City of Chardon Has ‘Plenty of Parking’

November 16, 2017 by Amy Patterson

Mary Glauser, executive director of Chardon Tomorrow, updated Chardon City Council Nov. 9 with the results of the parking study the organization performed earlier this summer.

The report found parking on the square is, on average, only about 40 percent occupied, except for peak times when lots on Main Street are 80 to 90 percent full.

There are more spots than the public perceives, Glauser said.

Chardon Tomorrow is planning a Plenty of Parking campaign soon, during which they will distribute printed parking maps to retailers. An interactive map is now up and running on the group’s website.

“People can mouse over and see exactly how many parking spots are available on the square at any given time,” Glauser said, adding the map shows which lots have parking time limits or are available only to county employees.

Chardon Tomorrow also plans to continue monthly “Shop Hop” events, aimed at office workers on the square. Shops offer special discounts and deals during lunchtime hours for downtown employees.

Glauser said Chardon Tomorrow is working on an idea to incorporate outdoor entertainment during Shop Hop hours for the summer months to create a “daytime atmosphere” on the square.

Brewfest attendance increased this year by a little over 100 guests and brought in greater sponsorship money to Chardon Tomorrow’s budget, Glauser said, adding it continues to be the group’s major funding source every year.

A shift in the way her group accepts sponsorships means their largest sponsors now become members of the group for an entire year, instead of sponsoring a single event. This distribution of funding provides operating funds throughout the year, while also making Chardon more attractive when applying for public funding, Glauser said.

Chardon Tomorrow is planning to hold roundtable meetings with local groups and members of the public who wish to bring changes to the town. One idea Glauser mentioned is a year-round artisan market selling local meats, cheeses, soaps and other products as well as a café with sandwiches and soups.

“This idea was brought to us repeatedly,” she told council, adding the city of Wooster has created a year-round market co-op. Both representatives from the Wooster co-op and from Geauga Family Farms were part of the initial roundtable meeting Nov. 3.

“We have no idea what to expect, but we just want to bring people together to talk about the ideas,” Glauser said.

Chardon Tomorrow would not develop such a project, but will bring together the people who could, she said.

Glauser closed by turning over about $6,000 to the city in unclaimed monies from fundraisers for Chardon Memorial Park. Chardon Tomorrow’s intention is for the money to go towards ongoing maintenance of the park, as well as to help with phase two of the project.

The city plans to join a class-action lawsuit against the state of Ohio due to changes made to municipal tax collection in the budget bill signed in August by Gov. John Kasich.

The language removes power from municipalities to collect some income taxes and two agencies — the Ohio Municipal League and the Regional Income Tax Agency — are filing separate suits in an attempt to overturn the law.

“The outcome of this litigation is going to affect every municipality (in Ohio) whether you’re a plaintiff in the lawsuit or not,” Law Director Jim Gillette said.

The City of Chardon has the opportunity to join either or both lawsuits, although the Municipal League suit would require the city to pay $2,000 in legal fees, Mayor Nancy McArthur added.

Vice Mayor Jeff Smock supported the idea of joining both lawsuits to show the state the city is serious about challenging the loss of tax income.

Water and sewer fees will be raised in June of 2018 to compensate for the cost of completing the railroad trunk sewer line project to enlarge sewer lines throughout the city, said city Finance Director Mate Rogonjic, adding the fees will fall again after debt from the building of the city’s wastewater treatment plant is paid off in 2021.

The city’s sidewalk projects will see a new route down South Hambden Street to Mel Harder Park in 2019, said Public Service Director Paul Hornyak.

Resurfacing and sewer work will also be done on the road, he said.

The scheduled improvements inspired conversation among council members and public safety officers regarding the current 35 mph speed limit on the road, and whether it needs to be lowered as more pedestrians use the route in the future.

Councilman Andy Blackley, in particular, said many residents have shared their concerns with him regarding truck traffic and high speed on the street.

The Chardon Police Department’s recent temporary installation of a radar sign displaying traffic speed helped slow people down, Blackley said.

The city council will hold a special meeting Nov. 16 to discuss the results of the National Citizen Survey. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at 111 Water Street.