CENTERBURG — Four years ago, council members doubled the fines for parking violations. In May, they strengthened them again.
On Monday, council members gave the first reading to legislation that increases fines based on the number of violations.
“I’ve had a number of community members as well as our [sheriff’s] deputy ask, ‘Is there anything more we can do?’ ” Village Administrator Richard Dzik told council. “There seems to still be some issues with repeat parking offenses downtown.”
The ordinance adds language for repeat parking violations within a 180-day period.
If an offender receives a fourth violation within the same period, the fine is twice the amount of the standard violation.
If an offender receives a seventh violation within the same 180-day period, the person is fined three times the amount of the standard penalty.
The Knox County Sheriff’s deputy assigned to Centerburg told Dzik he has fined the same people multiple times. However, it does not seem to affect them because the $30 fine is minimal.
Dzik said the council can increase the parking fines further if necessary.
“This is just what I thought would start the ball rolling again,” he said. “If we find next summer that it’s not doing what we need to do, we can revisit it.”
2026 budget appropriations
Dzik is working on the 2026 appropriations budget, including $15,000 earmarked for tree removal and planting.
He will recommend funds in the budget for developing a master plan for the park and developing trailheads along the Heart of Ohio Trail.
CORPO (Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization) awarded the village a $100,000 grant to design a path from the extended care facility on Route 3/36 to the HOOT trail at Memorial Park.
Once engineers complete the design, the village can request construction funds from CORPO.
Councilman Daniel Hardwick asked Dzik to create a separate fund for tree planting and suggested appropriating $30,000 to $40,000.
Hardwick said the initial idea was to save money and do the tree planting in-house. However, after speaking with utility worker Alex Gowans, the current plan is to hire a professional to undertake the tree planting.
The village set aside $500,000 for paving. Hardwick said that after talking with several paving companies, he recommends foregoing obtaining engineer drawings on paving projects as it can waste taxpayers’ money.
Hardwick questioned why sludge de-watering is slated to receive $500,000 when former village administrator Teri Wise had estimated $150,000 for a roof over the sludge bag area.
According to Dzik, wastewater treatment plant worker Charlie Collas is working on a design for an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency loan. However, the design is not yet complete. He said the loans will likely be low-interest OEPA loans.
Dzik also noted that the number might reflect better equipment, such as a press to remove water, instead of merely a roof over the sludge area.
Legislative action
Council members held a public hearing for comment on allowing poultry within the village. No one commented on the legislation.
In their legislative session, council members voted 3 to 1 to not allow poultry.
In other action, council members:
• Gave a first reading to transferring funds from the general fund to the street construction fund to cover salary and benefits for village employees
• Gave a second reading to an ordinance authorizing the fiscal officer to acquire health insurance coverage for full-time village employees
• Gave a first reading to a resolution to join the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission at an annual fee of $1,250. Dzik said a significant reason to join MORPC is to be involved in the growth coming from Columbus.
Village administrator’s report
V3 is working on the design for the Preston and Main streets stormwater project. If the village receives an Ohio Public Works Commission grant, Dzik estimates the village’s cost-share would be $100,000.
The village awarded the Main Street tap project design to V3. Three vendors bid, but Dzik noted V3 has previously done good work for the village.
Other VA notes:
• Greenwich Electric completed the Main Street lighting project on Oct. 29. Dzik will meet with American Electric Power this week and see which AEP lights and poles can be removed.
• Dzik encouraged anyone with ideas for naming the green space at the site of the former In Town Restaurant to call him. He is working on quotes for concrete, electric, and WiFi on the site. Downtown revitalization is working on a plan for murals on the buildings. Solicitor Alexis Henson is working on agreements needed with adjoining building property owners.
• Equipment is installed, grading around the playground is completed, and the parking pads have been poured on the new playground area in Memorial Park.
• The old garage at 27 Hartford Ave. was demolished, and fill-in and grading for the parking area is complete. Ultimately, the village plans to pave the area.
• The village received permits to demolish 40 N. Clayton and is working on utility disconnects. Dzik is waiting to see if the Knox County Land Bank has available demolition funds. Vehicles will enter the lot via the alley.
• The Jerry Street project is in its final stage of completion.
Legal
Village co-counsel Alexis Henson reported that the person that council appoints to fill the vacant council seat will hold the seat until the term ends Dec. 31, 2027. If the person wants to retain the seat, he or she will have to run in the November 2027 election.
The village will post a notice on its website, inviting interested parties to apply.
Hardwick asked Henson to modify the sign regulations to allow signs in the right-of-way 30 or 60 days before elections.
“I really disliked the optic of picking up everyone’s political campaign signs in 2024, five days before an election,” Hardwick said. “I would be in favor of allowing a little more free speech before the election.”