Garrettsville’s Village Council met in regular session on October 11, 2023. In attendance were Councilpersons Chris Knop, Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Sheri Johnson, Richard Beatty, and Mark Brady, along with village officials Mayor Rick Patrick, solicitor Michele Stuck, and fiscal officer Donna Love.
The session commenced with a public hearing discussing Ordinance 2023-22, aimed at amending section 1165.08(a) of the codified ordinances to provide clarity on minimum dwelling sizes in residentially zoned districts. No comments were received during this hearing.
Following the public hearing, the regular meeting was initiated by Mayor Patrick. The first order of business was the review and approval of the minutes from the September 13 meeting, which were approved as presented based on a motion by Brady and Beatty.
Subsequently, the council delved into financial matters, scrutinizing financial reports and income tax receipts. Mayor Patrick commended the positive state of the reports, particularly highlighting the success in delinquency collections. A motion by Johnson and Beatty to approve the financial reports and accept the bills paid since the last meeting was unanimously approved.
The council then moved to address ordinances. Ordinance 2023-19, focusing on the reimbursement of training expenses incurred by village employees, received its third and final reading. The proposal had previously received feedback from Police Chief Tim Christopher during the first reading. Knop, chairing the safety committee, discussed the police department’s training specifics and proposed excluding the police from the ordinance. The ordinance was voted down unanimously on third reading.
On the other hand, Ordinance 2023-22, which also received a third and final reading, and was approved approved through a motion by Knop and Hardesty.
Ordinance 2023-31, modifying sections of the codified zoning ordinances concerning notice of public hearings, received its first reading and is slated to proceed through three readings. Like the previous month’s ordinance regarding the posting of council legislation, this will designate locations for the posting of zoning ordinances.
Also, Ordinance 2023-32, amending the employee handbook regarding vacation time eligibility, received its first reading at the meeting, allowing for further deliberations during the second reading.
Resolution 2023-33 was passed on the first reading, authorizing the mayor and fiscal officer to apply for and enter into a water supply revolving loan account on behalf of the village for the construction of the Windham Street water main improvement project, designating a repayment source for the loan. The motion was proposed by Hardesty and Knop.
The meeting also saw the approval and enactment of 2023-24, which adjusted the 2023 appropriations.
During the public comment and round table discussion, several matters were addressed. Hardesty reported he had been in touch with ODOT regarding crosswalk signage for Headwaters Trail, concerns were shared regarding the rules posted by the Garrettsville Pickleball Association at the newly completed pickleball courts. Concrete installation at the Park Cemetery columbarium and preparations for Halloween trick-or-treating were also discussed. Beatty shared positive feedback from residents regarding recent road paving and pickleball court projects.
The meeting concluded with an executive session focusing on personnel compensation.
