Cuyahoga Falls City Council holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Council committee meetings are held on the first and third Mondays in order to allow councilmembers to publicly discuss pending legislation that will be voted on at regular meetings. The public is free to comment on pending legislation during the allowed time set aside as part of committee meetings.
New Ordinances & Resolutions
B-91: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of notes in the maximum principal amount of $1,255,000, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, for the purpose of paying the costs of acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, improving, equipping and installing 3,400 lineal feet of sanitary sewer lines, 3,550 feet of water main lines and 8,000 lineal feet of electrical conduit wiring, related storm sewer lines and retention, erosion control and landscaping along Princeton Place Boulevard, Nottingham Trail, Bainbridge trail and Kensington Court. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee.
B-92: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of notes in the maximum principal amount of $700,000, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, for the purpose of paying the costs of the construction, reconstruction, widening, improving, grading, draining, and resurfacing of Wyoga Lake Road between Steels Corners Road and Seasons Road, together with all related and necessary appurtenances thereto. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee.
B-93: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of notes in the maximum principal amount of $145,000, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, for the purpose of paying the costs of the design and engineering, construction, reconstruction, widening, improving, grading, draining and resurfacing of, and installation of traffic controls along, and the intersections of, State Road, Seasons Road and Wyoga Lake Road, and a traffic study of those roads and related areas, including but not limited to the extension, opening, improving, curbing or changing of the lines and traffic patterns of roads, highways, streets, intersections, bridges (both roadway and pedestrian), sidewalks, bikeways, medians and viaducts, providing signage, lighting systems,signalization, and installation of stormwater and flood remediation facilities, together with all related and necessary appurtenances thereto. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee.
B-94: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to apply for and accept financial assistance in the form of a grant or loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission for the improvement of Haas Road and Wetmore Road, from Crawford Circle to Akron-Peninsula Road, authorizing the mayor to enter into a cooperative agreement or agreements with Summit County and Boston Township. This legislation was assigned to the public and Industrial improvements committee which met later in a special meeting and discussed this legislation presented by city engineer Tony Demasi. Demasi stated that this legislation will allow both the city and Boston Twp. to join with the county to repair the road that is at risk to be permanently closed. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council and council passed the measure 11-0. If the joint application is accepted, the city would know by October and work can begin in 2024.
B-95: An ordinance approving and authorizing the purchase of prefabricated ADA restrooms from Romtec for a public facilities & improvements project. This legislation was assigned to the community development committee.
B-96: An ordinance approving and authorizing the purchase of various locker room equipment from Tower Industries for a public facilities & improvements project. This legislation was assigned to the community development committee.
Both B-95 and B-96 are companion ordinances and were discussed in a special community development committee with a short presentation made by Parks Director Sarah Kline. Kline said that both purchases were to be made using CBDG funds and the lockers will be part of an ongoing project at the Natatorium to make both the men’s and women’s main locker rooms more accessible. The Natatorium project will also include new countertop sinks and showers. B-95 will purchase handicap accessible restrooms that are, as Kline described in kit form, to replace the current restrooms at Indian Mountain Park and the second one slated for Kennedy Park. The committee voted to bring both measures out for a vote before council and council passed the measure 11-0.
Reports of Council’s Standing Committees
An ordinance accepting the recommendation of the planning commission for the construction of a new fire station and training facilities for the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department, located at 3097 Northampton Road. Committee Chair Susan Spinner read an email from Deputy Chief Kee explaining the deficiencies in the property that was suggested as an alternative to the Station 4 site. A motion by Councilman Stams was then made to return this to committee for further review; the motion did not receive a second. From there Stams made motions to add several other amendments and between Councilman Stams, Councilwoman Mary Nichols Rhodes, and Councilman Brian Ashton the following amendments were voted on and added to the ordinance:
- Live burn training can only occur 36 days per year.
- The North and East side of the training center will receive additional screening and mounds to hide it from Keyser Park.
- Only Class A materials can be burned during training, and they may only be extinguished with water or class A fire extinguishers.
- If the air quality index reaches 150 there will be no training during that period.
With the amendments voted on the measure passed 10-1 with councilman Stams being the dissenting vote.
Finance & Appropriations:
B-77: An ordinance providing for supplemental and/or amended appropriations of money for current operating expenses and capital expenditures of the City of Cuyahoga Falls, and authorizing the transfer of appropriations within and for the various funds hereinafter set forth. Passed 11-0.
B-78: An ordinance accepting applications submitted by financial institutions and designating depositories for the active and interim funds of the City of Cuyahoga Falls for the five-year period beginning August 23, 2023 and ending August 22, 2028. Passed 11-0.
B-79: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts with Montrose Ford to purchase a truck for concrete work, increasing appropriations. Passed 11-0.
B-80: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $14,345,000, for the purpose of paying the costs of constructing, improving, equipping, and installing a new building for the electric utility including acquisition of real estate together with all necessary appurtenances thereto. Passed 10-0 with Councilman Balthis abstaining.
B-81: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $1,720,000, for the purpose of paying the costs of the acquisition and installation of electric system meters, together with all necessary appurtenances thereto. Passed 10-0 with Councilman Balthis abstaining.
B-82: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $8,705,000, for the purpose of paying the costs of various energy improvements including but not limited to: (a) the acquisition and installation of windows and doors, and exterior renovations at Fire Station 1, and (b) the acquisition and installation of HVAC equipment and improvement of the skylights at the Natatorium procured under a single energy improvement contract, together with all necessary appurtenances thereto. Passed 10-0 with Councilman Balthis abstaining.
B-83: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $1,490,000, for the purpose of paying the costs of public infrastructure improvements, including (a) the construction, extension, opening, improving, grading, draining, excavation, lighting, curbing, signalization and traffic controls along Front Street, 2nd Street, Chestnut Boulevard, Sackett Avenue and the two new public roadways to be constructed, (b) the construction of two new roadways, (c) the construction and installation of sanitary sewers along Front Street, 2nd Street, Chestnut Boulevard, Sackett Avenue and the two new public roadways, and (d) the construction and installation of sidewalks, the construction and installation of stormwater sewers, and the acquisition and installation of electrical lines, each along Front Street, 2nd Street, Chestnut Boulevard, Sackett Avenue and the two new public roadways to be constructed. Passed 10-0 with Councilman Balthis abstaining.
B-84: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $3,675,000, for the purpose of paying the costs of various public infrastructure projects. Passed 10-0 with Councilman Balthis abstaining.
B-85: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $4,595,000, for the purpose of paying the costs of acquisition and installation of water system meters for use by the Water and Sanitary Sewer Systems, together with all necessary appurtenances thereto. Passed 10-0 with Councilman Balthis abstaining.
Public & Industrial Improvements:
B-86: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, after publicly advertising for bids, for the replacement of the roof on the Annex Salt Dome, located at 2511 Bailey Road. Passed 11-0.
B-87: An ordinance pledging support and participation in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to remove the Gorge Dam along the Cuyahoga River, authorizing financial cooperation thereof. Passed 11-0.
B-88: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to apply for and accept financial assistance in the form of a grant from the Federal Congestion Mitigation/Air quality Funds programmed by the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study for the improvement of State Road from Quick Road to Boulder Boulevard. Passed 11-0.
B-89: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, after publicly advertising for bids, for the public improvements for The Glens subdivision. Passed 11-0.
Community Development:
B-74: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a Community Reinvestment Area Agreement with BVI Realty. Passed 11-0.
B-90: A resolution authorizing the mayor to apply to the 2023-2024 Clean Ohio Fund – Green Space Conservation Program and commit the 25% required match funds to acquire property on Peoplecare Park Drive adjacent to Mill Pond. Passed 11-0.
City Council meetings will go into recess and return Tuesday, September 5.
