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.
Sustainability, Energy & Environment:
The committee met to participate in an educational presentation from American Municipal Power about the city’s electric portfolio. Craig Kleinhenz, director of power planning for AMP Ohio, went over a PowerPoint presentation to show council where the city is with their power source portfolio and pricing, and with the other 137 municipalities who form this group. For details on the presentation feel free to contact your city council person who can share that presentation.
Legislation scheduled for discussion:
Planning & Zoning:
A-43: An ordinance accepting the planning commission’s recommendation for the vacation of Merlin Lane, Larue Drive, a portion of Montclaire Drive, and the consolidation of 61 lots in the Seasons Road Subdivision No. 1, located at Seasons Road and Wyoga Lake Road. Planning Director Rob Kurtz started by saying both this legislation and A-44 were being treated as companion ordinances. Both passed the planning commission in their July 7 meeting. Kurtz explained to council that this subdivision was platted and approved in 1954. The first part of the legislation removes the “paper streets” that were part of the 1954 plan and replaces them with what the current developer has made plans.
A-44: An ordinance accepting the recommendation of the planning commission for the construction of “Seasons Reserve,” a 224-unit multi-family development for Northcoast Design Build located at the southeast corner of Seasons Road and Wyoga Lake Road. The planning commission recommended the approval of the major site plan for the construction of “Seasons Reserve” at the corner of Seasons Road and Wyoga Lake Road. The project will consist of 48 buildings with attached garages, a clubhouse/pool, and dog park and three storm water detention basins. The project is also unique due to sitting on a 49-acre parcel and 48% will remain open space. The planning and zoning committee voted in favor of both of these ordinances, and they will be brought before all of council for a vote July 27.
Finance & Appropriations:
A-45: 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 and advances of appropriations within and for the various funds hereinafter set forth. This was presented by Finance Director Bryan Hoffman and it’s an annual ordinance to clear up spending to the correct accounts. The finance committee voted to bring this out for a vote before full council July 27.
A-46: An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 106-2025 for the purpose of amending Section 1 to increase expenditure totals and amending Exhibit A to include more vehicles. Finance Director Bryan Hoffman explained that after reviewing the city’s lease vs purchase, they have decided the city will be purchasing five mid-size SUVs and a pickup truck for the police department and a new garbage truck. The finance committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-47: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $4,530,000, for the purpose of paying the costs of various public infrastructure projects. This will allow Hoffman’s office to issue bonds for several capital projects and then use the TIFF funding already coming in with these projects to pay off the bonds. The finance committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-48: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of bonds in the maximum principal amount of $8,400,000, for the purpose of paying the costs of the acquisition, construction and equipping of a new fire station and fire training center to be built as a replacement for, and including demolition of, Cuyahoga Falls Fire Station 4, including but not limited to, a new station, training classrooms and training tower, together with all necessary appurtenances thereto. This legislation will allow the city to go out for bond to pay for the new fire station and training center at station 4. The city has already received a $3 million grant for the state of Ohio for this project. The finance committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-49: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts with Premium Utility Contractor for modifications to the Valley Substation Duct Bank Project. This legislation was presented by Electric Department supervisor Rod Troxell and will finalize the installation of the wiring ducts inside the substation near Valley Vista Park. The finance committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-50: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract or contracts for the purchase of certain property known as 2222 Issaquah Street. This legislation was discussed last week in executive session and there was no other discussion. The finance committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-51: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, with Survalent Technology Corp., for the replacement of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Platform for the Water Utilities Department. Assistant Water Superintendent Brian Johnson said the decision to go with Survalent is because of the familiarity of the software with the Electric Department already using it. The $161k expenditure was budgeted for 2026. The finance committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-52: A resolution accepting and modifying the recommendations of the Tax Incentive Review Council and the Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council concerning Enterprise Zone and Community Reinvestment Area tax exemption agreements within the City of Cuyahoga Falls. This legislation was discussed last week in executive session and there was no other discussion. The finance committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
Finance committee Chair Mary Nichols Rhodes told those present that last week when council went into executive session they were also informed of changes in the Ohio legislature to Ohio Revised Code 9.66 that went into effect in the spring of 2026 and it 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. There was some uproar and a modification of the bill has just been passed by the legislature and signed by the governor last month. The proper version will become law after 90 days; until then the city will follow the law.
Public & Industrial Improvements:
A-53: An ordinance authorizing the Parks and Recreation Board to enter into a contract or contracts, with Ingersoll Landscape, for the design and installation of landscaping and a new staircase on 2223 Front Street Parcel #0218225. This legislation was presented by Park Director Doctor Sarah Kline, and will involve the steps from the Front Street level to Riverfront parkway right next to Vacancy. The area will receive a $186k makeover that includes a better graded staircase and benches along the way. The public and industrial improvements committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-54: A resolution 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 replacement of water mains on Marcia Boulevard, High Point Road to 26th Street, 28th Street, Marcia Boulevard to the cul-de-sac, 27th Street, Marcia Boulevard to Broad Boulevard, 26th Street, and Broad Boulevard to Sackett Avenue. City Engineer Tony Demasi explained this would allow the city to apply to Ohio Public Works for a grant to cover the project in the same manner as was done last year on Oakwood Drive. The city is asking for half of the $1.2 million in the form of a grant. The public and industrial improvements committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-55: A resolution 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 State Road, from Quick Road to Boulder Boulevard. This legislation would allow the city to apply to Ohio Public Works for a grant to cover $750k to help with the costs. The public and industrial improvements committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
Public Affairs:
A-56: An ordinance to approve the current replacement pages to the Cuyahoga Falls Codified Ordinances and declaring an emergency. Presented by Law Director Janet Ciotola, this is a yearly task her office does with the Walter Drane Company, and they codify all the new ordinances passed by City Council and then make sure all of the new criminal laws are updated to comply with current state law. This will ensure our police and prosecutors are working to the current versions of Ohio law. Ciotola wished to publicly recognize her office manager Grace Edwards who painstakingly went through these ordinances to make sure they agreed with state law. The public affairs committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-57: An ordinance amending Chapter 353 “Parking Meters” of the Cuyahoga Falls Codified Ordinances. IT Director Josh Kington briefed the committee on what current Front Street parking and what the proposed changes would be. Meters on posts will continue; however, the method of payment will change, while street parking on South Front Street will also be metered. After talking to other cities and doing research, Park Mobile was chosen to care of street parking. Between the lack of parts and vendors the post meters are being replaced are APP-based, similar to what is currently in Akron. The meters would run 7 days a week from 9 am to 9 pm. Park Mobile will administer the program for 20 cents for each transaction and 3% of the total. The law department has made changes that would allow Community Service officers to issue tickets to violators. It was also noted that street parking is an option and there are three public parking decks in the downtown area. The public affairs committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
Community Development:
A-58: An ordinance authorizing the director of community development to amend a Community Reinvestment Area Tax Exemption Agreement to reflect the title of land transfer and name change. This legislation was also discussed last Monday in executive session and there were no other comments. The community development committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
A-59: An ordinance approving and authorizing the mayor to execute and submit the annual action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for program year 2026. Peggy Szaly presented this legislation to the committee, pointing out that this is year three in a four-year plan. As in years past the funds are used within the community. Some examples include Fair Housing Activities – $15,000 Food Pantry Programs- $15,000 Literacy Programs – $5,000 STEM Learning Program – $5,000 Senior Snow Program – $10,000 Mature Services Program – $10,000HMIS Homeless Management System Short Term Emergency Rent Assistance – $5,000 Lead Paint Hazard Matching Grant – $3,000 to name a few. The community development committee voted to bring this out for a vote before council July 27.
