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.
An Annual Review Public Hearing was held at 6:30pm to discuss the following:
41-2023: An Ordinance creating a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area known as the Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, enacting regulations.
Committee Chair Rachel Loza called the public hearing to order, and the discussion was led by Deputy Community Development Director Carrie Snyder who explained that this would be the third yearly review. Kaylee Piper, Executive Director of DTCF, answered questions over the DORA, which currently has 15 participating businesses. So far this year through the sale of DORA cups DTCF has raised $11,760, slightly down but there are still two big events left this year. The record year continues to be 2024 with $32,000 worth of cup sales. Those funds are re-invested into the community for signage, police presence, and sanitation. There was nobody present to speak in opposition. Loza did ask how much buy-in is DTCF getting from the business owners on clean-up after downtown events and Piper spoke favorably of how well clean-up has improved.
Legislation Scheduled for Discussion:
Planning & Zoning:
A-71: An ordinance authorizing and approving the Final Plat for a residential conservation overlay subdivision for Park Ridge Preserve. This legislation was presented by Planning Director Rob Kurtz and the developer Scott Strayer. The final plat was approved by the planning commission September 15 with strict conservation easements due to the subdivision’s proximity to the National Park. The development will consist of 11 single family homes on 2.3 acre lots. The planning and zoning committee voted to bring this legislation out for a vote before full council next Monday, October 12.
Finance & Appropriations:
A-72: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to execute a modification of Contract No. 9464 with Spano Bros. Construction. This legislation was presented by City Engineer Tony Demasi, and it concerns the city’s sidewalk program. Sidewalk repair went very well this season and with the nice days we have left he would like to get another 50 locations done before the weather changes. So far this year the city has done 175 properties; if this legislation is passed, they will be able to add another 52 properties to this year’s list, bringing it to 227 properties. There are also plans for a few public sidewalks. One will be on Hollywood near Alameda Avenue at the request of the ward 6 councilperson to make it easier to get to Linden Park. The other will be on Sackett Avenue between Second Street and Third Street to make crossing safer. The modification would add another $120k to the current contract of $295,758. This is one of the city’s more popular programs, according to Demasi, and there are already 50 properties in the list for next year. Even with the increase the project is still under budget. The finance committee voted to bring this legislation out for a vote before full council next Monday, October 12.
A-76: An ordinance authorizing the director of finance to enter into a contract or contracts with Wichert Insurance Services, Inc. for the professional services necessary to manage the city’s risk management and insurance program and for the purchase of public entity insurance coverages. Finance Director Bryan Hoffman began by discussing how well Wichert has treated the city, and because we have our own law department it helps our rate with them. Wichert is also local to our city. The finance committee voted to bring this legislation out for a vote before full council next Monday, October 12.
A-77: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into an agreement with the village of Silver Lake for the continued provision of water services for an additional term. Service Director Anthony Zumba stated that the current contract will expire on May 21, 2028; the village has been exploring all of their options for water. After discussion the city and the village have reached a contract. The city will supply a maximum daily usage of 600,000 gallons and agrees to pay the city the tier rates established by council for our residents. Silver Lake will be responsible for maintaining their own infrastructure. The contract will run to December 31, 2076. While researching this agreement Zumbo said the oldest contract he and his staff could find was 1937, and felt that it’s good to have a customer for 90 years. The finance committee voted to bring this legislation out for a vote before full council next Monday, October 12.
Public Affairs:
Temp. Ord. A-73: An ordinance amending Chapter 505 “Animals and Fowl” of the Cuyahoga Falls Codified Ordinances. This was presented by Deputy Law Director Matthew Dickinson. This project was done to help keep our city ordinances matching state law and with the passage of Avery’s Law (Ohio HB247). This ordinance gives harsher punishment to owners of dogs that launch serious attacks. It also requires nuisance dog owners (as determined by the Stow Municipal Court) to have signage, purchased from the city, and extra liability insurance. The public affairs committee voted to bring this legislation out for a vote before full council next Monday, October 12.
Temp. Res. A-74: A resolution expressing support for and urging the passage of Issue 6, a proposed tax levy for the Cuyahoga Falls City School District, at the General Election to be held on November 3, 2026. School Superintendent Dr. Andrea Celico gave a presentation on how many cuts have already been made and she urged those in attendance to support the upcoming levy on the November ballot. The public affairs committee voted to bring this legislation out for a vote before full council next Monday, October 12.
Community Development:
A-70: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a Community Reinvestment Area Agreement with American Shim & Die, Inc., dba Spirol Precision Products. This legislation was discussed in executive session and there were no comments upon council’s return.
councilwoman Mary Nichols-Rhodes told those present that when council goes into executive session they still have to abide by Ohio Revised Code 9.66 that went into effect in the spring of 2026 which prohibits The community development department, the city, or city council to publicly discuss any economic development incentives in a public meeting and could be charged with a misdemeanor. The community development committee voted to bring this legislation out for a vote before full council next Monday, October 12.
Sustainability, Energy & Environment:
A-75: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, with LightShift Energy for a 10-megawatt battery energy storage system. Electric Services representee Jimmy Falou began the presentation on this project, along with representatives from Light Shift Energy, by explaining that this has been in the making for about four years. The proposed project would construct a 10-megawatt battery storage system and the associated buildings and fencing at Substation 4 on Akron-Cleveland Road near Cochran Road. This system would work very much like the current bank of generators the city uses at the city complex on Bailey Road, but rather than running generators this system would take electricity stored in the batteries and upload it to the grid during peak shaving times, then recharge the batteries at night when it’s cooler and there is less demand on the grid. The proposed contract would put Light Shift Energy in charge of the 20-year contract to maintain both the batteries and the system and provide routine maintenance during that timeframe. Light Shift Energy would also provide training to our fire personnel should there ever be thermal problems or fire. Light Shift currently has 17 projects like this running across the country. The sustainability, energy & environment committee voted to bring this legislation out for a vote before full council next Monday, October 12.
