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 council members 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.
Cuyahoga Falls City Council returned from its summer recess for a special meeting on Monday, August 29, with the following legislation was read and assigned to committees.
Temp. Ord. A-88: An ordinance accepting the planning commission’s recommendation for the construction of a school campus for grades 6 through 12 located at 2630 13th Street for the Cuyahoga Falls City School District. Assigned to the planning and zoning committee.
Temp. Ord. A-89: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a land swap agreement with Cuyahoga Falls City School District in connection with the new school campus located at 2630 13th Street. Assigned to the planning and zoning committee.
Temp. Ord. A-90: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to purchase certain interests in real property located on Parcel 35- 03367, necessary for the improvement of West Portage Trail between State Road and Albertson Parkway. Assigned to the finance committee.
Temp. Ord. A-91: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, for the purchase of services, materials, supplies, and equipment for use in the Electrical Division in 2022. Assigned to the finance committee.
Council then adjourned and the planning and zoning committee was called to order by Chair Councilwoman Spinner to discuss A-88 and A-89.
Discussion started with brief comments from Mayor Walters, saying that this legislation is the missing piece in our city and is finally happening. Walters noted that the current high school was constructed in 1922 and this moment has been 100 years in the making. He also wanted to thank all those involved in this exciting project and all the technology, comfort, and security for our students and the city.
Community Development Director Diana Colavecchio also thanked all involved and the school board for the public information sessions they have held, showing off the plans and working with residents in the Bolich area to make sure the construction causes minimum impact. She also pointed out that ordinance A-89 swaps land the city owns near Bolich with school property on 6th Street. The 6th Street property is adjacent to Oakwood Cemetery and may or may not be used for expansion of the cemetery. Should that happen there will be public meetings and council approval, however, none of this would even be considered for discussion until the school vacates the current building in the 2025/2026 school year.
Discussion continued with School Board President Anthony Gomez thanking Council for support on the final step in this process; he was followed by Superintendent Andrea Celico who also is looking forward to the start of construction this fall. Comments from those on City Council were favorable, and the committee voted to bring both pieces of legislation out for a vote next Tuesday, September 6.
