City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the council meeting for Monday, July 6th, 2026. Before we begin, I would ask you to please turn your cell phones to the off position or put them on silent out of respect for the council chambers. We'll begin with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mrs. Rothgary, would you lead us in the pledge? I pledge allegiance 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. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, may we have roll call, please?

Yes, Madam President. Mr. Syrah? Here. Mr. Van Warmer? Here. Mr. Armstrong? Here. Ms. Rothgary? Here. Ms. Davis? Here. Mr. Tillett? Here. Mr. Lippian? Here. Mr. Oswald? Here. Mr. Doney? Here. Mr. Schneider? Here. Ms. Mitchell?

Here.

All present, Madam President.

Thank you. Mr. Clark, do we have any public hearings?

We have one. You are hereby notified that a public hearing will be held on Monday, July 6th, 2026 at 7 p.m. to consider the following. Notice is hereby given that copies of the proposed tax budget, estimated unencumbered balances, estimated revenues, and estimated expenditures of the City of Elyria, County of Lorain, State of Ohio for the calendar fiscal year of 2027 will be on the file Thursday, June 25th, 2026 in the offices of the City Finance Director and the Clerk of Council and will be available for public inspection We're contacting the finance or the city council offices pursuant to the requirement of the law. The proposed tax budget indicates that estimated revenues, estimated unencumbered balances, and estimated expenditures for the year 2027.

Thank you. Are there any proponents? Mr. Pulaski. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. What you have before you is the 2027 tax budget. As you know, we're required every year to prepare this, and what it does, it begins the appropriation process for the next calendar and fiscal year. When I submit this to Lorain County Budget Commission, they will prepare our certificate of estimated resources for next year. And this document will be amended at the end of this year for actual cash balances. As you know, the first column in the document is estimated on incumbent balances as of January 1, 2027. So when I have the final numbers in for the year, we'll amend this for actual cash balances and amend it accordingly as revenues come in or don't come in. But upon your approval, I will submit it to the Lorain County Budget Commission. Thank you. Thank you.

Are there any proponents? Are there any opponents? Are there any opponents? Are there any opponents? Are there any opponents? I declare this public hearing has been held.

in ordinance adopting the tax budget of the City of Elyria, Ohio for the fiscal year beginning January 1st, 2027 and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Tolat. Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency. Second.

Second by Mr. Snider. Are there any questions?

Question.

On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye.

Opposed?

On the emergency, all in favor say aye. Aye.

Opposed?

On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.

Ordinance 2026-82.

Thank you. That's all public hearings. Thank you. Can I get a motion for approval of the minutes?

So moved. Second.

Moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried. We'll have remarks and reports from city officials. Mayor Brubaker.

Yes, thank you, Madam President. Just a couple, two quick items, and then we'll have Monet Roberts come and speak briefly on updates on ECP. I want to thank police, fire, our street department, our electricians, our water department for the excellent event at West Park last Thursday for our 250th celebration, and of course, Carrie and her team with the Parks and Rec Department for the showcasing our park and making that event happen. Also to Councilman Lippian, who sang a great rendition of the National Anthem prior to the event. It was a team effort, but Carrie and her team really set the bar high for this year's event, so we want to thank them for that. Secondly, and I know there are folks here to potentially speak to or listen to, we were notified late last week that Love Retail has severed their purchase arrangement with the church property on Chestnut Ridge. So Love Retail itself will not be moving forward with their specific project, but in conference and agreement with the law director's office, the church owner or the church property who owns it would like to continue on with the rezone, so that will still move forward. We currently do not have a project before us on what potentially could go there, but Love Retail and the church ownership have severed those ties. So that project, as previously detailed, will not be moving forward as it was. SO I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. AND THEN ALSO I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE, YOU GUYS KNOW MONET ROBERTS FROM THE ELEVATE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE ON ECP'S ACTIVITIES. WITH YOUR PERMISSION, MADAM PRESIDENT.

THANK YOU. MRS. ROBERTS, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. NO.

Okay. Monet Roberts, Elyria Community Partnership, 225 East Avenue, Elyria, Ohio. Thank you all for having me today. I really do appreciate it. I promise to be brief because I know that you all are enjoying summer recess and I want to get back to my almost two-year-old who's become a little wild child. One day I will have to bring her into these meetings when she understands. But yes, thank you all for the investment that you all have made into this organization and this community. I would like to say, not just to City Council, but to the City of Elyria administration staff and every department that we work with, the efforts that we put forth would not be able to be possible without the support. Over the conception of the organization, I think we can all attest to the difference that is being made downtown Elyria, not just because of our organization, but because of collaborations and partnerships that we've been able to manage and connect with. Since conception, we have been able to leverage over $700,000 in operating and program support. That is above, more than what the city has already invested. So in total, we're looking at a million. But overall, we've been able to leverage 700 additional thousand dollars. These dollars help us achieve things that go into investments like the $70,000 business developments that we've been able to do, whether that's marketing and technical support grants or direct marketing support or actual funding that's going into business owners' pockets to help them support. I will say that since our conception, we have probably seen at least four of the storefronts that are downtown that have come through our program somehow, some way. One of the amazing success stories that I cannot say enough is Kia with Creations by Kianga. She is an amazing attestment to just coming in for a business networking event, volunteering with us, working the system, using the grants, using the programming that we offered. and now having a very successful business and a growing platform. So we're extremely excited about that development. We have also been able to close an $18 million investment with Foster Senior Lofts. Ms. Davis, we appreciate you and the investment that you have made and the council's support in approving that at the time that it was needed. I know change isn't always readily acceptable, but I think we've seen the result of that investment, and it's been an absolutely amazing thing to see. As of today, there are 18 occupied units. 14 are in the process, and there's 14 remaining. Out of that 14, there are eight project-based vouchers that are remaining out of the 14. Now, those vouchers do have to go through Lorain Metropolitan Housing or Raise Up first before they can be readily available to the community, but they are going through that waitlist process. So we are extremely excited about that. We've also invested, of our own dollars, over $250,000 in placemaking, support, wayfinding, things like that that are going to help shift the dynamic and transformation in Elyria. So the money that you all have put in to support this organization I think is truly showcasing a remarkable difference in our community and I think people are starting to notice it more and more. So hats off to you all for recognizing the need and continuing to invest in this need because it is a need that continues to bring additional funding into this community. One of the other items that I just wanted to mention, because I do want to be brief with you all, just for projects this year, we have one looking glass marker that we are set to establish July 24th with the Lorain County Visitors Bureau. That is an extremely exciting investment that has already been approved through the design review process. and we plan to have another one installed probably next spring depending on some things with the sidewalk enhancements that are happening in the future so we have those looking glass markers the mural that was supposed to happen on the side of city hall as of right now the mural is on pause but that is only because we are identifying if the wall needs to be replaced not necessarily the wall being replaced, but if we need to move forward with a different wall or a different artist. And either way we will keep our commitment to pay the artist that we do have and move forward with a different artist if needed. But we do plan to have a mural up this year. Housing development, we are in the process of finalizing a housing rehab program with CHN. This is an amazing opportunity that will also allow us to have an earned income source. So that is something that we are working on to build our own revenue sources because we understand the commitment from you all and we want to continue to do things for the future even beyond the commitment from you all, beyond commitments from other grants. We want to continue to do the work that we're doing because this community identifies the need, and I think we've all identified the need that it's bringing. We have some downtown development rehab projects that we're currently working on. As of right now, in this moment, ECP is working on either identifying a developer for a project that we've started to have conversations with the administration about, or to identify a series of buildings that we can make key projects and have some feasibility studies and kind of get those positioned for future development opportunities. So we are actively working on how ECP plays a role in development downtown Elyria. And I think that's pretty much it. I wanted to make sure I touched on a few things. We've been able to support events a lot more this year, so we're excited about that. I hope that you all are engaging in the activities that are happening. We were able to help actually Elyria Black Legacy with the carriage ride photos. We're still continuing to do Garford Arts Festival mural underpass investment so that artists can get paid for their support and we can continue to beautify that underpass. Working with several different events and we have our own events of course. We want to see you all for Third Thursday, our upcoming Dining Under the Stars event and many more. So with that being said, I just want to say thank you again. I do not think you all know how important the investment that you are making is playing, not just for the support of our organization, but for leveraging the funds that are coming into this community to continue to revitalize and create an amazing community that we can all thrive in and enjoy. So thank you all again.

Thank you, Mrs. Roberts. We appreciate Illyria partnerships as well. Are there any questions for Mrs. Roberts? Thank you. Hold on, Mrs. Roberts. Come back up, Mrs. Davis.

Through you, Madam Chair. This is wonderful. Of course, the new senior law office in my ward, and those of you that have not seen it, just drive by. It's a luxury apartment, and we thank you for that. But my question is, is there any news on the other end of the foster loft?

As of right now, it really depends on scoring and how the state scores that area. Because of projects like this costing as much as they do, they can't be possible without the funding support from the federal end. It really depends on the scoring. As of right now, it's not scoring the best, which is likely due to the amazing investments that are happening throughout the community and other areas. Elyria is clearly seeing the housing surge in affordability and housing throughout the community, so we're appreciative of that, but it is making that area a little bit harder to score.

Thank you, Mrs. Roberts.

Absolutely.

Before I move on, are there any questions for the mayor? Thank you. Safety Service Director Pianowski.

Thank you, through you. At each of your stations, there is a sticker. That is the sticker that we have created that will be placed on the top of recycling cans. As a reminder, a last second before you put it in the can reminder for folks to check what they're putting in the can, or as a reference point, we will start doing can audits tomorrow. And what that means is we will physically have employees from the sanitation department checking cans, lifting the lid, seeing what's in there. If there are any contaminants, we've made a tag that will be filled out to provide feedback. That tag will be attached to the can. We also have a sheet that we're tracking the results so that we can, the plan is to do multiple audits so the initial audit netted this result future audit will be this showing improvement and showing if we have particular contaminants that are repetitive how we might address that through additional educational information so that process is all starting now so much of it is about educating the customers about what is the appropriate things to recycle and then the second step is for lack of a better word the enforcement of you know following through with that and and and providing them feedback. So thus far, we've had, for the last couple of weeks, we've had 11 of our routes going to the recycling center, which is up from one. So we've increased significantly the amount of recycling materials that is going to the recycling center, and we'll continue to work on bringing the contamination levels down and increase those loads. We have a couple that are pretty regularly over the contamination limit, so we've made the decision until we can get them down but we'll keep working at that. And we've seen good feedback from the public. We've had questions asked of the sanitation department, which to me says people number one care, but they're also paying attention. And so they're calling to get clarity and additional information. So we'll keep working that, but it will be a long process and audits will be somewhat regular. So if you see somebody in an orange vest looking in your can from a city of Elyria truck, don't get alarmed. It's just us trying to make sure that what's going to the recycling center belongs here. So that'll start tomorrow and continue on for some time.

Thank you. Are there any questions? Mr. Schneider.

Thank you, Madam President. Safety Service Director Paunowski, these are great. Thank you. I think some, not all, but sometimes the issue with the recycle bins is if you take your trash out at night, they're both dark, one's not blue like many other municipalities, and this could help people identify when it's dark out which one is the recyclable or just a reminder that this one is the recyclable. So I think this is a great program. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Oswald.

Through you, Madam President. So I don't know now. It's either 1024 or 2410 Golf Road. It's directly across from Berkeley. And I know we've had it for a long time. I've called in tall grass. The house is inhabited. There's nobody there. I wouldn't want to cut the grass over there. It's very dangerous with this. Can you tell me anything that's going on with that?

Yes, through you. It's on my list. I drive that route, especially with the construction going on on Abbey. I come that way often. Quite frankly, I've had a hard time getting the address because the mailbox is knocked over.

Me too.

And so I did see this morning for the first time, and I saw it clear enough that I think it says 1024. So it's on my list. It'll be reported. And I'll also talk with the building department about visiting the property. What do we know about it? Not just the tall grass. We'll look at it for the larger issues as well.

um thanks madam president and the other thing they planted grass just down the street in that empty lot um and it's starting to grow up um and it's looking good it was one of our houses we knocked down i think whatever but whoever did that i said that they did a nice job grading it and i believe are they seeding that doing that in-house

Yes, through you. That is being done in-house. I'm not sure if Dave Rothgary is actually driving the equipment, but he's overseeing the efforts. And eventually we will plant some trees there. The city owns that lot and the one to the left of it. And I believe the intention is to continue to own them to help manage some of the erosion on the side there and give road stability. So we'll add some trees to assist with that. But the intention is to just leave it as green space long-term.

Oh, very good. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Armstrong. Through you, Madam President. Director, I'm just curious, will we still be using these reminder tags also with the recycling process, or are we not going to continue to use these?

So if I, through you, if I remember correctly, that is broader than just the recycling. I think there is a box there that talks about generally, you're not doing very good at recycling, go here and find out more. So the tags that we have, and I can put one in each of your mailboxes so you can see them, is a little more direct and specific to recycling. It has boxes that we can check so that the feedback can be given quickly. Initials, date, when the feedback was given, and a small space for if there's notes to be written. But it's more direct to what's in your can and dealing with the specifics. But I'll slide one in each one of your mailboxes so you can see them. We have 20,000 of these, and we have 5,000 of those, and I'm sure we'll have to order some more. But we're ready. We've got the resources, and I think that there'll be good messaging and good communication to residents.

Thank you. Speaking of high grass, when I'm out getting high grass, one of the issues that I'm running into, a lot of houses don't have an address on them. What, if anything, can we do about that?

Sure. Thank you. Through you, the conclusion I've come to with the problem that you've identified is that those people can't have pizza delivered to them. And so that's the real loss in life that they're going to have to suffer through. But to be fair and answer your actual question, for our purposes, quite frankly, if you have the address next door and you say to the right of this address, we can pull it up on the auditor site and get that address. But we do need something more than just on this street Otherwise, I have to send somebody out to check it. But yeah, if you have the house next door and you tell us to the right of, house to the right of or something like that, we can work with that.

And that's normally what I do.

Yeah, we appreciate that because we can certainly work with that. The staff is great at using the auditor's website and tracking down the right address. But you're right, sometimes it's hard. It also applies when there's a vacant lot and it's got the tall grass and you're like, that doesn't have an address. So vacant lot next to or to the right of, that's helpful too. But we can usually work it out.

Thank you. Mr. Lithian.

Thank you for you, Madam President. Crack ceiling?

Crack ceiling, last week we exceeded the temperature. So we have been working on it since April. I could get an updated list of streets that have been completed, but we're in that season now where it's gonna slow down a little bit just because of the temperature will probably exceed when they can work. But I can get you guys an updated list of where we're at and maybe even the list that they have currently of what they're working on when they can.

Thank you. When he said cracked ceiling, I'm like, what? Okay. Thank you.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one.

I was like, where are we talking about? So thank you.

For the record, the ceiling is not cracked. Ceiling with an S, not a C. Thank you.

Law Director Deary.

Good evening through you, Madam President. I do have a referral that I would like to present on the floor with respect to doing some work with the bicycle committee and city planner Schoenig, who's been working with the bicycle committee, brought to my attention that quite some time ago, likely probably in excess of 15 years ago, Our chapter 373, which deals with bicycles and motorcycles, at one point in time had a general penalties, excuse me, provision 373.99. At one point during the codification process, that was repealed. I don't believe that was the intention. I think it was probably a throwing the baby out with the bathwater type situation. So this referral is to essentially restore a penalty provision to our bicycles and motorcycles chapter, and I did submit that to the clerk's office late last week, and I would ask that it go into President's referrals this evening.

Thank you. Should we include e-bikes in that conversation?

Through you, Madam President, that will be something that will be forthcoming at a later time. There has been some hearty conversation between Elyria Police Department and Chief Welsh, and again, the chair of the Bicycle Committee, Planner Schoenig, and myself. There's actually quite a bit on the books already as far as And I can tell you that the traffic division of EPD has put together a really comprehensive guide, if you will, that we actually sat down at a recent meeting and went through everything. So we will look to have that absorbed into our city ordinances, but there is enforcement mechanisms in place right now with respect to e-bikes. But yes, council should expect to see that sooner rather than later as well.

Okay, thank you. And we'll refer that item to utilities. Utilities, yes. Thank you. Any questions for the law director? Thank you, Mrs. Deary. Finance Director Pulaski.

Thank you, Madam President. Just a reminder to the clerk's office that I will need a certified copy of the ordinance that adopted the 2027 tax budget. Thank you.

Thank you. Any questions for the finance director? Thank you. Police Chief Walsh.

Good evening, Madam President, members of council, members of the community in attendance tonight. I wanted to address two issues of public safety and nuisance complaints. Law Director Deary stole some of my material on e-bikes, but I wanted to thank our traffic officer, Josh Mason, for coming up with a very comprehensive tutorial educational piece on e-bikes and all the vehicles that are causing problems in the city. I also want to thank Owen McMillan and our partners with the Chronicle Telegram for working with me to get that information out through the Chronicle Telegram so we can educate our citizens on the rules of e-bikes, scooters, and other motorized bicycles that are on the roadways. Obviously, we try and educate the public so they can operate these vehicles safely without having to issue citations, but we understand that if... the owners of these vehicles are not operating in a safe manner or reckless and with wanton disregard to public safety, that we will issue citations and impound when needed. And since this piece came out in the Chronicle, we have issued several citations and impounded a few of these bicycles that the operators were operating on. without due regard to safety. So I know that's a concern amongst council and with the public. So I just wanted to give an update on that. Any questions on that part?

Mr. Van Warmer. You have a question for the chief? Go right ahead.

Through you, Madam President. Just had a resident give me an intersection, Loyola and Naples. If you could keep that on your radar, speeding, running stop signs, lots of kids in that area. So just want to put that intersection on your radar.

Through you, Madam President. Yes, absolutely. We'll get that out to our zone cars as well as our traffic unit. The second issue I wanted to bring up was fireworks complaints. I received several emails and phone calls this weekend from residents who were concerned or upset, for lack of a better word, regarding fireworks being discharged throughout the city. And I want city council to know and our citizens to know that I take those complaints very seriously. Dating back to 23 when I was a patrol commander in the last two years as the chief, we set up several task force and overtime details and we got our neighborhood impact unit out into the community to do the best that we can to enforce Since July 1st, we received approximately 60 complaints of fireworks throughout the city. We did issue some citations, made arrests through issuance of a summons. I'm very sympathetic and the department is sympathetic to our veterans that have PTSD, our elderly community, as well as our community that has pets that it's troubling when they hear these loud noises. It's difficult for us to enforce. We have to see the violation when it occurs. So a lot of these calls are answered by gone on arrival or unable to locate. It's something that we will work harder next year. I will look into various ways that we can enforce these violations so we can have a safer holiday season and happier holiday season for some of our community that is affected by fireworks that aren't being discharged during the lawful times, which is the 4th of July from 8 to 11 p.m. Any questions regarding that?

I just want to say that if you have a complaint about your neighbor shooting off fireworks, if you don't call the police, they don't know. So if you have a complaint, you need to get to the police, call the non-emergency number, and report it. Any questions, Mr. Oswald?

Through you, Madam President, I have a couple comments. Go right ahead. The first one is, you know, these e-bike things. We've had this conversation. You guys are doing a good job. I appreciate what they come up with, the information. When I see them on my Facebook page now, I don't care what community it is, I say like and I share. So the more people see that every community is going through the same thing that we are. So thank you very much. I appreciate that. Hopefully we won't have accidents and everybody will be safe. The second comment that I wanted to make is I know lately we've had an incident that happened. I think it was in Juneteenth celebration. And I know that you got a difficult task to try to handle the situations, okay? These guys are trained, our police, to do the best job. And I know you want them to do the best job. You probably instill it into them and drive it into their head every day. When they come out of that academy, they have to make split decisions, and they have to know what they can do and what they can't do. If someone's doing something wrong, I get it. But you know what? The job you guys have to do, when we ask you to go to an area like a park because the kids are fighting or something like that, they got a tough job. If somebody is coming at me and spitting and scratching and stuff, what am I going to do? I can't do that. The police have a tough, difficult job and if anybody thinks they can do that good of a job, you need to sign up because it's a tough job. I know you're gonna get through and make that the answer of what happened the best that it can be. I back you guys for what you're doing. And I appreciate that when the citizens of Elyria, the council here calls you guys out to do a job, you go out and you do the best job that you can. So I do appreciate it. And I think everybody else appreciates it. And every time something like this happens, I think we can learn. And I always say we can do better. We can. So I just wanted to tell you it's very much appreciated what you guys do. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Oswald. Mr. Liffey and then Mr. Tillett.

Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to echo what Councilman Oswald said and add that when I was at the Fourth of July fireworks celebrations, I have very rarely felt so safe in my life. There were multiple uniformed individuals, both at Elyria's finest, the police department, and others. I got a chance to tell the Chief that personally, but I also want to reiterate, I think you're doing everything that you can to make things safer, and I think you're doing a hell of a job, so keep up the great work. And if anybody does want to know what Elyria Police goes through, I encourage you to ask if you can do a ride-along, if that's permissible. I got to do it as a councilman. I was there around midnight to 4 a.m., and we were catching speeders all night, and it was a good time. So I pinched a few tickets while I was there. So you guys are doing great. Credit to your team.

Mr. Talat.

Through you, Madam President, just to reiterate something that the chief said, they have been issuing citations for these fireworks and an arrest was made in the issuance of these citations. Did they get them all? Absolutely not. It's very, very, very hard. But again, he will continue to work on it. We have incredible trust in our police department and thank you for what you've done. Thank you.

Thank you. Chief Wells, will you complete with your statement? I don't want to cut you off.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to address some of those comments. First of all, I appreciate council's support of the police department. I'm very proud to be the police chief of this city. We have a lot of professional, highly trained and proactive officers on our police force. I have high expectations of them and they know and are aware of my expectations. And if we can do a better job, I will hold them accountable and I will make sure that we do the job that we are paid to do. And my goal is the same goal as the mayor, his administration, council, and all of you. And that's a safer city to live, work and visit. So those are our goals and we will continue to do, and I will continue to do whatever I can to make our police department more efficient, more effective. And if we need to issue formal discipline on situations, then that's what will be done. But I think, I'm sure most of you agree that the men and women that wear this uniform in this city go out on a daily basis, put their lives on the line for you, and they're happy to do it. So I appreciate the support. Lastly, through you, Madam President, this weekend is the 16th anniversary of the James Kerstetter 5K. It's a memorial 5K for Officer James Kerstetter, who was killed in the line of duty march It's something that we originated after his death. And it's held on the second Saturday of every month. It will kick off or step off at eight o'clock at the police department behind Kerstetter, on Kerstetter Lane, behind the department. And it's a 5K run and one mile walk. So we'll look forward to seeing you all there.

thank you thank you any other questions for chief Walsh thank you sir thank you fire chief Vargo any questions for the fire chief thank you sir oh I'm sorry mr. Oswald yeah just through you madam president something real quick I went and checked out our

I'm just going to make a comment if you're okay to sit down. So I had to go be nosy and check out our new fire truck, and it was pretty cool because I got there early. They had pictures in every one of the bays, and I asked the guy that was installing everything, and we had a good conversation, and he says, yeah, they got to know where everything goes, and I install it, and he goes, and I install it one time, and I'm like, that's when I was in the business and I was putting up tall bars and racks and I'm like, I do it one time and that's it. You know, it doesn't get, so it was just kind of funny, but they were looking really cool. I appreciate everything that we got over there. It's pretty neat. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other questions for Mrs. Rothkirch?

Through you, Madam Chair. Is the new truck in out on the street? And if so, everything's working well?

Through you, Madam President, as of right now, the communications section of that was completed last week. I got the notification. Mechanic Barnhouse is still installing the brackets for some of the tools and placements, specifically the extrication tools. Because they're newer, heavier, bulkier, it takes a little more time to mount those correctly. So we're projecting, we're hoping to get that completed within the next three weeks to get that apparatus running out of Station 1 and the other tower moved to Station 3.

Thank you. Any other questions? Thank you, Chief.

Thank you.

Assistant City Engineer, Mrs. McKillips. Mrs. McKillips. Mr. Armstrong has a question for you. Please, could you come to the mic?

I don't know why you guys think you get off that easy.

Not you nor John. Mr. Armstrong, go right ahead.

Through you, Madam President, Engineer McPhillips, do you have an estimated date for the pocket part completion?

Well, I'd like to say before I can give you an estimation on the start date or finish date, I first need a start date. We are waiting for some building permits, but right now we are expecting it to... be completed by Labor Day, but that won't be everything. I know there's some long lead time items like the street lighting and the bollard lighting that we'll be placing in the pocket park. But once we get started, majority of the park should be completed by that timeframe.

Thank you. Mr. Snyder.

Thank you, Madam President, through you. Engineer McKillips, when we're speaking of start date and finish date, I know they just started this project, but I have a little bit of concern about North Abbey with Northwood. Will it be easier to navigate traffic at that point? Will it be further along on other ends of Abbey by the time school goes back in August? Thank you.

Yes, the contractor for that North Abbey project along with the 57 resurfacing section, they have a 60-day window to get all that work completed. So it may be tight. But I believe they're working towards meeting their deadline, weather permitting. They will be starting, I believe today, working on the replacement of curb ramps. Once they get all the concrete work done, then they'll be able to jump into, you know, basically knocking out the resurfacing portion of that project. Mr. Levine?

Thank you. Through you, Madam President, Engineer McKillips, do we have an update on the Safe Routes to School grant?

We do. We opened bids last week. Two weeks ago. No matter, I'm currently waiting for the award package to be completed and sent to District 3, and then they'll forward it to Central Office in Columbus. Once we get the okay from them, then we'll be able to get started. So we're probably at least 30 to 45 days away from getting that going.

Thank you, Madam President. From commencing it or from selecting from the bidders?

we've already selected the better. So from getting the project actually started.

Great. Looking forward to that. If we can be of help, let us know. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other questions for Mrs. McKillips? Thank you. Good to see you, Kathy. Thank you. Public Works Supervisor, Mrs. Connors? Thank you. Any questions for Mrs. Connors? Thank you. Senior Water Distribution Manager, Mr. Rothgary.

Lead line project phase five. As of Friday, Thursday, we had 335 residents completed with the lead line replacements. There's still a possible 75 to 100 more depending on we're getting to the end of the budget money on that, how far we can get. Restoration of soft surface and concrete and blacktop will continue through the fall. They're in town right now doing some concrete. Then they'll do that in batches. They're continuing to replace it in the houses, but then they will be back. And then there'll be spots for grass and such. As right now, nothing's really growing very well with this heat, although the rains have helped. And so we are expecting to be done in the fall and we are working on preliminaries for phase six. which should address all the rest of the known lead in the city, and it will be primarily on the numbered streets south abroad.

Thank you. I see Mr. Oswald has a question.

Through you, Madam President. First off, that company is great. I watched them do a few things. I've seen how they pull some of their lines through the houses into their boxes. They've done a couple in my house, and they're fast. When they don't have too many things going on, we always run into stuff underground. I left a message with the office, but what I was hoping that we could do on Williams that we have a dip in the road that you guys might have done some restoration underneath and so they're going to be doing concrete cuts in there and fixing all that is there a possibility that we could just pay them rather than having your crew maybe go out because that's the that would really make williams all the best because that was the only one that was in there could you look at that and see if there's anything you could do

Through you, Madam President. I have looked at that and I need to talk to the engineering department as that was a sewer repair.

Oh.

And so there's a possibility of it getting done with the same contractor. It'll just be a matter of how it's taken care of. And I agree with you that if you're gonna do nine patches, you should do 10.

Exactly.

I'm sure we can work it out.

Oh, thank you very much.

Thank you. Mr. Armstrong. Through you, Madam President. Ms. Roth, Gary, how far will the phase six go? You said with the number streets, how far south will that go?

It will complete the city between the rivers.

Between the rivers?

Yeah. And the majority of it is between the rivers.

Okay.

Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions for Mr. Roth, Gary? Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

I think I got everyone. PRESIDENT'S REFERRALS AND REMOTESES. ITEM NUMBER ONE, TO PLANNING COMMISSION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. NUMBER TWO, PLANNING COMMISSION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. NUMBER THREE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCE. NUMBER FOUR, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCE. NUMBER FIVE, FINANCE. NUMBER SIX, FINANCE. NUMBER SEVEN, FINANCE. NUMBER EIGHT, FINANCE. NUMBER NINE, FINANCE. NUMBER TEN, FINANCE AND UTILITIES. NUMBER ELEVEN, FINANCE AND UTILITIES. NUMBER TWELVE, STRATEGIC PLANNING.

MADAM CHAIR, ALSO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE, IT WAS REFERRED BY LAW DIRECTOR DEARY REGARDING THE AMENDMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE ORDERS, 373 WILL BE ON NEXT MONDAY AS WELL FOR UTILITIES. YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

Mr. Clerk, petitions and remittances from the lobby.

We have several. Ms. Carol Plainer, subject. Oh, sorry, Ms. Carol Blainer, my apologies. Subject is fireworks.

Good evening. Would you please state your name and address for the record? Yes, ma'am.

Good evening, Council. I'm Carol Blainer. I live at 902 Sherwood Drive between Hartford and Livermore. I am here about the fireworks in our neighborhood. It is a literal war zone in our area. I have called for two or three years about this complaint. Each year, it gets worse. Our houses shake. Things are in our yard. All kinds of parts are in our yard. Nothing has been done about it. They just keep getting worse every year. I do not do this to my neighbors and I don't expect it done to me. I have referred this to Ward 7 Councilman different times. He just told me he was listening to it in his area. I have called the police department three times this year, and in the background, they can all hear the bombs going off in our area. I read up on the ordinances and regulations of the city. They're supposed to be using the consumer grades. Let me tell you, these are not consumer fireworks going off in our area. And I would like to know why we are forced to listen to it. The few people putting it off in our area is not many. But everyone says, why call? Nothing will be done about it. I call and I'm told it is legal. What is not legal in my part to listen to this and our house is destroyed. Our houses are very close together. It is a fire hazard to begin with. I can almost touch our neighbor's houses on Sherwood Drive. So I would like something done about it. I am not the only one in our area complaining about this. We have all age limits in our area. So I would like something done and would like a petition or a vote of the city as to who wants fireworks and who don't. Thank you.

Thank you. Mrs. Planet, ma'am. You go back to the mic. So when you said you want to put it on the ballot, are you asking? For a citywide vote. For the city fireworks or just in the residence?

No, not for the ones that go on at the park. Okay. For the city ones where people can just put off at any time and as long as they want, any day they want. It goes on for a week in advance. It goes on all night long. There is no stop to it.

Thank you. I mean, we have an ordinance that says they're legal on this date, from this time to this time. I understand that.

They do not follow any of that.

Yes, ma'am. And I think if we put it on the ballot, it would be the same thing. You would have the same people not following the rules. But thank you for your comments.

Madam Chairwoman, if I may, Mrs. Blainer had sent me an email and actually sent me a picture of an email or a picture within the email of quite a bit of debris that was in her yard. I did ask the chief after his comments to reach out to the three young ladies over there to have a conversation with them to address that moving forward.

Thank you. Anything else? No, ma'am. Thank you.

Mr. Philip, pronounce me, is it Rizk? Rizk is fine. Rizk is fine? Sure. So regards to the rezoning.

Sir, would you state your name and address for the record, please?

Philip Rizk, 178 Sinesta Court, 9th Avenue Court. I'm here tonight for three reasons. The first reason I'm here is I'd like to thank our Ward 3 representative, Mr. Doney, who has our backs out there on the project that's got a small hiccup in it right now because they said the guy from Florida has stepped away, the Naples, Florida guy. But Mr. Doney has our backs. Nobody else does. Secondly, my big question is how could the city accept a traffic study when the biggest problem zone, which is Dewhurst Drive and Chestnut Ridge was, I believe, purposely kept out of the study. How do you guys like, how do you sleep at night? When I go, I go that way three times a day. And you know that little bowl that sticks out from the car wash there? That's a nightmare. And some people live off that street, and I feel sorry for them. It's a safety hazard. And that proposal last week wanted to put three more lanes on the north side of the street, but keep the south side of the street the same. What, what, what? Who believes that's a good idea? Anybody on this council? You believe that's a good idea? Three lanes on the north side, no more lanes on the south side where the problem is every day.

Mr. Tlatelolco, in order, we're just going to let him speak. Thank you. I'm sorry.

And I also just wanted to say I firmly believe that the rights of the current Taxpaying residents in Ward 3 should be of the most importance to all of this council, not to help out big business. So listen to the people, you'll have your answer. But I do not accept that traffic study one bit. And I still don't understand how all of you could. That's all I have to say. I'll take questions. I don't mind.

We're not doing questions, sir. Thank you.

Thank you, madam. I was nervous. I don't like speaking on the microphone.

You did well. Thank you. Okay, thank you, ma'am. Mr. Clerk?

Yes, Ms. Janet Trammell. It's in regards to neighborhood fireworks. I'm sorry. I kind of wanted to have those all. I thought this was the rest of them were regarding the rezoning. But Ms. Janet Trammell.

Thank you. Your name and address for the record, please.

My name is Janet Trammell. I live at 904 Livermore Lane. And I have the same complaint as Carol Blainer. Only I wonder why, to begin with, this was ever made possible for people to do. The council supposedly is the one that made this, whatever it is, city ordinance thing. Why would you do that? Why would you do that to people when every year it's worse? It's just like the pot situation. They do it a little bit, eh, they're doing it anyway, let's just make it legal. Eh, they're putting off fireworks, which they were before that, putting off fireworks all the time anyway. Eh, let's just make it legal. Now, you give them an inch, they take a mile, and that's exactly what's happened. It is exactly like a war zone there. Ask my husband. He was in Vietnam. He knows what it sounds like. Okay, some of these people blowing off these bombs, and I don't blame the police at all. The police are bending over backward to try to help, but it doesn't help because they're allowed to do it, and they have to catch them doing it. Now, how often do you think that's going to happen? They see them coming. They stop. But they didn't stop the other night. The fourth was like literally sitting in a battlefield with bombs going off. That's not safe. Why doesn't the community go to the fireworks that they have that probably the taxes are paying for, where it's done safely by people like the fire department who know what's going on? We have people... blowing off things that would just explode. The corner of Georgetown and Fairwood is now just totally littered from one house on one of the corners. There's flattened out, watered down pieces of paper everywhere. There are yards of disaster. All night long, they blow off stuff. Times that aren't even fireworks days, they blow off stuff. And you know why? Because they're allowed to. Why did you ever even let them do that to begin with? Did you think, did everybody here think that was a good idea to let people blow off fireworks in their yards on houses where you can walk four steps and be at your neighbors? Who would do that to their neighbors? Or why would you let them do that to their neighbors? How did that even get passed? I can't even imagine that many people passing something like that that's a detriment to the neighborhood, is not a friendly thing, is not a neighborly thing, is not a moral thing to do even. How could you treat somebody like that? Would you want to be treated like that? Would everybody want to be treated like that? Whatever happened to treat your neighbor as yourself? The passing of it is what really slays me. And the police are everywhere trying to do everything. They can't do everything. They can't. And you pass it, and they have to do something about it.

Thank you. I will say that the ordinance was passed to give the police some teeth to going after people. They are only allowed to shoot off fireworks on the 4th of July from, I understand what you're saying, from 8 until 11. But that ordinance tells the police, okay, outside of these times, you can get these people. You can cite them or whatever. Had we not passed that, we would have nothing. So we had to pass something to give the police something to work with. And I will say, neighbors are not respectful. They're not. But if you don't call the police and tell them, they have nothing to go on.

They can't do everything.

I understand that. We're not taking questions, sir. Mr. Oswald.

Through you, Madam President, just a comment.

Mr. Oswald, no, stop. We're not doing that either. We're just going to go with reminding from the lobby. Mr.

Clerk. We have one more in regards to fireworks. Mr. Lauren Domeniak.

Lauren Dominick, 752 Georgetown Avenue. I'm on the corner of Georgetown and Fairwood, and it is my neighbor across the street that is launching fireworks. And the bag I gave to the chief is all from last night that he launched at my house. That was all in my yard. And he's doing it every night, and I did call 4th of July. He was still going at it at 1230. I did call the police, and I was told we'll get to it when we can. But yeah, he does it every day, daytime, nighttime. Yeah.

Thank you. No, sir. No, sir. We're not doing that either. Thank you. Mr.

Clerk. Mr. Michael Metzinger in regards to the Chestnut Ridge rezoning.

Sir, please give your name and address for the record.

Michael Metzinger, 120 Raven Circle. And I've lived there for 26 years and lived in the area for 26 years. Earlier when I think it was the mayor announced that the love deal fell through, I clapped. And then as I'm sitting there thinking, sometimes I'm a little bit, don't think things through. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. Like the devil you know is sometimes better than the devil you don't know. So obviously I have a bunch of bullet points here. They've changed a little bit with the love thing. But quite honestly, the problem hasn't changed. And voting to make this a commercial development is really unfair to the people that live in that area. The gentleman from Maples described it as some commercial corridor, premier commercial corridor. And Mr. Tillett said, at last month's meeting, and Mr. Tillett said it's the only way to fix the problem. Like, when the car wash went in, I was against that, and I knew it was going to be a problem. Anyone who lives in that area, the dynamics of just that car wash going in there changed the dynamics multifold more than I would have expected. adding that type of volume with a Chick-fil-A or whatever, bringing a Starbucks and a Dunkin' too, right? Just more to the party. The traffic study, the gentleman mentioned about the traffic study. My initial response to that was I was embarrassed that the city would pay for a traffic study like that. But again, after thinking about it, that traffic study actually pointed out the crux of the problem. She, the female engineer, mentioned that they left that out because there's nothing they can do about it. And that is the crux of the problem. There is nothing you can do with that area. You cannot add more and more and more and more. Adding a lane here, adding a lane there, it's not gonna fix it. It's not gonna fix it. So I'm asking not to change. The process is still gonna go on, it sounds like. I'm asking not to change that to rezoning. Figure, I was gonna ask the, People from Love, they do residential, too. Put in some sort of residential there. Put in some apartments. Put in some senior living. Put in something that, I mean, obviously, this is America. People have the right to use their property. Put in something that's not going to affect everyone else. It's going to affect people's safety. It's going to affect the value of the people's property that live over in the Defiance area, in the Robin Park area. And it's just not safe. It's not safe. I mean, I don't know where you people live and where you drive. There are people darting out of Dewhurst all the time, trying to turn, I guess that'd be west. It's just not safe. And adding commercial properties, particularly Chick-fil-A, would be like adding gasoline to a fire. And we talked about that last month, it's the only way to fix it. My understanding is there's some money left over from that original Walmart TIF. Again, it's not gonna fix the problem, but there's things that can be done there to at least improve the problem without bringing in that much more traffic. I think that's all I got.

Madam President, three minutes are up.

Thank you. Do you have more, sir? Your three minutes are up, but we can- Oh, okay.

No, that's fine.

Thank you. Thank you.

Mr. Mark, is it Bo? In regards to Chestnut Ridge development.

Please give your name and address for the record.

Mark Bone, 423 Ashland Court. I'm opposed to the rezoning, because you gotta fix the traffic problem first. And I drive down there three, four, five times a day, Chestnut down to 57, over to Chestnut Commons, I'm not opposed to development in Elyria. I'm just opposed of doing it, excuse my language, bass-ackwards. You should fix the traffic situation first, then let the developers come in. But you can't put developers in there and then leave the traffic situation the way it is. And when he was talking about people darting out out of Dewhurst, that's absolutely correct. When I come out of the car wash, I cross over to the convenient and come out to Chestnut Ridge the other way, but everybody else is doing the same thing. So I, until you fix the traffic situation, I'm opposed to any development on the west side of 57 on Chestnut Ridge.

Thank you.

Mr. Craig Bevin regarding the Dewhurst Chestnut Ridge rezoning.

Sir, please state your name and address for the record.

My name is Craig Bevan, 143 Timber Ridge Drive in Elyria. Madam President, I want to tell you how disappointed I've lived in the city 50 years. I had the honor of serving the city 27 1⁄2 years before I got hurt on the fire department. On my days off, I worked at Life Care Ambulance Majora's because I wanted to serve the people here. I moved from Lorain to here when I got hired. I had somebody ask me, and I won't say who it is, but it's here, went over and says, what makes you an expert? I want to talk about it. 27 1⁄2 years, I defy you to find another person that's driven more rescue calls on more days than I have. I've been down all the streets. I know what it's like to try to get through them. And then had the gall to say to me, oh, what's two or three minutes? Well, I'd say it just depends if you're having a heart attack or it's your house that's on fire and it doubles in size every 20 seconds. That would be a problem. What nobody considers about this thing, I can't get in and out, and people try to get the hospital. How are you going to get a police, fire, or EMS down that street? It isn't going to happen. Thank God I have Mr. Doney as my council person that stands up for us. I'm thankful for that. I also want to say that, how about the funeral home? Gee, your parent died, and you want to go to the funeral. 20, 10, 20 cars. How are they going to get through when one person can't get through? Everybody's cutting through the convenient parking lot. Any time I sit there and try to tell people what it's like to try to get through, They don't understand. When they said that they looked at Chestnut Commons, the drive there in Defiance, never looked at Chestnut Ridge or Chestnut Ridge and Dewhurst. I sat there and talked to the people. They don't have a clue. Highland Heights, Florida, and Medina. What do they know about Elyria? When you could have sat there and saved all the money from the study, and sat at the convenient parking lot for an hour and watched the confusion, the mess that's down there. And I just think that it's sad. You can't get a school bus down there. You got a daycare down there that has a bus. You have the safety vehicles trying to get through there. Amazon, all those people keep blocking the street. And where are we to stand up and not say, you know something, enough is enough. You're supposed to represent every one of us, and there shouldn't be any second thought. Go down and try it. That's what I have to say.

Thank you, Mr. Vanden.

Ms. Brooke Shanks, Chestnut Rezoning.

Please state your name and address for the record.

Brooke Shanks, 466 Bayberry. I just wanted to say that I also didn't support the rezoning. I'm just concerned about the traffic with my children. It did seem kind of like it was a done deal. that the rezoning would eventually happen. So if that does happen, I hope they just consider adding more sidewalks and crosswalks, especially a crosswalk across from Chestnut. That would be helpful to get to the current businesses that are there, such as Rita's Ice from the Chestnut Heights neighborhood. If there were businesses, it would be nice that we could, as a neighborhood, enjoy them, walk to them, and go get ice cream at Chick-fil-A if it was there, I understand. that that's not happening. So I'm not opposed to redeveloping. I appreciate if we rezone it before they sell it. It did feel... backwards that it seemed like the property was bought before it was even zoned for businesses. So I would appreciate it if they changed that before the property was for sale. So someone in Elyria could possibly buy the property to make it something the whole community could enjoy. Thank you.

Thank you.

That's all petitions from the lobby.

Petitions and remonstrances from council members?

There are none.

Reports of special and standing committees.

We have one. Sponsored by the EMS Review Board. We consider the matter of the Elyria EMS feasibility report to the city council and recommendation of the committee is that the city continue to contract with a private vendor for EMS ambulance service in the best interest of the city, financial and delivery of service.

Mr. Armstrong.

Madam President, I ask that this committee report be passed with suspension of rules. Second.

Second by Mr. Serra. Is there any discussion?

Question.

On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Nay. One nay. Motion carried.

Committee report 2026-2.

Resolutions first reading.

Sponsored by finance, a resolution approving a list submitted by the safety service director for the collection of the delinquent inactivity utility accounts and directing the clerk of counsel to certified set accounts to Lorain County auditor.

Mr. Tolat.

Madam President, I ask that this resolution be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules. Second.

Second by Mr. Snyder. Any discussion?

Question.

On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.

Resolution 2026-20. That's all of resolutions first reading.

Ordinances first reading.

RESOLUTIONS SECOND READING.

PARDON ME, I'M SO SORRY. ORDINANCES SECOND READING. THERE ARE NONE. RESOLUTIONS SECOND READING.

THERE ARE NO RESOLUTIONS SECOND READING.

RESOLUTIONS THIRD READING.

THERE ARE NO RESOLUTIONS THIRD READING.

ORDINANCES FIRST READING.

SPONSORED BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE. MY APOLOGIES. ONE MINUTE, MADAM PRESIDENT. This is sponsored by Communities of Minority Report. In Orders Amending Section 1119.02, Codified Orders to the City of Elyria, Ohio, known as the Zoning Orders, to rezone certain real property located on the northwest corner of Chestnut Ridge Road and State Route 57, Elyria, from Residential 1 District to Commercial District.

I declare that this ordinance has had its first reading. Public hearing is scheduled for September 8th, 2026.

My apologies, Madam President and the Council. Sponsored by Community Development and Finance. In order to authorize the Mayor to enter an agreement, Community Investment Area and Tax Incentive Agreement with McGregor, landing LP and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Snyder.

Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency.

Second. I'm sorry? Second. Second by Mr. Serra. Is there any discussion?

Question.

On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the emergency, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.

Ordinance 2026-83. SPONSORED BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE AND ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026-29 TO INCREASE THE NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT FOR THE RESIDENTIAL HVAC ENERGY EFFICIENT GRANT PROGRAM AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. MR. SNYDER.

MADAM PRESIDENT, I ASK THAT THIS ORDINANCE BE PASSED IN ITS FIRST READING UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY.

Second. Second by Mr. Van Warmer. Any discussion?

Question.

On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the emergency, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.

Ordinance 2026-84. Sponsored by Community Development, an ordinance approving the application for the Downtown Historic Redevelopment Grant Program created by Ordinance 2021-31 for improvements at 523 Broad Street, Elyria, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. Mr. Snyder.

Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency.

Second. Second by Mrs. Rothgeary. Any discussion?

Question.

On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the emergency, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed?

Motion carried. Ordinance 2026-85. Sponsored by Community Development and Finance. in ordinance approving the application for the Downtown Historic Debris Development Grant Program created by Ordinance 2021-31 for improvements at 525 Broad Street, Elyria, Ohio, and declaring an emergency.

Mr. Snyder.

Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules and declared an emergency.

Second. Second by Mr. Sarah. Is there any discussion?

Question.

On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the emergency, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.

Ordinance 2026-86. sponsored by finance, an ordinance amending ordinance 2026-34, known as the 2026 Permanent Appropriations Ordinance to Change Funds in Various Accounts.

Mr. Talat.

Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed in its first reading under suspension of rules.

Second. Second by Mr. Van Warmer. Any discussion?

Question.

On the suspension, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.

Ordinance 2026-87. Sponsored by Utilities and Finance. In order to authorize the mayor to apply for, and if offered, accept and enter in your weight water supply revolving loan account, WSRLA agreement through the Ohio EPA for the Gulf Road Water Main Improvement Project and declaring an emergency.

Mrs. Davis. Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed on its first reading under suspension of rules and declaring an emergency.

Second. Second by Mr. Armstrong. Any discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? ON THE, PARDON ME, ON THE EMERGENCY, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED. ON THE PASSAGE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIED.

ORDINANCE 2026-88. SPONSORED BY UTILITIES AND FINANCE. IN ORDER TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER TO CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE. with Spear Brothers Incorporated for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project Phase 4 and declaring an emergency. Mrs. Davis.

Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed on its first reading under suspension of rules and declaring an emergency.

Second. Second by Mr. Armstrong. Any discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the emergency, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.

Ordinance 2026-89. Sponsored by Utilities and Finance, an ordinance authorized the mayor to enter the change order number one with extreme excavating LLC for the 2025 Sanitarian Storms to Repairs Project and declaring an emergency.

Mrs. Davis.

Madam President, I ask that this ordinance be passed on its first reading under suspension of rules and declaring an emergency.

Second. Second by Mr. Schneider. Any discussion? Question. On the suspension, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the emergency, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? On the passage, all in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.

Ordinance 2026-90. That's all of Ordinance's first reading.

Ordinance's second reading. There are none. Ordinance's third reading. There are none. Before we go to committee calls, I have a question for the law director. I understand that we missed someone who wanted to speak. Are we permitted to have them speak now?

Through you, Madam President. Yes, that's fine. Yes. I'll have the clerk call them.

Ms. Eric Shively. Please come up.

Yes, and give your name and address for the record.

Ms. Eric Shively, sorry, Mr. Shively, we apologize for that, but this is in regards to Mr. Eric Shively, Chestnut Ridge Development.

You got a busy job over there, so I understand that. My name is Eric Shively. I have been a resident of 236 Byglass Drive, but I'm a lifelong Elyrian. And I just want to reiterate what many of those gentlemen and the miss mentioned about the Chestnut Ridge. I'm not for the... the rezoning, you know, but I'm conflicted about that because, you know, as I said, I'm a late-falling Illyrian, and I've known there could be a different place and a different time, so we do need economic development here, but at the same time, that area down there needs to have a question or an answer to the road and how people can get in and out of there safely. Being down, like, by South Abbey, sometimes the traffic gets as far as there, And defiance is a dangerous area for people to make a right turn or a left turn. And then the school buses and the garbage trucks and all the delivery services, it makes it a very unreliable route to school, to work, to even get some miles over to Aldi or to Walmart. So please reconsider the traffic flow before you go ahead and develop that area for us.

Thank you, sir. Thanks for bringing me in. Mr. Clerk, committee call.

COMMUNITY CALLS.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THE MAYOR, LAW DIRECTOR, FINANCE DIRECTOR, SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR AND THE ENGINEER TO MEET IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026 BEGINNING AT 6 P.M. Joint Community Development and Finance request all committee members, the mayor, the law director, the finance director, safety service director, the engineer to meet in council chambers on July 13th, 2026, immediately following the community development meeting. FINANCE AND UTILITIES REQUEST ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THE MAYOR, THE LAW DIRECTOR, THE FINANCE DIRECTOR, SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR, AND THE ENGINEER TO MEET ON MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026, IMMEDIATELY FILING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCE. FINANCE REQUEST ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THE MAYOR, THE LAW DIRECTOR, THE FINANCE DIRECTOR, SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR, THE ENGINEER TO MEET ON MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026, IMMEDIATELY FILING THE FINANCE AND UTILITIES MEETING. Strategic planning requests all council members, the mayor, safety service director, the finance director, law director to meet on Monday, August the 3rd, 2026, immediately filing the full council meeting.

Thank you, through you, Madam President. I just wanted to acknowledge that this council meeting is a transition, and I want to recognize that I just saw a break in the Chronicle-Telegram before the meeting that our Safety Service Director, Chris Pinowski, I understand is going to be leaving us on August 1st. This is our last meeting with him, so I'd be remiss after two and a half, almost three years of service, if we didn't have the opportunity to say some things as Chris is getting out of Dodge here and moving on to his next opportunity.

Would you like to have something to say or would you care to wait until closer to your end date?

I can say something now, I suppose. I just wanted to say thank you for all of the work that we've been able to do together, all of your contributions, all of your ideas, all of your support. I would like to say thank you to all the city employees that have made the things that we've done possible. We have some very exceptional people here that we ask a lot of and they come through and provide great support for the residents of this community, which is ultimately, what we're all here for. So I'm grateful for this opportunity and I will move on to the next one and continue to serve this community in a new way. But I just want to say thank you.

And we thank you as well. I especially thank you because I know I bug your eyeballs out. Is there anything else, Mr. Lithian?

Just one thing to add, President Mitchell, is that as a fellow veteran and as a fellow leader of a municipality, I understand how hard the job can be and the immense amount of stress and pressure. Chris was always immediately responsive to anything needed. And I think it's probably a good thing that he didn't have any kids at home bothering him to come home because I don't know when he left the office. I'm sure Mayor Brubaker can testify. I'm sure he pulled a lot of late nights here. So we salute you on your farewell. Thanks for your service to the city.

Thank you. Mr. Tollett, you had your hand up earlier. Was there something you wanted to say? Thank you. Mr. Oswald, I'll give you the same opportunity. Nevermind. One of the reasons why we don't allow comments during the public comments is because we can go on and on. And we're trying to run a timely and orderly meeting. And that's important because we don't want to be here all night and neither do you. So my goal is to keep the meeting moving and to keep it moving smoothly. So seeing no other business, Mrs. Davis.

Madam President, seeing no other business, I make a motion that we adjourn. Second.

Moved and seconded. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried. Good night, everyone. Thank you for coming.