Gambier public meetings in 2025

Planning and Zoning

The commission will approve the minutes from the November 18, 2025 meeting. It will consider an application from Steve Barr for a conditional use to operate a Bed & Breakfast at 100 Duff Street. No other agenda items are listed.

• Approval of November 18, 2025 meeting minutes
• Conditional use application for a Bed & Breakfast at 100 Duff Street

The commission approved the November 18, 2025 meeting minutes by a 4‑0 vote. It then denied Steve Barr’s conditional use application to operate a Bed and Breakfast at 100 Duff Street, citing failure to meet the zoning code residency requirement. The denial was approved by a 4‑0 vote.

• Approved November 18, 2025 minutes (4-0)
• Denied conditional use application for Bed & Breakfast at 100 Duff Street (4-0)

Village Council

The council held a public hearing on an application to vary sign size limits for a mural at 100 Quarry Chapel, the Philander Chase Conservancy Bike Barn. Council members discussed the mural’s logo placement, size, and community concerns, and the solicitor presented the relevant zoning code. No vote or formal decision was recorded before the meeting adjourned.

Village Council

The Gambier Village Council will consider ordinances regarding employee wages and the 2026 permanent appropriations. The body will also discuss a Rumpke contract addendum and a sewer project addition. A reorganizational meeting for 2026 is scheduled.

• Ordinance 2025-08: Amending wages and benefits for village employees
• Ordinance 2025-11: Setting permanent appropriations for 2026
• Rumpke Contract Addendum
• 101 Kokosing Drive addition to Kokosing Drive Sewer Project
• Remote Deposit Capture (RDC)

The council adopted Ordinance 2025-11, setting permanent appropriations for 2026 and declaring an emergency, with a unanimous vote. It also approved a 4% wage increase ordinance, a mural variance for 100 Quarry Chapel Road, and a $25,000 cap for adding 101 Kokosing Drive to the sewer project. Contracts and proposals—including the Rumpke contract addendum, Remote Deposit Capture, and a $72,000 Modern Builders renovation—were all approved. An additional $2.00 hourly raise for water employee Josh Miller was also authorized.

• Ordinance 2025-11 (2026 budget emergency) approved (6 Yes)
• Ordinance 2025-08 (4% employee wage increase) approved (6 Yes)
• Mural variance at 100 Quarry Chapel Road approved (5 Yes, 1 Abstain)
• 101 Kokosing Drive sewer addition approved up to $25,000 (5 Yes, 1 Recuse)
• Rumpke Contract Addendum approved (6 Yes)
• Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) approved (6 Yes)
• Modern Builders $72,000 renovation contract approved (6 Yes)
• Josh Miller wage increase of $2.00/hr approved (6 Yes)

Planning and Zoning

The Planning and Zoning Commission will consider several agenda items, including approving the October 21, 2025 meeting minutes and discussing a proposed amendment to section 155.03(A)(n) of the zoning code. It will review an application for a mural sign permit on the south side of the bike barn at 100 Quarry Chapel Road, and a demolition permit request for a garage at 103 Duff Street. The commission will also receive a letter from Steve Barr regarding a future conditional use application.

• Approval of October 21, 2025 meeting minutes
• Discussion of proposed changes to zoning code section 155.03(A)(n)
• Sign permit application for a mural by Philander Chase Conservancy at 100 Quarry Chapel Road
• Demolition permit application for a garage at 103 Duff Street by Steve Barr
• Steve Barr's letter and upcoming conditional use application

The commission approved the October 21, 2025 meeting minutes by a 5‑0 vote. Morgan Giles and PU Glandon recused themselves from the Philander Chase Conservancy application. The commission voted 5‑0 to recommend approval of the Conservancy’s mural at the December 8 variance hearing. No decisions were made on the proposed demolition or conditional‑use requests.

• Approved October 21, 2025 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Recused Morgan Giles and PU Glandon from Philander Chase Conservancy application
• Recommended approval of Philander Chase Conservancy mural at Dec 8 variance hearing (5-0)

Village Council

The Gambier Village Council will consider several ordinances and resolutions at its regular meeting on November 3, 2025. Key items include amending the village employee wages and benefits ordinance, establishing benefits and residence requirements for the village administrator, and modifying the 2024‑17 ordinance to adjust annual appropriations for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 while declaring an emergency. The council will also authorize the administrator to apply for the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Program and the Transportation Alternatives Program. Additional discussion items cover community‑center renovations, cleaning of the Understorms sculpture, and recycling‑area improvements.

• Ordinance 2025-08: amend Ordinance 2006-05 to set wages and benefits for village employees
• Ordinance 2025-09: establish benefits and residence requirements for the village administrator
• Ordinance 2025-10: amend ordinance 2024-17 to adjust annual appropriations for FY ending Dec 31 2025 and declare an emergency
• Resolution 2025-12: authorize administrator to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Program
• Resolution 2025-13: authorize administrator to apply for the Transportation Alternatives Program

The council unanimously approved Ordinance 2025-09 establishing benefits and residence requirements for the village administrator, Ordinance 2025-10 adjusting the 2025 fiscal appropriations, and Resolutions 2025-12 and 2025-13 authorizing applications to the Ohio Public Works Commission and the Transportation Alternatives Program. It also approved a bid package for 2026 community‑center renovations, a contract with Modern Builders for restroom upgrades, and agreed to pay for removal of a disputed tree. Additional approvals were made for under‑storm sculpture cleaning and recycling‑area improvements.

• Approved Ordinance 2025-09 (admin benefits/residence) – all six members Yes
• Approved Ordinance 2025-10 (fiscal appropriations adjustments) – all six members Yes
• Approved Resolution 2025-12 (apply to Ohio Public Works Commission) – all six members Yes
• Approved Resolution 2025-13 (apply to Transportation Alternatives Program) – all six members Yes
• Approved bid package for 2026 community‑center renovations – all six members Yes
• Approved contract with Modern Builders for community‑center restroom upgrades – all six members Yes
• Agreed to pay for removal of the tree AEP did not remove – council consensus
• Approved under‑storm sculpture cleaning using Knox Exterior – all six members Yes

Planning and Zoning

The Gambier Village Planning and Zoning Commission will review several permit applications, including a building demolition and a conditional use request. The body will also consider zoning certificates for a storage shed and solar panels.

• Demolition permit request for Kenyon College building at 102 College Drive
• Conditional use request for a fence at 201 Scott Lane
• Zoning certificate request for a storage shed at 201 Scott Lane
• Zoning certificate request for solar panel installation at 210 Kokosing Drive
• Review of David Engle preliminary site plan and concept design

The Planning Commission voted to approve Kenyon College's demolition permit for the building known as Sunset Cottage (3‑0 with one abstention). It also approved a fence conditional use, a storage‑shed permit, and a solar‑panel installation, each with unanimous votes except the solar vote which had one abstention. The meeting minutes from September 16 were adopted (3‑0).

• Approved demolition of Sunset Cottage (3‑0, 1 abstention)
• Approved conditional‑use fence at 201 Scott Lane (4‑0)
• Approved storage‑shed permit at 201 Scott Lane (4‑0)
• Approved solar‑panel installation at 210 Kokosing Drive (3‑0, 1 abstention)
• Approved September 16 meeting minutes (3‑0)
• Approved garage‑door replacement at 306 E. Woodside Drive (no vote recorded)

Village Council

The Gambier Village Council will discuss two ordinances: one to amend the village employee wages and benefits ordinance and another to set benefits and residence requirements for the village administrator. A resolution will authorize the administrator to apply for the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Program and to sign related contracts. Additional items include a solid waste district contract, a sewer project at 204 Kokosing Dr., a street closure for village lights, a polling place agreement, and a sewer backup incident. An executive session will address personnel matters under ORC 121.22 (G)(1).

• Ordinance 2025-08 – amend wages and benefits for village employees
• Ordinance 2025-09 – establish benefits and residence requirements for the village administrator
• Resolution 2025-12 – authorize application to Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Program
• Solid waste district contract for Delaware, Knox, Marion, and Morrow counties
• Kokosing Drive Sewer Project at 204 Kokosing Dr.

The council approved a $175,000 transfer from the wastewater reserve line to the Kokosing Drive Sewer Project line. It also approved the solid‑waste district contract, a controlled deer‑hunt reimbursement program, and extensions to the sewer project and street closure for Village Lights. An executive session was held but no action was taken.

• Approved Delaware, Knox, Marion and Morrow solid‑waste district contract (Yes votes)
• Approved controlled deer‑hunt reimbursement program (Yes votes)
• Approved extension of Kokosing Drive Sewer Project to include 204 Kokosing Drive (Yes votes)
• Approved street closure for Village Lights on Gaskin Avenue (Yes votes)
• Approved polling place agreement with Board of Elections for Nov 4 election (Yes votes)
• Approved transfer of $175,000 from wastewater reserve to Kokosing Project line (Yes votes)
• Approved back‑pay for employee Josh Miller (Yes votes)
• Executive session held; no action taken

Village Council

The Village Council is holding a special meeting to conduct interviews with finalists for the Village Administrator position. This business will be handled in executive session.

• Interviews with Village Administrator candidate finalists

The council held an executive session on employee matters, but no action was taken. Mayor Kessler announced the appointment of Courtney DeCosky as Village Administrator. The council then approved the appointment with votes in favor from all present members.

• Held executive session on employee matters; no action taken
• Approved appointment of Courtney DeCosky as Village Administrator

Planning and Zoning

The Gambier Planning and Zoning Commission will consider two applications for zoning certificates. One request from Bruce Kiracofe seeks permission to add steps on the southeast and west ends of a home and replace a window with a door at 201 Scott Lane. A separate “like‑for‑like” application for a roof replacement has been approved for 213 Kokosing Drive. The commission will also approve the August 19, 2025 meeting minutes.

• Zoning certificate request by Bruce Kiracofe to construct steps and replace a window with a door at 201 Scott Lane
• Approval of “like‑for‑like” roof replacement application at 213 Kokosing Drive
• Approval of August 19, 2025 meeting minutes

The Planning Commission approved the August 8‑19‑25 meeting minutes with a 4‑0 vote. It also approved Bruce Kiracofe’s zoning certificate to add steps and replace a window with a door at 201 Scott Lane, voting 3‑0 with one abstention. The zoning inspector reported a “like for like” roof replacement approval for 213 Kokosing Drive. No other motions were decided.

• Approved August 8‑19‑25 meeting minutes (4-0)
• Approved zoning certificate for 201 Scott Lane (3-0, 1 abstention)

Village Council

The council approved the Ordinance 2025-07 for the Kokosing Drive sewer project after an emergency vote. It also approved a stormwater proposal for the Community Center with a VA OPWC grant application, renewed the Head Start lease, updated the Data Security Breach Incident Management Plan, authorized emergency tree removals, set a Dumpster Day for Oct. 4, and adopted the on‑call compensation policy and related back‑pay.

• Approved Ordinance 2025-07 Kokosing Drive Sewer Project (5 Yes, 1 recused)
• Approved Community Center stormwater proposal and VA OPWC grant (6 Yes)
• Approved Head Start lease renewal (6 Yes)
• Approved Data Security Breach Incident Management Plan update (6 Yes)
• Approved emergency tree removals (6 Yes)
• Approved Dumpster Day for Oct 4, 2025 (6 Yes)
• Approved on‑call compensation policy (6 Yes)
• Approved back pay for on‑call program (6 Yes)

Planning and Zoning

The Gambier Planning Commission approved several applications at its August 19, 2025 meeting. Approvals included a lot split combining 110 Meadow Lane with 107 Duff Street, a diesel fuel tank at the east side of the E. Brooklyn service station, a deck at 201 Scott Lane, a roof replacement and solar panels at 106 Rand Drive, and a two‑car garage addition at the same address. All motions passed unanimously or with a 5‑0 vote. The commission also approved the July 15 minutes with a 4‑0 vote.

• Approved lot split combining 110 Meadow Lane and 107 Duff Street (5‑0)
• Approved above‑ground diesel fuel tank at east side of E. Brooklyn service station (5‑0)
• Approved deck construction at 201 Scott Lane (5‑0)
• Approved standing‑seam metal roof replacement at 106 Rand Drive (5‑0)
• Approved solar panel installation on 106 Rand Drive roof (5‑0)
• Approved two‑car garage addition at 106 Rand Drive (5‑0)
• Approved July 15 meeting minutes (4‑0)

Village Council

The council voted to appoint resident Alec Wood to the open council seat left by a former member. The council also approved the shared‑use path plaque design with adjustments, authorized a stormwater‑study engineering contract, renewed the Head Start lease, and approved temporary one‑way traffic changes on North Acland and Gaskin streets. The employee handbook updates were tabled for later consideration.

• Appointed Alec Wood to vacant council seat (unanimous)
• Approved shared‑use path plaque with design adjustments
• Authorized stormwater‑study engineering contract with V3
• Approved Head Start lease renewal with contract updates
• Approved temporary one‑way traffic designations on North Acland and Gaskin streets
• Authorized Kokosing Drive sewer project bid process
• Tabled employee handbook updates pending attorney review
• No action taken in executive session

Planning and Zoning

The Planning Commission approved the June 6‑17‑25 meeting minutes (5‑0). It granted a demolition permit for the property at 419 Chase (5‑0). It approved a storage shed zoning certificate for 107 E Woodside (5‑0). It approved an in‑law suite zoning certificate for 309 E Woodside (5‑0).

• Approved June 6‑17‑25 meeting minutes (5‑0)
• Approved demolition permit for 419 Chase (5‑0)
• Approved storage shed zoning certificate at 107 E Woodside (5‑0)
• Approved in‑law suite zoning certificate at 309 E Woodside (5‑0)

Village Council

The council approved Ordinance 2025‑06, adopting the Village of Gambier’s 2026 budget. It also approved Ordinance 2025‑05 to contract Small’s Paving for street resurfacing and Resolution 2025‑11 to purchase a 2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 from Valley ATV LLC. The council transferred $30,000 from the Capital‑Community Center appropriation to the Capital‑Maintenance Barn, changed the operator of record for AWWO, and authorized a plaque for the shared‑use path. Finally, staff overtime compensation for work on April 20 2025 was approved.

• Adopted 2026 Budget (Ordinance 2025‑06) – Approved
• Approved contract with Small’s Paving for street resurfacing (Ordinance 2025‑05) – Approved
• Authorized purchase of 2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 (Resolution 2025‑11) – Approved
• Transferred $30,000 from Capital‑Community Center to Capital‑Maintenance Barn – Approved
• Changed operator of record for AWWO to JD – Approved
• Authorized placement of non‑corrosive metal plaque on shared‑use path – Approved
• Approved staff overtime compensation for April 20 2025 work – Approved
• Declared personal property surplus and authorized internet auction (Ordinance 2025‑04) – Approved

Village Council

The council approved Ordinance 2025-06, adopting the 2026 budget. It also approved Ordinance 2025-05 for a street resurfacing contract with Small's Paving, Resolution 2025-11 to purchase a Polaris Ranger, and Ordinance 2025-04 to auction surplus personal property. Additional actions included transferring $30,000 to the maintenance barn, changing the AWWO operator, installing a shared‑use path plaque, and compensating staff overtime.

• Adopted 2026 budget (Ordinance 2025-06) – approved
• Approved street resurfacing contract with Small's Paving (Ordinance 2025-05) – approved
• Authorized purchase of 2025 Polaris Ranger XP 1000 (Resolution 2025-11) – approved
• Declared surplus personal property for internet auction (Ordinance 2025-04) – approved
• Transferred $30,000 from Capital‑Community Center to Capital‑Maintenance Barn – approved
• Changed operator of record from AWWO to JD with retainer arrangement – approved
• Approved placement of non‑corrosive metal plaque on shared‑use path fence – approved
• Approved staff overtime compensation for work on April 20, 2025 – approved

Planning and Zoning

The commission approved the regular meeting minutes with a 4‑0 vote. It approved Ed Schortman's application for a wingset on 401 E. Woodside by a 4‑0 vote. It approved Morgan Giles's request to expand his accessory building by a 3‑0 vote, with Morgan abstaining. No other motions were decided at this meeting.

• Approved regular meeting minutes (4-0)
• Approved Ed Schortman's wingset zoning certificate (4-0)
• Approved Morgan Giles's accessory building expansion (3-0, Morgan abstaining)

Village Council

The council approved a temporary street closure for Fourth of July events. It also approved additional survey and electric work for the Kokosing Drive sewer, Ohio Plan liability insurance, an Options Plus furniture quote, and Civic Plus website options. Routine approvals of the May 5 meeting minutes and May bills were also adopted.

• Approved street closing for Fourth of July (Yes)
• Approved additional survey and electric work for Kokosing Drive sewer (Yes)
• Approved Ohio Plan liability insurance (Yes)
• Approved Options Plus furniture quote (Yes)
• Approved Civic Plus website options (Yes)

Planning and Zoning

The commission approved the minutes from the Jan. 21, 2025 meeting (4‑0). It granted Kenyon College a zoning certificate to erect a 20' × 40' tent on the East Lawn of Cromwell Cottage (3‑0, PJ abstained). It also approved a certificate for three 40' × 120' tents on Ascension Lawn North (3‑0, PJ abstained). Finally, the commission approved a conditional‑use permit for a short‑term rental at 109 Meadow Lane (4‑0).

• Approved Jan 21, 2025 meeting minutes (4‑0)
• Approved zoning certificate for 20' × 40' tent on East Lawn, Cromwell Cottage (3‑0, PJ abstained)
• Approved zoning certificate for three 40' × 120' tents on Ascension Lawn North (3‑0, PJ abstained)
• Approved conditional‑use permit for short‑term rental at 109 Meadow Lane (4‑0)

Village Council

The council passed Resolution 2025‑10, authorizing reimbursement of capital improvement funds for the Duff Street waterline replacement after suspending the three‑reading rule. They also approved advertising the 2025 street resurfacing project. Discussion on the CivicPlus website migration was tabled for later review.

• Approved Resolution 2025‑10 to reimburse capital funds for Duff Street waterline project (unanimous Yes)
• Approved advertisement for 2025 street resurfacing project (unanimous Yes)
• Tabled discussion on CivicPlus website migration

Planning and Zoning

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved three zoning certificates: a glass porch replacement at 307 E. Brooklyn, a deck addition at 202 W. Woodside, and the conversion of the 103 N. Acland duplex into faculty housing. The applications to convert 308 Gaskin and 211 Chase into faculty housing were deferred to the May meeting for conditional‑use review. The March meeting minutes were also approved.

• Approved March 3‑18‑25 meeting minutes (5‑0)
• Approved zoning certificate for glass porch at 307 E. Brooklyn (5‑0)
• Approved zoning certificate for deck at 202 W. Woodside (5‑0)
• Deferred conditional‑use review of 308 Gaskin and 211 Chase faculty housing (no vote recorded)
• Approved zoning certificate to convert 103 N. Acland duplex into faculty housing (4‑0, PJ abstained)
• Zoning inspector granted six‑month extension for certificate on 106 Rand Drive (informational)

Village Council

The council approved the Delaware‑Knox‑Marion‑Morrow solid waste management plan, authorized a water‑pollution control loan fund for sanitary sewer improvements, and adopted the ODOT road‑salt contract. It also approved the V3 street‑resurfacing design, a Knox County IT services contract, and scheduled community events and a street closure for the 43022 celebration. All listed actions were adopted with unanimous council support.

• Approved Resolution 2025‑05 solid waste management plan (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2025‑08 authorizing water‑pollution control loan fund for sewer improvements (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2025‑09 participation agreement for ODOT road‑salt contract (unanimous)
• Approved V3 design proposal for street resurfacing (unanimous)
• Approved Knox County IT contract (unanimous)
• Approved Stick it to Village Day (April 14 & 21), Shred‑it Day (May 2) and Dumpster Day (May 3) (unanimous)
• Approved street closure of Gaskin from Wiggin St to Brooklyn for 43022 Day (April 25‑26) (unanimous)
• Approved polling place use agreement (unanimous)