GOVERNMENT OF THE VILLAGE OF KELLEYS ISLAND
The governmental functions of the Village of Kelleys Island are guided and decided by elected, appointed, and hired personnel. Village Offices are located at 121 Addison Street (P.O.Box 469 Kelleys Island, OH 43438-0469). The office is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 pm, and Saturday 9:00 am to 12 noon, year-round. Contact Claudia Brown at 419.746.2535.
A mayor, clerk-treasurer, and six members of village council are elected to staggered four-year terms, and answer to the electorate.
Council members serve on eight standing committees. Members of the public are appointed to Boards and Commissions by the mayor with council approval, with Council representation on each. A small number of administrative officials are hired to fulfill necessary maintenance, safety, and legal duties required for Village operations.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor, Kyle Paine
The Mayor is elected to serve a four-year term, is the President of Council, and presides over Council meetings. The Mayor’s responsibilities include:
- Enforcing Council ordinances, bylaws, and resolutions of Council
- Signing commissions, licenses, permits, etc., authorized by Council
- Monitoring fiscal responsibility and accountability if Council-approved expenditures exceed revenues
- Supervising Village officers’ conduct and address alleged violations
- Reporting to Council the state of Village matters
Specific language regarding the Mayor’s duties can be found in Village Code '81 Code § 31.10-31.16, consistent with Ohio Revised Code 733.33 forward.
Clerk-Treasurer, Claudia Brown
Village Office hours- (year round)
Tues.– Fri. 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 12 noon
The Clerk-Treasurer is elected to a four-year term, records Council proceedings which are open to public inspection, maintains income and expenses related to Village-owned property and other financial resources (e.g., tax levies), and provides reports of fund balances to Council. The Auditor of State requires all state Clerk-Treasurers to participate in continuing education programs.
The Assistant Clerk, hired at the discretion of the Clerk-Treasurer, performs duties in support of the Clerk-Treasurer’s office.
Addition information related to the requirements of the Clerk-Treasurer can be found in Village Code 31.20 through 31.45, and is consistent with Ohio Revised code R.C. §§ 733.26 and 733.42)
Council Members
Village Council consists of six members, elected to staggered terms. The Council serves as the legislative body for the Village. Members of the 2010 Council and their term expiration dates appear below: (
Dennis Kaminski (12/31/2013) Gary Finger (12/31/2013) Lance Marchky (12/31/2013) Mary Sennish (12/31/2011) Michael Feyedelem (12/31/2011) Patricia Seeholzer (12/31/2013)
Council committees and the chairpersons of each appear below:
- Administrative Committee (all Council members)
- Airport Committee Dennis Kaminski & Gary Finger
- Finance Committee Patricia Seeholzer & Michael Feyedelem
- Lands & Buildings Committee Gary Finger & Patricia Seeholzer
- Rules Committee (all Council members)
- Safety Committee Michael Feyedelem & Dennis Kaminski
- Streets & Sidewalks Committee Mary Sennish & Lance Marchky
- Transfer Station Committee Lance Marchky & Mary Sennish
The Village of Kelleys Island Council meets at the Town Hall (Division St.) the second Thursday of May, June, July, August, and September at 7:00 pm. October through April Council meetings are held monthly on the second Saturday at 10:00 am at the Town Hall.
Village Administrator, Scott Stevenson
The responsibilities of a Village Administrator as described in The Ohio Revised Code are to:
manage, conduct, and control the water works, electric light plants, artificial or natural gas plants, or other similar public utilities, furnish supplies of water, electricity, or gas, and collect all water, electric, and gas rents. (Ohio Revised Code [ORC] Section 735.271)
The ORC cites streets, sidewalks, drains, and ditches as among other public service access points a village administrator should supervise. (ORC Section 735.271)
Supervised by and under the control of the Mayor, the Village Administrator replaces the Board of Public Affairs and the Street Commissioner, unless expressly stated otherwise in the ORC. The Village Administrator can appoint employees to positions first authorized by Council, subject to the Mayor’s approval, in writing, and filed with the Village Clerk.
The provisions described above ensure a ‘checks and balance’ of authorities between the Village Administrator, the Mayor, and the Village Council.
For more specific details, refer to Ohio Revised Code Section 735.271 (Effective Date: 09-28-1965).
Village Solicitor, David Lambros
The Village Solicitor is appointed by council through legislation. The solicitor provides legal advice to elected officials and departments, and serves as an attorney for the Village, interpreting code and researching legal questions that arise during Village business matters. The Village Solicitor attends meetings of the Village Council, Planning Commission, and the Board of Zoning Appeals as a resource and legal authority. Contact the Village Solicitor through the Village Clerk.
Additional details relating to the duties and contract fees of the Village Solicitor can be found in Section 30.09 of the Village Ordinance.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Boards and Commissions currently serving the Village of Kelleys Island are listed below. Details of the unit’s work responsibilities and membership can be found under each heading.
The Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Zoning Appeals decides cases brought by petitioners who have been denied a zoning permit because some aspect of their building plan does not conform to zoning criteria established in the Village Codified Ordinances. The petitioner must file a Board of Zoning Appeals Application (available from the Village Office), accompanied by the correct fee, and addressed to the Zoning Inspector. The Board of Zoning Appeals consists of five members appointed by the Mayor, each with a four year term. The current members on the Board of Zoning Appeals and their terms are:
Jacqueline Kranyak Gary Finger Tom Cilimburg Scott Stevenson Chris Wise
Contact the BZA through the Clerk of the BZA, Carol Nelson-Burns.
Board of Cemetery Trustees
Chapter 92 of the Village Codified Ordinance details ownership and expenses related to purchasing gravesites in the Village Cemetery. Rules and procedures governering gravesite maintenance can also be found in that Chapter. The Board of Cemetery Trustees shall take possession and charge, and have the entire management, control, and regulation of the Kelleys Island Cemetery subject to Village Ordinances. Trustees of the Cemetery serve six year terms and are appointed by the Mayor. Current members appear below:
Michael Feyedelem Claudia Brown Charles L. Herndon
Design Review Board
The Design Review Board is composed of six citizens, appointed by the mayor, to three-year, staggered terms. Board members meet the following criteria: three must be residents "exceptionally knowledgeable of village history," one member each from Planning Commission and Council, and one must have a background in architecture, construction, or real estate. Specific duties can be read in Section 152.042 (F) (1) forward. Members of the current Board are:
Mary Sennish Knut Lahrs Don Gilles Ron Ehrbar Gary Finger
The Kelleys Island Planning Commission is comprised of five members that have been appointed by the Mayor. The terms are six years. The Commission can be contacted through the Village Office. Planning Commission members are:
Gary Finger Kyle Paine Werner Minshall ( ) ( )
Park District Recreation Board
Refuse Disposal Board
The Board overseeing the Transfer Station (collection point for Island refuse) consists of two members of Council who serve on the Transfer Station Committee and one private citizen appointed by the Mayor and approved by Council. The Refuse Disposal Board hears applications for part-time status classifications, and hears appeals. Committee members are:
Knut Lahrs Lance Marchky ( )
