City Council - Regular Meeting

6 time is 7 p.m. Tonight's opening prayer will be delivered by Reverend Julie Layman. Please stand and remain standing for the bless. Oh God of heaven and earth, we give you thanks and praise for another day, for the springtime as new growth blossoms, reminding us of your unfailing love. For this community that we call home, we seek your protection for all those who are suffering from violence. Protect those who defend both near and far, especially our first responders, our service members, and our elected officials. Grant wisdom and compassion to those who are called to lead our nation, our state, and our community. Teach us to love one another as you love us. And help our community to grow in compassion and kindness as we learn to listen, to disagree, to set aside our personal agendas, and to care for those most vulnerable. Lead us and guide us each and every day. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for its one nation under indivisible with liberty and justice for all

Mr. Would you please call the role? Member here. Member or here. Member Wy here. Member Matini here. Mleston here. Member Pratt here. Member Stalker here. Seven present. Excellent. Okay. Items under consideration. Make it a motion to approve as presented the minutes from April 6th, 2026 committee of the whole and city council meeting and April 13, 2026 city council meeting. We'll make the second. All in favor? I

oppos. Carries. Is there a motion to approve as presented the Apple Street Northwest Researching Project contract award for engineering? Is there a second? Second. All in favor? Motion carries. And can I get a motion to approve as presented the convocation updates to chapter 155 post ordinances 12 2026 and 13 2026. So moved second. All in favor?

I post carries. Excellent. We do not have anyone signed up for public speak on the agenda. So, we will move right into new business. At this time, the floor is open to nominations to the Civil Service Commission. I'd like to nominate

and I would like to nominate Dennis Colet. There any others? Making a note. All right, seeing none, the floor is closed to further nominations. Is there a motion and second to do roll call vote? Roll call. So the candidates are Jennifer Clay and Dennis Koy. Uh when called please. Member Pier Clay. Member War Koi.

Member Wret Koi. Member Mini. Member Claster. Member Pratt. Member Stalker. Dennis Ko. I think they were both candidates. Absolutely. So nice to have people.

So four votes in the affirmative. Uh would be Dennis Cory. Okay. All right. So, I hereby appoint to the Civil Service Commission with four votes. Dennis McCoy, Mr. McCclers's points. Both excellent candidates. Hopefully, we can find something for Mrs. Kane to participate in. Will you please read the title of ordinance 17206? An ordinance authorizing appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the period beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2026.

Yeah. So, this is uh no changes from what we talked about last week. I think the big point was is that we have uh we're approving a a transfer of $65,000 from the proceeds of the sale of 126 North Main Street and that'll be used uh for the capital improvement of the uh police uh the police department. Um and again, I don't think anything's new this last week, Jim. No, nothing. I'll just I'll just continue on. So, we have the police renovation. Jen, can you keep your voice up? hearing with this.

Yep. So, we have the 65,000 transfer to capital to spend on the police renovation project. And then we have um insurance, we talked about the insurance um premium going up and so appropriations are pretty much just that budget for property liability. Thanks, Jim. Any other questions, comments? Is there a motion to adopt the first reading of ordinance 17 of 2026? So move. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? Oppos? Motion carries. Is there a motion to suspend the rules of council requiring three readings?

Moved. I will second. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. And is there a motion to adopt ordinance 17206 under suspension of the rules? Motion to adopt. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? Motion carries. Yes. So on the appropriation side, it's for finance to make sure that they can balance their books every month. So it's a common thing and that's good. It's it's important that we let everybody know why things are on emergency. Agreed.

Did you ever get that other estimate from that large company, the other insurance company? Yeah. No, we're still waiting on that. Like I said, it could be in a couple months. Okay. On to next one. Liam, will you please read the title of ordinance 182026? An ordinance establishing chapter 165, real property transactions of the codified ordinances of the city of North Canton, thereby establishing provisions for the disposition of real property owned by the city. Okay, Mr. Under the property side finance

and we talked about this last week. Uh I think we've been given a bit a brief description about uh how the city can dispose of real property real estate and how been limited. This uh this change gives us more options for the sale of property. Um does not restrict us to sending it to the CIS. It just opens up options for us and and again Jim I'm I'm not aware of any changes since we talked about this last week. Nope. Just gives the city some flexibility. Absolutely. So with that, I would move we adopt um ordinance or the passive first reading of ordinance 1826. Is there a second? All in favor?

I motion. Moving along quickly tonight. Will you please read the preamble for recognition of those that want to speak? At this time, members of the public who have signed up to address city council will be called to do so. Each speaker will be given 5 minutes. Speakers shall be called in the order they signed up. During this section, comment shall be limited to items reasonably under the city's authority. The rules for speaking and the speaker's time will appear on the screens. After you have finished speaking, please remain at the podium to answer questions from the officials at the decks. Mr. First on the list,

you just state your name, please. Matt Ro. R O H R B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B A A U G H 217 Allen Street Southwest. All right. How's everybody doing? Good.

So, I've been out for a while. Had some medical things going on. Um but I've been watching from home. you all look pretty lonely last few meetings with three people in the seats and then uh Mr. Stalker's plea for public speaks. I was like, "Yeah, I'll go." So, it's all good. Um, so I took some notes too as I watched. Um, you guys had a lot of fun recently. First thing though wasn't with the notes. I received and I think Mr. Stalker brought something up a month or two ago similar, an open permit inspection letter from Mr. Van Gundi. Um, a year ago I had a water heater installed. I had it installed by a plumber.

This says that it's still open, but if I don't contact them to schedule an appointment within 30 days of the date, it will be closed. So, that kind of sound makes it odd like, do I need to have it inspected or it's just going to close? And what's going to happen if they just close it? It doesn't tell me. I keep forgetting the call. Um, I just remember tonight when I was coming down, I was like, "Oh, I'll just ask about it." And um you know if I was a homeowner that had the skills in the tools I know from previously working in uh building exper or building materials with that that people don't even bother the permit but when you've got plumbers that want to keep plumbing in the city there about the permit. How would the homeowner know to get this inspected? Who's responsible for the homeowner to know? Because my plumber is in Brunswick but they're not coming back for me. So, I got that.

Um, secondly, uh, over the last, I'd say three to four meetings, uh, a handful of you up there have each at one time or another asked about, uh, residential streets. And I know on April 6th, it turned into confusion about projects which are already been listed in the Sun, uh, and also been listed by, uh, Rob, what's his last Graham? All right. And then at some point it was said, "Hey, we should bring him in to talk about him," which he's already has. And again, they're listed in the Sun. What I believe those of you on the council have asked, and I know I've been asking, what is the plan for the residential streets, it's a almost a year since we got the uh income tax increase. Um, I know we need to get the new uh grinder or whatever, but is there at least a list of which residential streets are going to be priority in order not necessarily going to get done when they'll get started because regardless of the income tax, uh, Mr. Young did state that $1.6 billion was found and that money was there unless it's being used for something else. So, I just wanted to bring that up uh because I'm curious about the the residential streets. It was one of the things that got me to vote for the income tax um increase. Um I asked the chief a little bit uh earlier when I was coming in uh with my Facebook group. I posted something and I don't like to call out people in the group to make them known, but uh I've been made aware by various people in various parts of the city. Uh, stop signs don't exist in this city lately in various places. My stop sign, I've got a better view of it cuz left turns like it's not even there. Um,

they're just they're flying through. I know that the uh speed detector has been sitting at city hall while feel free to my yard if you want to find out. seem to be rolling pretty good from that uh county school up there. Um but also I was told that the Warsler 7th Street, which is not even, you know, it's just a regular one stop and they're they're going through that people uh a constituent sees people running that very, you know, daily. Uh, Sixth and Orchard. I know that they run that one daily as they're cutting through there from Seventh to get over to Main Street. Uh, and I'm sure there's many others. Uh, so I've got that. Streets, stop signs. That's it. Any for me? Excellent. Any questions for Mr. Ro?

Thank you. Thank you. Chief, would you like to address just briefly since you're not on the report at the end of the meeting? U just related. Sorry, I missed Facebook.

No, no, no. I don't expect you to. I just didn't miss that. I'll stop. It does help with any of these that we have time frames for this and you're talking about a ship that has four available on it. We are very fortunate that our big concern typically is traffic enforcement. So to try to get in the area most efficient. So we have a time frame when traffic comes through. So we're not sitting there at the wrong time frame because we don't want to come back and say we're spent 20 hours in the last month sitting there had nothing while find out we weren't sitting there at the right time. So we try to be efficient in that operation. Unfortunately with with stop signs I can't get the same data that I can from the speed signs from our stop which is covert speed data issues I can't get type of intel for that related to stop

what's the best way to communicate those times issues concern emergency line emergency line they can send us a contact form that's usually how some of the neighbors reach out to us and express concerns about seeing complaints on their streets. We do have several areas. We have hot spot is up around the high school that is played during most times need to be around lunchtime. So we try to steer our officers to be in an area that they're going to be affected and that's in around regular calls. So it just depends also going off the ship. We try to be proactive in that aspect. We're not perfect. We always need to help point and I think all of our concerns is just safety safety for pedestrians and other vehicles. Yes. On the road. Thank you. Mr. Patterson name and address. I think you know the normal routine.

Think I know. Hi everybody. Good evening. Pat Patterson, 1754 Street Cogs. Good to be back. Uh get back into whatot was working for a living. Um Palm Sunday we had our most recent community walk about a half dozen of us there on a chilly nice looking Sunday morning. Uh covered a good part of the first ward including uh right behind us here. Came into my old neighborhood went down to West Parker joined us. Pat, can you keep your uh voice up? Okay.

Into my old neighborhood and went down to But Doug Wctor was with us. Okay, we'll just pick up there. And uh yeah, he brings on he's with the Heritage Society, those that don't know. And uh he brings a wealth of knowledge about community history and um so yeah, he's definitely a welcome welcome addition. Um, our next community walk will be on the 10th of May. 8 a.m. we will be meeting at the main lot on 7th Street. And anybody who would, we definitely welcome you. 8 a.m. Uh, we usually go about two and a half, three miles, even though we we kind of fractured that last time. I think we end up doing about three and a half when it was all said and done. Um, we got a little carried away, but uh, you know, still good time with that by all completely 100% free uh to come. Uh no sign up sheets, nothing to show off and uh rumor has it there's treats even after fellowship and goodies. That's all I have tonight. Uh really

we allowed to bring our mothers. You may you bring your mom. You can bring your dad. It's Mother's Day. It's Mother's Day. Yeah. lower. I've taken a couple beatings for that. And then Pat for those the the uninitiated, you know, you obviously live in the fall. You want to talk a little bit more about what your past and present connection is.

It's a strong urging of my mom and dad. I had moved to North Carolina 1971 at the tender age of two and a half and uh grew up actually I mean literally backyard and a half from here. We used to actually cut through a backyard cut through the civic center yard here to go to park. I mean it's we're that close. Um went to kindergarten through fourth grade at Northwood. Fifth grade, sixth grade I went to Orchard Hill. seventh grade. I was part of the last class to uh graduate or not graduate but to go to the Portage Middle School. Uh we I went to Charlotte for a year, went to went to for four years. Uh was here until decided that Jason falls. Not because of her, but I've regretted it ever since. Yeah. Again, not because of her. You're watching No, I mean so my my heart has always always always been here and you know one of my biggest regret not marrying her that's not one of my biggest regrets one of the beauty things in my life but leaving leaving town is probably one of the biggest regrets that I have and if I had the wherewithal to do it I currently working.

The roots are very very Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We move on to department report.

All right. Uh well, I was honored to uh be able to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the North Little League, which uh was an honor being a former uh little leager and uh I played baseball for for years after college even and um I I can't speak highly enough about the North Canton Little League Association and what they do and um the opportunities that they provide for all the kids and and even the adults to come in and watch And it's just a top class uh first class organization. So um was it a strike?

It I think so. You know, I thought it was left corner of the plate. So yes. Okay. I threw a little heat there. I thought, you know, but we'll see. I see. There's a video. I I've seen video. I was uh you know, there's 12y old behind the plate. So, I didn't, you know, go full through full full throttle,

but I brought a little heat. So, you guys can see on the video it's bested. Um, but I want to talk about the uh the American 250 Gala for the last time. So, the VIP opens at 6. Regular attendance opens at 7. There's still tickets available. Uh, we're still um accepting sponsorships and um would love for you to be there. I think you can still buy tickets, right? Yeah. Well, it's getting close because it's Friday. So, if you're thinking about doing it or you should uh, you know, pull the trigger going to close.

Oh, way to close. Um, let's see what else we have. It was I don't want to steal the thunder from personnel, but it was uh administrative professionals day and we have an awesome staff and I want to thank them. And I think that's all gone. Excellent. Administration. Thank you. Um I'll start off with the permit process just to clarify for you and for others. And I find always that this is a very, you know, confusing process sometimes to homeowners that aren't in it all the time. So, was it a hot water tank? Is that what you said? Or Yeah.

Okay. So, in that example, putting in a hot water tank, you hire a professional to do it. That professional uh should be a registered contractor with us. Probably was. Then they go in, they do the work. It is up to them to actually schedule the inspection and have the inspection come be done because inspection needs to be done to make sure that they did everything up to code for you know building standards to make sure it's safe and that protects you. So what happened like you said a homeowner doesn't know that. So then the homeowner gets this letter and is thinking was I supposed to do this? No. So your step is to call the plumber that you use and say hey I got this letter from the city. what the city's saying when they give you 30 days is is saying this hasn't been done and if it's not done in 30 days because I think I think you were kind of saying what's going to happen um it's just closed out as an incomplete and then that means that the inspection wasn't passed you know it's incomplete inspection um why why that's important is if um you know for anything if you were to go wrong if something were to you know there's valves and things if something were to blow up your insurance company would say was this work inspected and that's why you pull a permit that's the other thing a lot of People think, you know, they could just do things on their own. We have a lot of people just DIYing it. And we say this so many times. It is not a money grab from the city. It is not just red tape. The permitting process is there to protect you as a homeowner on the work that's being done. So, you know, there's reasons that the codes exist. There's reasons they say certain things like a deck when you're um you know uh making the holes in the ground to put the deck in has to go be so many inches below the frost line and all of these things so that that deck doesn't collapse later. And I know some people think well you've got a buddy that can do it, you know, for free. He's not registered. He doesn't get it inspected, but then that homeowner isn't protected if anything happens with that work. So, um I imagine that they've done an audit of the system. Um and that's why you get the letter. they kind of go back and audit and see who's still open and then those letters go out. So, that's how that process works. Um, also want to talk about uh I'm not going to steal any

thunder from Trisha because she's going to go up and she's going to talk more, but like you said, the gayla's coming up and I know you're probably going to say it, but I'll say it anyway. I want to thank our sponsor for that. That is Wanger and they were the the key like the key sponsor over it. So, they gave a nice contribution to the city and she's going to talk more about sponsorship. Some great things happening there. Um the we'll talk I think we'll have more time to keep talking because this isn't this week but next week the um the downtown the dart the envisioning session that is on May 5th right Cinco de Mayo we will be at Dogwood Pavilion uh at 6 pm for the community to come out and that's the the the downtown assessment resource team is that what that is and it's envisioning our downtown we always say it's in our master plan that we want to have a you know revitalized downtown. We want a happening downtown. We want a downtown that looks like other great downtowns we visit. Well, how do you get there? And what do you want? What do you see that as a community? This is the community's opportunity to come forward and talk. It's an envisioning session. So, it's putting things up and I'm sure we'll have um you know, a facilitator, a moderator, and that is from Heritage Ohio. So, just want to talk about that. Um thank you to Jennifer and Dennis. I mean, it's great that we had two people for civil service commissioners. You know, usually we're like trying to find people. So, two great people. You picked one. I heard somebody say we always have other spots. So, we'll find something else for Jennifer. I'm sure uh that she can help with. Uh, also, I just wanted to last say um uh s Sunday I was out of Girl Scouts. I know Christina was out there, too. Did anyone else swing by the Girl Scout council? They had their open house. Um, so I'm wearing my little Girl Scout pin they gave me. and uh you know it's just kind of a walk through. Uh so they I think we may have talked about it before Jason and I had a call with uh someone with Girl Scouts of Northeastern Ohio organization. They're embarking upon a large project that they're going to do and creating a new um STEM for

girls science, technology, engineering, and math. Um what's the name of the the program? The uh it'll be discovery discovery in It's really cool. It sounded really cool.

Yeah, they're going to be really just redoing that. They're going to keep the shell of the building, but the interior is going to change a lot. So, they're kind of letting everybody walk through, see how it is now, and then there's going to be a lot of changes, be a lot of great stuff in there, um, you know, for for girls to really learn more about careers in those fields. And, um, we're going to work on a collaborative project together. We both wrote for a capital award to our local legislators and ours has to do with Rotary Park to maybe improve do some improvements in Rotary Park with whatever we can get, improve some parking. If you've ever been to Rotary Park, you know, it's the trail to nowhere and just kind of goes back. It'd be nice if it even just looped around and came back out. Um, not too much in Rotary Park. You know, maybe if we can get a little money, put some benches in there, a better parking. Depends if how much money we get. If we get enough money, but also like to add a little restroom out there because what Girl Scouts wants to do is they um are they're also writing for a capital award and they want to put a playground behind their building and that would be open to the public. So, um, we have we're working with them. We own some land back there, so, you know, we may be able to work with them and and when the, uh, capital WS are looked at, they do like to see collaborative community projects. So, it's a little bit of it's Rotary Rotary Park, it's the city, it's the Girl Scouts. Um, they would love improvements over there at the park because they do outside programming. So, the girls could go over there and, you know, hike, little city hiking. Um, and that's all I have.

Deputy Director of Administration. No report this evening. Thanks. Okay. So, next looking right at you.

I I just briefly want to address Mr. Ral and the new council in terms of u street repaving. So, obviously we know usually budget $400,000 a year for streaming or street repaving. um we uh had the income tax income tax increase 2% last year effective the beginning of this year so it takes some time to collect that. So um this year we currently don't have the usual $400,000 street paving like we usually do that will be here for next year continue going further. Um but we do have some projects in house that we're doing along with Rob's um Apple Grove um in conjunction with his waterline project and his ninth and Weber um part um waterline construction is also going to be paving on that. Matt Marorrow gave me um kind of the roads that he plans on and alleys he plans on um repaving this year and I'll just briefly through some of these. Fair Oaks Alley between seventh and fifth, Pacific Alley off of Meadow Lane. a spot paving mar um greenway between nan park um a park between seven and fifth the parks department parking lot um first 50 to 75 ft of hiser leg where it's really bad uh like one lane on lorina between Donner and Lindy Lane for the waterline project um and then after that he's going to re reevaluate the asphalt budget and see where they're at to see what else they can do. So the the reanual repaving will be back on for next year, but as of right now, that's what we have for 2025 for 2026.

Now, if I can ask a question, don't we normally spend about 400,000 and we're not what happened to that money? We're not doing that this year just because we had a shortfall for this year for balance in the year. So we discussed it in budgeting if you recall.

So can I chime into that? So I think where the confusion lies and I'll take a little bit of the blame. So I was public speak citizen in January of last year asking council at the time what are we going to do about streets when we're asking everyone to pass the income tax. And that evening Ben Young did give us the update that there was 1.6 million left over from 2024 that was found. I think Gina did the same thing. Um and that they were going to go ahead and move that into this year. Divide it up into four years is 400,000 a year. So what the expectation was by the voters who passed it was there is 400,000 available this year. So I think the question that people are looking for clarification on is what happened to that.

Yeah. So I think we're that's part of the asphalt budget for this year. Um I can get you more clarification when I get back. Yeah. Sure. No, that's fine. I think that's trying to clear up where I think the questions come from. Yeah. And and then there was a little bit of confusion on West Maple. I thought we had done that was supposed to be done this year. It will be it will be this second half of this summer. Okay. Because it was said that they weren't going to do it. It'll be next uh state fiscal year. That might have been the confusion because the state fiscal year starts July 1st 27, calendar 26. It gets confusing. It's this year and next year. Yeah. Okay.

And that's from Lindy Lane all the way down. And Jackson's going to do their part down there at the end. Okay. Can we get a you think that it'd be possible to get a rundown of what monies would be left after all the grant funded projects for this summer this year because like the Apple project um we only have to and it's a it's an amazing grant but we only have to pay 10% uh which Scott for for Apple Growth for 50,800 $195. So, we're not having to spend as much money maybe as I was thinking we'd have to spend on Apple Growth

that we're going to have a lot more funds left over that, you know, I it uh I have a hard time sleeping at night with with how much everything cost as it is. So, it's it's like not doing anything doesn't really seem like the answer. Um yeah, we got to keep doing something as unattractive as the cost. it's only going to get worse as well as our streets. So, yeah, I guess if we could get a list of what monies would be left and then even if we don't have the funds planned or you know, maybe the money hasn't come in yet, are we able to advance that to us just so that we don't miss out on another another year of giving?

That's possible. We're talking about that. I'll get you to get you a list and we go from there for sure. You brought up Alpha Grove also. that was not in our budget originally because that got moved up. So, right that 50,000 came out of this year's budget and it was not planned that was supposed to be I believe next year. So, that got moved up. So, that takes a chunk of it out too. Does that 50 come out of street fund or general fund or where that come from? So, part of it would be water water funds water line water part street. Okay. It was anticipated to be pushing to 70,000 10% lower.

Yeah, I think the engineers estimate was 841,000. came back in um 5089 and um our cost would be the 50,000 September service. I had a constituent actually two of them ask me is this part of your report John or it's a question to find is it possible where do our property taxes go to so much goes to the school so much goes to the roads can we have a breakdown

I can get your breakdown you know I think I recently sent that to mayor right yeah I think that would be something to really show show our people out there percentage breakdown because the schools really do get a lot you know more so than what people think and great thanks on the auditor site you can also see that show with just the city is that just city or is it show county

if your own personal address is broken down on the auditor site you go into tax detail there's tax summary then there's tax detail It'll say this is going to library, this is going to the streets, this is going to police, this is going to whatever you know property tax leverage you have on your property. Okay. Thanks. Anything else for finance? I feel like we threw a lot of questions at you. So, thank you. It's all good stuff. Thank you. We're going to save economic development for last and not ignore you. Mr. Do you have a report this evening? Uh, no report other than to kind of play into Trisha. Uh, get your gala tickets. It's gonna be a great evening. All right. Well, have fun. Please share.

Hello. Um, so yes, the gala is Friday. Yes, we do have tickets available, but we are still strong. We have 120 people uh tickets sold. Um, we still have room for more, but even if we're at 120, we're going to have a great time. Um, Thomas Jefferson will be in attendance. Um, and uh, I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I walked through the event with Carrie from Arrowhead today and um, we're gonna have a turkey carving station and vegetables and potatoes and all the really kind of Americana hometown feel kind of food. So, um, it should be a really fun evening. So, thank you to those of you that have bought your tickets, those of you who are uh, still considering, please do. we would love to have you but if you don't come that's okay we'll have an introduction that's all right too so um I would like to recognize the Winganger companies who are who is our sponsor for the evening for the gala um so we are we're very happy to have them so the big news which is why I'm here is that we received I applied for several grants for our American 250 uh programming not just for July 4th but for the entire year um for all of the different programming that we're doing Um, and I'm very happy to report that the Hoover, the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation awarded us a $25,000 grant um for the entire year's activities. Um, that will go towards the gala, the July 4th weekend, um, our first responders dinner, um, the the history videos that Hoover High School is doing for us, um, as well as a couple other small things that we're doing throughout the throughout the year. So, um, we are very thankful to Herbert Hooper that they have not forgotten us here in North Canton. Um, and so we are we're very happy to have them as, uh, to have that grant. I also want to report that, uh, we did receive

a $10,000 drone sponsorship from Devil Mixorf.

Um, so that was a that was a nice long conversation. I'm thankful to uh, Mike Jacobson at Devil's Mixtor who is always fighting for us. um very happy to have him as a partner. And I will tell you that we also have another $10,000 drone sponsor on the hook. So hopefully very soon I will be able to tell you that we have a second $10,000 drone sponsor. Great news. My total budget that I was looking forward to was a $60,000 and we are at 55,000. So, um, I told you guys when I was here a month or so ago that my goal was to cover all of our programming and sponsorships, and if we are lucky, we are going to get real close to that. Um, so I'm so thankful to our sponsors. I want to go ahead and if that's okay to recognize them, the North Canton Public Library, Mission View Church, the North Canton Lions Club, the North Canton Rotary, Abbott Electric, Walsh University, the Patriot Project, and Tim Develi, North Canton Collision, Ellsworth Auto Body, Walther's Twin Tavern, Mayor Matroya, Koala Cruisers, The Winganger Company, Viking Glass Station, NOEC, Koala Cruisers, Beck Electric, Papa Bears Pizza Oven, Wagner Chocolates, the Vandervart team, CFB Bank, and Bears Lawn and Garden. So, we are so thankful to all of them, small and large gifts. Um, so so happy to have them. I also want to thank all of you uh who donated uh items for our silent auction. We're going to have some fun silent auction items on Friday. Um some of my favorites are an Ohio State chair, an Aderondac chair, uh a tasting at New

Berlin Company for 12 with Marmat. Um which would be a fun evening. I think we've got four tickets to the Guardians. We have two tickets to the Upper Deck Golf Experience up in Cleveland um over the summer um and a lot of really other wonderful things too um bourbon and all all things. So, it's going to be so fun. So, um I believe I'm going to see all of you guys there on Friday. So, that's all. Anybody have any questions for me? Excellent. Great news. Thank you. Thank you. Wow. We want to follow that. Mr. Mcclesia, you go first.

Actually, you know, it's very perfect that you uh brought that up because I was going to thank you because I am uh always impressed when I come into city hall. Uh you should try to stop in at least once a week and uh just poke my head in there and get updates. I think you've done a fantastic job and so I for one to the galler this Friday and uh as she said, tickets are still available. Um ironic that uh Mr. Warbach came tonight and talked about permits because I had a decent experience with a permit. So, I think I shared the tale of uh well, unfortunately needing to get an electric car hooked up. That's a whole another discussion. Um but uh had a water heater put in. Um and actually the permit process was extremely easy. It was very painless. Um I think they might have been there. See Jason's coughing. He couldn't believe that it was that pain. So, um I think they were there for Mike was there for I don't know five minutes. So, very pleasant. So, um so thanks for for that. But, uh also did just want to also thank Katherine. We've we've collaborated on a couple different things. We've talked I had a nice conversation earlier this week. Um won't share any of that just yet, but also want to thank her uh and Jason for listening to me talk about some sidewalk uh issues uh over on the ward one side of town. Thank you. is

is that a free public charging station in your No, just asking. I am kind of curious that it works. I haven't gotten my car my company isn't fast charger, Mr. Pratt.

Sure. Yeah. I guess just to follow up on Mr. for uh public speaking tonight. Uh you know, you hit on a bunch of things that is important to probably every every one of these. Um and as far as um as far as the traffic safety concern, um I've received some of those myself or an area close to Arrowhead by the golf course. Um that's being actively looked into speeding through neighborhoods. They seem to be cut through pretty much everywhere for some reason. Um and so as we have trouble caused, we just need to either get them reported to us or to PD for their non-emergency just so that we can uh you know take care of those isolated incidents or areas of concern. Uh, as far as the permits, uh, if if the city, and you guys can correct me if I'm wrong, but if the city did not have, um, our own in-house permits department, it would still fall on the count. It's we're enforcing state law and that local um, just essentially to make the process easier than having to go out to the county. you know, you've got people from the city to help you with whatever it is that you want to get worked on. Um, and we do have a good team of people that's willing and ready to help. Um, and if issues arise in that process for you, you know, they're they're more than willing to help uh work through that with you. Um, if something needs fixed, then I know they're willing to

look into that. Um, and as far as the uh I guess that's it with Matt, but thanks for voicing your concerns because um I do think that you know that hits home for a lot of people. Um the master plan was my next question if we got an update on that. I know we keep we keep about it's coming it's coming but

we did receive it. So the steering committee will meet. So, it was um in on the 21st of April is the date that uh they sent an email draft and then we will I think we're looking to be about May 7th. I don't know if we you know mailed down a date yet. Um but yeah, we'll get we'll look at it and then we'll give some feedback and then I don't know a couple weeks or so before we'll probably bring it, you know, uh forward and I think it timing will be really good because we'll uh have the we have the position posted right now for the parks planning uh director and development director and um be a couple weeks of interviews, couple weeks you may we get a decision made, maybe they have to give a couple weeks to their job. So, uh, we'll probably have it, you know, late mid to late May and then they'll start in June hopefully.

Okay.

And, um, as far as streets, you know, paving, you know, there's there's a few streets that are especially bad. I hope we can do more this year just so that we don't fall behind. But um Rob, our engineer, he's not here, but he um he truly has our best interest and does an amazing job. Every time he's here, everyone talks to him and usually gives him the same praises, but it's I mean it's it's amazing what he can get done and what he saves us in the city. Um so thanks to him. You know, we're getting Apple Road handled. Um, so yeah, just shout out to Rob. Um, and um, thanks, Mr.

Thank you. Um, first I would like to uh restate my thanks to to Katherine, to our parks and rec chair Christina and YMCA vice president of operations, Jennifer Anderson on the incredible collaboration that it took the new and the more resident friend's policy for Dogwood Pool. Um, there have been a lot of over the years uh for a lot of things relating to Dogwood Pool. Uh but uh Katherine and Christina did a lot of work behind the scenes to to bring this home. So to to thank them again for for that effort. Um secondly, um a reminder that uh the fire hydrant flushing in the city continues. The west side of town was taken care of last week. This week it's the uh east side. Um, and there's a note on the website that talks about that if there is if residents are obsidian users of the system, if they experience um discoloration, they should be checking their water before they launder for discoloration. And if there is, they should be contacting the city through phone or the online form that is uh that is there and available. And then um lastly, I would like to congratulate Mayor Matt Stroya on what might have been the best ceremonial first pitch in history. It was absolutely right. Pipe right down the middle. Saturday was opening day at NCL. And even though the weather was not perfect, it was still a great day. Um um personally after the Saturday morning ceremonies I headed over to Dick Miller Field which is the Hoover varsity baseball field to watch my third varsity baseball game in four days. Um it was a very good week for Huber baseball. It was highlighted by dominant victories over the team in purple that that played

out west and the uh the number five team in division one uh Madina uh beat both teams six to nothing. Uh kind of interesting. Um when I looked out on the field on Saturday, I I I took note that every single starting player and then the two relief pitchers that came in afterwards for Hoover, they were all former North Camps. And that may not seem unusual to to people. Um um you think North Canton, literally North Canton Hoover, but that has definitely not always been the case. And in this day and age of youth travel baseball and especially in the era of open enrollment in high school, um it is very important and very notable. Now, um this year, North Canton Little League is home to over 260 players that spread across 26 and three age divisions. The games are played every week night with the exception of Friday and then there are two divisions that play on Saturdays. Um unfortunately uh there are a lot of things that in this world in this country right now that are not awesome or great but North Canton is one of those things that is North Canton literally is one of those things that is awesome and great. And I hope that um if people have the time here in the spring, in the early summer they find their way to the Uber Community Recreation Park on East Maple. You will definitely see a slice of what is good with our country and our community. And uh don't forget to visit the concession stand. As uh Humphrey Bogart once famously said, a hot dog at the ballpark is better than a steak at the rit. So thank you. Thank you. That's why.

All right. Um, I think I'd just like to take a minute to kind of reflect on as Trisha was speaking. Well, congratulations, Trisha. Like, this is amazing. But it just was a reminder to me that this is what being intentional gets us, right? Um, we've been talking for years about adding um someone who's dedicated to the community and to marketing and um and economic development. And I was looking back at our master plan from 2023 where it mentions that our focus is having an active pedestrians core, pride of place. Have we ever had America to We've never had flags like that people could buy for their homes, right? I just that's really exciting. um downtown support um and just opening the door to new businesses. So I think you know combined I just feel like this is coming together. I feel like between the dart assessment team that we have coming in next week which is something that has just been I don't know a dream of mine for so long. Um, and then the way that you whenever you learn about all of those sponsors, I mean, companies don't always like the government, right? Like, so the fact that so many of them are supporting what we're doing, I I just think it's a really big deal. And so, I'm grateful that um this council and everyone supported adding this position and that you're doing such a great job. Thank you, Mr. War.

Just a couple things. Thank everyone who came out tonight. We really appreciate it. It's nice to see a few more faces, which is good. Trisha, thank you so much for all you do and I can't wait to be there. Um, I called the non-emergency number today at North Police Department. was telling Chief Kemp, "Wow, they did a great job. My dog had gone through my front door and she took off and she doesn't like other dogs and I'm a little worried. My wife's out of town. I know, but um

way to go."

So, uh we found her. She's over here. Guy's walking her on a leash with two other dogs. My dog doesn't like other dogs, but she's lucky, you know. So, uh, great job. The girls are they do a fine fine job out there. We do live in a great city, you know. And, um, the, uh, other thing I got, I was a little confused. I got a letter from, uh, our aggregate NOPEC sent me, well, I don't belong to that. So I, you know, so my wife, she made a couple calls. She goes, "We don't belong here. You know, we we shouldn't have got a letter." I thought those letters were only going to go out to customers. I guess they went to everybody.

They did. Okay. In the city. I thought they were only going to go out to It's like, you know, the rates and the aggregation program that the city's in, right? But you've chosen to opt out of it, right? I have solar panels and stuff of that nature. Oh, you do. I am another zero bill. Uh so uh good for you.

The sun does shine on W four. So uh um you know, thank you uh Mr. Pratt for all you do with the roads and stuff of that nature. I appreciate that. Um haven't got too many calls. So and we have a great administrative team. So thank you. Does your wife know your dog know his she doesn't? Are you telling me an entire city heard about it? See a chocolate lab out there. John, look on YouTube now.

That's right, Miss Perox.

Okay. Um, couple things. Uh, Mr. Robot, thank you for everything that you said. you're actually kind of channeling a couple things I was going to touch on tonight, so I won't repeat some of it. Um, but I do think there is more clarification needed on the streets, cost, the funding, all of that. I do have constituents asking me. Um, and so anything you can pull together, I know it'll be better than what we're trying to put each other in our heads. Um, if we can throw a a street on the list as a priority, I think Persing by the school bus garage is just a hot mess. It's the best word I can use for it. Um, I drive it every day. I have walked it recently at the request of a constituent. Um, there's a lot of different things going on there that are structurally just wrecking cars. Like, I'm sure alignments are a mess. So, if we can throw that one as an urgent matter whenever we can get to something, um, I know it won't be quick, but that's getting a lot of attention by the community. Um, North Kent Little League opening day is near and dear to my heart. Um, I've had three boys play there, a husband managed there. I I remain a board member there now. I'm in my 11th year. And it is like a holiday in North Canon. It really is. And we do have something very special here. Um, I get a little sappy every time we have that ceremony. Um, we have very traditional things that we do. You know, we parade the kids around. We say every single player's name out loud. Their parents, you can hear them behind you cheering. It's a moment for families in this town. And I mean this season we have a great number of kids signed up. We have more teams than we've had recently. So something good is going on there. It continues to We're really glad that you were there with us. You did throw one heck of a a pitch. I was sure to capture on film for all. Um but you know somebody a fellow board member on his Facebook page the other day said it best. He's like North Camp Middle League still continues to provide basic fun for

kids in this community. You do not have to try out. There are no cuts. Come play baseball with us. These are lifetime memories that are made. So, that was an excellent um it was cold. It was a little chilly. We had a lot of rain, a lot of fields to fix that day. And you did not see yours truly fixing fields, but we had volunteers that put a lot of um sweat and um elbow grease into that. So, thank you to all of them. Um you know, we talked about Dogwood Pool. Jeeoff, I heard you talk about Dogwood Pool and you know, I I've been vocal for a long time about access for residents and I know that I've talked to Christina and Katherine at length about this and Katherine, I know you're seeking some answers for some questions I sent you, so I won't talk about all that tonight, but I'm just going to say I'm not convinced we have it down yet. Um, the access for residents to me is a cumbersome process and I walked myself in. I pretended like I was a resident filling out this new form and I'm not sure I understand the need for it to be honest. Um, and the gal behind the desk said to me, "You're the first person we've had fill one out."

So, there is only one. They gave me the stats today. You are the only one.

Yeah. And I I told her I I'm a council person. I actually already had popped my pass. So, I told her what I was doing. She was great. Um, but a couple things I think. One, it's not communicated well. I think on the YMCA website, that information is way at the bottom, tucked away in an FAQ section that you have to expand to even read. So, I'm not sure that it's really shared with the public as much as it could be. And I would like to see them maybe move that around um get the word out, put it on their Dogwood Pool social media account. I don't know why they haven't yet to be honest with you. Um but this is a process that I think we're getting closer. um citizens now have access on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and holidays except the fourth, I think. Um but I do think it's a little bit strange to me that a resident in the city has to walk in and fill out a form to gain that access. But if I live in Massland, I can show up Monday through Thursday and not fill out anything. So, it's a little bit of an imbalanced treatment of people showing up at the pool. And so, I would encourage further conversation with them. Um, I think there's more opportunity to get that nailed down better than it currently is, but I wanted to go through that activity myself and and see what it was like before I commented on it. And so I think we get to continue to have conversations. Um, we a lot of us toured Dogwood Pool last week. Um, so we could all see it without water in it so we all understand. You know, the liner, we've talked about the liner a lot. Um, we're going to put water in it soon. I think

it's filling up as we speak. It's been filling up.

Awesome. So, you know, cross your fingers if all goes well. Um, so I would like to thank Steve Shank. He gave us all a great tour. I've been educated greatly. Um, and then just as I arrived, if some of you remember, I had asked in a prior council report about taking care of brown bees and they had done that. And so I think that will make a lot of people happy. So, thank you for that. Um, the last thing I'll mention, I've had constituents reach out to me because in the paper this week, it was mentioned that there is um, I guess going to be a for sale sign going up in the front yard for the Hoover building and you know, I learned about it just like most people learned about it. And, um, the the questions that come to me are, does that mean the city's not going to do anything about the building? And the answer is no. I mean, I have looked for myself. We are continuing with property code enforcement. Um, and we're doing it in a very good way. Um, that's public record information that can be sought out by anybody. I'm carrying around a list of it with myself for future reference for those phone calls I'm getting. Um, but we won't stop. We won't stop with the property code enforcements. We'll continue to do the job that the city is supposed to do. Um, our permits people are fantastic and um, code enforcement is is on it as far as I can tell. So, I feel good about that. And you know, hopefully somebody does step forward with interest in the building and we have something good come from that. But in the meantime, I'm confident in telling my constituents that the city is taking care of code court enforcement the way that they they can best. So

um that's everything I report to to that I'll just say is a sign will be going in the yard also. So if you read about repository or you read about it online, that's one thing. But some people don't and but people driving down Main Street are going to look over and see a sign. So you may get I think that's really going to kick up the for sale. Whoever wants to buy. Yeah.

Well, as we wrap up, I just want to say how proud I am to be a part of camp in the everyday moments. Neighbors checking on one another, volunteers showing up, residents speaking of care. We see what makes this community special. As we head into the coming days, let's keep looking out for one another, especially those who may need a hand or a kind word. Progress doesn't always come from big moments. It comes from small acts done together. I'll close with a reminder to all. Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." That spirit, that spirit lives right here in North. Thank you. Thank you all for your time, your service, and your commitment to our neighbors. Great evening. Now, I will ask for final call for new business. Seeing none, moves to the meeting's calendar. May 4th, committee of the whole. May 11th, city council meeting with public speaks and May 18th, committee of the whole, there will be no meeting on May 25th. That is a holiday, Memorial Day. Should we uh think about maybe having a council meeting also on the have a dual if we only have one meeting?

I think it'll depend on what's on the agenda, but it is certainly an option. Okay. Okay. All right. I will accept a motion to adjurnn. I'll make that motion. Is there a second? Second.