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.
City Council Committee of the Whole met Monday night to approve the mayor’s appointments to committees and boards within the city. The first appointment was Colleen Kelly to the planning commission to fill an unexpired term left vacant by Udaya Dhimal. Kelly is a Senior Administrator with the county executive’s office and wants to become more active in the community.
The second appointment was Matt Weiss to the civil service commission. The mayor listed Weiss’s contributions to the community and felt he would be a good match to fill the term that will expire in 2027. Council voted 10-0 to accept both appointments.
New Ordinances & Resolutions
A-36: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with The Cope Salt Company for bulk salt used in the water treatment process. Assigned to the finance committee for discussion Monday March 18.
A-37: A resolution declaring the month of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the City of Cuyahoga Falls. Assigned to the public affairs committee for discussion Monday March 18.
A-38: An ordinance amending the Traffic Control File by reducing the speed limit on Bailey Road from Erie to Front Street. Assigned to the public affairs committee for discussion Monday March 18.
A-39: An ordinance approving and authorizing the mayor to execute a Community Development Block Grant Agreement with Polymerics, Inc. for economic development. Assigned to the Community Development committee for discussion Monday March 18.
Reports of Council’s Standing Committees
Planning & Zoning:
A-35: An ordinance accepting the recommendation of the planning commission for the construction of a medical office building for Pediatrics of Akron, partnering with Akron Children’s Hospital, located at 1625 Portage Trail. Passed 10-0.
Finance & Appropriations:
A-32: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, for the purchase of a new electric department line truck. Passed 10-0.
A-33: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, for the purchase of furniture for the new electric department. Passed 10-0.
Public & Industrial Improvements:
A-29: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, for the construction of on-site utility pole storage at the new electric department building and warehouse. Passed 10-0.
A-30: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, according to law, with DLZ Ohio, Inc., for professional engineering services related to the design and relocation of the main trunk sewer located within the Gorge Metro Park. Passed 10-0.
A-34: An ordinance authorizing the Parks and Recreation Board to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with Dan Guardo Contracting, Inc., for the Water Works Family Aquatic Center pool surface refinish project. Passed 10-0.
Community Development:
A-28: A resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Clean Ohio Trails Fund Grant and to obligate funds for the required match to construct phase II of the Mud Brook Greenway. Passed 10-0.
A-31: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a permit agreement with Front & Center LTD to use a portion of city property for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a deck at property located at 2225 Front Street. Passed 10-0.
Sustainability, Energy & Environment:
A-27: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a NOPEC Energized Community Grant Agreement with Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, Inc. for energy efficiency or energy infrastructure projects. Passed 10-0.
Miscellaneous Busisness
Council watched a Power Point presentation by Parks and Recreation Director Sara Kline detailing her department’s plans for the community event dubbed Eclipse Fest. The city will be hosting a downtown event 12:00-5:00pm for the community that will be as once in a lifetime as the eclipse itself. For more details see the city’s website and the Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
Also discussed concerning the April 8 event was public safety. Fire Chief Chris Martin and Police Chief Chis Norfolk went over their plans to keep track of the increase in population the event could cause within the city. Both chiefs said that planning started a year ago and feel very confident that the city will be able to handle the possible influx of tourists that may occur. As Chief Martin put it “if you live in Florida and are told a hurricane is on the way, you prepare for it. If it misses you’re fine, you were still prepared.” The city and the county have a good plan in place. Some of the considerations presented to city council is that residents need to keep in mind, if there is a shift in population due to an influx of travelers, cell phone service may slow down. Keeping that in mind if you do come to the downtown event bring cash—Square and other credit card readers may also be affected. Walk or bike to minimize traffic and possible gridlock. RTA will be offering free bus service on the day of the event as well. More information on this event will also come in the NECCO newsletter due to hit mailboxes around March 25.
