Galena council approves a slate of emergency contracts, code updates and fees; maintenance building measure passes 5-1

The Village of Galena Council on Feb. 24 approved a package of resolutions and ordinances that authorize multiple contracts and update local codes and fees, with most measures passing unanimously and one notable 5-1 split.

Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-07 to authorize a contract for construction of a new maintenance building at 188 Harrison Street. The council voted 5-1 on the motions to suspend additional readings and to adopt the resolution as an emergency; Council Member Mike Fry recorded the single No vote while Council Members Kathy Krupa, Gillian Doucette, Zach Hopper, Pete Casuccio and Josh Porter voted Yes. The measure allows the village to move forward without waiting the standard statutory delay associated with non-emergency readings.

Why it matters: the maintenance building contract represents a capital outlay that will affect the village budget and property at 188 Harrison Street; the emergency declaration makes the authorization effective immediately rather than after a typical waiting period.

Other authorization and spending decisions The council approved a series of other contract and spending items, most by unanimous votes. Actions recorded in the meeting minutes included: - Resolution No. 2025-06: authorized a contract in excess of the Village Administrator’s spending authority for the Harrison Street crosswalk; council suspended readings and adopted the resolution as an emergency (6-0). - Resolution No. 2025-08: authorized demolition of the building at 170 Harrison Street; adopted as an emergency (6-0). - Resolution No. 2025-09: authorized a contract for a new Galena Cemetery sign; the motion to suspend readings initially passed 5-1, and adoption is recorded in the minutes as passing 6-0. - Resolution No. 2025-10: authorized a contract for a Walnut Creek Bike Path fence with a not-to-exceed limit of $30,000 added by Council Member Zach Hopper; council adopted the resolution as an emergency (6-0). - Resolution No. 2025-11: authorized a sewer use and capacity study contract in excess of the Village Administrator’s spending authority; adopted as an emergency (6-0).

The council also approved routine financial items by unanimous voice votes, including payment of invoices and acceptance of financial statements.

Code and fee changes Council adopted several ordinances updating the village’s regulatory framework and fees. Key items included: - Ordinance No. 2025-04: adoption of American Legal Publishing’s Ohio Basic Code, 2025 Edition, as the village’s code of ordinances; suspended readings and adopted as an emergency (6-0). - Ordinance No. 2025-01: repeal of a prior tax-increment financing (TIF) exemption under Ohio Revised Code Section 5709.40; adopted (6-0). - Ordinance No. 2025-02: establishment of ten incentive districts and related TIF matters involving M/I Homes of Central Ohio, LLC; adopted (6-0). - Ordinance changes to permit and sanitary sewer capacity fees were adopted after motions to remove emergency language and suspend readings (Ordinances 2025-06 and 2025-07, each adopted 6-0).

Council procedure and emergency language Resident Mary Howard raised a question during public comment about why so many items include emergency language. Mayor Jeff Kinnell explained that including emergency language does not always mean an item will be passed on a single reading; some items may still be read three times but the emergency language allows the measure to take effect immediately without waiting 30 days. “There may be emergency language but it does not always mean it will be passed with one reading,” Mayor Kinnell said, explaining how the village handles effective dates for ordinances and resolutions.

What’s next Most adopted measures take effect immediately because of the emergency declarations recorded in the minutes. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2025 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers and on Teams.