Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ordinance Dora topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sunbury council adds emergency clause, adopts DORA ordinance in 7–0 vote
Summary
Council added emergency language and approved the designated outdoor refreshment area ordinance (DORA) to accelerate state permitting; both emergency addition and the ordinance passed on roll calls with seven ayes. Council acknowledged the state liquor-control permitting timeline remains beyond local control.
Sunbury City Council on Aug. 5 voted to add emergency language to an ordinance establishing a designated outdoor refreshment area and then approved the ordinance on its third reading.
City staff presented proposed emergency wording to shorten the usual 30-day effective period. Legal counsel read the language crafted for the motion: "This ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Sunbury, Ohio ... to move to the Ohio Department of Liquor Control for consideration and issuance of the required permit without 30 day delay." After a motion and second, the council approved adding emergency language on a 7–0 roll call.
Council then voted on the third reading of Ordinance No. 2026.20 establishing the DORA; the ordinance passed on a 7–0 roll call. Council members noted that adding emergency language does not change the state liquor-control permitting process or how long the Ohio Department of Liquor Control takes to act. "It still has to be submitted to liquor control. They still gotta issue a permit," a staff member noted during discussion.
Council indicated staff will proceed with required next steps (ordering signage, canvassing participating businesses and coordinating permits) while recognizing the state agency retains final authority over licensing.
Vote summary: Emergency-add motion — 7 ayes, 0 nays; Ordinance No. 2026.20 (third reading/adoption) — 7 ayes, 0 nays.
