GALION, Ohio – Galion City Council held its regular meeting Tuesday, in which the city of Galion announced that will it will protest the initiative petition regarding the audit of and refund from the city’s electric fund.
Law Director Thomas Palmer explained the protest saying that the proposed ordinance may not be submitted to the voters under the general initiative provisions in state law due to the special provisions in Article XVIII, Sections 4 and 5 of the Ohio Constitution governing the municipal operation of public utilities.
Palmer said that the proposed ordinance may not be submitted to the voters due to Ohio’s overriding laws governing fiscal emergency. He concluded by saying that if the proposed ordinance would be adopted it would constitute an unlawful delegation of legislative authority.
Council voted to hire outside legal assistance with this matter, naming Attorney Donald McTigue of Columbus. Palmer said that if this refund were to pass, it would liquidate the city’s funds. Therefore, he added, bringing in McTigue is a time sensitive issue.
The Citizens for Galion will meet with the Crawford County Board of Elections on Monday for a special meeting to present their case for the initiative measure on electric audits and rebates. The meeting will be at 10 a.m. at the county administrative building. After the meeting, the board will vote to accept or reject the issue that is presented to them.
Outdoor trade
The city suggested allowing outdoor dining and retail trade areas in uptown Galion. Palmer noted that there are currently two outdoor retail and trade uses and those are permitted and conditional.
In the case of conditional use, the applicant must address the planning commission and seek approval. If the proposed ordinance passes, however, it would change the conditional use to permitted. This would allow business owners in the uptown to have outdoor trade and retail, as long as it is at least four feet away from the curb so pedestrians can still walk by.
The current rule states that businesses cannot have outdoor trade or retail if less than 500 feet from a residence. This rule would be done away with as well. City Auditor Brian Treisch explained that there are nearly two hundred people living above businesses, so the rule is outdated.
Treisch went on to say that the shoppers are all for it. Council President Carl Watt said that if this passes it will help these businesses survive in today’s environment. After much deliberation it was decided that the first reading should be changed to an emergency and voted on so the retailers can take advantage of it while the weather is still warm. It was then voted on and passed. The proposed changes will take place soon.
Public hearing
During Tuesday’s meeting a public hearing was led by Dale Hartle of the Ohio Regional Development Corporation. Hartle explained that recently the city has been approved for a grant for over $30,000 from the federal and state level to demolish old uninhabited homes in the city.
Four of these properties have been targeted for demolition, but Hartle inspections must be completed prior to demolition. Hartle said that these houses must be demolished by Dec. 31 in order for the grant money to be used.
To date, two properties have completed the approval process and will be demolished. One is located on Olentangy Street and one is on Fairview. Several other vacant properties are being considered for demolition in the future.
