Silver Lake Council unanimously adopts short-term rental ban, cybersecurity policy and other measures

The Village of Silver Lake Council voted unanimously May 18 to adopt five ordinances that change local zoning and administrative policy and adjust the 2026 budget.

Council President Matt Plesich presided over the meeting and the 7–0 votes that adopted Ordinance No. 28 (a cybersecurity program), Ordinance No. 29 (a ban on short‑term rentals in residential districts), Ordinance No. 26 (an updated credit card policy, adopted as amended), Ordinance No. 27 (resolution of a moral claim for a sinkhole repair), and Ordinance No. 25 (an appropriations amendment). The votes to suspend the rules and to adopt each ordinance were recorded as 7–0.

The cybersecurity measure drew a brief explanation from Mayor Dunphy who said the policy "is not a public record as it deals with security" and told council the draft conforms with House Bill 96 and reflects several months of work. Law Director Patricia Ambrose Rubright reiterated that material distributed with the ordinance "could not be copied or shared," and council noted typographical errors that will be corrected before finalization.

Ordinance No. 29 adds Chapter 711 to the village code prohibiting short‑term rentals in any residentially zoned district. Phil Kaplan, who introduced the ordinance, and other council members voiced support; Mayor Dunphy said he was not aware of any existing short‑term rentals in Silver Lake but had received inquiries. Rubright clarified the ordinance is intended to regulate short‑term rental activity by people, not to restrict paid storage uses such as renting a garage to store a vehicle.

Council also updated the village credit card policy (Ordinance No. 26). Betsy Meyer moved an amendment to remove Section 2, Subsection 11 (which had required reporting of ineligible expenditures over $100); the amendment passed 7–0, and the ordinance was adopted as amended. Clerk‑Treasurer Sean Housley said receipts are required for employee credit card transactions and agreed to refine redundant wording questioned by a council member.

Ordinance No. 27 resolved a moral claim from resident George Coyle for expenses tied to a sinkhole at 2906 Silver Lake Boulevard caused by a broken pipe in the village right‑of‑way; council discussed that the pipe's origin is unknown and adopted the claim payment 7–0. The appropriations amendment (Ordinance No. 25) reallocated funds to cover property and casualty insurance premiums, increased bank fees, county‑assessed 2026 election expenses, and configured spending to allow the chief to use CPT grant funds.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 28 (cybersecurity program): adopted (suspend rules 7–0; adopt 7–0). - Ordinance 29 (short‑term rental prohibition, Chapter 711): adopted (suspend rules 7–0; adopt 7–0). - Ordinance 26 (credit card policy, amended by removing Section 2, Subsection 11): amended and adopted as amended (amend 7–0; adopt 7–0). - Ordinance 27 (moral claim — 2906 Silver Lake Blvd.): adopted (suspend rules 7–0; adopt 7–0). - Ordinance 25 (appropriations amendment): adopted (suspend rules 7–0; adopt 7–0).

Other business and reports

Clerk‑Treasurer Sean Housley reported the village's cash position is in line with budget and presented the check report dated May 12; council accepted both reports. Housley also noted delinquent filing notices and subpoenas for income taxes will be sent this year. Mayor Dunphy reported receipt of a notice from First Energy that it plans to file a rate increase with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that would raise the fixed service charge from $6.50 to $8, then $9 and $10 over three years and increase energy charges; Dunphy reminded council of a May 20 water study meeting and said questions will be directed to the consultant OHM.

Police Chief Steve Justice said the Police Memorial and Light Ohio Blue parade were well attended and updated council on an incident at the Silver Lake Boathouse in which a driver has been charged in connection with stolen lambs; Mrs. Meyer provided additional detail on the lambs' wellbeing. Assistant Service Director Mike Anderson said hydrant flushing is complete and crews will patch holes from main breaks; he noted some hydrants covered with trash bags will be repaired while others will likely be replaced. Law Director Rubright gave a brief update on a Silver Lake Boulevard property appeal that is not yet final.

The council announced a special meeting for May 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. and scheduled the next regular meeting for June 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.