Vermilion City Council Meeting 6/16: VOL Repaving Starts

June 16, 2025 – The Vermilion City Council convened on Monday, June 16, 2025, with a full agenda addressing various community matters and moving forward with significant city projects. The meeting, held at the Vermilion Municipal Court Complex, saw the presence of Ward 1 Pat West, Ward 2 Greg Drew, Ward 3 Drew Werley, Ward 4 Jeff Lucas, Council President John Gabriel, Mayor Jim Forthofer, Service Director Tony Valerius, Finance Director Amy Hendricks, City Engineer Chris Howard, and Law Director Susan Anderson. Council at Large Gary Howell and Ward 5 Brian Holmes were absent.

Following the approval of the June 2nd meeting minutes, the floor was opened for public participation. Public participation rules state that individuals must sign in prior to the beginning of the Council meeting, provide their name, address and are allowed five minutes or less to address the Council.

Ken Berkins, a fairly new resident, raised concerns regarding traffic speed and pedestrian safety on Liberty Avenue between the dairy dock and the bridge, suggesting a traffic calming solution by converting to one lane in that area. He also mentioned speaking with Captain Graham about tracking vehicle speeds. Joseph Jones brought attention to fire hydrant access issues on Shady Lake due to parked vehicles, advocating for enforcement of existing ordinances regarding hydrants. Alec Bonawit inquired about the allocation of proceeds from the city’s vehicle auction, to which Finance Director Amy Hendricks clarified that the funds are tracked to the fund that originally paid for the assets sold and returned to those funds (e.g., fire department, streets, water, police).

In correspondence, a resident questioned the monthly EPA fee, stating that the federal government has been spraying “literally tons of nano aluminum, barium and 20 plus other toxins in our skies on a daily basis,” causing issues like Alzheimer’s and dementia. The resident also referenced “NASA’s fake sun” and its potential role in ozone layer destruction and increased radiation exposure.

Council President John Gabriel expressed gratitude to the city’s safety forces, street crews, parks department, and numerous volunteers for their efforts during the recent Fish Festival, highlighting its success despite challenging weather conditions.

Committee reports provided updates on ongoing initiatives. For the Finance Committee, which met on June 9th, Director Hendricks reported on House Bill 335, specifically the “property tax relief now act” provision. Residents were encouraged to view the detailed report in the finance committee meeting minutes on the city website. The Historic Design Review Board, meeting on June 4th, approved three roofing items and a stone wall installation on Huron Street. The Planning Commission, also meeting on June 4th, discussed zoning regulations related to cannabis cultivation and dispensaries, moving to recommend that cultivation be restricted to I2 zones and dispensaries to a new B5 zone (a combination of B3 and the new zone) extending from the bridge on Liberty Avenue past the car wash east.

Drew Werley, Ward 3, reported that the full minutes of the Health & Safety committee meeting are available on the city website, and the next Vermilion Tree Commission meeting is in July.

Council President John Gabriel also reported on the Streets, Buildings & Grounds committee, which addressed the cul-de-sac parking issue and engineering design services for Pine View and Brown Station streets. He cautioned residents to not park in front of fire hydrants, with one potential outcome being smashed windows and a damaged vehicle as a consequence in an emergency. Larchmont and Nautical Dr. were confirmed to be out for bid. Resident Homer Taft encouraged a broad review of street conditions and underlying utilities. Additionally, the Port Authority reported encouraging progress at all properties except for the ramp, where funding is up and weather was a factor. Fishing has been good, and the McGarvey’s project is near completion. Discussions continued regarding logs in the river and seeking grants for their removal.

Patricia West, Ward 1, noted that Main Street Vermilion is planning for “Market in the Park” and making new signs for town. The group also received an Ohio Senate award for outstanding achievement. Greg Drew, Ward 2, reported that the Utilities committee met on June 9th to discuss contractor responsibilities regarding wiring wrapped around telephone poles and the sloppiness left behind, with recommendations to address this with internet providers and potentially the state utility commission.

Mayor Jim Forthofer commended the Chamber of Commerce and volunteers for the successful and well-attended Fish Festival.

Service Director Tony Valerius announced two significant grants: one for the Vermilion Road Reconstruction Phase 4B project, providing 80% funding for nearly $1.8 million, with funds available in state fiscal year 2029, and another from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Safe Routes to School Phase 3 project, totaling $362,443 for new sidewalks on the east side of State Street from the railroad tracks south to Sailorway Drive, with funds available in state fiscal year 2026.

Finance Director Amy Hendricks stated that appropriation modifications for 2025 were submitted and requested a suspension of the rules for their immediate passage to ensure compliance and avoid potential citations during the ongoing audit. City Engineer Chris Howard updated the council on current construction projects, including the Vermilion on the Lake lateral project and the upcoming start of the Edgewater Drive waterline project. Law Director Susan Anderson advised the council to proceed cautiously with future cannabis regulations.

In new business, the council made a motion to adjourn into executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss personnel matters, including employee compensation.

Regarding ordinances, a tabled third reading for Ordinance 2025-35, concerning amendments to the city’s traffic control map, was untabled but ultimately failed to be adopted. Ordinance 2025-42, authorizing a contract for pre-manufactured restrooms at Sherod Park, was held for a third reading. Ordinance 2025-43, amending Ordinance 2025-6 to make appropriations and amend the 2025 Certificate of Estimated Resources, was adopted after a motion to suspend the rules passed on reconsideration.

The council then moved into executive session, adjourning approximately ten minutes later.

The next Vermilion City Council meeting is scheduled for July 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.. Committee meetings for Legislative, Health & Safety, and Finance will be held on July 14th, with another City Council meeting on July 21st. Streets, Buildings & Grounds, and Utilities committee meetings are set for July 28th. All meetings will take place at the Vermilion Municipal Court Complex, 687 Decatur Street, Vermilion, OH.