolution No. 2024-05 (amend 2024 appropriations/transfer items) — suspension and adoption passed on roll call (Ferko-yes; Noack-yes; Vojtush-yes; Hipps-yes; Lewis-yes). - Resolution No. 2024-06 (authorize Mayor to enter NEORSD cost-share agreement for Cambridge/Stratford/Huntington reconstruction) — suspension and adoption passed on roll call (Ferko-yes; Noack-yes; Vojtush-yes; Hipps-yes; Lewis-yes); agreement involves $133,600 of Village cost-share funds. - Ordinance No. 2024-07 (amending Chapter 868: peddlers and solicitors) — suspension and adoption passed on roll call (Ferko-yes; Noack-yes; Vojtush-yes; Hipps-yes; Lewis-yes). - Ordinance No. 2024-08 (establishing Councilpersons subject to Village drug-use prohibitions) — suspension to waive readings passed (Ferko-yes; Noack-yes; Vojtush-no; Hipps-yes; Lewis-yes); adoption passed (Ferko-no; Noack-yes; Vojtush-no; Hipps-yes; Lewis-yes) with final tally 3–2 in favor. - Ordinance No. 2024-09 (establishing the Mayor subject to Village drug-use prohibitions) — suspension and adoption passed on roll call with a 3–2 split (Ferko voted no; other members voted yes as recorded). - Ordinance No. 2024-10 (establishing rules for sale/lease/disposal of municipal real property) — suspension and adoption passed on roll call (Ferko-yes; Noack-yes; Vojtush-yes; Hipps-yes; Lewis-yes).
Procedural notes and next steps: the Council approved the March 13, 2024 minutes (Ferko/Noack/Hipps voted yes, Lewis abstained), and Mayor Domzalski said a meeting with the builder and architect for the proposed Administration Building is scheduled for the following Wednesday. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Quotes in context: Pete Nischt of Klutch Cannabis thanked the Village for considering cannabis-related legislation and “offered to answer any questions.” Engineer Dan Collins' on-the-record MS4 filing and the NEORSD cost-share amount were the main technical updates affecting near-term infrastructure work.
The meeting included routine committee reports and several unanimous procedural votes; two personnel-policy ordinances (2024-08 and 2024-09) passed on closer votes. No executive session was reported.
