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1. How can I contact the prosecutor if I am issued a ticket in the City of Grandview Heights?

You may call the Clerk of Courts at (614) 481-6205, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.

2. How do I find out what legislation is being discussed by Council?

The Council agenda is posted at least 24 hours in advance of a Council meeting at City Hall and at the public library. It is also circulated electronically to persons who have subscribed to the City’s automated contact list. Regular and special Council meetings are open to the public, as are committee meetings. Any member of the public wishing to be heard may fill out a speaker form at the back of the room in advance of the Council meeting. In certain instances, it may become necessary to limit the time that speakers may be heard. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Council and other City bodies are conducting meetings virtually. Please refer to the notices of meetings and agendas for specific information about how to access public meetings and submit comments.

3. Why do I see a lot of legislation being declared an “emergency”?

“Emergency” is a term of art used in the legislative process, in accordance with state law. In municipalities, legislation may be passed as an "emergency” measure, when Council must timely assure that public health and safety standards are maintained in an uninterrupted manner (for example, when negotiating police and fire contracts, contracts for mutual aid with neighboring communities, etc.), or when there is some other compelling reason to do so. Given the number of times that Council can convene and the number of readings that Council tries to have prior to passage, it attempts to be judicious about what can be reviewed, passed, or enacted as ordinary business or as an emergency measure. Emergency legislation takes effect on the date it is signed by the Mayor, or 10 days after passage or adoption if not signed by the Mayor. Legislation that does not require emergency passage takes effect 30 days after approval.

4. What happens when I get a ticket in Grandview Heights?

You will be responsible to either accept the citation and pay the ticket prior to the court date indicated on the ticket, or else appear at your court date and enter a plea. When your name is called, you must stand before the Court for the purpose of entering a plea. You will enter your plea after the charges are read to you by a Court representative. You need make no additional statement. Any statement you choose to make may be used against you. You will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

A plea of GUILTY results in being assessed a fine and court costs. A plea of NOT GUILTY means your matter will be assigned a trial date, and you will need to come back on that date, ready to present evidence as to why you believe you did not commit the cited act(s). You may, if you choose, retain legal counsel at your expense. Under the American legal system, all persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. On a plea of NOT GUILTY, a trial is held and the city must prove all allegations in the formal complaint against you beyond a reasonable doubt before a verdict of guilty can be reached. A plea of NO CONTEST means that you are not admitting guilt but that you wish to address the Mayor or the Magistrate about any mitigating circumstances. You may be assessed some or all of the fine and court costs.

TRAFFIC CONVICTIONS ARE REPORTED TO THE BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND BECOME PART OF YOUR DRIVING RECORD.

5. What if I am a minor issued a ticket in Mayor's Court?

You should bring one of your parents, or, if you choose, legal counsel, to your court appearance. You should understand what your responsibilities are for any plea that you enter.

6. How do I pay a ticket if I am not contesting it in Mayor's Court?

Tickets can be paid online, in person by checking
the box indicating your plea, signing the ticket and remitting cash, a
certified check, a money order or a credit card payment to the Dispatcher
window at City Hall, 1016 Grandview Avenue, Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212, or
by mailing the ticket  with the box
checked and your signature with the proper form of payment to the same address.
Do not mail cash. Failure to timely pay a ticket that is not being contested
may result in a bench warrant for failing to appear

7. What is the difference between a resolution and an ordinance?

A resolution expresses the desires of City Council on a particular topic. An ordinance creates a law and/or authorizes a specific action to be taken. Resolutions can be acted upon in one reading, although many resolutions are read more frequently. Ordinances are generally read at three consecutive meetings, unless they have been tabled or there has been a motion to suspend the three readings. When this happens, it is generally because the measure is time-sensitive and cannot await 2-4 more weeks before receiving Council action.

8. Where can I find out City requirements, laws or standards, such as building codes, traffic laws, etc. ?

When legislation is adopted, it becomes available on the City's website promptly, and copies may also be requested from the Clerk of Council. Once a year, the City laws passed in the prior year are formally codified (organized into chapters and sections) and hard-bound, and are also available in their updated forms online (see "Codified Ordinances" in the brown bar at left). Copies of bound Ordinances are available for inspection at the public library and at the office of the Clerk of Council. For information about building or remodeling, please contact the Building Department at 614.481.6204 for assistance or permit forms.

9. What should I do if I believe I have been a victim of domestic violence or any other crime?

Contact the Police Department by calling 911, or, if it is not an emergency, calling the Police Department's non-emergency number at 614.488.3159.

10. I received notice that my local income taxes have not been reported or paid. What should I do?

Residents of Grandview Heights are required to report and pay any income taxes due to the municipality, subject to any credit they receive from another municipality in which they may work. This includes taxes due on income earned working as an independent contractor or in some capacity other than as a payroll employee. Persons working within the City but residing outside the City (including independent contractors) are similarly required to pay income taxes to the City of Grandview Heights if such taxes are not being withheld through payroll deduction at their workplace. The City has contracted with the Regional Income Tax Authority (R.I.T.A.) to facilitate the billing and collection of local taxes. Failure to report and/or pay income tax to the municipality as required by the Codified Ordinances may result in a notice of violation, which, if not timely rectified, may result in a summons to appear in Mayor's Court. If the violation is upheld for failure to comply, fines, costs, and, in the case or repeat violations, possible imprisonment of up to 90 days.