Garrettsville – Village Council met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on April 11. Minutes from the prior meeting, revenue, expenditure, cash balance, and income tax reports were all reviewed. Motions to pay the bills and accept the minutes were both unanimously approved, all Council members were present.
First on the agenda was the donation of the clock tower from the James A. Garfield Historical Society to the Village. Connie Knop and Kit Semplak, on behalf of the historical society, provided an estimate they had received for different options in roof repairs for the clock tower. After a discussion about the cost of future repairs, Council voted 5 to 1 in favor of Ordinance 2012-07, which terminated the original land lease between the historical society and the Village of Garrettsville, and then accepted the donation of the clock tower.
Other items of business included several ordinances that were up for first and/or second reading. They included Ordinance 2012-06 that would establish a Job Creation Tax Credit, Ordinance 2012-09 amending existing legislation establishing a triennial permit and inspection schedule for inhabited apartments located over commercial establishments, and Ordinance 2012-10 which would add wineries, breweries, and distilleries as a permitted use in the C-3 Zoning District.
Next there was a discussion about the condition and safety of Garrettsville’s roads. A resident brought to Council’s attention the need for better signage on SR 88 at the north end of town. They asked that Council consider erecting signs indicating the side street into North Gate from SR 88 and also asked for better enforcement of speed limits when entering and exiting the village on the state route.
Residents also asked about Ordinance 2012-09 and asked why apartments over downtown business were the only ones subject to use permits and inspections and the fees charged for them. It was brought up that many other rentals in the village could be considered hazardous, yet they were exempt from the permit, inspection and fees. The Mayor stated that by going to a triennial permit the fee burden would be less for those required to obtain the permits.
During round table discussion, Councilman Klamer stated that the Liberty Street Sidewalk Project was temporarily on hold so other repairs and projects that had not been completed from prior years are finished. Council President Patrick stated that the Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce donated $1000 toward the Boardwalk Lighting Project. $1700 more was needed to complete the project, and it could be accomplished by Memorial Day with immediate funding. Council voted unanimously to fund the rest of the project and get it finished.
If you’d like to know more of what is happening in your community, please attend a meeting. Village Council will next meet May 9, 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall.
