Athens City Council began Monday’s meeting, Election Day eve, with discussion of how transportation organizations are helping voters get to the polls.  President Chris Knisley announced that HAPCAP (Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action) is offering free transit on Election Day. This includes Athens buses and Athens On Demand transit.   Councilmember Sam Crowl added that Spin, the e-scooter company, is offering free rides …

Athens City Council discussed Monday during a meeting the recent increase in community spread of the coronavirus and plans to limit its spread. Cases of COVID-19 in Athens over the last three weeks have started to transition from being almost exclusively in the 18 to 29-year-old demographic to community spread, according to Jack Pepper, the administrator for the Athens City-County …

Athens City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday allowing the current city service safety director the authority to close city streets if necessary. The ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Peter Kotses, called to grant the special emergency power to the city service safety director, a position currently held by Chief of Police Tom Pyle. The ordinance is intended to help mitigate …

As Athens City Council met virtually Monday night, around two dozen community members gathered at the Athens County Courthouse to join the community speakout portion of the meeting via Zoom and demand the Council investigate instances of racism in local policing. Many demonstrators were also members of Athens County Copwatch, a collection of community activists that focus on police misconduct …

Athens City Council discussed parklets — outdoor seating for businesses — during Monday night’s virtual committee meeting. Jessica Thomas, co-owner of Brenen’s Coffee Cafe, praised the addition of the outdoor seating, named a “parklet” by Andrew Chiki, the deputy service-safety director, who was also in attendance. The parklet at Brenen’s sits on Court Street, directly across from the entrance to …

Athens City Council returned to environment-related discussions that began before the pandemic regarding solar power and weeds during their virtual committee meeting Monday.   Councilmember Chris Fahl discussed proposed changes to city zoning code that will make it easier for buildings to install solar power by including solar energy systems as a permitted use for buildings. This would eliminate the need …

On Nov. 5, 2019, incumbent Councilmember Peter Kotses won reelection to his at-large City Council seat after receiving 17.69% of the vote. Shortly after, however, Kotses announced that he is running for Athens County Treasurer. In this election, Kotses will challenge Ric Wasserman, the incumbent Democratic treasurer. We asked our opinion writers what they think about Kotses’ campaign and the …

City Council reintroduced legislation Monday that would allow Athens to enter into an agreement to financially support the construction of the Baileys Trail System after the vote was delayed at its last full-body meeting. The proposed legislation would allow for Athens’ transient guest tax, a tax on rented rooms in hotels, to go toward the 80-mile long trail system’s construction …

The council also heard from a local mobile vendor, concerned with ordinances affecting his business, and approved changes to Athens City Code. City Council appointed members to the Housing Appeals Board and expressed support of a new trail in Wayne National Forest at the body’s first November meeting Monday night.   The council reinstated the Housing Appeals Board to hear …

At the body’s bi-weekly meeting, City Council proposed changes to uptown parking, development of a new bike path spur, and labelling a N. Shafer Street building as a local historic designation. City Council discussed changes to Athens’ uptown parking system, as well as construction to the Northwest Bikeway Spur at the body’s Monday night meeting. At a commission meeting last …

The Athens City Council voted in October to place more signage in Uptown Athens to remind cyclists to walk, not ride bikes on city sidewalks. The city of Athens now has blue “walk your wheels” signs along Court Street in an effort to increase awareness of a city code against riding bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades on the sidewalks surrounding uptown. …

Fifteen of the 70 people arrested during the Feb. 1 Baker Center sit-in entered a plea of no-contest in acceptance of a plea-deal on Thursday morning in Athens Municipal Court. Those who took the deal have a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, a minor misdemeanor. The protesters who took the deal accepted it to finalize court proceedings and shift attention …

City Council said at its committee meeting Monday it will write a letter to state legislators urging them to oppose an amendment by AT&T that would allow a wireless antenna to be put on any municipal buildings, and introduced a resolution to oppose the Dakota Access pipeline. The council will send a letter to state Sen. Lou Gentile, D-30th District, …

City Council suggested investing the money for the community pool project and heard a presentation on economic development in Athens County at its meeting Monday. Mike Burns, a representative from the investment firm who works with Athens on the pool project, reported Athens has maintained a high bond rating. “I was a little nervous when I did the first analysis …

City Council committees convened Monday to hear a parking permit proposal and to discuss wastewater treatment plant updates. Community member and Board of Zoning Appeals member Joan Kraynanski proposed an ordinance that would allow residents on certain streets to apply for passes that would exempt their vehicles from 24-hour street parking restrictions. “I’ve been researching this for a long time,” …

City Council met Monday night to unanimously approve four ordinances dealing with the GoBus, a recreational land donation, disposal of glass windows and appropriations. The first ordinance, originally introduced by Council member Michele Papai, D-3rd Ward, will allow for old GoBuses to be “put out to pasture” and their parts to be put up for grabs. The second will allow …

City Council committees met Monday night to once again talk about the city’s future pool and to debate the merits of a ruling that would allow golf carts and other vehicles to be driven on city streets. The contract the city has signed with MSA Sports says the company will be proceeding with construction an outdoor pool, which some citizens …

City Council further discussed consideration for a recycling grant from The Recycling Partnership at last night’s meeting. Councilmember Ken Butler, D-4th Ward, introduced an ordinance to purchase 64 gallon recycling containers to better accommodate the single-stream recycling program, a recent change in the recycling process that allows for unsorted recyclables. The larger containers would replace the current 18 gallon size, …

Members of City Council approved funding toward the creation of a new municipal pool, presented Ohio University’s Master Plan and announced an award nomination at the meeting on Monday. “It’s been a long, long, long, long time coming,” Mayor Steve Patterson said about the approval of funds for the pool. Council member Jennifer Cochran, D-At Large, communicated concerns from citizens …

Athens City Council expressed concerned over the upcoming fest season during its Monday meeting. City Council President Christine Knisely talked about an alert from Chief of Police Tom Pyle, which urges citizens to consider safe practices during fest season. Knisley said members of council and police plan to go out into the community offering friendly safety tips during the weeks …

Athens City Council took its first concrete step to replace the Athens city pool on Monday by approving an ordinance for a “municipal pool option” instead of strictly an outdoor aquatic center. This decision allows city administrators to now put a bid out, allowing $500,000 for a pool design. Chris Fahl, D-3rd Ward, amended the original ordinance authorizing engineering services …

Athens City Council reached a stalemate once again during Monday’s meeting when faced with the decision between an indoor or outdoor municipal pool. Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, opened discussions for a second reading of an ordinance authorizing engineering services for the outdoor municipal swimming pool. While it was described on the ballot to voters as a project for a …

Athens Mayor Steve Patterson welcomed members of the community at a town hall meeting sponsored by the League of Women Voters to inform the city of his plans for the future. Patterson took the time to voice his support for the community and remind them of his duty to the people of Athens. “I am the mayor of this city, …

Athens City Council spent most of their meeting Tuesday considering plans for a new pool in attempt to move forward with the planning process. Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, opened discussions on an ordinance that would authorize engineering services for an outdoor pool by urging his fellow members to help find a way to continue plans. “This may be controversial …

Athens City Council took on a scheduling conflict Monday night, as it was brought to their attention that both Number Fest (stylized as #Fest) and the International Street Fair are currently planned for April 16. Although the two events take place at different locations, their overlap has caused problems for the ISF in past years. The problems are expected again …

Athens City Council finally resolved many of its standing issues during its meeting Monday, including the adoption of the new tax code and a new policy for unused vacation days for non-union employees. The new tax code, which was criticized by the council when it was first proposed, was passed unanimously even after Mayor Paul Wiehl noted that it would …

We’ll be reporting on Athens election results all night. Check back here live as Athens City Council results come in. UPDATE–9:45 p.m. Finals results are in. Democrats Peter Kotses and Jennifer Cochran as well as Independent Patrick McGee won city council at-large seats. Councilman Steve Patterson won the race for mayor. The city council members for all four wards (who were running …

Ohio University students and permanent residents of Athens alike will take to the polls today to vote for a new mayor, city council members and more. If you haven’t voted in Athens before, you may have some questions about how voting in Athens works. Can I vote? If you registered to vote in the city of Athens, yes. Even if …

Tensions rose at Athens City Council on Monday as council members and other city officials debated changing the vacation accrual process for city employees. As it currently stands, city employees who have accumulated more than three years’ worth of vacation days may lose their extra time next year if a new proposed policy in enacted. The issue has come up …

The Ohio University Survivor Advocacy Program issue has boiled over into Student Senate. With the state of OUSAP being in trouble after its program coordinator, Delaney Anderson, resigned, members of senate explained what their immediate demands are. These include shutting down the program entirely until an interim director is appointed, referring students to Counseling and Psychological Services until such interim …

Monday night’s Athens City Council meeting began with a short discussion regarding parking legislation, but the majority of the night was spent debating a much more complicated topic. City council’s most prominent discussion regarded Athens’ current vacation accrual process concerning non-union members or city employees. In opening statements regarding vacation accrual, Jeffrey Risner, D-2nd Ward, expressed his thanks to departments …

Members of Athens City Council were hesitant about the new tax code pushed forward by the state of Ohio at their meeting Monday. Introduced last week by Income Tax Administrator Tina Timberman, the tax code came up once again Monday when an ordinance amending the city tax code was brought up for first reading. The city would not be permitted …

The Athens City Council met to learn more about the new mandated state tax code and progress of the Upgrade Athens County project during their commissions meeting Monday. Tina Timberman, income tax administrator for the city of Athens, explained the new state uniform tax code going into effect in 2016. The new code mandates that Athens’ tax code must be …

The safety of crosswalks on the Richland Avenue roundabout became an unexpected feature of the Athens City Council meeting Monday night. Councilman Steve Patterson brought the issue to the council’s attention, saying he had received a letter and two emails from constituents about the subject. “The concerns were one of entering on to the roundabout and having to watch for …

The potential for a new city pool continued to be an issue for Athens City Council on Monday  during a session focused on committees. Council members spent the majority of their meeting addressing whether an indoor pool or an outdoor pool will serve the community best. A recent feasibility report done by the consultants planning the new pool shows that …

Court Street will remain open Oct. 26 despite a trick-or-treating event sponsored by Athens Uptown Business Association, Athens City Council decided Monday. The street was originally slated to close for the duration of the annual trick-or-treating event to ensure safety for everyone participating, but having the event during the week before the Athens Halloween Block Party made some owners of …

The Athens Farmers’ Market is looking for a more permanent space, representatives said Monday during an Athens City Council meeting. The market is a nationally recognized program that attracts, according to recent customer counts, people from across the region to take advantage of the locally-produced items for sale, said Leslie Schaller, a member of the Athens Foundation task force who …

Patrick McGee is not your typical candidate for Athens City Council. Then again, he’s not your typical Athens resident: he is a proud owner of a boat hat, he’ll occasionally play the harp on College Green and everyone in Athens seems to know him. Most days, McGee can be found working in the Center for Student Legal Services, where he’s …

With the last election season only three months behind us, it is already time to start thinking about the next election in Athens County. Wednesday was the deadline for prospective candidates to submit their information for the primary election, which will be on May 5, 2015. All candidates are running as Democrats, with the exception of the three students, who …

During Monday night’s City Council meeting, members proposed an ordinance that would raise the salaries of all council members, the council president, the county auditor, the law director, the council treasurer and the mayor. The ordinance was presented by all council members, but At-Large Rep. Chris Knisely explained the proposed ordinance. “What is proposed after some discussions and review of …

Cycling enthusiasts and hikers who live near Columbus Road will be pleased with a new addition that is in the planning stages and was moved into the next stage of readings during Monday’s City Council meeting. Introduced by Third Ward Rep. Michele Papai, a proposed ordinance would create an extension of the bike path from Columbus Road, across the Hocking …

Council Members adopted an amendment to the garbage and rubbish ordinance, in response to citizen outcry following the many warnings that were issued in the weeks leading up to their Oct. 20 meeting. Fourth Ward Rep. Chris Fahl* proposed the amendment on the trash ordinance, which was in its third and final reading, requiring trash cans to be “out of …

Over the past few weeks, Mayor Paul Wiehl’s office has been inspecting homes and issuing warnings around Athens for violations of an ordinance requiring that trash cans be “out of sight,” which was originally put in place in 2005. Residents, including Ohio University professors Bernhard Debatin, Patty Stokes and Kathleen Sullivan, expressed concerns with the warnings issued. A new ordinance, …

Watch video coverage of the Athens City Council here. Two weeks ago, The New Political reported on city council’s plans to renovate its chamber and on their disagreements regarding the time frame for the project. Now, council has decided to purchase the equipment necessary and begin renovations early next year. “I’m hopeful it will be done in January or February,” …

Athens City Council debated plans to renovate their council chambers during Monday’s meeting. The renovations would make the room more accessible to disabled persons. At-Large Rep. Chris Knisely announced the plan to purchase $24,000 worth of material in order to install items such as new carpet, ramps and a lowered desk. She would like to purchase the materials before council’s …

Eight hundred acres of land, the University Estates development, was recently annexed into the city and will complete $532,722 of road repairs by the end of this construction season. University Estates is located along Route 682, and it is not affiliated with Ohio University. “It was called University Estates, I think just because it was near the university,” At-Large Rep. …

City elections are less than a month away and Independent candidate Troy Gregorino is attempting to shake things up with his bid for city council. Gregorino’s run for At-Large City Councilman puts the number of candidates at four. There are three available seats. Currently the seats are held by Democratic incumbents At-Large Council members Steve Patterson, Christine Knisely and Jennifer …

Many argue that public worker unions reap too many benefits. However, the Athens city council may have just addressed an issue of non-union public workers earning the better end of the stick. The city has decided to end an inconsistency between its payment of compensation to union city workers and non-union city workers. Thus far, non-union city workers have been …

Fracking, money and the university, though not always related, dominated the Athens City Council meeting on Monday. In attendance were special guests Pam Benoit and Stephen Golding, Ohio University’s executive vice president and provost and vice president for Finance and Administration respectively. Both conducted an “Economic Impact Report” and reported it to the council. The report analyzed how the presence …

Athens, Ohio, being the diverse town that it is, has an unsurprisingly high variation of opinions on marijuana, the persecution of its users and its legality. Thus, Athens County Sheriff Patrick Kelly and his Narcotics Enforcement Team’s recent confiscation of 47 pounds of homegrown marijuana — a total that is worth approximately $200,000 — was bound to spark discussion. The …