Council Meeting - Regular Meeting

I call to order the Stow City Council meeting for March 12th, 2026. If you are watching via the live stream, uh we want you to know that we have updated uh the way that we broadcast on YouTube. So now instead of having one long meeting, there are separate meetings for each of our committees before our council meeting. Uh so this is the actual council meeting and the committees where we do the deeper discussions are on separate uh videos. Uh will the clerk please call the role? Coffee here. Young here, Barneck here, Fioa here, Herman here, Bellman here, Rio present.

To lead tonight's prayer and pledge of allegiance, we recognize Ward 4 Councilman Mario Fioa.

Please bow your heads. Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts. Grant us wisdom in our decisions, patience in our discussions, and unity in our purpose. Guide us to serve our community with integrity and help us to act always with fairness, kindness, and clarity. Bless our work today and all those we serve. Amen. United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Uh we don't have any proclamations or commendations uh this evening. Uh so we'll go to the minutes uh we have from our February 26th meeting. Uh do we have a motion to approve those minutes? Move to approve. Second. All in favor? Yes. Those minutes are approved. Now we have the council uh meeting public comment period. Uh if anyone would like to speak, please raise your hand. Seeing none, uh we will move to the mayor's report where we have a special evening for the mayor's state of the city address.

Thank you, Mr. Herman. Um you all received one of these uh books and the books will also be available at any time here also to at city hall. I invite the public to stop in. There's also an online version um on our website. So, make sure you check it out. Um I will start off and I'm not going to read so everybody can be home easily. I mean, I'm going to take maybe 10 minutes of your time this evening. Uh but that being said, uh what great things I'll start off. what great things aren't happening in Stow. And um as you look through this uh as we take this journey and we've gone through this journey of you being on console uh the fantastic things that we've accomplished all together is just phenomenal. And so you'll see right at the beginning of the front we arrested the Grinch over the holidays. So that was number one. We kicked off the holidays in great style there. But our biggest thing of course is our amp. And uh Mr. Felman kind of blew that. I was going to make that announcement when that was. But again, for the listening audience, it will be March 30th. You'll start seeing dirt moved out there. April 12th. I invite you. It's a Sunday from 1:30 to 3. Uh we're going to have several popups throughout the uh season. Uh uh moving along, but you're going to see the dirt start moving. uh we have secured um our supplies and so forth as we move through and it's going to really be a neat piece along with that. You'll see a picture uh with um the developers um the sock lofts. They've been great to work with and uh they're looking forward to a new facade on that building also. So again, we're moving forward as we turn the page. Uh again, like I said, uh there's a lot of cities emulating what we are

doing, and that is truly a compliment. Our art box program is still stellar in this area. Uh I give many, many kudos to both, uh our arts commission, but also to our law director, uh Mr. Riley. Uh we are stepping way into the future now with art. And uh if uh Mr. Cohen was here this evening, he would tell you that is also a great spur for economic development. So again, we're moving forward with that and that arts master plan will prove to be very forthmoving for our city. Uh graduating senior program still very very um interest in this. It started off at CO and uh we couldn't get rid of it. people loved it and it really is great to see and you'll see a reoccurring theme as we look through this book of what we strive to do uh through our administration and you'll see that keyword many times over in this booklet is build community and so everything that you look at it's building community again we have our military banner program and I drove by this afternoon and seen you have until March 17th so it's getting close if you want to go ahead and purchase just one of those that's been an ongoing project as far as that's concerned. We have of course our team up to cleanup. We have our adopt a spot. Uh hats off also too. We have a great adopt a spot now over at our senior community center that they're doing great work with. Uh this week this month we're celebrating women and arts. Uh please go around again. You can pick up one of the cards here at city hall or online and see um the fantastic art is done by local artists and displayed within our community and our local businesses. Uh minute or so with the mayor has been proven to be very

successful uh for not only building community but also highlighting not only our residents but our businesses and it has proven to be a great thing. uh our seasonal giving initiatives. Um and I hats off to the Quanas, Rotary, to the Lions. We could not do many things along this way without them and we truly appreciate their civic support. One big kickoff and thank goodness that we had this. We started about a year and a half ago and you've received many postcards throughout the mail and in fact you should have received one this week. Uh, Helping Hands, uh, Helping Hands really has been a lifesaver. Unfortunately, um, we've had several fires over the last three, four months, more than the average of what we ever experienced. But I can tell you, our community, as I always have said, is a generous community and these people, we're taking care of them. We're taking care of some immediate needs, but we're showing that cause and concern with that. Also too tied in with that that started back in 2019 but now follows under the umbrella of um helping hands uh we have um our uh mental health coalition and again we're addressing that. That is very important whether it's in our schools whether it's seniors whether it's our veterans we are looking to go ahead and do that. So, you're going to keep seeing some great things coming out of Stow's helping hand program, and I'm glad that we have that uh in place as far as it's concerned. Um, hats off uh to both Mike Jones and his whole crew there. Uh, they're always busy. Uh, and of course u Route 91 has added another twist into it last year, but again, you see they're out there working now this year. And, uh, I commend Mike and his crew and Mr.

mcclary of all the great things because this is just one smart of the one part of the small or the large program that we're doing. But again, you'll be able to read through a lot of things. A lot of money is being spent to update our infrastructure, our roads and uh our water. Um and speaking of the water tower, like I said tongue and cheek a couple meetings ago, we finally have our name up there so everybody knows where the city of Stow is. Um, as you turn the page, you do see that. Um, and again, uh, the community impact. You'll see all the different permits that have been issued. Uh, there's still a lot of growth going on in our northwest quadrant, which is very, very important. There isn't much residential growth left, but uh we have probably a good 10 plus years of um growth over in our northwest quadrant for business, which will keep our tax base uh very strong and also to uh very welcoming to our residents to where their tax base is a strong tax base. If we move on uh planning and development again uh Mr. Cohen u has been doing a great job with that. Uh we have a lot of things moving forward. Um I know Mr. Feldman gave the award uh to the FOG representatives last Wednesday. Um but they're just a small piece of that picture. But again, we have a lot going on up there and we have a lot of great businesses and I always say the diversity of our businesses here in Stow is one of our strong points. Um, we never want to see a business go out, but we're never going to be crippled. And I think that's very important to our residents as far as that's concerned that we can rely on that diversity. We have both international, national, local companies that all work hand in hand and

I really appreciate everything that they do. Uh you should receive well I know you received a invitation uh today uh for an international ribbon cutting AMF Brunes and uh their mobility company they're from Germany uh this will be their first US reachout and they've been very happy along the way with that. So again, great things happening uh not only just for local but also for uh large business and also too our small businesses are thriving. Uh if you look around, we do better than all of our surrounding communities with uh less vacancies in our buildings as far as retail is concerned. So that speaks volumes. also too uh information technology it cannot say enough great things about two and his crew um he's moving us forward uh he's helping out the police and the fire and all that he has his hands and all that he's bringing us uh keeping us always current we always have been keeping us current with all the IT introductions and things to make us safer to make our residents safer and so forth like that. So again that is a bigger component as I talked about earlier about uh controlling our destiny with media and communication but with him he is really supporting our internal structure which a lot of times our uh residents don't see but we can rest assure that we are doing the proper things to move forward. Uh last year was a busy year of course for the police department. Uh Captain Snavely is shaking his head yes over there. Uh and we witnessed um a a great retirement uh from Chief Film and I would congratulate

him for everything that he did for our community during his tenure and also being a resident. Uh Chief Film was very involved and uh like I said, I can't say enough about the chief. Uh, and he's still out and about today in our community doing great things. Uh, we did not miss a meet though. Uh, we now have Chief uh, Prusia at the helm and she's doing a fantastic job. Excellent communicator with the rest of um, our um, administration, our public. you'll see her out in different areas and again she's doing a fantastic job and we welcome her aboard to this and I welcome that the chief was very supportive of her also. Um moving on also too uh we have our fire department. Uh here's some of your preliminary um numbers as far as it's concerned. There'll be more with both the fire and police as we move what around May or June. But again, uh, one that I'd love to point out is our star life award, which, uh, went to fire safety educator Mel Gaml. And I was very concerned, and I will say this many a times we had over, I can't tell you how many decades, firefighter Sandy, and I used to always joke, firefighter Sandy, and say, "You're not real. You're really kind of like a mascot. You You don't exist." cuz I'd see 40-year-old people running up and going, "Look, it's firefighter Sandy." Uh, but I can tell you, Firefighter Mel has filled that position uh with the integrity and and the great things that she does working with kids. Uh we had a recent thing back in December uh to where a a child actually saved a house from being burnt down uh because of the education that firefighter uh Mel went and brought to the table. and that was an Echo Hills resident uh due to a faulty uh charger cord for a cell phone. So again, it's

working. Kids are looking, kids are being aware, and the police and fire are doing a great job communicating to our residents as we move forward. Um finance, um I can never say enough. They work very much handinand. Thank you both Kelly and Angela and your whole crew uh working hand inand with us. We of course always have a lot going on. Uh but again we always work hand in hand in order to go ahead and get this done. Um being separate entities uh we have of course uh split up that way in our city as well as most cities our finance department our administration and our law department. And I'm so proud to say that all departments along that way work very well together. Even though we have our own separate puzzle pieces, they always seem to mesh. And that being said, um again, um I don't want to make Mr. Riley's head too large, but again, he's involved with the art piece, but also to the impact that him and Steve have brought uh to our city is phenomenal. uh new ways of doing things. Uh again, community building that to where he goes out and talks about scams and I know he tells you about this all the time. He's very happy to come out and him and his crew and talk about this at any time or anything that involves about the law. And again, that again is building that community to where our police, our fire, our law department, they're not looked at as a threat, but actually a part of our community to make our community better. So again, thank you both to finance and law um along that way. Mr. Ren is always is always busy and he heads up the service along with uh Mr.

Anderson and Mr. Brooker. And if you'll see how many things um uh one that I'll throw out there right away is the uh street resurfacing. If you look through there, 10,783 tons of asphalt last year. That's a lot of asphalt. And again, they're constantly working uh keeping our city up and running. uh our fantastic service department as far as even our snow plowing. I'll put them up against any one of our cities. Uh and I hear that day in and day out. And again, they provide excellent um they're the elves that run around our community and make it look as good as it is because our parks look fantastic, too. But anything that our service department does is always top-notch. So, again, I I appreciate not only Mr. Anderson, Mr. Brooker, but his their entire entire crew. I know if he had his opportunity and very rarely uh does he ever want to take limelight, but Mr. Ren would loved any day to talk to you about Fox Den Golf Course. Um it is growing substantially. Um and we first went and said and it was because of CO, but it hasn't stopped there. Uh the numbers reflect itself over $2.5 million in revenue and the number of rounds played. Um we will have heated um the the heated um yeah I know the stalls for for the driving range. Yes. Uh see I knew Mr. Rim would get involved someway here. the heated stalls for the driving range and of course new map as far as that's uh prog uh projects in progress uh to go ahead and and keep that course interesting and up to date. So again, I hear great things about that. So Joe and his crew, thank you very much. Um Park

and Wreck, and you know how I always feel about park and wreck. um they always knock it out of the park whether I go to different county events, uh different city events. I have that bad thing of comparing us. And it's always a good thing though because I always come back going, "My gosh, we we do it better." And uh it can't be done without the phenomenal team that we have in our park and wreck department. And believe me, you would think that we have 50 people plus in that department. It's a very small department, but the amount of effort and the amount of things that they bring out is just unbelievable as far as it's concerned. Um, to give you an idea, the we have over 20,000 program participants every year. That's a lot of people. And one of the things that of course we're very proud of and thank you for your support uh from council is our community and senior center. And if you look at the numbers for the our first year in review, and that was January 12th that we cut the ribbon last year, but uh we have 747 senior memberships, 3,500 uh total visits. And here's the big one, 200 plus programs offered. That is booming out there. And as I always tell them when I do a program out there or I see them out there and I stop out there regularly. In fact, today was uh pie and potato chip national day which occurs on Saturday and many people receive free pie and and and potato chips. But again the smile on their faces and I always say it brings a smile to my face of seeing that this facility is being used as is. We are shining star in that and many uh mayors have commented as well as residents from outlying saying this is just uh it knocks it out of the park. So

again um one thing that I also will bring up and thank you again to council uh it will be coming out very shortly and in fact sometime here in March um we've already kind of previewed it but nobody has really seen it or rode in it is our new community bus and you cannot miss it. Okay. It's not going to be it's not your, as I used to say with an old mobile, it's not your grandfather's car. This bus is really set for the road for comfort and um we'll be able to use that not only for our senior programs, but also too for our uh other park and wreck programs with our kids. So, again, the big thing coming up, as we all know, um and it is big, uh is the AMP. Again, we're going to knock that out of the park. And we're so proud of our city and the different things and all of our residents of all the volunteer hours that they contribute to make our city a great place. But again, I want to backtrack and also thank everybody in my administration, everybody in cabinet, everybody that works for our city, every department. every day you go ahead and make my job easier by making coming through with the excellent work that you provide and I truly appreciate that and I hope you all know that. With that, I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Any questions for the mayor? Seeing none, uh thank you uh very much. Uh, and we're looking forward uh to you also doing your state of the city uh at the Chamber of Commerce uh next this coming Tuesday 7:30 in the morning if you're interested. It's breakfast at the VFW Acrimore VFW on Fish Creek Road. So,

thank you. Uh, is there any old business before council? Seeing none, is there any new business before council? Uh seeing none, we will move into the disposition of ordinances and resolutions for the first reading. Uh will the clerk please read item A by its title 2026-75 an ordinance authorizing the mayor to make and enter into a contract with Golf Sense Inc. for renovations to Fox Boxen Golf Course and declare an emergency. Uh any discussion or any motions? Move to suspend the rules.

Second. All in favor? Yes. Any opposed? The rules are suspended. Move to adopt. Second. Uh any discussion? Will the clerk please call the role

coffee? Yes. Young, yes. Barin, yes. Vioa, yes. Herman, yes. Felman, yes. Real, yes. Item B, uh, council, uh, voted earlier this evening to move version two to tonight's agenda. Will the clerk please read item B by its title?

2026-76, an ordinance amending COS chapter 1317 entitled contractor registration. I move to suspend the rules. Second. All in favor? Any opposed? The rules are suspended. Move to adopt. Second. Uh, any discussion? Will the clerk please call the role? Coffee, no. Young, yes. Baron, yes. Bioca,

yes. Herman, yes. Bman, yes. Rio, yes.

That ordinance passes and will take effect in accordance with the rules. Will the clerk please read item C by its title? 2026-77 ordinance providing for the issuance of sale of 60 is that million six 650,000 of notes in anticipation and insurance funds for the purpose of paying costs of improving the city's traffic control system in corporation in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation by acquiring and installing signals and related equipment and devices. is direct and control the flow of vehic ve vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the state route 59 Kent Road from Sycamore Drive to Fish Creek, including provision for Americans with Disability Act access and declare an emergency.

I move to suspend the rules. Second. All in favor? Yes. Any opposed? The rules are suspended. Move to adopt. Second. Any discussion? Will the clerk please call the role? Yes. Young. Yes. Barack. Yes. Yes. Herman. Yes. Felman. Yes. Rio.

Yes. That ordinance passes and will take effect in accordance with the rules. Will the clerk please read item D by its title? 202678 an ordinance providing for the issuance of sale of 400,000 of notes 400 million notes just 4 million

notes in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying cost of reconstructing resurfacing grading draining paving curbing and incorporation of the Ohio Department of Transportation state route 91 Darl Road along along its entire length between the city and northerly southerntherly corporation boundaries. including construction related to related sidewalks, storm waters related drainage facilities, installing signage and traffic signalization with American Disabilities Act access and reclocating existing utilities and necessary declaring emergency. I move to suspend the rule. Second. All in favor? Yes. Any opposed? The rules are suspended. Move to adopt. Second.

Any discussion? Will the clerk please call the role? Coffee. Yes. Young, yes. Barin, yes. Fioa, yes. Herman, yes. Bman, yes. Rio, yes. That ordinance passes and will take effect in accordance with the rules. Will the clerk please read item E by its title?

An ordinance 2026-79, an ordinance amending chapter 115 COS entitled personal policies, procedures, and payroll and declare an emergency. I move to suspend the rules. Second. All in favor? Yes. Any opposed? The rules are suspended. Move to adopt. Second. Any discussion? Will the clerk please call the role? Coffee, no. Young, yes. Baron, yes. Yoka, no. Herman, yes. Belman, yes. Rio, yes.

That ordinance passes and will take effect in accordance with the rules. Will the clerk please read item F by its title? 2026-80 an ordinance amending chapter 115 COS entitled personnel policies and procedures and declaring an emergency. I move to suspend the rules. Second. All in favor? Yes. Yes. Any opposed? The rules are suspended. Motion to adopt. Second. Uh any discussion? Will the clerk please call the role? Yeah. Coffee, no. Young, yes. Baron, yes.

Bioca, no. Herman, yes. Bman, yes. Rio, yes. That ordinance passes and will take effect in accordance with the rules. Will the clerk please read item G by its title? 2026-81, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to make and enter into a contract with Conquered Road Equipment, MFG, for the purchase of snow and ice control package for use on street department and water department vehicles without the necessity of public bids and declare an emergency. I move to suspend the rules. Second. All in favor? Yes. Any opposed? Uh the rules are suspended. Move to adopt. Second.

Any discussion? Will the clerk please call the role? Coffee, yes. Young, yes. Baron, yes. Fioa, yes. Herman, yes. Bman, yes. Rio, yes. That ordinance passes and will take effect in accordance with the rules. Item H, version two, was moved to our council agenda from committee earlier this evening. Uh, will the clerk please read uh item H by its title?

2026-82, an ordinance amending annual appropriation ordinance 2026-197, which provides funds for the expenses of the city of Stow for the year 2026 and all amendments and supplements there too and declaring an emergency. I move to suspend the rules. All in favor? Yes. Any opposed? The rules are suspended. Move to adopt. Second. Any discussion? Will the clerk please call the role?

Coffee, yes. Young, yes. Barack, yes. Fioa, yes. Herman, yes. Bellman, yes. Rio, yes. That ordinance passes and will take effect in accordance with the rules. Item I was held in committee. So we will move to the bill of listing approval. I make a motion that we approve the bills from the March 12th, 2026 bill listing. Uh all in favor? Yes. A motion that we approve the president of council to sign the March 26th, 2026 bill listing. Second. What's that? Board designate.

Oh, okay. Thank you. Uh all in favor? Yes. Uh those motions pass and the bills shall be paid. Uh scheduling out of standing committee meetings or uh council announcements. Uh anything that you wanted to uh bring up, discuss, or any events or anything that you wanted to uh notify the rest of the council and community about? Uh, seeing none for tonight. Oh, okay. Mr. Riley,

just real quick, uh, because I know we alluded to this, but I I missed it in my, uh, report and the the mayor also missed it in his report. Congratulations to Zack Cowen for winning the Emerging Leader Award from the Chamber of Commerce last week. So, uh, he's not here, but congratulations, ZACH. Couldn't go to a more dedicated person. So, yeah. Uh, thank you. Uh, anyone else? Okay. Uh, seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. Move to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? Yes. We are adjourned.

They're they're mostly practicing. Hey, Mr. I mean, this week was nice. I agree with M.