Centerburg council narrows DORA hours, approves zoning changes and several grant/appropriation measures

The Village of Centerburg council passed several ordinances and resolutions on issues ranging from a revised Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area to zoning code updates and grant applications.

On the DORA, staff presented amended hours that would limit the refreshment area to Thursday and Friday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.; the village administrator said the mayor, administrator, the sheriff or the fire chief could suspend the DORA if problems occurred. Council treated Ordinance 2026‑8 as a third reading and recorded a roll‑call vote; councilman Daniel recorded a dissenting vote while multiple other members voted in favor.

Council also approved Ordinance 2026‑11, amending Chapter 1307 of the codified ordinances to update building and zoning fees. Debate focused on whether to implement an impact fee to offset infrastructure costs from new development or to rely on a proposed new community authority (NCA) and land‑dedication mechanisms; staff agreed to prepare a memo comparing impact‑fee approaches and NCA options for future council consideration. The ordinance as presented was approved to capture zoning‑administration costs; council did not adopt a standalone impact fee at the meeting.

Several financial and project actions were approved. Ordinance 2026‑15 made targeted appropriations and line‑item revisions, including an additional appropriation of $78,870 for a paving project, $9,000 to the parks fund for events and re‑certified revenue of $16,000 from brick and fundraising sales. Resolution 2026‑17 authorized filing a NatureWorks grant application with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for trailhead and park improvements (estimated county allocation $30,000–$40,000), and Resolution 2026‑18 authorized filing a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) pre‑application with Ohio EMA for approximately $145,000 to help fund comprehensive planning and permitting tools.

The council also held first readings on countywide opt‑out aggregation for electricity and natural gas (working with a broker, Palmer Energy) and on authorizing a bid process for a single‑source trash and recycling contract. Council members were told that aggregation would appear on the ballot only after county coordination and a subsequent decision by voters; staff will host the broker for a future meeting to walk through expected savings and contract mechanics.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2026‑8 (DORA, amended hours): Passed (third reading); recorded dissent from Councilman Daniel. - Ordinance 2026‑10 (cybersecurity policy): Passed (third reading); council voted to adopt required policy and asked staff to circulate the protected text to members. - Ordinance 2026‑11 (building and zoning fee updates): Passed; council approved fee schedule adjustments and asked staff to research impact‑fee options. - Ordinance 2026‑14 (North Clayton Street paving / emergency): Motion to waive readings and accept bids approved. - Ordinance 2026‑15 (appropriations and line‑item revisions): Passed; appropriated $78,870 for paving and other identified line‑item changes. - Resolution 2026‑17 (NatureWorks grant): Approved to file application. - Resolution 2026‑18 (FEMA BRIC pre‑application): Approved to file pre‑application for planning funds.

Council did not finalize long‑term policy choices on impact fees, energy aggregation or single‑source trash contracting; staff will return with additional information and comparative analyses when available. The meeting concluded after round‑table discussion about bridge inspections, event planning and elected‑official emergency training.