Council hears comments on proposed DORA

New Philadelphia City Council members heard opinions from residents and business owners on the proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in the downtown area. A DORA allows patrons purchasing alcoholic beverages from businesses holding DORA permits to consume beverages in open containers at outdoor locations within a specific area.

Local business owner Jim Knisley asked council at its Jan. 22 meeting to consider approving a DORA that would stretch from Fair Avenue to Front Street on the west and from Second Street to First Drive on the east.

The request was assigned to the special/contact committee chaired by council member Michael Walker. Some council members expressed interest in the idea, with the provision that it be confined to certain festivals and events to begin with before rolling it out for longer periods of time.

Council member Cheryl Ramos was a dissenting voice, expressing concern about the message it would send to area youths and the need to follow regulations set forth in the Ohio Revised Code.

Several residents, business owners and organizations also voiced concerns including Kerry Metzger of the Empower Tusc coalition.

Walker said public meetings would be held to gauge community viewpoints before any decision would be made on moving forward.

Mayor’s report

Mayor Joel Day said there is over $3.7 billion in the State of Ohio’s Budget Stabilization Fund, otherwise known as the rainy day fund. According to Day, the amount has grown and will soon reach its maximum balance allowed by law.

Day said he is meeting with state legislators to try to tap into those funds, 3.68% of which used to be dispersed to municipalities and townships as Local Government Funds. However, in 2012 the state reduced that percentage to 1.66% in what Day said was an attempt to fill the state’s projected $8 billion budget. Last year the amount was increased to 1.7%, but Day wants to see it restored to 3.68% or higher.

Day then yielded the remainder of his time to Michaela Thomas from Newsymom.com to present a community initiative the organization is bringing to New Towne Mall this spring. According to Thomas, Flourish by Newsymom will provide a supervised play space for children while giving mothers the ability to dedicate time to pursuing their own goals.

Parents can book anywhere from one to four hours of state-licensed child care at $10 per hour. Hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Additional reports to council

City Safety Director Greg Popham reported the delivery of three 2023 police cruisers on Jan. 30 and said the police department has responded to over 1,200 calls already this year.

Parks chair Mitch Pace said RTY will bring a new train and a mini Ferris wheel to Tuscora Park this summer. Pace also said the second annual New Philadelphia Trout Derby will be held at the park on Saturday, April 27.

Reporting for the cemetery board, Pace said the fence that was damaged last fall by a car accident at the Fair Street Cemetery has been repaired.

Legislation

Council heard second readings of two ordinances to rezone specific parcels of city property from residential to business and from residential to industrial.

Before adjourning, council went into an executive session requested by Day to discuss a personnel matter in the service director’s department.

Council meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers at the John Knisely Municipal Centre, 150 E. High Ave.