New name for OYO Hotel doesn’t erase problems
Despite the name change to Boutique Lodge, the owners of the former OYO Hotel on Bluebell Drive NW have until Dec. 31 to correct 63 citations issued by the state fire marshal.
At the Nov. 9 meeting of New Philadelphia City Council, Mayor Joel Day said despite the name change to Boutique Lodge, the owners of the former OYO Hotel on Bluebell Drive NW have until Dec. 31 to correct 63 citations issued by the state fire marshal. He also said the owners have pledged to rid the business of the people and problems which led to the citations and the property’s bad reputation.
Law Director Marvin Fete said he told the hotel owners those citations were only half of their problem, and he is considering filing a nuisance action against the business.
Fete also presented a draft of a lease agreement between the city and New Philadelphia City Schools regarding Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium. Fete stressed the preliminary nature of the draft, saying he would like input from council members.
The lease expired on Sept. 9, 2019, and Fete wants the new lease to clarify the responsibilities and liabilities of each after a misunderstanding occurred over public use and the city’s closing of the stadium in April of this year.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Mayor – Day announced this year’s Christmas Parade will be a reverse parade held in the parking lots at New Towne Mall on Dec. 4. Parade units will be lined up in the mall parking lots, and people will drive through to view them. McInturf Realty’s annual Christmas in the Park will also be a drive-thru event.
The complete Mayor’s Report and more details on events can be found on the city’s Facebook page.
Councilman Kelly Ricklic asked the mayor if the federal judgment against Joy Fan on the property would remain with them or be transferred, since Howland Buffalo has agreed to donate the property to EDFA.
Ricklic wanted assurance the city’s citizens would not bear the cost of removing stripping towers erected to remove contaminants from the land. Day said Joy is responsible for all costs incurred.
Service Director—Ron McAbier said OMEGA (Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association) is considering no longer funding Community Development Block Grants projects like the one just wrapping up which brought curbs and paving to a number of city streets, including Poplar and Second Streets.
Safety Director—Greg Popham reported the hiring of a new city police officer and said two officer medics from the fire department are currently under quarantine after having been exposed to COVID-19.
Auditor—Beth Gundy said the city received $164,709 from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation as a rebate from 2019.
Law Director—Fete said the school system has agreed to sell the Southside basketball court parcel to the city.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance – Rob Maurer presented a resolution to create a new Ohio Department of Transportation project fund to simplify accounting for ODOT projects.
Safety, Health and Service –Ricklic said the Ambulance Committee met earlier to review ambulance rates for 2021. Chief Parrish and Denise Phillips presented an update of the billing process and reported no increase in ambulance rates for 2021.
Zoning and Annexation—Cheryl Ramos reported on the committee meeting earlier in the evening to discuss annexing a property in Goshen Township owned by Matt and Jessica Kinsey.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rick Arredondo of 473 N. Broadway St. asked council if local artists would be able to speak or have dialogue with the committee considering asking for applications to be submitted by anyone wanting to hold an event on city property. Council President Don Kemp told him to watch for the publicized date of the next Public Works and Economic Development Committee meeting and attend it.
Arredondo also asked to whom he should address a letter containing a legal opinion on the matter. Fete recommended he send the letter to the attention of Kemp as council president. Fete also said Clerk of Council Julie Courtright could notify him of meetings if he desired.
Legislative action
Council passed an ordinance approving the State of Ohio construction project to repair bridge expansion joints at the junction of I-77 and state routes 39 and 250 in the city.
Council heard:
-An ordinance to create the ODOT Project Fund ADD MORE (first reading)
-And ordinance to create a SAFER Grant Fund to manage all funds received from FEMA related to fire and emergency response staffing (second reading)
-An ordinance authorizing the annexation of property at 279 Hummel Valley Road SW (first reading)
-A resolution authorizing the rates for ambulance services provided by the New Philadelphia Fire Department for 2021 (first reading).
Zucal asked Day about the city’s role in Governor DeWine’s request for each county to develop a COVID defense team. Day said the city’s health department would work with the county on development of the team.
Next meeting: Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in council chambers at the John Knisely Municipal Center, 150 E. High Avenue.