Ravenna Council Committees Debate E Bike Rules, Housing Standards and Safety Building Levy

Ravenna City Council held five committee meetings back to back on August 10, covering everything from E bike safety to a proposed $25 million public safety building. Council members Rob Kairis, Paul Moskun, Tyler Marovich, Matt Harper, Tim Calfee, Amy Michael, Christina West and Carmen Laudato took up issues ranging from ward redistricting to stormwater repairs. Streets and Sidewalks: E Bikes, Mini Bikes and Sidewalk Safety Council Member Matt Harper chaired the Streets and Sidewalks Committee and reopened discussion on E bike regulations. He distributed a guide from the Parma Police Department outlining bike classes and state requirements. Ohio law currently sets no age, license or plate requirement for E bikes, though it does require riders to wear helmets and keep motors off while on sidewalks. Police Chief Jake Smallfield told the committee there is no state law specific to class one or class two E bikes, meaning enforcement depends on local ordinances. He said a citywide helmet requirement would give officers a clearer visual cue, since it is often hard to tell whether a rider is pedaling or using the motor. Two residents raised additional safety concerns during public comment. One described several close calls with E bike and scooter riders on sidewalks and asked council to consider sidewalk speed limits. The same resident noted Ohio recently passed a law making E bike riders liable up to vehicular homicide if they kill or seriously injure someone, but said many riders carry no insurance or license to cover that liability. A second resident described watching unlicensed mini bikes, electric dirt bikes and four wheel ATVs operating on Main Street and downtown sidewalks, along with golf carts lacking required brakes, lights and seatbelts. He asked council to address those vehicles as part of any new ordinance. Harper said the city would explore a formal ordinance addressing helmets, speed limits and vehicle types, and the committee agreed to move a helmet requirement forward while continuing to research a broader package. City Engineer Bob Finney noted the Portage County Health District partners with a program that provides bike helmets for children, which the city may tap for funding. Utilities Committee: Stormwater Repairs and New Utility Marking Rules Carmen Laudato chaired the Utilities Committee in place of Paul Moskun. The committee approved moving forward $133,000 in stormwater infrastructure improvements at three locations. Crews will add catch basins and storm pipe on North Scranton Street near Mechanic Street, shore up an eroding ditch along North Freedom Street near Coe Road, and continue an existing storm project on Jones Avenue. Finney also told the committee Ravenna will be required to join OUPS, the Ohio Utilities Protection Service, which notifies utility owners when contractors or homeowners plan to dig. He estimated the city could see close to 500 notifications a year, compared with fewer than 50 roadway work permits issued annually today. The city is considering a new fee for roadway work permits to offset the added cost and expects to bring more details next month. Planning Committee: Ward Redistricting and Multi Family Housing Standards Carmen Laudato chaired the Planning Committee, which covered three major items. Ward redistricting. Council learned the city has not redrawn its ward boundaries in about 70 years, and the League of Women Voters found Ravenna ranked second among Ohio communities for the most unequal ward populations. Council is working with the League and a Kent State University cartographer to redraw the maps and plans two public sessions at the Ravenna library in September, including a weekday evening and a weekend daytime option. Officials said the process needs to finish before January because new boundaries could affect who is eligible to run for specific ward seats. Multi family housing standards. Laudato proposed adopting the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) space requirements for multi family units, which are tiered by bedroom count starting at 450 square feet for a studio. Ravenna currently requires only 550 square feet for multi family units and 720 square feet for duplexes, based on the more minimal Ohio Building Code. Laudato said the OHFA standard also makes developers eligible for low income housing tax credits. She also recommended requiring enclosed trash and recycling areas, a 24 hour local contact for absentee landlords, and mandatory inspections for new rental conditional use approvals. Fire Chief Mark Chapple told the committee some converted multi family homes lack real kitchens, with tenants using hot plates near water sources, which he said has already caused at least one fire. Two residents spoke in support of stronger standards, describing homes on their block bought by outside investors and converted without permits. The committee agreed to move the OHFA proposal forward for consideration by the full council. Design Review Commission. Lauda