WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — The Washington Court House City Council met Wednesday night and most of the meeting centered around various political signs placed on properties.
The meeting started with the approval of the minutes of the prior regular meeting and the city manager report.
City Manager Joe Denen thanked Kelley Ford, clerk of council, for her “massive effort in organizing the Scarecrow Festival,” the police and fire departments, the street department, and Shannon Sword for all their hard work to make the festival, which was held last weekend, so successful. Denen said he was there for the entire festival and really enjoyed it.
Denen said that due to the severe drought, they will continue to monitor the water supply at the reservoirs, there are no conservation measures needed at this time, and that the city has gotten through this current drought situation very well so far.
It was announced that the observation of Halloween Trick or Treat night will be Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m.
Local resident Jill Anschutz, of 531 W. Elm St., spoke to council to clarify the parking on front lawn ordinance recently passed. She said some streets have no street parking, and a few have no driveways. A council member said that she has a gravel area in front of her house and that it was legal to park in a gravel area. Her statement was that council should have taken more properties, with limited space, into consideration when passing this ordinance.
Resolution 30-2024 was placed on second reading and moved for adoption regarding the acceptance of the amount and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor. Denen remarked that this resolution has nothing to do with property taxes or valuations.
Ordinance 33-2024 was placed on third reading and moved for adoption to provide for supplemental appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the city for this fiscal year.
When Ordinance 34-2024 was brought up for first reading, there was considerable discussion regarding the text of the amendment proposed. The ordinance was to amend a specific section of the city ordinances Number 156.113(E). There are other ordinances in effect regarding signs in the city, but this amendment was for political signs. The Supreme Court ruling was changed regarding the 45-day prior to elections and seven-day after elections to place and take down political signs.
At a prior meeting, a resident brought it to the attention of council that a section of the sign ordinances, specifically related to political signs, needed to be amended due to the ruling of the high court.
The proposed amendment to Section E set out the definitions of political signs, their placement in right-of-ways, on residential properties, and non-residential properties, such as commercial or industrial.
Councilman Caleb Johnson, an attorney, was concerned about the validity of the context of signs and more discussion followed. Johnson wanted the city attorney to amend the wording in this item. Johnson made a motion to amend this ordinance prior to passage. After the discussion, the amended request was passed. City Attorney Mark Pitstick said he would amend the ordinance according to council’s wishes and change some of the wording.
In the miscellaneous comment portion at the end of the meeting, all council members thanked Kelley Ford for her hard work with the festival and that it brought many people into town for great entertainment and enjoyment.
