City Council - Regular Meeting

meeting on January 28th, 2026. The time is 7 p.m. Mr. Will you please call the role? Member Pont present. Member Warren here. Member Wy here. Matheni here. Member Mlester here. Member Pratt here. Member Stalker here. President.

Okay. First on the agenda is for the Finance and Property Committee. Uh Mr. A, do you want to go ahead and read the title and we'll turn it over to Mr. Nester from there? An ordinance authorizing the mayor of the city of North Canton to enter into a contract by and between the city of North Canton and the Stark County Public Defenders Office for the purpose of providing legal counsel to indigent North Canton residents in Canton Municipal Court for a period of one year commencing January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2026 and declaring the same to be an emergency.

All right. So item 3A is an ordinance uh this is something we do every year where the city uh works with the public defenders office uh for the purpose of providing legal counsel for indigent uh people mostly indigent patients that's my professional there I apologize indigent residents um and I don't know if Jim do you have anything further to add good job y so um so we we pay $200 per case to um residents who are considered indigent and they can't afford legal representation. So, it's something we do every single year and we just have to um renew the contract. So,

perfect. If anybody else has any questions standard fair year, just just I guess a curiosity. So, 200 per case approximately how many for per year for that's yeah that's a question. So, I don't have that right now but I can email you that. It's unpredictable. It's as needed. Yeah, but we can look that up. But this is just beauty report, right? Yeah, it's No. Yeah, it can't be municipal. Yep. All right. Seeing no other questions, I guess I'd be entertaining a motion to move item 3 to eight of the council agenda. I'll move. All right. We have a second. Second. All right. All those in favor? I.

All right. Fantastic. All right. Moving on to 3B. So, this is kind of exciting. This is in uh among other things. Um this is in regards to the Amler grant that uh the city got for the remediation of of the Capia property up there behind Discount Drug Mark. So there was a $3 million award. So with this we are going to advance some money to the we're going to create the fund. We're going to advance some money which we will ultimately then take back later business to get things going. And there are a couple other items on there and I [snorts] think Jim you wanted to touch base on that as well.

Yeah. So let's go through it. So, um, so we got a $3 million grant, Amler grant. So, uh, to track this grant, we set up special revenue fund. Um, so what we're doing tonight is we're setting that up, getting approval from you guys to set up that fund. Um, we also got to budget for the grant, right? So, um, it's a refundable grant. So, we don't just get the $3 million, we fund it, and then we get reimbursed. So we have to create the fund, we trans or we advance money from our general fund to that new fund and then we um as we do spend spend on this project, we get reimbursed from um the grant and then we also have to budget the advance back into the general fund. It's a it's a temporary uh advance or transfer you want. It's a temporary advance from the general employee to the new special revenue fund to cover the grant u grant cost until we get reimbursed. Um anything that we don't spend will be um advanced back into the general fund. It all get sorry it all get advanced back to the general fund but anything we don't spend this year will get reappropriated and um we'll be able to use for next year. um some of the other it's also kind of appropriation amendment as well. So we're adding um $60,000 to sponsorship for community dance community events. Um so for example the American 250 celebration that we want to put on um we're expecting to receive about 60,000 whatever we um don't receive at this budget we will make sure we don't spend. So that's kind of the key there. whatever we receive um we will spend and anything that we do not um will reappropriate and come back to you to take out. Um we got a notepad grant for community events for $1,000. Um so we obviously have to appropriate that to be able to spend that grant money. And then

we our police department got a Toyota donation for $1,000. Anytime you um need to spend money, council has to approve it, right? So, we're coming here to say receive this donation. We need to spend it. We have to come to the council to um be able to do that. Um and then obviously we're appropriating the funds for this grant. Um and then lastly, um we're reallocating $250,000 from the capital projects fund. Um it's already money that's in the budget, but one project came over uh went over estimate, which is HBAC for city hall, and then the police station renovation came under. So, we're just moving money from the capital project. So, nothing's added there. Thank you, Jim.

N does anybody have any questions? How much over on the HVAC did we go? I'd have to give the bid. I don't have the right bids, but it was I think it was fairly decent amount, but I think it's that's kind of why we're transferring the $250,000. So, okay. All right. So, I guess at this point I'd be looking for [clears throat] a motion for item 3B. Move 3B council agenda. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. All right. All those in favor? I

I fantastic. All right. We will move on last and this. Oh, I guess ahead of myself time. A resolution to renew the depository agreement with Huntington National Bank as the primary depository for active, interim, and inactive deposits of city funds for a period of 5 years beginning March 1st, 2026 and ending February 28th, 2031. And this is a relatively self-explanatory item pretty much as uh Liam described it. I don't know that there was anything more to add to that, Jim.

No, we've been with them since before 2014 when they were Citizens Bank. We like them. They're right next door to us and it just makes sense to do business with them. So, perfect. All right. Uh, at this point, I guess I would look for a motion for item 3C. I'll make that motion. All right. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Okay. All those in favor? Those opposed? No, Mr. Mcclester, you don't get to hold me. So, we're going to move on to streets and alleys. That is going to be chairperson John or Mr. Will you go ahead and read the uh beginning of this?

An ordinance authorizing the mayor of the city of North K on behalf of the city of North K to enter into an agreement to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation's cooperative purchasing program to contract for the purchase of sodium chloride for the 2026 2027 winter season and declaring the same to be an emergency.

Well, that's pretty self uh explaining of what's going on there. Um how are we on salt for the city? Well, we're doing well because thankfully we did enter into this contract a few years ago, which is part of the ODOT contract and that gets us a higher priority. You may have heard on the news Cargill, the salt mine, which provides a lot of it, had to really prioritize. So, a lot of private contractors out there, they were not able to get any salt whatsoever. It went to municipalities and obviously ODOT's first and then we're on the ODOT contract. So, they're doing what they call sensible salting, which means, you know, we're we're looking prioritizing, you know, main roads, intersections. Um, it's early in the game. You know, it's only January. We got some some time to go here, but if you uh see our salt shed, you can see we're doing well. Um, and the deliveries are still coming. So,

good because I I saw somewhere where Cargill was three times was charging three times as much and that's that's terrible. So, it's a good thing we're in this contract. So, any other questions? So, um is there a motion to move item 4 a to the council agenda? So, second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carry. Motion carried. That um wraps [clears throat] up our committee of the whole meeting. I will make the motion to adjourn. I get a second. Second. All in favor?

I want to jump right into council. Um, you want to cover something? Sure. Yes.

I now call the order of the city council meeting of January 28, 2026. The time is now 7:10 p.m. Pastor Cop, will you lead us in prayer? God of all creation, of justice and mercy, we thank you on behalf of all who are gathered here tonight. We thank you for your many and abundant blessings. We thank you for the ability to be involved in useful work and for the honor of bearing appropriate responsibilities. We thank you for our community and all who serve it. This evening, I pray for each person here who is intent on doing good work. Give them the spirit of service. Remind them that they are stewards of your authority. Guide them to be the leaders the people need to represent all members of the community fairly to make decisions that promote the common good. Bless their efforts with insight, guided by understanding and wisdom. Help them act with integrity of character and conviction. Help them to discern your will and work to create a strong and healthy community. Lord, I pray for the agenda set before them today. Please give an assurance of what would please you and what would benefit those who live and work in our city. Finally, Lord, renew them with the strength of your presence and joy of helping to build a worthy community. I'm confident in your goodness and love. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please call [clears throat] the role. Member Paw, present. Member present. Member Wyrick here. Member Matheni here. Member McClester here. Member Pratt here. Member Stalker here. Seven present.

Okay. For consideration, I will make a motion to approve as presented the minutes from the December 15th, 2025 city council meeting. Is there a second? I'll second. All in favor? I oppose. Passes. Is there a motion to approve as presented the 2025 final appro appropriations as approved by ordinance 61 2025 and the December 2025 and fiscal year 2025 finance reports? Motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. All in favor?

Oppos are approved. Can I get a motion to approve as presented the contract awards for the city hall HVAC system replacement and the police department renovation project and the 9inth street northeast waterline replacement and roadway construction. Motion to approve. I will second. All in favor?

Opposed? Motion approved. And finally, is there a motion to approve as presented the purchase of a Chevy Silverado 3500 sign truck with corresponding equipment and a wart gin W60 milling machine for the street department and a Caterpillar 306 excavator for the water distribution department. Motion to approve. Is there a second? A second. All in favor?

And opposed? Okay, motion is approved. do not believe we have anyone on the list to speak on the topics for tonight's agenda. So, we will move on to new business. I get a motion to suspend council rule 23 to allow consideration of all items from the proceeding committee of the whole. Second.

All in favor? I post. Motion carries. Okay. At [clears throat] this time, the floor is open to nominations for two council representatives to the CRI CR housing council for a three-year term ending December 31st, 2028. Nominees must be members of council. Um Jamie, are you on it? Do you still wish to be on it? No, I can pass that toward somebody else. All right. Um Mr. Or I think we spoke earlier. I would like to nominate you to be a member of the CRA. I'll accept. Okay. Um, can we do both at the same time, Liam? Oh, yeah. If we have just the two,

we have anyone else on council that would be interested in participating in the CRA? I'll do that. You do that? Okay, Mr. Stockard. Thank you. All right. Um, I guess I have to ask, do you accept the nomination? I won't nominate you. I do accept. Okay. We're official now. All right. All right. So, now the floor is closed for any further nominations. Um, we have Mr. uh Mr. Orur and Mr. Stalker. May I get a motion to appoint both of these gentlemen to council representative to the CRA Housing Council? Make a motion. Second. Okay. All in favor?

I I Oh, we do need to do a ballot. Oh, no. Since there's only two, it's just those two. That's good. Motion carries. So, they're good. Thank you, gentlemen, for for volunteering for that.

Okay. First up, ordinance 032026, first reading, financing property committee. Liam, would you please read the title? An ordinance authorizing the mayor of the city of North Canton to enter into a contract by and between the city of North Canton and the Stark County Public Defenders Office for the purpose of providing legal counsel to indig indigent North Canton residents in Camp Municipal Court for a period of one year commencing January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2026 and declaring same to be an emergency. [clears throat]

I think we just covered it. I don't know if you need to cover anything else. I can't imagine if anything has come up in the past 10 minutes, right? All right. Is there a motion to adopt the first reading of ordinance 032026? Is there a second? Thank you. Is there a motion to suspend the rules of council requiring three readings? Motion to suspend and a second. Second. All in favor? I. Is there a motion to adopt ordinance 032026 under suspension of the rules? I'll make the motion. And is there a second? Second. All in favor?

I opposed. Motion passes. Okay. Item 7 C. Please read the title. Ordinance 04 2026. an ordinance establishing a new special revenue fund titled Amler Grant Fund and authorizing appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for a period beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2026.

I just want to say it's amazing to me to be able to get such a huge dollar amount for something that has been an issue in North Canton for so many years. This is going to be wonderful to see some remediation done for the mines. Well, if I'm not mistaken, we got the highest grand award. We are proud to say we got the largest award in the state. So, it was a quite a quite a great accomplishment by everybody on the team. It'll be u it'll be good to hear the updates as this progresses through. So, I know it's going to take more than months. It'll probably take years to to do, but it's awesome to start.

This it may be the biggest single grant that our city has ever gotten that that I am aware of anyway. That's that's massive. And it's worth noting that I know that a lot of those neighbors uh in the neighborhoods surrounding this area are very concerned about the the possibility of mines in and around that area. So, this is the best possible scenario that we could have. We're going to finally be able to map out those mines and remediate them and bring some stability to that land. Is there a motion to adopt the first reading of 042026? So move. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion passes. I will make the motion to suspend the rules of council requiring three readings. Can I get a second?

Second. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries also. And then finally, is there a motion to adopt for 2026 of the motion? Can I get a second? Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion passes. Liam, will you please read the title of resolution 05206? A resolution to renew the depository agreement with Huntington National Bank as the primary depository for active, interim, and inactive deposits of city funds for a period of 5 years beginning March 1st, 2026 and ending February 28th, 2031.

Again, I don't believe there's anything to add since the last meeting. I'm I'm unaware of any changes. That's good to know. Let's keep a good thing going. Can I get a motion to adopt the first reading of resolution 052026? Motion. Second. All in favor?

Resolution 505 2026. First reading passes. Moving on. Ordinance 06 2026. Liam, will you please read the title? an ordinance authorizing the mayor of the city of North Canton on behalf of the city of North Canton to enter into an agreement to participate in the Ohio Department of Transportation's cooperative purchasing program to contract for the purchase of sodium chloride for the 2026 2027 winter season and declining the same to be an emergency. We talked about it in committee of the whole. I don't think there's any changes. We need to make sure our street department gets the materials and the items they need to continue to do such a great job at a great cost.

Is there a motion to adopt adopt the first reading of ordinance 06 2026? Second. All in favor? I opposed. I will make the motion to suspend the rules of council requiring three readings. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. And is there a motion to adopt ordinance 062026 under suspension of the rules? Motion to adopt. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion passes. Good.

Okay, moving right along. Now we are to the speakers. Mr. Will you read the preamble? At this time, members of the public who have signed up to address city council will be called to do so. Each speaker will be given five minutes. Speakers shall be called in the order they signed up. During this section, comments shall be limited to items reasonably under the city's authority. The rules for speaking and the speaker's time will appear on the screens. After you have finished speaking, please remain at the podium to answer questions from the officials of the day. [clears throat]

Mr. Roarball, the podium is yours. You'll start with your name and address. 217 Holland Street Southwest tonight. Uh just uh first welcome back everybody. It's uh I guess technically your first real one, so you got a good break. Um uh few things I want to touch on. Um first off, I want to read something. Everybody once I read this will have their own various thoughts and interpretations. I don't intend any of this to be political. We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America. I I read that because um we have a mixed group here uh amongst the council, mixed group in up in city hall um of opinions, thoughts, political backgrounds. Um we are a nonpartisan government city, but it is also known that there are different things out there. Uh anybody any of you have paid any attention the last couple days? We are starting as a city to pop up in the conversations on social media. Uh from people that like to hide and be anonymous. In fact, all of you in YouTube land out there, I hope you can hear me and see me tonight and don't choose to come because many of you choose not to come but stay home behind your keyboard. Um, but they'll post anonymously about their anonymous children, anonymous sightings. They'll

use fake names, other things. Most of you know I have a Facebook group uh with the title speak freely. We do speak freely. It is a vetted group. We try to put factual information on there. Uh, previously Mr. Young would correct us if we put some incorrect information on there. Is appreciated. Uh, I don't think I've ever talked to you about that, Jason, but if we can work on that, if you ever see that kind of things like that. Anyway, um, it's also been noted that I am the messenger boy for the city. I have made it comments before. I am not the messenger boy for the city. My opinions are my own. I will say what I want to say. I am here to support our city along my family. I've mentioned many times goes back to the 30s in North Canton. I support the growth of this city. I have not held back my thoughts on the current appearance of north of uh Main Street North and South. Um um I just want to uh but talking back about the parties and things. So with all these comments and all of you different opinions, I am one strongly believes in one common sense and two that there's not that you know there's friends and there's acquaintances. So not not everybody up there all seven of you do not need to be friends. You do need to build a strong acquaintance and hopefully work together. That's what I said when I congratulated you. Um, I hope that all of you work together and we have a great uh a lot of good development and good things happen in this city. There's going to be different things. I'm also proud to say I'm part of the 250th anniversary committee along with uh some other people in this room here. Uh we've got a lot of great ideas and things that are coming up with that. Uh we're going to be looking for a lot

of volunteers and a lot of sponsorship. Uh sponsorship's going to be big if uh anybody can uh put out the sponsorships there or donations for we're looking at currently a drone show in place of fireworks. Either route extremely expensive. We'd like to have something huge for the city together and bring a city together. So regardless of opinions, regardless of peaceful protest or disputes over the um form of water that may appear in a city unrelated to the current weather. Um let's all work together and do this peacefully. Let our law enforcement and our services take care of each other um and take care of what they need. Uh the Amler grant, great job. Uh, I hope that we can keep transparency on mines because I know a lot of people don't even have a clue about mines. I know previously, even on Witworth Street, there was a cave-in years ago right there by the Was. Uh, I want to shout out the awesome job to all of our services this weekend. I hope once this weather breaks and everything's finally completely cleaned up, maybe obviously not to the level of what we did for the gunmen that we can do another city recognition for all of them or something big to shout them out. I don't know, maybe you all go on various ride alongs in their street trucks with them or something. Um they law enforcement even everybody that was essential was there. So much um and we have a fantastic city. Everybody's bragging about it. It's in the city. The people outside the city are very jealous. So, great work to our city people.

Thank you, sir. Anything for me, question? No, thank you for all you do. Thank you. Okay, moving on to department reports. [clears throat] Troy.

All right, I'm first. Okay. Um, I do want to talk briefly. I didn't really um prepare much for for America 250, but um sponsorships are a huge deal and um I don't know about you, but I want to make it huge. I want it to be the best party we've ever thrown. And it's, you know, in this environment um like Mr. Mr. Roth said, it's, you know, this is our opportunity to come together and celebrate and, you know, just be one. So, I'm really excited for America 2 250. Um, thank you to our street C crew and our first responders. Um, can't give them enough praise. They they always do an amazing job. They always step up. Um, this was a ridiculous storm that we had and this this cold weather is I'm ready for it to be done already. It's Yeah, but um, amazing job there. Um along those lines, the cold has uh I think you know temporarily caused a lot of businesses to struggle. So if we could uh make an extra point to support our our our local businesses, I think they would sure appreciate that. Um other than that, it's all all got.

Thank you, Mayor. Miss Bina,

um I will also just give a little more detail on the um wonderful efforts of our entire service department in managing Snowageddon. you know, anyone who went out to Meyer or Acme or Giant Eagle saw, you know, the shelves were bare and we were all, we didn't know, we didn't know six six inches, 12 inches. We didn't know. Um, but they were well prepared and when it came down, it was all hands- on deck and we had every single service worker, so over 30 employees from the parks, from water, from streets, from sewer. We had water treatment plant operators, we had uh three people from the water treatment plant, we had every superintendent, we had every operations manager. um there wasn't anyone that you know didn't come in and help to some level that they could help and um they were really appreciated. We went down there and fed them. Thank you to those that supported the effort with me to go down and feed them because uh that meant a lot. You know, they were hungry, they were tired, and they worked all the way till like midnight that night. And then, you know, lucky them, they got a 5:00 a.m. call that there was a water main break and the water department was back out. And like they said, you know, they plowed till like midnight. They go home, they're peed up, they don't go to sleep right away. they finally fall asleep at 2 in the morning and the call came and right back at it. But that's all in an effort to keep everybody, you know, you know, having all the essential services you need, streets to get to work, water that you can, you know, turn on your tap, flush your toilets. Um, so really appreciate them. Um, also going out there and clearing the hydrants, you know, that was we saw a lot of residents doing that as well, recognizing that's an important thing when the snow plows covering in the hydrants and um, just fun fact, we were coming down the street and I said, "Okay, I see someone from fire. Who is that?" And it was our chief. I just expected to see a fire employee and it's a fire chief and he's out there digging out a hydrant. So, you know, from the top on down, they did everything great. Um, yes, our services staff is wonderful. I want to give a little shout out to my own administration staff on a few things. Um, um, Matt, thank you for being on America 250. The committee, as you know, is being led by our newest employee, Trisha Stag. And um if you've noticed our social media lately, you know, if

you've seen some posts, you'll see that is Trisha's experience coming across and really doing a lot more with our social media. And she's really leading that effort on uh America 250 and really we do need those sponsorships and she has a whole um packet together on the different levels that people can do. And uh you know, she's heading up social media. Great. And then um also in the written correspondence um Jennifer does our newsletter. And I know Sue, you came in and you met Jennifer and you complimented her and thank you because when someone comes in from the public and says, "I want to see the person who does this and we called Jennifer to the front and you know, she puts a lot of work into making that a good publication for our community that's informative and that's valuable and not just people throw it in the trash, they read it, they put it on their refrigerator, it's helpful information." So, uh, she's been doing great with that. Um Liam does everything and uh we were closed as you know on Monday. Uh but we weren't closed. I mean they took a ton of calls because we are so lucky with technology now we have this go-to phone app that our phones follow us. We can never stop working. So uh if they thought they were calling the city and ringing a city phone, you were ringing people sitting at home and they took a heck of a lot of calls and people were calling a lot on Monday. What's going on? or my my mailbox got plowed in and if you know or damaged and if that happened just let us know. We [clears throat] take care of it. Um a lot of snow calls.

I think we took close to 60 calls. Yeah. Did not stop ringing day.

Yeah. And uh you know Jason's been hitting up so much. Could not do it without him. You know, right arm and, you know, running point on a lot of projects and continuing. We got a lot going on in 26. Build a new fire station. We got the rena of the police department. Now we got the Amler grant. um you know a lot of things going on. Um so I wanted to note also note in our department we have a new employee coming in. So our new admin assistant is starting on February 9th and her name is Kyra Baker and she will backfill the position uh Danielle was in. So that's been open since November when she left and and you know we wanted to take time to find the right person. So we will now have our front staff fully staffed to answer the calls. Um, so, uh, I just wanted to also say on that America 250, um, committee, um, yeah, like I echo what you say, we've got some great things planned and so we'll be putting it out more and more to people. I don't know if you saw the most recent social media post, you can click and order this banner. It's pretty cool and that's coming from the America 250. Um, and I don't think it was very expensive, too. I think it was reasonably priced. And, you know, uh, we want to have the the parade to be the best it is and they're planning a, uh, picnic. We've talked about that or maybe on the Hoover lawn. It's going to be like a big old fashion community picnic. So, a lot of stuff happening in 2026. It's going to be a big year. Um, and I just appreciate every appreciate everybody's help. That's all I have. Well, I forgot. Wait. Oh, I would never do the end of it. Kelly Kelly, our HR person, she's working really hard right now. She got the position for Chyro. We still have a code enforcement position open. Still recruiting for that over in the building department. some police positions, some fire positions, a lot of HR work. Um, she's she's been doing. That's all.

Oh, I did forget something as well. Oh, it is Jim Berdovich's 32nd birthday today. And Matt is showing me the picture of Kona. Vote for Kona. He's winning. Oh, yeah. He's by a landslide. Good. Jason,

I'll just be brief. Um, I wanted to just say a little bit more about the Amler grant. I know it figured heavily into the agenda, so I won't belabor it, but we were thrilled to get it. Um, like we mentioned, it was the largest award in the state of Ohio. And, uh, I wanted to again just compliment our team for putting that application together. And I wanted to just encourage everybody here with a lot of the good work that the city has done in the past couple years because I know from talking to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, one thing that really put us over the top I believe was that the city of North Canton and our CIC had demonstrated the ability to take a blighted and defunct property in the old Kmart and turn it into all the development you see at Meyer. And I know they really took that into consideration because one thing that state agencies do look at is does this community have the capacity to actually do economic development work. So we are excited it can help get that land um along Stratavan and Oregon back into productive uh reuse. And the grant will have two parts. One is uh for the identification specifically of where the mines are. The second part is for the remediation, which would involve filling them in, and some of that's dependent on development. We'll find out a lot more. This is our first Amler grant. No one at the city uh before that I'm aware of has ever worked with one. Um but we'll we'll build the plane as we're flying it. So, that's all I had.

Thank you. Thank you, Jim.

Yeah. So, um I kind of just [clears throat] kind of wanted to go over 2025 from a financial standpoint uh briefly. Um we we feel we had a really good year financially. Um the general fund um rose 29% which is about $2.7 million to 11.9 million. Um S&P when we did our uh bonds um they do our credit rating on us and that was one of their big um big recommendations was to increase the general fund. So, um, we were able to do that. We because we, um, we had really good income tax. Um, we went up about 6% of income tax last year. Obviously, we watched our spending. Um, but increased [clears throat] by $630,000 um, from, you know, the year previously in 2024. Um, interest also u rose by $315,000 from 2024 to 2025. um giving getting us about $964,000 in interest. Um or previously was 648. Part of that's from the fire station bonds that we received for the new fire station, but a good portion of that is general fund money. Um and then you know me, I like to talk about our water statistics every quarter, every year. So um our water customers grew by uh 17 um from 24 to 205. um sort of gradual businesses or not as much residential but I definitely have some new businesses. Um a enrollments increased by about 300 um about 3,900 customers are enrolled in AC which is which is really really good for us. Um then auto pay totals we have about 4,000 people on autopay increase of 326. So, we're really happy about how the year ended and we're looking forward to um 2026 here. Um we know some of that

fund balance will be used on um the police station renovation and um city HVAC. Um so, I don't think we're expecting a huge increase in fund balance for general fund next year, but um these are onetime expenses that we will have. So, thank you. I think finance department we'll have to keep track of funds for general [clears throat] ledger accounts of accounts. Yes. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Hot.

Uh not a lot. Just wanted to say, you know, glad to be back to work uh with city council stuff. We're going to have a lot of stuff coming this year. Uh, I got a lot of projects that I'm cooking right now that aren't ready for prime time yet, but as we go through the year, I'll be bringing those out and we got a lot of exciting work coming up. So, just looking forward to it. And I guess while I've got the air time, uh, I do not have a spring intern yet. So, if you know anybody that needs a spring internship, college sophomores, juniors, even seniors, uh, that want to get their experience in public policy, this is a great place to start. And I have been told by my previous interns that I'm a pretty cool boss. So sign up for the internship and come work with me.

I knew you were going to say that. [laughter] I'll second. We should chat with Terry since I forgot her. Thank you. Well, let's move on to council reports. Want to start us off, please?

Yeah, absolutely. So, um, yeah, a couple things that I wanted to talk about. Um, first of I'm sure many people here on the council side will be thanking the uh the fine folks of our uh our snow palm drivers. Um, trying to waver the point, but just what a difference it is going from North Canton just in we won't mention our friends over here. Um, but I mean it literally you think your streets are clean and then when you hit, you know, you're heading to the highway in that uh township to our uh be to our west. Um, yeah, definitely was a difference. Um, I'll even throw out that I was able to go to work on Monday, but um, I had a coworker who lives in a city that ends in green uh, to the north of us. It wasn't that down the street. So, um, thank you again to other folks driving the plows. Um, Katherine, I think you touched on this. I was actually going to bring this up as well. Just something that I observed. I won't belabor this either, but the hydrants, digging out the hydrants. Um, so the former police or fire chief Kazaki around the corner. I'm driving down the road and I see this absolutely perfectly dug out fire hydrant. I'm like, "Oh, well that's right. Here's a former fire chief." Um, I almost stopped and took a picture when I saw the city had something right up on the website. So, just wanted to second that that you dig out those fire hydrants. And it's amazing when you drive around just how many um fire hydrants are still dug in. I mean, far more than what the city could, you know, send a person out to do. Um, so, you know, if it's in your front yard or in front of your business, you know, please dig it out a little bit. So, um I had an interesting conversation with a with a resident here recently in regards to noise and I've talked with a couple of you guys um in regards to noise complaints and I realize that noise complaints aren't something that we're getting regularly or even in large quantities. I had a great conversation with Liam and thank you very much for the information you sent me. I I know that the complaints

are relatively small, but I just wonder if there's maybe interest in maybe revisiting this. Um you I felt like there was a lady we tried to solve a problem for her a couple years ago. We just weren't able to solve it. So I for one would be interested in having a conversation again. Um maybe it's something we can move forward. Maybe it's some something we can look and see what other municipalities are doing. But I just I I feel really bad for this this woman what she's going through. So, um maybe something we could think about um as opposed to taking a poll here, but uh just something to think about. Um lastly, um I'm interested in and I plan to start board meetings uh this year. I plan to do three of them. Um so, this will be something that's no agenda, uh no long stump speech. I promise it will simply be an opportunity for Ward One residents to come and you know as a location as an alternative to a city council meeting to come and talk and unfortunately he's not here this evening but I want to thank uh Mark and Zetta. He and I had a conversation. The first W one meeting will be at from 5:30 to 7:00 at Mama Gazardi on March 12th. And the goal will be to have uh three of these uh probably quarter one well definitely quarter one here probably quarter three and quarter four this year. Uh the goal would be to have them at local businesses to also highlight them as well. So if you are a W one resident, I hope to see you on March 12th. And again, thanks to Mark and Zetta for uh allowing us to book their boarding room. That's all I got.

Thank you. Thanks. This week,

all right. Um thanks to Streets obviously and all. I I remember I think it was Todd Reed who is our I'll call him our electric guy. I'm sure he has a much more efficient title, but he told me that because he has a truck, he has to show up every time the the uh snow comes and they have to plow. So, it's definitely not just the streets guys, it's everyone with a truck and apparently I don't know what number you said, a lot of people. So, I appreciate that. Um, and just kind of, you know, I'm just starting in my third term here and Katherine, I just want to I was also going to mention administration and the mayor's office and just the I wrote down teamwork, trust, and Trisha. Um, so which is really, but I feel like the teamwork that's happening in city hall right now is not like anything I've ever seen. And I feel like I just see the trust and I see that you're all working together so well. And then you brought on Trisha who has this like events background and this marketing background and we have talked forever about needing someone in a role like that. So everyone else of course is doing amazing work too but Trisha is the new person who I just I'm excited um and I get to work with her you know in my other role as well. So I have a lot of experience already working with her and I'm just excited that was a really good hire. Then I guess I will talk a bit about the parks master plan. We have had two of three of our meetings, our team meetings with the consultant and our city team for those. So, that's coming along well. Um, we'll have something, I don't know, within the next couple months, I would say we'll have that plan to share with everyone and that will kind of help guide where we're going with parks and recreation going forward. Um, there will be a lot of options. we won't be able to do everything right away at all, but I'm really excited to at least have a plan so we're not kind of going for the next

shiny thing like we have been for a while now. And I think that's it. Mr. War, well, a couple things. Um, the communication the city has amongst ourselves is great. Matt, [clears throat] thank you for reaching out. Katherine, thank you for reaching out. Mr. Deini, thank you for reaching out. We never had that,

you know, and and that makes you, you know, great. We're more on top of things than we ever have been before. Um to um Mr. McCleaster, uh we're going to be having ward meetings in Ward 4, too. Matt and I had talked about it, and we're going to be starting probably the end of February. I'm trying to nail down uh a date for that. Um Katherine, I had a question. um seems kind of it came up when there was no snow on the ground. Okay.

When can we get the street sweeper out? What temperature and stuff? Because I think the the the ro the they're they're in bad shape. We didn't have time as residents or uh even the city to clean up the leaves like we've had in the past. Yeah. It was a crazy year, wasn't it? I kept saying that I was shoveling snow with leaves in it. of breaking the leaves out of the snow. I'll check. I don't know what I didn't know if there was a certain temperature or something like that. I know they winterize a lot of vehicles, too. See where that process is, but I'll check with the super.

Okay. We would I had a couple calls on that. And then I had several calls thanking us for the snow removal. [clears throat] Oh, our roads have never looked so great. And I go, they haven't. and I've driven to Plane Township and out west and even up in Green and Lake and they don't compare. So, um, but that's about all I have award for. Thank you, Mr. Bar. Thank you, M. Per.

Um, thank you to everyone who came out tonight. If you told me we were going to have a major snowstorm and we were going to postpone our meeting first of the year and we'd move to a Wednesday night and you all would be here, I would have not bet my salary on that. So, um, thank you for coming out because I know it's cold and I know not everyone's street is perfect, but um, Matt, thank you for speaking. Thank you for your participation in the America 250. Um, speaking of the America 250, I did see Trish's post selling the banners and whatever else. So, I went out and I bought today. I if I if I can shop, I'm going to do it. So, I went out. Um, don't be discouraged. It is through the government open gov website. It looks like you're applying for a permit when you first land on the page. It's just that I think the landing page to take an order and a payment from you. Um, but I ordered a couple garden flags and a nice 2x3. And the cool part is it says North Camp, Ohio on it. So, how neat of a keepsake that will be. So, go out and do that. Um, it's been a while since we've met, so I've been keeping a couple notes. So, if you'll um allow me, January 9th was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Um I saw so much sentiment on social media and out in the community how well um loved our police department and our safety services are here. So, we appreciate you. Please pass that along to the crew. Um January 11th, um I'm very passionate about the youth in this community, so you'll hear from me on them frequently. Um, students in Hoover Instrumental and Vocal Programs participated in the Ohio Music Education Association solo and ensemble adjudicated event. And that's a mouthful. Um, this is an event that was held at Washington Mass High School. These are students in choir and in instrumental studies who spent months preparing [clears throat] a solo or maybe a group quartet or an ensemble or something and they they they work towards this one day where they go and they sit in front of a judge and a bunch of strangers in an audience and they

perform and then they receive you know critique of their performance and sometimes that's a really difficult thing um for a freshman through a senior to do. I did that 30 plus years ago. Uh, Council Member Mcclester probably did a few times, too. Um, and so I remember what that was like. So, I wanted to say, I can't name them all, but I did get numbers. In the band department, there were 51 performances. And out of that, there were 37 superiors, 13 excellent, and one good rating. And over in the choir department, there were 28 performances. They had 20 superiors, seven excellent, and one good. And so, um, props to them, their private instructors, the band directors, Mr. Varn, Mrs. V, Mr. Wolf, um, choir director, Mr. Barry. Um, props to all of them how they represented North Canton on that day. And then like everyone else, thank you to the crews. Um, it is a big deal to go out, I think, and people don't understand the amount of stress on someone to work those long hours. Thank you, Catherine, for coordinating some food for them. Um, and you know, yeah, the water main break, not everybody hears about that. So that's crazy to go to bed and get right back up and fix it. That's a lot of work. Um, just really appreciate all that they do. I feel like this was probably their Super Bowl um this storm. [clears throat] You know, it doesn't come like this very often. So, um I'm very impressed. I saw somebody on social media on one of the pages say she had been out um shoveling her driveway. She had just gotten done. It was it was perfect and pretty. And then here came our plow and deposited some snow at the end of the drive. and she was not complaining, but apparently this plow driver of ours saw this and backed up and then cleaned that up.

How amazing is that? Like they can't do that for everybody, but that was a great thing to read and see that you know that person's clearing all these streets and then had that personal um touch. So, thank you to all of them. That's all I bet. Thank you, Mr. Stalker. [clears throat]

Thank you. Um just to mention what Miss Perpine just did, the resident in question She's a single mom with a with a younger child with a developmental disability. So, I mean, if if uh if somebody was going to be picking a resident to do that for, she was exactly the right person. So, when I read that, I was it was it was pretty emotional. So, um along with everyone else, I want to thank uh the the crews that that cleaned our streets. Um amazing. Um I want to highlight um what I would call the servant leadership of Mr. Brian Hill. Um you mentioned Katherine that all the supervisors were there pitching in there were 30 people you know um when when when there is a a leader such as Brian it becomes very readily apparent that people respond to that and they work harder for people like him. Um it's going to be retiring soon, but uh you know um what a swan song, right? To to to go out on. Uh yeah, definitely Super Bowl uh for sure. Um as the utilities chair, I just wanted to to briefly mention that the city has Jim mentioned it an automatic payment plan option for utilities and it is very easy and convenient uh to sign up. Uh there's a very short brief uh authorization form online and then you simply provide your checking account information either by dropping it off at city hall or emailing it uh or putting it through through the mail. Um and if anybody has any questions, they could certainly reach out to city administration or to myself. But um you know we would uh encourage everybody to really take advantage of that because it's it's seamless, it's paperless, it's uh all of that. So and then um lastly um I I would like to

thank Matt Burbach for speaking up tonight. Um civil discourse um with our municipal, state, and and [clears throat] federal government is probably more important than ever before. And so I want to thank you for taking the time to do so um to to speak up. I appreciate your commitment to North Canton and to our citizens and having the courage to to get up and and talk. So I appreciate that. Thank you. That's it.

Thank you. Thanks. Uh yeah, just going last. Uh same song. Uh thanks to street department uh goes deeper than the snow. Uh helps out the cops, helps out the fire and the EMS, get the people that have other things going on when we've got uh you know that kind of weather coming through. Uh life doesn't stop. So it's everyone's uh you know working together and and helping each other out whether or not we realize it or not. It goes it goes through with so many things. So uh thanks to all of them. Uh, it's still probably the coolest thing to see two or three plow trucks side by side pushing stuff. Um, and uh, yeah, I think we have a lot of good leadership and dedication and they couldn't do it as good as they do it if they didn't enjoy doing it and being part of something that's, you know, bigger than just, you know, one of them. So, uh, thanks to all those guys, um, and, uh, the planning that goes into that. Uh, also just New Year, uh, permits for 10 bucks, you can get your fire permit. Uh, if you if you set yourself up with with it now, you won't have to worry about, uh, getting that when when you decide to to have a small fire outside. So, uh, also help to not hit those guys at the fire department all at once when they're doing their inspections. Spread it throughout the year. That way, uh, you can utilize it and, uh, [snorts] and, uh, kind spread it out for those guys doing the inspection. So, that's it. Thank you.

Good reminder. Thank you. Um, I'll be brief. Um, so much has been said and and it's it deserves to be repeated, but I won't go there. But I did get several calls from residents thanking the crews and I just want the the crews to know that everybody appreciates that and they're trying to voice how can you say thank you. We appreciate that. We're embarking on a new year. It's a new council year and there's going to be challenges um opportunities and um maybe some challenges along the way. But I have to say that that we have the team to get that done from everybody that works in the city. Their care for this community wanting to do what's best for this community is evident from the comments that were made tonight, the comments that have been made on social media. We're all neighbors and we need to take care of each other. Thank you. Okay, we need to move into an executive session. I will make the motion to enter into an executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment of a public employee as permitted by OC 121.22G1. We get a second.

Second, we do a roll call. Member Perpon, yes. Member, yes. [snorts] Member Wyrick, yes. Member, yes. Member, yes. Member Pratt, yes. Member Stalker, yes. Seven in favor, zero opposed. Passes. I will also make a motion to enter into an executive session for the purpose of discussing the purchase or sale of property as permitted by OC 1212 G2. Get a second. Second. Member Kot. Yes. Member Ore. Yes. Member Wy. Member Matheni. Yes. Master. Yes. Member Pratt. Member Stock.

Yes. Seven in favor. Zero. Option passes. At this time, council is in executive session. Let record reflect. Council will be joined by directors of administration, deputy director of finance, the clerk of council, and

I will make a motion to adjourn the executive session. Can I have a second? Second. All in favor? I opposed. Let the record reflect no action was taken and we are now adjourned from executive session. Okay. Thanks everybody. Now, as of right now, no items have been submitted for the committee of the whole February 2nd. Our council clerk has made a recommendation that we cancel that meeting

for lack of agenda. So, uh can I get a motion to amend the meeting's calendar to cancel the February 2nd, 2026 committee of the whole meeting due to lack of agenda? Can I uh say when a lot of people we're just coming back from a break and taking another break even though there's no agenda?

There's no agenda for the committee meeting but it it bodess the question. Do we start talking about changing our schedules and [snorts] have a committee meeting and a council meeting but have three meetings a month instead of four? I don't know. Something that we need to think about, but without an agenda, we're going to come here. We're going to open a meeting. We're going to have nothing to say. And then we're going [snorts] to a jury because there's nothing to cover. There's nothing there's nothing new to move to a council. What is the deadline to submit? What is that what you're talking about? No, they technically owe me everything by Tuesday at noon. Got it. Okay. Okay. Yeah. So, nobody submitted anything for Monday's meeting. And it's Wednesday. It's not like Wednesday. Okay. Got it.

Does that make sense? I just wonder what the people think. We just came off of a break and now we're get that on the record. Yes. And that's good. So, we do have a motion on the floor. I'll second. All in favor? Okay. So, the strip meeting for the second has been cancelled. We do have a meeting on the 9th. That is a full council meeting with public speaks. February 16th, 2026. There will be no meeting yet another holiday. And then we'll double up meetings with no I'm sorry 23rd February

20 motion to second. All in favor?