City Council - Regular Meeting

Tonight's opening prayer will be delivered by Reverend. Please remain standing for the national anthem.

We can do the pledge. That's clearly

I am Pastor Angel Jackson from St. Jacob's Lutheran Church on State Street and also representing the North Canton clergy association. So, thank you for having me. Let us pray. Holy God, I give you thanks for this day. For this community where we live and for all of these people who sacrifice of themselves to serve. We give you thanks for our first responders and we ask that you keep them safe. And Lord, I ask that you send your wisdom so that uh you could bless each of the people who live in our city and that you can guide our leaders to make decisions that benefit our common good.

We pray all this in your holy name. Amen. Amen. 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.

Mr. Will you please call the role? Perpoint here. Member or here. Member Wyrick here. Member here. Member Claster. Member Pratt here. Member Stalker here. Six present. Can I get a motion to excuse me mleer? Second. Second. All in favor? Okay. I will make the motion to approve as presented quarter 1 2026 finance report. Get a second. Thank you. All in favor?

I post motion carries. Okay. At this time, council invites Paul Depascal, director of environmental health, and Kirk Norris, health commissioner of Stark County Health Department to speak on the department's current initiatives. Gentlemen, if you go to the podium, good evening everybody, and thank you for the time. I know everybody's busy, so thank you very much for the time. As you said, I'm Kirk Norris. This is Paul Pas. Um, part of our strategic priorities is to is to work on our public image, strengthen our public image, as well as strengthen partnerships with our community partners. So, we're doing our political subdivision visits that we do annually to come out, put put a face with a name, introduce ourselves. Paul's going to go over a couple things because you mainly probably deal with environmental health issues through the health department here in the city of North. So Paul Paul will share a little bit about those, but we wanted you to put a face with a name. You can reach us literally 247. That's no joke. Um Paul and I answer the phone. We don't let it go into voicemail. So that that I can promise you as well. And then if there's anything that ever comes up that you're not happy with and you want to have a discussion about it, give us a call. We'll figure it out. We'll sit down with you guys. We'll just figure something we can't figure out. All right. So, with that being said, I'll let Paul come up. Okay. Good evening. As Kirk said, my name is Paul Deascal. I've been with the department for 33 years. 14 of those I've been director of environmental health. I'm a lifelong Starian. Um, some of the programs that we do in the city here are are mostly what you think. Food inspection, pool inspection, uh, animal bite. You might not know that one. Uh,

open dumping. That includes any kind of tire dumps that you may see. Um, general nuisance. We do mosquito surveillance. I know that you folks do the spring, but we do the surveillance, disease, disease surveillance, and we work with your folks. Make sure targeted springs. Uh, we do the biciding. So, any breeding sites, we take care of that for uh the city as well. Um, you actually do have some water wells and septic systems even though you have mostly sewer and city water, but we handle the rest of that for you. Um, additionally, we provide backup plumbing inspection for your staff. I don't know if you know that we do have the county plumbing inspection program with our uh health department and then we have the S county building department housed at the health department. They're separate but they're house just over here on uh and then uh see we like stats in my we're kind of tech people we're kind of science people so we do 33 inspections per worker it's close to 8,000 inspections per year so I can assume that number that we are probably in the city of North Canton daily work uh sometimes we are in on the weekends. We do go out on the weekends. A lot of people don't know that we do go after hours for certain situations. And as Kirk referred to, we are emergency we do emergency uh response in certain situations. So other than that, I'm open to any questions you might have. Oh, real quick, environmental is just one division. We also have a nursing division and administration. So that's that. I'm open to any questions that you may have. Number of employees currently number employees

there's 17 townships three cities funding comes from so we're about 40% funded through grants um the other 40% is fee for service permits licenses things like that and then the other 20% is contributions from our federal subitions.

So I'd add we're the ninth largest health district in the state of Ohio and that's with the three different city health departments that you have quite a bit county is unique. We have four health departments not sure that but there's the city of Massland city of alliance and the city of Tampa. So there are four health jurisdictions within If you ever have any questions, I give you my card. I have some additional information that I'll give in any other questions you may have. Thank you for coming. Thank you. from 20% 20%.

Well, we did not have anyone sign up for public speak on agenda items. So, we'll move right into old business. Leo, would you please read the title of ordinance 132026? An ordinance ending chapter 155, personnel regulations, specifically subsection 155.04E, full-time schedule of compensation of the qualified ordinances of the city of North Canton to add a full-time parks planning and development administrator and declaring the same to be an emergency. That is a person.

Okay, here we are with the third reading. We've had some discussion about it. This role kind of follows the retirement of our water distribution and parks superintendent. Did I say that right? Um and so we know that we need this person in place as an operational and strategic move as we have the master plan coming up for parks. Um Katherine, do you want to add anything? One last chance. I think we've discussed it a lot. Any questions? If anyone still has any questions, I guess. Yeah. So this Will it weigh heavy on the golf course and the future of the pool?

Absolutely. I mean, those are two of our, you know, largest park amenities. It reaches a lot of people and people have very strong feelings on it. So, yes, there will be some guidance, suggestions, recommendations that will come out of the master plan. Um, obviously the consultants from the master plan aren't going to tell us what to do with our amenities, but they are going to give us options and then that will be up to council, talk to community, back to council. Together we'll have to make decisions. Um, and then based on those decisions, yes, this position will definitely be an integral part in leading all of that decision-m process for the future of both of those amenities and the 14 parks. We have 14. And we don't anticipate this person managing like the pool and things but more oversight over the current management setup.

Well, that's like the options. I think it'll be the analysis of do you stay with what you have in these management agreements or would you want to go back to having a full rec staff and city employees and you know the consultants do you know other municipal pools and how they kind of best practices and so you'll you'll get that as far as what they'll tell you and I think a lot do have management agreements okay cities are in the business of doing things that cities run you know and sometimes you know they outsource some of those things to others, but can always also weigh the pros and cons and the cost of having a full recreational department. That's what we need this for. That person will report to you.

Yeah. Will report to to me and they will be housed in the administration office and uh they will work with our operational team but uh the operational team does not report up through them. This person reports to me. I think it's good that to go along with what Mr. Sing had said many times to have somebody always paying attention to parks full time. I think the changing in staffing has given us the opportunity to bring this about at this time. I think that's important. And so this evening we're looking at our third reading for passage of the ordinance and the position and then we're looking at also declaring it as an emergency which should allow you to post right away. Correct. Tomorrow morning

and not wait that 30 days. Okay. All right. Excellent. Good. Any other discussion? No. Other questions? Okay. Well, I will entertain a motion to adopt third reading of ordinance 15206. Move to adopt. Second. Second. All in favor?

I opposed. Motion carries. Posting tomorrow. All right. Moving on to new business. Liam, will you please read the title of ordinance 14 2026? an ordinance authorizing appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the period beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2026. Okay. Uh Mr. McCclaster is out. So as vice chair of finance and property, there are two items. One's a donation to parks and the other one is the fire station construction fund. Miss Alabama, elaborate some more for us, please.

Yes, thank you. So the donations is establishing a budget up to $20,000. So as we receive donations, we will increase the purchase order up to $20,000. If they receive more donations, we'll bring that back to council. Um right now they've just received 3,000, but they come in at higher increments and he's unable to go purchase the park bench or the tree or the memorial plaque until we go through this process. So we'd like to have a budget there can work with when somebody donates money. Um that's the parks and then the fire station construction fund. The bonds were invested separately than regular city money and so those are tracked in a separate fund. We are able to allocate that money towards the project. So this is just interest money that we have earned either last year for the last quarter or what we expect to earn for the rest of this year.

Any other questions from council? All right. Well, seeing none, I will make a motion to adopt the first reading of 142026. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I post carries. Motion to suspend the rules of council requiring three readings. Motion to suspend. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. And then I will make the motion to adopt 142026 under suspension of the rules. And I get a second. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries.

Okay. Liam, please read the title of ordinance 15206. An ordinance authorizing the mayor of the city of North Canton to accept the transfer of real property located on Stratavon Drive northwest in North Canton Stark County, Ohio from the North Canton Community Improvement Corporation and authorizing the CIC as the agency of the city for industrial commercial distribution and research development to facilitate the purchase and or disposition of the property and declaring the same to be an emergency.

Okay. Again, this is under finance and property. This is the property behind the Meyer store. This area we need to get back under city control so that the Amler grant can continue moving forward. Um, Mr. May, this says it's going to you. You have anything you would like to add or would administration like to add anything? Let's do this. Direct and to the point. Anything from administration? Uh, I didn't have anything to add unless any of you had any questions. It's pretty straightforward and the CIC keeps control of distribution of the property in the future so we don't have to go back through that process again. Okay. Guess I have question.

Yes. If uh this Amler grant is is it specific for just the the parcel behind the meer or can it go to that?

Yeah, we um when we applied we actually had four parcels in the application. So this was one of the four. The other three are to the north of there. So between Stratabon and Orian. Um in talking to ODNR, Mr. Graham and I are going to go down to Columbus next week and we'll get even more information. But in talking to them, we'll probably confine it to the two parcels that are um north and south of Stratavon. So this one we're talking about tonight as well as the one across the street. Um, the reason for that would be it would be it would allow us to concentrate that funding in a smaller area on a on parcels that are a little bit more developable because they're right off of Stratavon. Um, and you might recall the funding would be available both to identify um and map where the mines are, including how deep they are, and then a second phase would be to actually remediate them where they could be filled with grout and so forth. So they uh stabilize the the soil and allow it to be built upon.

And you say across the street. I'm just trying to figure it out in my head. Is that uh north or south of Stratavan or is that north of Stratavan? And it would be um there's a city property that we rented Dave Smith Construction and that's right next door to get so just to the west of Gats. Thanks. Any other questions? Uh we look forward to updates even after your meeting in the future. Anything moving forward with this grant is is exciting. So we in your report feel free to add that. We will be happy to share that. We're building the the plane as we're flying it. So that's okay. Updates are great.

Any other questions from council? I will make the motion then to adopt the first reading of ordinance 15206. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I post. Motion carries. Is there a motion to suspend the rules of the council requiring three readings? Motion to suspend. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? And then I will make the motion to adopt ordinance 15206 under suspension of the rules. Can I get a second? A second. All in favor?

I oppose. Moving along, we don't have anyone signed up for public speaks uh for the second half. That moves us directly into department reports. Stro.

All right. Thank you, Mr. President. Um I want to thank you all for uh passing the uh parks uh administrator on emergency allows us to post post it right away. And I want to thank you to your for your commitment to the parks. Um, as you know, it's it's very important to our entire community, especially since the pandemic has occurred. Um, people have really enjoyed our parks, and I think this uh gives us a great opportunity to further use them and further improve them and get a good um everyday look at what goes on at our parks. I think it is really important as as has been mentioned before that we have somebody that wakes up and thanks parks parks parks every day. So really looking forward to that. Um I want to um remind people about the gala coming out on uh American 250 gala on May 1st and um it's going to be awesome. So whoever is listening, whoever hasn't joined, do it. It's it's once in a-lifetime opportunity to have an an experience that's going to be incredible. Um yeah, it's going to be awesome. That's it. That's all I got.

All right. Thank you, director of administration.

Uh thank you. I'll just add um wanted to welcome Josh Blush to for employment with the city of North Camp. We just swore him in as a full-time firefighter. He was a part-time firefighter with us. Then he chose to go somewhere else because it was full-time. But it's a testimony that people want to work here because once a full-time opening came here, he left that full-time job to come back here. So, and now he plans to stay forever and retire from here. So, I I like when I say that. Would like everyone to do that. Um, also just a reminder, this is uh National Telecommunications Week. So, our wonderful dispatch team is led by Randy Fest. Does a great job with our team. He's got a lot of new people because we've had some retirements and some changes down there and Ry's doing a great job. Brings them in, trains them. Critically important and we appreciate them so much. So, that's all this week. They're getting different treats and food and, you know, just perks to say thank you for what you do. Um, also, uh, I want to just talk a little bit, um, about the the DART assessment, uh, the envisioning session. You may have seen this go out. Uh Trisha did a a post just to get people to to hold the calendar date because we're flying through April here. It's mid mid April and this is on Tuesday, May 5th. It'll be from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dogwood Shelter. And what that is is the downtown assessment resource team. That's what the DART stands for. Many of you will remember we discussed this at budget and we budgeted a certain amount of money for us to this is part of economic development is sort of uh you know looking at our downtown. The the the DART assessment is being done by um Heritage Main Street program heritage Ohio and it's sort of like a SWAT. A lot of people know what a SWAT is, right? What are our strengths? What are our weaknesses? What are our opportunities? What are our threats? You know, we we want a vibrant downtown. It's in our master plan. It's our goal. So, you know, we did um allocate this money in the budget to have this dart assessment done. And I remember Christina brought

it up back in I think it was like October and um gave everybody a little update on you know what what this is, what we're doing. I remember it because it was a crow kind of a crowded house that night. It was the CLA graduation. So, we had everybody here and um I think we had Holly and Matt and all the people that were in our civic leadership academy so that they could hear that this was a plan that we wanted to do. Uh so this will be um bringing uh the dart team in um looking at the downtown first they you know meet with the stakeholders that would be the businesses people along main street and then this envision session is open to everybody property owners residents anyone who cares about downtown north can can come to this. We hope as many people do come um in the evening. It's a Tuesday night, so get that on your calendars. And you know, they'll, you know, it says that they'll learn about our downtown, identify strengths and opportunities, help guide the future planning and investment. Why does it matter? A strong downtown supports local businesses, creates vibrant gathering spaces, strengthens community connection. So, we need that input. So, put that on the calendar. It'll be here before you know it. And this week, April 15th, you'll be happy when tax day is done. But also, April 15th, uh, Dogwood Park is just closed, letting people know they're blowing in mulch. People keep saying, "Why is it closed? What's the matter? Just do what they normally do. Spring maintenance is tax. All the parents stay home and do their taxes and don't take your children."

Um, so that's all that's all I have. Thank you.

Um, just one announcement update on the fire station. Everything's going really well on the kind of final stages of um Beaver, our construction manager at risk and app, our architect. They're working together to get all the final construction plans in place. Um we're looking at uh groundbreaking uh almost certainly the first week of June. And uh you might recall it's around a 14-month construction process. So we'd be looking at opening the new station in the summer of 27. So, um, you all know better than me what an important investment it is for the city and we're really excited to, uh, get it underway. Like Katherine said, time's flying and before you know it, that thing will be under construction and it's a great thing for the community.

Thank you, director. on Jason just fire station the big document to go out today to those who want to bid on those and we is running that instructor running um but also the GP or guaranteed maximum price they expect to have council by May 18th committee which would be a June 1st for that to be passed emergency so they can just let on that. The only other thing I had was Mayor Matt, CPA Matt, how many days or hours or minutes do we have? Less than two.

No comment. Two days to file your city.

How dare you? If you have any questions, you can call us. address report. Mr. Stock, lead us off.

All right. Thank you. I appreciate that. So, um, first, uh, the, uh, the North Camp Fire Department EMS division, uh, they regularly hold, uh, American Heart Association CPR, uh, classes for groups of individuals that are interested in learning, uh, CPR, the Heart Saver CPR and AED class. The next one um, is scheduled actually tomorrow at 6 o'clock uh, at Station 2 on Seventh Street. And if that's not enough time to plan, uh, there is another one coming up on Tuesday, May 5th. um cost is $40. Registration is required, but uh as we are now into the the spring and summer and and athletic season outside, you know, I just thought about the the idea that it might be important for those folks who might be interested in learning valuable literally life-saving skill uh to do so and learn it from the experts here here in town. Um secondly, um I was going to thank all the folks who uh came and spoke tonight. Um but I would like to thank those that have come and attended. Um it it definitely takes a certain amount of courage to stand up in front of a day of 10 to 15 people and stand in a podium and speak. Um so anyone who does that, I know basically most everybody in this room has done it one time or another. I appreciate that. I would also like to definitely thank member Pierant for always very consistently pointing out through her social media outlets that there are always two opportunities to speak at every regular council meeting. Um, I really appreciate the fact that she points that out and like to expound briefly uh so that our residents uh and stakeholders are even more aware of the free speech opportunities as well as the rules or the intent behind um the these

opportunities. Um the first recognition of the public is for matters on that night's agenda and anyone wishing to speak they must sign up ahead of time. You have a fivem minute time limit and then we do ask that you stay at the podium in case there are any questions. The second opportunity to speak in my mind might actually be more important because citizens may speak on any topic that reasonably falls under city authority. This means that anyone with business before the city may speak on just about any issue or topic that they want to and they do not need to wait for council to approve a topic uh for the meeting agenda. In other words, they can speak on anything that reasonably falls under the purview of the city. Safety concerns may be upcoming in information about an upcoming event or even discussing previous items that have come before council. The rules are the same as the first speaking opportunity. Sign up in advance, five minutes, and open for questions afterward. Um my hope is that we have you know more residents especially after tonight's showing there more residents who more frequently take advantage of these free speech opportunities. Thanks

Mr. Thanks. Yeah, guess as far as in my area, which would cover the whole city, I guess the golf course with the water well. Um, just driving by it, I noticed that all the mountains and all the construction kind of seem to have calmed down and they've got the grass hydro seated in. Is that uh is that well underway or is that wrapping up? It's wrapping up and that's what they needed to do. You know, they they were working on uh putting in the raw water line and you know, the wells been all tested and everything there. And um they needed to knock down those dirt piles, which they did when they needed to do the restoration, which they did. I checked with Rob that even with all the rain, the hydro seating will be okay. So, um yeah, golfers should be ready to go and watch the Masters this weekend and hopefully they're all excited to get out there.

Yeah, it's it's used heavily. Um, I see a new street every day. It does look like they did a good job. Have to see where people are going to get to go out there. Um, cart paths have been repaired too. There's no hindrance.

Um, and then I also just wanted to touch base on um, uh, road paving. I know that John had asked in the past about a plan of some kind as far as if we had a plan for what gets paid in the future. Just driving around and talking to people and and seeing stuff with my own eyes. The guys that were out on Persian last week um doing some more permanent like repairs. Um so that was that was a big help. But I was just curious if we have a plan of attack for the years to come. you know what that looks like. I think John did you mentioned that before I think maybe

I don't know if you've got anything curious to see um what that would look like just think having a plan in place is really important and I'd like to see it prop we can have we can have Rob come to the council right okay give a on projects and Matt on just the dies and he plans they do have plans he plans things as far out as as years. Yeah, I know we've kind of talked a lot about what's happening this year and West Maple and things like that that before, but I guess I'm just thinking more longer terms. Obviously, we can't give everything one year. Certainly long, but um yeah, having a plan is

there is a plan. It's not arbitrary. I mean, there is a plan on how they do determine what roads are, you know, in what order.

Okay. Um, and then I just wanted to say thanks to Julie confirmed. Uh, she's, you know, even even before I was up here represent the city. You know, I call in like anyone else and frankly still do. And, um, she's always super helpful. She never wants to leave you without an answer. She'll do her best to get an answer or get someone to get back to you with an answer. Um, and so, you know, when you're in the middle of a project and things are kind of frustrating enough working through your own problem that you're dealing with, when you call in for help, it's it's nice to know that you've got someone that's willing to get you the help you need on the other end of the phone um to uh, you know, try to make things go smoother. And you know, not everyone gets recognized all the time, but uh you know, when you call in, you know, she's she's one of the first first first lines of defense to help people with their problems in the city. And I just wanted to say thanks. Nothing.

Thank you, Miss Ward. All right. Um I think really I'd just like to thank everyone for approving the parks administrator position. I think um that's going to really allow us to make some strategic long-term decisions and um you know work kind of proactively with a plan rather than reactively. So I'm just really excited and really grateful for everyone supporting that and supporting our parks.

All right, just a couple things. Um Jeff, thank you so much. That was good talking about our public speaks. Um, Mr. Pratt, thank you so much on that following up. Um, other than that, thanks everyone who came tonight and um, no other report. Thank you. We haven't voted on the name of the street sweep yet. There's It's not up for a vote. It's like an executive order. just locked in. The design has begun. Popped, you're up.

Um I was behind the news sweeper a couple days ago. They did a fantastic job by the way. It

is great. Um Jeff, thank you so much for the shout out about the public speaks because it it's passionate thing of mine because I've been at that podium for years running my mouth and I think it's important that we continue to remind people they have the freedom to come here and you know air their grievances or share their concerns or things and I think our community has one of the best public speaks policy in Stark County. I mean some governing bodies don't have it at all. Um, so yes, we're we have a great thing here and I'd love to see more people come. I like hearing from people. Um, so yeah, that that was a great shout out. Um, real quick, um, safety service new hires. I wanted to recognize some names and folks since the last time I did. Um, at the end of March, we swore in some part-time firefighters, EMS workers. That was Gabe Esinger, Oliver Kurd, and Evan White. And then last Wednesday, we swore in Steve Johnson. He's the new part-time patrol officer and he'll be acting in an SRO capacity in our school. So, that's exciting. And then, as you mentioned, this evening, we swore in Joshua Bliss as a firefighter and EMS full-time. And I love that he came back to us. It does speak volumes. When I go to the swearing ends, I thank them every time. Thank you for choosing North Cam because I do think we have something special here. So, that's exciting to hear that. Um, and then also, we had a retirement last month, Sergeant Sean Bates, who um started here in 1994. So that's a lot of years ago and I think it speaks volumes again that we have somebody who had that kind of longevity in our city. Um so he held some roles. I'm just going to mention them. Um he was a field training officer, senior firearms instructor and range master, a law enforcement support officer point of contact and then he was a founding member of the special response team that was created in 2001. He also was instrumental in developing and maintaining the department's uh training standards. He was certified as a firearms instructor for most of his

career. So, wishing him a well-deserved and happy retirement. Um, and then you mentioned this week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and I would be remissed not to talk about that. Um, as I did some research, apparently it's uh the second week of every April that they celebrate this. Um, we have a special thing here in our NorCom, our North Canton Public Safety Communications Center. that is our own personal North Canton safety dispatch serving our community. And I looked at their annual report from last year. I just wanted to share they fielded over 4,800 911 calls in 20125 and over 24,000 non-emergency line calls. Um, and on top of that, they support other people outside of North Canton, multiple partners of ours. Um, they do a lot of coordinating and mutual aid and things like that. And so, what a stressful job that must be. I know that I personally could not do that. Those are some special people and so kudos to them this week. And that's my report.

Thank you very much. So Andy, to your point on Arrowhead, I was out there on Sunday afternoon and hyper seating is down. They put in a couple of extra crossways for carts to get past. They wrote that the rest of it off so that carts don't just run up and down the hydro seat. Of course, looks great. I'm not going to talk about my score and the number of thoughts I lost, but the course looks great. Most importantly though, tonight I would just like to thank Reverend Jackson again for coming out and opening up our meeting.

And that is what I have to report on. Now, a final call for new business. Seeing none, I need a motion and a second to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing, excuse me, discussing the purchase or sale of property as permitted by OC 121.22 G2. Can I get a second roll call, please? Member Verp. Yes. Member or yes. Member Wyrick, yes. Member, yes. Member's absent. Member Pratt. Yes. Member Stalker. Yes. Six in favor. Zero opposed.

At this time, council's in executive session. Let the record now reflect that council will be joined by directors of administration, director of finance, director of law, and of course council and mayor.

I will make a motion to adjourn session. Can I get a second? All in favor? Opposed? Passes. Let the record reflect. No taken. Moving on to the meetings calendar. April 20th. Next week is a committee of the whole. April 27th will be a council meeting of public speaks. Any questions? Motion to adjurnn. Can I get a second? Second. Second. All in favor?