Forest Park Council approves ordinances, grants and development sale at May 6 meeting
May 06, 2024 | Forest Park City Council, Forest Park, Hamilton County, Ohio
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Forest Park’s City Council met May 6 and adopted a package of ordinances and resolutions that will affect city posting practices, local cannabis policy, infrastructure projects and a pending land sale.
The council unanimously passed Ordinance 14‑2024 to revise public posting locations in Chapter 30 of the codified ordinances and Ordinance 15‑2024, which the council described as prohibiting adult‑use cannabis sales within city limits pending state guidance. Both ordinances were adopted after the council voted to suspend the reading requirement.
Why it matters: the posting‑locations change is intended to improve how meeting notices and legislation reach residents; the cannabis ordinance establishes the city’s current local policy position while state rules remain unsettled.
In resolutions, the council approved a set of administrative and capital items. Among them were:
- Resolution 14‑2024: authorized the city manager to award a contract to Prise Construction to build a driveway at 660 Northland Boulevard and waive competitive bidding; the cost was cited at not to exceed $234,450. Council members said the same contractor is already on site for the library project, which the administration said reduces delay and cost; the vote was 6–1 (Council member Clark opposed).
- Resolution 15‑2024: authorized acceptance of a $225,400 grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program for West (right‑of‑way) improvements; the resolution passed unanimously.
- Resolution 16‑2024: authorized preparing and submitting an application to the Transit Infrastructure Fund to make capital improvements in the West Keer Road transit corridor and adjacent pedestrian areas; the council noted the application is due at the end of May.
- Resolution 19‑2024: authorized the sale of about 15 acres at the Cameron Park site to Crystal Homes Inc. (a JA Development entity) for a two‑phase residential development totaling 102 units (Phase 1: 68 units; Phase 2: 34 units). The city stated Phase‑1 land sale will generate approximately $65,900 immediately; the transcript includes an estimated aggregate figure for both phases before and after cleanup costs (figures cited in the meeting transcript). The resolution passed unanimously.
Other routine items adopted included a housekeeping resolution to ask the county auditor to place special assessments (Resolution 13‑2024), removing an incorrect assessment (Resolution 17‑2024), and a resolution declaring necessary drainage improvements in a subdivision (Resolution 18‑2024); the council discussed that homeowner repayments will be collected via county property‑tax procedures if unpaid.
The meeting also included non‑action items and staff updates: Assistant City Manager Andy Leowski announced park and summer programming, a new city website rollout within about 30 days, and warned residents about a regional rash of vehicle break‑ins. Council members raised community items including senior programs, school partnerships, and a request to revisit the charter and work‑session scheduling.
Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 14‑2024 (posting locations): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Ordinance 15‑2024 (prohibit adult‑use cannabis sales): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 13‑2024 (request assessor place special assessments): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 14‑2024 (award driveway contract to Prise Construction): adopted, roll call 6–1 (Clark opposed). Cost not to exceed $234,450.
- Resolution 15‑2024 (accept wastewater grant): adopted, roll call 7–0. Amount cited: $225,400.
- Resolution 16‑2024 (transit infrastructure application): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 17‑2024 (remove incorrect assessment): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 18‑2024 (declare drainage improvements necessary): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 19‑2024 (authorize Cameron Park land sale): adopted, roll call 7–0. Project: 102 total units (68 + 34); Phase‑1 proceeds ~ $65,900; overall gross receipts and net figures were discussed in the meeting transcript.
The council received the general fund summary report and adjourned. The clerk confirmed all ordinances and resolutions had been posted as required prior to the meeting.
Sources: meeting transcript of Forest Park City Council, May 6, 2024 (City staff and council roll calls, motions and votes).
The council unanimously passed Ordinance 14‑2024 to revise public posting locations in Chapter 30 of the codified ordinances and Ordinance 15‑2024, which the council described as prohibiting adult‑use cannabis sales within city limits pending state guidance. Both ordinances were adopted after the council voted to suspend the reading requirement.
Why it matters: the posting‑locations change is intended to improve how meeting notices and legislation reach residents; the cannabis ordinance establishes the city’s current local policy position while state rules remain unsettled.
In resolutions, the council approved a set of administrative and capital items. Among them were:
- Resolution 14‑2024: authorized the city manager to award a contract to Prise Construction to build a driveway at 660 Northland Boulevard and waive competitive bidding; the cost was cited at not to exceed $234,450. Council members said the same contractor is already on site for the library project, which the administration said reduces delay and cost; the vote was 6–1 (Council member Clark opposed).
- Resolution 15‑2024: authorized acceptance of a $225,400 grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program for West (right‑of‑way) improvements; the resolution passed unanimously.
- Resolution 16‑2024: authorized preparing and submitting an application to the Transit Infrastructure Fund to make capital improvements in the West Keer Road transit corridor and adjacent pedestrian areas; the council noted the application is due at the end of May.
- Resolution 19‑2024: authorized the sale of about 15 acres at the Cameron Park site to Crystal Homes Inc. (a JA Development entity) for a two‑phase residential development totaling 102 units (Phase 1: 68 units; Phase 2: 34 units). The city stated Phase‑1 land sale will generate approximately $65,900 immediately; the transcript includes an estimated aggregate figure for both phases before and after cleanup costs (figures cited in the meeting transcript). The resolution passed unanimously.
Other routine items adopted included a housekeeping resolution to ask the county auditor to place special assessments (Resolution 13‑2024), removing an incorrect assessment (Resolution 17‑2024), and a resolution declaring necessary drainage improvements in a subdivision (Resolution 18‑2024); the council discussed that homeowner repayments will be collected via county property‑tax procedures if unpaid.
The meeting also included non‑action items and staff updates: Assistant City Manager Andy Leowski announced park and summer programming, a new city website rollout within about 30 days, and warned residents about a regional rash of vehicle break‑ins. Council members raised community items including senior programs, school partnerships, and a request to revisit the charter and work‑session scheduling.
Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 14‑2024 (posting locations): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Ordinance 15‑2024 (prohibit adult‑use cannabis sales): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 13‑2024 (request assessor place special assessments): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 14‑2024 (award driveway contract to Prise Construction): adopted, roll call 6–1 (Clark opposed). Cost not to exceed $234,450.
- Resolution 15‑2024 (accept wastewater grant): adopted, roll call 7–0. Amount cited: $225,400.
- Resolution 16‑2024 (transit infrastructure application): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 17‑2024 (remove incorrect assessment): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 18‑2024 (declare drainage improvements necessary): adopted, roll call 7–0.
- Resolution 19‑2024 (authorize Cameron Park land sale): adopted, roll call 7–0. Project: 102 total units (68 + 34); Phase‑1 proceeds ~ $65,900; overall gross receipts and net figures were discussed in the meeting transcript.
The council received the general fund summary report and adjourned. The clerk confirmed all ordinances and resolutions had been posted as required prior to the meeting.
Sources: meeting transcript of Forest Park City Council, May 6, 2024 (City staff and council roll calls, motions and votes).
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
