Council - Regular Meeting

Okay. Um, the first thing is we were going to have the girls basketball team. Yeah, they uh we're going to push that to the next. They have too much stuff going on. They're worried about the storm.

All right. And then moving down to ordinance 18. Director Wilson, do you want to talk about this? Yeah, I can talk a little bit about it. Um, basically what we had was um a large plow truck, 2 and a half ton dump truck that had some major problems. Uh, it ended up being like $30,000 plus to repair. Um, and that's where I was like, hold off, let's let's think about this because it was like a 12y old truck. And so although we're through this season, um, you know, we need a truck for next year. So talking to John about it, um, Mr. We we uh

we both kind of came to the conclusion that we can throw a little more money in and get a another Ram 4500 which is right at 119,000 which is a lot more than 30 or 40,000. But in that case, we would have been throwing a chunk of money at a truck that we essentially could drive it out and transmission goes, the motor goes or, you know, something. Another $30,000 part goes and it's like I we just didn't feel like it was the best use of money. We get another one of these a little bit smaller trucks, but you know, it's a brand new truck, so that's where we are. John, maybe you speak a little more to the financial side.

I think we were able to find some money you had left over from trucks that you had purchased that with the equipment packages came in a little bit less than needed. Playing heavy on things a little bit. Yeah. So, it's no no effect to the budget. What was our plan to replace this truck specifically? Do we have it like next year? It was another year or so, you know, it was another like 28 or something like that. So, it would have been coming out, but to be clear about what's going on here, too, is the repair was for the the it was a diesel truck and it was a diesel the deaf. Yeah, they it emission things.

It was all bad. It all rotted out. And what he's going to is gas. So, we can eliminate that problem all together. And these trucks are the hooks that we've been using. So, it's back to a vehicle that lasts longer, runs better, doesn't have all that deaf crap on it to where we're spending money on things that are just, in my opinion, not necessary. But, um,

I think these smaller trucks are or gas and they also don't need CO, which is kind of nice. We're not We can't get all these truck. There's no way we could end up with nothing but one ton trucks because they just would hack it. You know what I mean? We have to have big trucks to do 82 routing in the big roads, but to throw a few of them into the fleet definitely is fine. Like we have a lot of courts, a lot of smaller areas. These are great in neighborhoods. Neighbor basically any it's like a perfect for neighborhoods, stuff like that. Anyone else have any questions?

I'm assuming uh one, two, three on this. That would be great.

Just a sorry question. Um, is there like a a standard in the financial world around like when it becomes like when's the point of no return on like throwing more money at something to repair it? I'm guessing there's something out there, but I don't know how standardized it is. Well, we we felt that this was not going to be the only repair that Oh, yeah. was happen with this. I'm not talking about specifically

not really a standard, but you know, the age of the the truck we're replacing, we can use the 30,000 plus towards 30% 35% of the new truck we were going to buy in early 28. I think age matters. If it was a foury old truck, yeah, we would that might be different. Totally different. I don't think there's like a a capital asset life expectancy schedule if that's what you're referring to. I don't think that exists for vehicles because there's too many variables that can impact the quality of the vehicle.

Yeah, makes sense. And when we get down to 22, uh, we're in the process of double-checking our total vehicle inventory. And you'll get a list of updated lists. And you'll see over the last what two three years we've been purchasing a lot of vehicles and replacing a lot of older vehicles thanks to the quarter% increase and the other quarter% increase that is starting to build up you know some cash in and their buckets if you will that we didn't have to use for

other things. Yeah. And a lot of 23s, a lot of 24s, 25, 26, 22s even. So even Dan and I were looking to build out his fiveyear capital like years into it. Yeah. Not like the, you know, police vehicles every four or five years, you know, because of their usage, right? The service ones last a little bit longer. So Okay. And they'll be even better with the new service building. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, undercover. A lot of them watched and clear assault. Okay, thanks.

Okay. Um, would you like to talk to 19 and 20? Sure. So, that's the road program and Shepard Road. Mr. Gel is on vacation. Hope he's enjoying himself. Um, but lowest and best bid, it's basically RNA. Um, I think they were able to come in even lower on the Shephard Road piece of it because they were already doing the other one, which is fortuitous to us that they can bid it lower. The engineers estimate on that was 1.4 million. I think it came in at 8.24. So, we're saving money and it's good. And

um, lowest and best bid. I'm sure you guys were you looked over the the bid tabulations. I've done work. They do a good job. I think they're going to they're going to be they'll do well. Okay. Um, I'm guessing we want to move forward with paving right. So, do you want to do weather? If you can get these moving, you probably in our best interest. Nobody objects. I'm going to do one, two, three on 19 and 20. Brings us down to 21. Do you want to talk to the

Yes. Uh so this is to sell our old uh incar camera system washer camera systems. They reached their end of life. They were replaced uh about a month ago with our new Axon cameras. So in an effort to try and save some money and recoup some money, myself launch removed them from all of the police fleet as whole as we could to try and resell them. So it's to res to sell the old washard camera system. Anyone have any questions on I believe these are going on fields, right? Yes.

Anyone have any questions? Uh I'm going to suggest one, two, three, since we're trying to put them up for auction and dispose of it. And 22, I'll start this one. Uh so I'm going to ask for a first read on this one. We found a couple discrepancies in our list of vehicles, so we're going to ask to push that to the next meeting. Uh we will be covered. we will be insured, but we will have to push that through in the next meeting. But just a couple things we want to work out with that and nothing crazy. You guys got the legislation, you saw the numbers, so it's kind of what we think is going to be best moving forward and we've been using them for years and they've been good with us. So I don't really have any concerns.

No, this is a new plan that we're, you know, a consortium that we're a part of the last couple years. So Okay. Anyone have any questions on 22? All right.

Yeah. So, this is just uh one change to the non-UN pay ordinance. Um you see it's under the law department. Effectively, what this proposes to do is modify the way that the mayor's magistrate is paid from an hourly rate to a per court basis. Um it's consistent with magistrate pays for, you know, various municipalities across Ohio. and he had not been increased in four years. So I I think he was patient and he had approached me and asked if that's why we're here.

Anyone have any questions on 23? Um what's your wishes on that? And that brings us to I think we have two motions to accept donations and I believe that's it. Anyone have anything else? I got mine.

26 Macedonia City Council meeting. It is 7:30 p.m. Mr. Hoover, will you please call the role? Mr. R here. M. Cummings here. Mr. Ferraro here. Mr. Finley here. Mr. Garvis here. Now I ask Chaplain O'Brien to lead us in the invocation.

Thank you, Mayor. We gather this evening with a shared commitment to serve our community with integrity, wisdom, and respect. In the midst of differing perspectives and important decisions, may we may we remain grounded in a spirit of cooperation and thoughtful dialogue. Let this time be guided by charity of purpose, a willingness to listen, and a dedication to the common good so that every action taken reflects the best interest of those we represent. Now, let us take a moment to recognize and honor the service of our city council members and our mayor who carry the responsibility of leadership on behalf of our community. May their efforts be guided by fairness, courage, and compassion. And may they find strength in their shared mission to improve the lives of all residents. Let their work continue to foster trust, progress, and unity within our city. Amen. And now, Mayor Molnar will lead us in our pledge of allegiance. 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. Thank you, Chap. Okay. Next on our list is approval of minutes. Mayor, I'd like to offer um or make a motion to approve the minutes for Thursday, February 26th, 2026 for the regular council meeting. Second. All in favor? Opposed? Public comments. We have none this evening. Correspondence from the clerk. None, sir. We'll move right into pending or new legislation starting with ordinance number 18.

I move to offer ordinance number 18-2026 for its first, second, and third reading by title only. Second. All in favor? Opposed? An ordinance authorizing the purchase of an additional Ram 4500 multi-use truck from Valley Truck Centers through the source wall cooperative purchasing program for use by the service department. Director Wilson.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, this is to replace a uh large plow truck, a 2 and a half ton uh dump truck, plow truck that we recently just had some major things go wrong uh with the diesel and the EPA type systems that are on it um with costs uh over $30,000. Um, and it's uh with the director of finance and myself kind of agree that it wasn't a good use of funds to put that money into that truck. So, um, we feel like the best use is to purchase a Ram 4500 uh, gasoline engine and a non CDL vehicle that we would be able to have next uh, plow season. um and and much um although more than $30,000 uh much cheaper than the price of a uh full 2 and a half ton type dump truck. So that's where we are. We appreciate your consideration.

Any other discussion? Hearing none. What is your pleasure? I move to adopt ordinance number 18-2026 and post according to law. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Nay. Ordinance 18 carries. Ordinance number 19. May I move to offer ordinance 19 2026 with its first, second, and third reading by title only. Second. All in favor? I opposed. An ordinance authorizing directing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Ryan Act Pavement Inc. for the resurfacing of Shephard Road.

Uh this is essentially what it says, the repaving of of Shepard Road. Uh resurfacing of Shephard Road. Uh our um engineer is on vacation today. So I don't know much more I can say about it other than it's resurfacing Shepard Road unless we want to get into technicalities. Very interesting. Any further discussion? Hearing none. What is your pleasure? I move to pass ordinance 19206 and post the same according to law. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Ordinance 19 carries. Ordinance number 20. I move that we offer ordinance number 20 2026 for its first, second, and third reading by title only. Second. All in favor? I opposed. An

ordinance authorizing and directing the mayor to enter into a contract with Ron Yak Paving Inc. for the 2026 road program. So essentially this is our road program for 2026. And this is somewhat fortuitous for us because the uh the dollars that would have went into the estimate for Shepard was estimated to be 1.4 million with RNA already getting the contract. If they got this one, they bid at 8.24. So we saved significant dollars by by having them for both of those. So it's a good savings for us and it's our paving program for 2026. Any further discussion? What is your pleasure? I move that we adopt ordinance number 20226 and post same according to law.

Second. All in favor? I opposed. Ordinance 20 carries. Resolution 21. I move to offer resolution number 21 2026 for all three readings by title only. Second. All in favor? I opposed. A resolution authorizing the disposition of certain municipal property by the city of Macedonia Police Department in accordance with the city of Macedonia codified ordinance section 121.05 and Ohio Revised Code section 721.15. Lieutenant Costello. Uh this is to sell our old incar camera systems the watch guard camera system which reached its end of life and was replaced by our new camera system cameras. Thank you. Any further discussion hearing? Hearing none. What is your pleasure?

I move to adopt resolution 212026 and post the same according law. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Resolution 21 carries. Ordinance number 22. Mayor I'd like to offer ordinance number 22 2026 for its first reading by title emergency ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a one-year contract with Ohio Plan Risk Management Inc. for the certain insurance coverage for the city of Mason beginning April 1st, 2026. somewhat self-explanatory, but it's a renewal of our insurance and uh we will hopefully push that forward in our next meeting. Ordinance number 23. I move to offer ordinance number 23-2026 for its first, second, and third reading by title only. Second. All in favor? Opposed?

An ordinance providing the current compensation schedule for the non-UN employees of the city of Zonia, Ohio. Director Gdetti. Uh very simply, this modifies the pay that the mayor's park magistrate receives from an hourly rate um to a per court pay basis. Provide a little more uh stability in u payout for the city. And also add to that there has not been an increase in that role in I think the past four years. So we we were a little overdue. Any further discussion hearing? None. What is your pleasure? I move to adopt ordinance number 23-2026 and post according to law. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Ordinance 23 carries. Any other motions or legislative actions?

I move to accept a donation by Michael uh Carneahan in the amount of $100 to be utilized for the senior center meal program. Second. All in favor? I opposed.

Motion. Yes, there is. They'd like to make a motion to accept a donation from Plastic Process Equipment, Inc. in the amount of $1,500 for the city's fire department fund. I'll second that. All in favor?

I opposed. Motion carries. Both motions carry. All right, I'm moving to the mayor's report. Um, recently something came out from the um prosecutor for Summit County, and I want to put into perspective the amount of work that our police department put into a conviction of a a very, very bad person. Uh there was countless countless hours and we are so careful when we go through an investigation to make sure we're we're dotting the eyes and crossing the tees and making sure that if we're going to put something forward to put someone in court that everything is there. It's correct. And I got to tell you this was a big one because if you read through it and I'm not going to belabor the point. I'm pretty sure everyone already kind of knows what happened there. Uh, but I want to pay a big tribute to our police department because the amount of time that they put into that and I know they put a ton of time into that and the things that that individual did were absolutely and completely terrible and that that person is going to be behind bars for at least the next decade and that's all that matters to me is that they did their job, put that person where they belong and the courts did the right thing. Albeit I feel it should have been a lot more than 10 years. Um, I don't mean to inject my personal opinion, but the things that were there and were public record and you could see were absolutely horrible. So, uh, kudos to our police department, kudos to everyone that worked on that, and thank you for all your hard work. And it just goes to show, you know, we we work very, very hard to make sure we're doing the right thing and keeping people safe. So, thank you for that. Second thing is, uh, Avenue Fire. Uh, it's kind of a crazy day. Um, several news outlets came to see me about it and and what I want to point out to everybody and if you've known me long enough, I'm I'm pretty humble person and they try to make it look like the mayor rushed there and saved the day. That that's not what happened. What happened that day is someone called dispatch from inside that building. Then our fire department and our police department ran over there and got everyone out of that building.

It has nothing to do with me. Yes, I was there. Yes, I helped. I That's not what I want to talk about. What I want to talk about is 93 lives were inside that building. A building that was on fire and we got everybody out of there and no one was hurt. One person was transported and I happened to be standing by the indiv individual that was transported and that individual was on oxygen and I think he was at 60% and just out of precautionary measures they transported that gentleman. What an insane day. But at the end of the day what matters most to me is nobody got hurt. The news reporter had asked me, "Well, they have a rating of two out of five stars, you know, for the facility." And my response to her was, "I don't care about that. What I care about today is 93 lives made it out alive and they did it safely and no one was injured and that's all that matters to me." I also want to point out that it was such an crazy date. Service department was there. We had employees that came across the street from here. my my clerk of ports ran across the street to help. I mean, what an amazing group of people we have here to to to go over there and to help any which way they could. We had one gentleman that was over there and somehow made his way over to here in a wheelchair and went down into the community room. We took care of him here, too. I mean, this was an all hands- on deck. When we talk about our police and fire, we know they're amazing. We know they're awesome. Our dispatchers are absolutely amazing. But to see all these other people, the service department, the employees within city hall, to all give a hand in that and help, it speaks volumes about who we are as a community and what we do. So, I can't thank you all enough. 93 lives, nobody was hurt. We did our job. Safety first. I don't care what their ratings are. That means nothing to me. When in a day like that, what I want to talk about is 93 lives were saved. And I know I've said it five times now, but God bless it. We did our job. Everyone was safe. and that's all that matters to me. Thank you again all

of you. Uh please don't drive distracted and keep in mind that the uh the left lane is the passing lane on the highway. That's all for my report. Committee reports. Um parks and recck committee didn't have a March meeting. Our next meeting will be April 15th at 6:00 upstairs in the rec center and it's open to the public. End of

Thank you. Any other committee reports? hearing. Now, we'll go right into department reports. Director Wilson. Thank you, Mayor. Um, council, as always, thank you for your support of the service department. Um, and, uh, next week, March 30th, starting on Monday, we will be doing a I know this seems crazy, but a full sweep of leaves through the through the whole city one time. We're going to do a one time sweep. Um, so get your leaves out this weekend. Um, if you have them still. We just felt like there was a real need. A lot of a lot of calls were coming in. So, trying to meet that need. Um, Summit County uh sewer department repaired a uh a sanitary sewer on South Farm. That's really been a problem since I started here four years ago. Just creates a constant sinkhole. So, we're glad they finally got that fixed and maybe that problem can finally be um rectified. Uh Monday the 30th also um all of our service department will go to regular day shift which is good for us. We can get a lot more done during the day with everyone but um obviously we have to work those two shifts through the winter. It work it works really well um during snow and uh definitely this year it was much needed. Um and then also a lot happening next week. Uh the brush pile will be open as well for people to uh bring their brush um sticks, branches, no no leaves. So that's starting Monday.

What is that at? At 9,000 Valley We at one of our locations. Do you need to show ID? You will will need to show ID. It's residents only. Yes. Can you have your landscaper come and drop it off? cannot have your landscape bring it. It has to be you. If it's my mom and dad that live in Macedonia and I'm doing it for them, can I do that? No. These questions are going to come up. That's why you got to bring your mom photos of the branches in their yard before you pick them.

U I I I want to add one thing. You reminded me of South Farm. Uh you all may have noticed there was some debacle going on over there with the trees that were in the power lines. Uh we did not know but First Energy came out and started slaughtering trees and it looks absolutely atrocious and the people that live over there are upset. I understand they're upset. I have no control over that but I'm going to do my best to help them. Uh so far this week I reached out to ODOT to ask if they could put a wall up, which we've explored before, and they told me no. A mile of wall is $3 million. They're not willing to do that. Um, I've also asked if they could put a mound. They went and looked into that. Not enough space for a mound. Um, First Energy, the day it happened, I was on the phone with a gentleman and I was not so nice to him. Told me that we'll put trees back in, you know, in a year or two. And I said, "Well, that's just not going to work." So, I'm working on it. I recognized it looks horrible, but they can come in and do that kind of stuff. And this is what drives me absolutely bonkers. They can come in, slaughter a tree, and make it look terrible, and walk away, and they can just drop it and leave it. That's what they do. So, want to put it out there that I'm I'm trying to find some ways to rectify that, but uh I'm I'm hitting some walls, so I will try. Thank you for bringing that back up. Yep.

Saying South Farm made me think of it. Thank you for having me. That's all. Mrs. May, welcome.

Hello. My name is Lori May. I'm filling in for Peter today. Um our spring and summer program registrations are open on the Macre website. Some of our activities include youth sports teams, schools out for summer pool party, adult softball, and summer camp, which will have field trips back again this year. The wooded trails at Longwood Park are currently closed for much needed maintenance. Please expect closure to be at least two to three weeks depending on the weather. The restrooms at Longwood Park are getting a facelift, including painted floors and replacement of the stall dividers, the ones that need replacement. And finally, the summer senior bus trip guide is being finalized and should be released by April 29th. Thank you.

And while you're on that, the grindings pile that has been questioned before. We each year we were taking those grindings from our contractors because we use them on the trails. Obviously, it's going to be exhausted. There's no EPA violations or anything of the sort. So, I want to put it out there that yes, we will be exhausting that pile. Yes, it's going out on the trails. and uh whatever we have left we will make sure we put onto the trails or anywhere else we need it but it will be exhausted I would hope by the middle of summer director vs. Thank you mayor. Our resident refund program has started. Uh the deadline is July 15th unless you have an extension from Rita and the report. I'm so surprised that was your report but thank you Director Collins.

It's so eloquent. I can't I can't follow that. uh 37 help desk tickets uh over the weekend. I added a 10 gig back plane to our server network so that I could move data quicker. Uh end of report. Thank you. Thank you. Assistant Commissioner Allen.

Yeah. Uh the building department has filled an open position of administrative assistant. Her name is Julianne And Juliana and she comes from North Royaltton. and uh she's got about 9 years experience in local government which will be benefit to us and uh she seems to have the attitude that she continually wants to improve herself so that'll be a benefit as well and she starts uh April the 6th and then um second and last uh on 80 8909 North Freeway Beauty and Wellness we gave them a partial CFO they're renovating their building there and they're getting ready to start their second phase and then we'll be able to give them a full CO. So, some work is going on there which is uh good to see the business is prospering there. So, in my report,

uh I'm going to add one thing because you reminded me too of something. Uh campaign signs have to be behind the rightway. If you don't know what behind the rightway means, generally it's behind the telephone pole or the electric boxes. If you have any questions about that, please call our department. We'll be happy to uh show you where that's at or talk you through it. We get a lot of calls about signs. You you'd be surprised. It it turns into a whole thing. Chief Ripley,

thank you, Mayor. Um your attempt to uh steal my report over the avenue. Uh but I cannot repeat what the mayor said enough. It was an absolute total team effort in the chaos. Captain Lewis and Lieutenant Mutali arrived with their shift and worked on the fire and the police department. And it wasn't just our police department. I was off duty getting ready to go on vacation and I was pulling over for cruisers from the sheriff's office, Sagamore Hills, Northfield Village. They were there and they police were not directing traffic. They were the ones doing the evacuations. We were busy with the fire service department self-dispatched themselves and blocked the roads which is also very important. We had fire departments there, fire apparatus wise only from Twinsburg and Northfield Village, but we had squads there from Oakwood Stow Hudson. Um I think there was one more but I valley um

building

they were there with the fire truck. Um but it was a total team effort and it went very well. I also need to point out it was Friday the 13th. So, um, take that what you may, but it went well. The facility will be closed for an extended period of time. The state fire marshal has completed his investigation and they deemed it to be accidental, direct cause not known. We are now working with the investigators from the facilities insurance carrier and if we get results of that, we will also share that. But huge thanks to the community, to all the city employees. It went very well and made me very proud. Thank you.

Thank you, Lieutenant Costello.

Yeah. From the uh the police department, I'd also like to thank you, mayor, for the kind words referenced the investigation you spoke on. Um it was it was, as you said, a good team effort. It was a long time coming and we're happy it finally came to a conclusion. Uh so also moving on from that, uh Culver's donated 500 gift cards for free ice cream ice cream cones for our safety program we do. Uh officers have them while they're driving around the community during the summertime. They look for kids displaying acts of safety, riding with helmets, riding their ebikes or electric scooters as they should, riding skateboards as they should. So I want to thank Culver's for that donation. Wendy's used to do that, but uh they stopped doing it and Culver's took over for them. So, thank you for that report.

That's awesome. And thank you for doing that. Director Gdetti, no questions. Any unfinished business? Any new business? Do I have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Second it. All in favor? I opposed. We are ajourned.