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Ripley council looking to extend requirement for business licenses
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 10:03 PM EST
After recently passing a "mall market ordinance," which required "mall markets" to purchase a business license and receive a tax credit for the license fee, council is looking to now extend the requirement to all Ripley businesses.
The decision came Tuesday evening after the Old Piano Factory business owner Ruth Bloyer, made another appearance at a Ripley council meeting, telling council it is "discriminating just to pick on the flea market and us."
Bloyer also complained the licensing fee was too high and that her vendors were leaving because of the discrimination. Bloyer said if vendors continued to leave, she "would be forced to abandon business after 30 years."
"There's not a member on this council that wants people to leave," said Mayor Tom Leonard.
Council explained the purpose of the "mall market" ordinance, which is now in effect, was to keep track of possible itinerant businesses in the Ripley area so the businesses were responsible for paying village income tax.
Some members of council even suggested ways Bloyer could run her business and no longer fall under the ordinance's regulations.
However, after much discussion, several council members said they agreed with Bloyer the ordinance might be discriminatory, but council refused to agree the licensing fee was too high.
Council finally passed a motion to appoint a exploratory committee to look into the matter and for Jay Cutrell, village solicitor, to draft a new ordinance which would require all Ripley businesses to obtain a license.
Once the ordinance is drafted, council plans to send the draft and surveys to area businesses in order to obtain opinions on the matter. After the results of the survey are collected, council plans to hold a public meeting to discuss the topic.
In other business:
-- Council appointed Marty Regenstein as a village construction laborer and Cy Hodge as a senior laborer. Regenstein will replace employee Carl Watson and Hodge will replace Jim Klump, who retired in June.
Both Regenstein and Watson previously worked with the village on either a part-time or temporary basis.
"We're lucky to have both of them," said Village Administrator Charles Ashmore, who attested to their hard work ethic.
-- Ashmore told council the village is in the process of dimming the lights on Front Street to give the lighting an "old time feel." Next, village employees will work on taller lights, so they do shine into businesses and homes. Ashmore is also working with contractors on a "punch list" for the River Walk project.
The village administrator also said the water plant is "progressing." A cycle of water will run through the system on Feb. 19. This does not mean the plant is ready for service. Many tests have to be performed before water is distributed to customers, explained Ashmore. Ashmore also told council the waste water plant construction is "ahead of schedule."
-- Fiscal officer Lesley Myers, invited council members to the Ohio Municipal Leagues Luncheon on March 20.
-- Councilman Scott Eagan congratulated G & J Bottling Company of Ripley, for winning the Brown County Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Achievement award.
-- Council adopted the 2007 edition of the Ohio Basic Code. Cutrell said the process "codifies state law in ordinance form." The adoption is something council must do at the beginning of every year.
Council also voted to approve the rules of order for this year's council meetings after councilwoman Karen Spires reminded members of the responsibility.
-- Cutrell shared with council that Angelo Santoro of Santoro Engineering, was interested in becoming the village's issuer of building permits and the enforcer of Ohio Basic Building Code. Santoro was recently accepted as the village's building inspector. He currently has an office in Georgetown.
The village currently contracts with Clermont County to perform the necessary building services, but in the past, only officials in Columbus would issue permits.
Most council members were pleased with Clermont County's services and were concerned that Santoro may have too many clients to respond in a timely manner.
Council members agreed to investigate the issue and decided to wait before making a decision.
-- Leonard asked for community volunteers for the Building Inspection Appeals Board. Leonard said he thinks he has two solid commitments, but he needs more volunteers from the village. The first draft of building inspection guidelines should be ready next week.
Contact Carrie Carlson at 606-564-9091, ext. 272.
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