Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stanhope Council adopts hazard mitigation plan, sets hearing, advances solar ordinance
Summary
At its July 14 meeting, the Stanhope City Council unanimously approved a county hazard mitigation plan, set an Aug. 13 public hearing on city-owned property, established ball-diamond rental fees, designated the community building as an evacuation site for neighboring Stratford, and advanced a solar ordinance to a second reading.
The Stanhope City Council met in regular session on July 14, 2026, and took a series of administrative actions including adopting the Hamilton County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and advancing a commercial and residential solar ordinance to a second reading.
The council voted unanimously, 4-0, to approve Resolution 2026-2027.3 adopting the county hazard mitigation plan. Councilmember Devin Hensley moved the resolution; Grant Young seconded. The council also approved Resolution 2026-2027.6, authorizing the city clerk to certify unpaid utility bills to the county for collection; Tom Stupp moved the resolution and Young seconded. Both resolutions passed on 4-0 votes.
During general business, the council approved the consent agenda (minutes, claims and financial reports) on a 4-0 vote. Grant Young reported that a recent workers' compensation insurance audit yielded a refund in excess of $5,000 to the city.
Councilwoman Jill Haman recognized community volunteers and the Stanhope Lions Club for recent improvements to the town park ahead of Watermelon Day, including new concrete at rides, landscaping at the Depot and roof and painting work at the bingo stand.
The council approved several operational items: designating the Stanhope Community Building as an evacuation/emergency location for Stratford residents (motion by Haman, seconded by Young; 4-0), setting ball diamond rental fees at $60 without lights and $100 with lights (motion by Tom Stupp, seconded by Devin Hensley; 4-0), and setting a public hearing to consider disposal of city-owned property for Aug. 13, 2026 at 5:45 p.m. (motion by Grant Young, seconded by Hensley; 4-0). The transcript notes a discussion of depot rental fees but does not specify a new depot fee.
On Ordinance 2026-2027-11, governing commercial and residential solar, Councilmember Tom Stupp recommended replacing the word "panel" with "array" in the ordinance text. Stupp moved to approve the ordinance and Devin Hensley seconded; the motion carried and the ordinance will be scheduled for a second reading at the next regular council meeting.
Under committee reports, a public-safety update listed Chief Brad Anderson as present; he reported no updates and said the department continues to seek a newer truck. Other committees (landfill commission, business enterprise, building permits, park committee) reported no updates.
The council had no additional member or mayoral comments and adjourned at 6:53 p.m. The meeting posting locations listed in the record were First State Bank (600 Park Street), the U.S. Post Office (605 Parker Street) and the Stanhope Community Center (600 Main Street).
