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Geneva-on-the-Lake council approves multiple ordinances, seeks $2M for sewer extensions
Summary
At its March 10 meeting, the Village of Geneva-on-the-Lake council unanimously approved a package of ordinances and resolutions including higher sewer rates, creation of an economic development fund and a motion to request $2,000,000 for Palmetto sanitary sewer extensions. Several items were passed under emergency declarations and a nuisance resolution was approved for a Lake Road property.
Mayor Dwayne M. Bennett Sr. called the Village of Geneva-on-the-Lake regular council meeting to order at 7:38 p.m. March 10. Councilmembers voted unanimously to adopt a series of ordinances and resolutions covering sewer rates, fund creation, equipment leases, grant applications and a nuisance declaration.
The council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-2 to amend codified ordinance sections 921.01 and 921.10 to clarify and increase monthly minimum sewer rates within the village. Councilmember P.J. Macchia moved to act on the ordinance and the motion passed by roll call (Matt Caudill, Cynthia Dudeck, Shawn Fischbach, P.J. Macchia, B.J. McMullan voted yes).
Council also approved two related measures establishing financial tools for economic development. Ordinance No. 2025-3 reallocates 0.150 of inside millage from the Cemetery Fund to a designated Economic Development Fund, and Ordinance No. 2025-4 creates that Economic Development Fund. Both measures passed on third reading after motions by Macchia and unanimous roll call votes.
Several items were enacted under emergency declarations to meet timing needs. The council renewed an officer motorcycle lease (Ordinance No. 2025-10) covering May 1–Sept. 30, 2025; authorized acceptance of Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) 2025 Energized Community grant funds (Ordinance No. 2025-11); approved an annual lease with Southeast Golf Car Company for April–November 2025 (Ordinance No. 2025-15); and approved a 24-month equipment finance agreement with First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company for mowing equipment (Ordinance No. 2025-17). All emergency motions, waivers of the three-reading rule where applicable, and final actions were approved by unanimous roll call votes.
The council adopted Resolution No. 2025-16 authorizing the mayor or administrator to apply for and accept an Ashtabula County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for multimodal trail and park upgrades, and Resolution No. 2025-18 declaring a structure at 5288 Number 11 Lake Road, owned by Mark A. Cain, a nuisance. Both motions were made by Macchia and passed by roll call.
In a notable infrastructure action, the council moved to request and accept $2,000,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Palmetto sanitary sewer extension project (Ordinance No. 2025-19). The ordinance was introduced and acted on under an emergency declaration and passed by unanimous roll call.
The council gave first reading to Ordinance No. 2025-20, an amendment to a prior ordinance to establish a tax-increment financing (TIF) district, and tabled Ordinance No. 2025-13, which would have amended the Luxury Motorcoach Resort District zoning; the tabling motion passed unanimously. Resolution No. 2025-21 authorizing temporary lane and parking closures on March 16 for a Lake Road event was approved under emergency action.
On routine finance items, the council authorized payment of bills, approved a then-and-now certificate resolution for payments (Resolution No. 2025-23), and approved reconciliations for November and December 2024. All finance motions were carried by unanimous roll calls.
The mayor announced upcoming meeting dates; P.J. Macchia moved to adjourn and the meeting concluded at about 8:00 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2025-2 (sewer rate amendment) — adopted; Ordinance 2025-3 (millage reallocation) — adopted; Ordinance 2025-4 (create Economic Development Fund) — adopted; Ordinance 2025-10 (motorcycle lease, emergency) — adopted; Ordinance 2025-11 (NOPEC grant acceptance, emergency) — adopted; Ordinance 2025-15 (golf car lease, emergency) — adopted; Resolution 2025-16 (CDBG application, emergency) — adopted; Ordinance 2025-17 (equipment finance, emergency) — adopted; Resolution 2025-18 (nuisance declaration) — adopted; Ordinance 2025-19 (Palmetto sewer $2,000,000 request, emergency) — adopted; Ordinance 2025-22 (interfund transfers) — adopted; Resolution 2025-23 (then-and-now certificate) — adopted. All recorded roll call votes in the transcript show the five listed council members voting yes on these actions when present.
The meeting record shows no extended public testimony or contentious debate on the listed measures; most actions were procedural or routine and were decided on voice and roll-call votes. The council scheduled its next regular meeting for March 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
