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.
In addition to meeting to read new ordinances and assign them to the proper committees, Cuyahoga Falls City Council also met as the committee of the whole to ratify Mayor Walters’ appointment Of Cathy Meacham to fill a vacancy on the Civil Service Commission. Council voted 10-0 in favor of the appointment.
New Ordinances & Resolutions
B-115: An ordinance approving a zoning map amendment for parcels 02- 13736 and 02-17196 located on 6th Street from R-4 Urban Density Residential to MU-4 Sub-Urban Corridor, as more fully described herein. Since this legislation involves a change of zoning a public hearing will be held on December 4, 2023 regarding B-115. This legislation was assigned to the planning and zoning committee.
B-116: An ordinance establishing annual appropriations of money for the current expenses, capital expenditures, and other expenses of the City of Cuyahoga Falls for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee.
B-117: An ordinance consenting to the resurfacing of State Route 8 from the southern corporation limit to the northern corporation limit, within the City of Cuyahoga Falls, by the State of Ohio. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee.
B-118: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to apply for Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds programmed by the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) to improve the State Road Phase II Corridor. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee and discussed in a special meeting Monday night.
The presentation was made by City Engineer Tony Demasi and it would allow the city to apply for a competitive grant to aid with the widening of State Road in the area of Quick Road and Wyoga Lake Road to add curbs and turn lanes. Demasi said the project is requesting $6 million to be applied to the $15 million project estimated to start in 2028 and finish in 2029. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote and later in the evening council voted to 10-0 in favor of the legislation.
B-119: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to apply for Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds programmed by the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS), for the resurfacing of Munroe Falls Avenue, between Bailey Road and the eastern corporation line. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee and discussed in a special meeting Monday night. This grant would be used to offset 80% the cost of repaving Munroe Falls Ave. from Bailey Road to the city limits in the year 2028. The road was last paved in 2008 according to Demasi. The committee voted to bring this out for a vote and later in the evening council voted to 10-0 in favor of the legislation.
B-120: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to apply for Federal Carbon Reduction Grant (CRP) funds programmed by the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) for the Akron-Peninsula Road Multi-Use Trail. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee.
B-121: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a cooperative agreement with the City of Akron, Ohio, to share the cost of engineering and construction for the Akron-Peninsula Road Multi-Use Trail. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee.
B-122: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to apply for Federal Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TASA) funds programmed by the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) for the Akron-Peninsula Road Multi-Use Trail. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee.
Ordinances B-120, B-121, and B-122 are all related to each other and discussed and voted on Monday night. Demasi explained these pieces of legislation would request grant money to construct a trail that is a joint venture between Akron and Cuyahoga Falls. It would start near the Riverwoods apartment project and run to Portage Trail along Akron-Peninsula Rd. This grant is asking for 80% of the $1.1 million project and if the city is successful the project would start in 2028. All three pieces of legislation passed 10-0 in a vote before full council.
B-123: An ordinance amending and/or supplementing Title 7 Taxation, Chapter 164, Municipal Income Tax, to comply with state law mandates. This legislation was assigned to the finance committee for discussion at their November 6 meeting.
Reports of Council’s Standing Committees
Planning & Zoning:
B-112: An ordinance accepting the planning commission’s recommendation for the approval of a conditional zoning certificate and major site plan for the construction of a 12,300 sq. ft. auto body and repair building for Caliber Collision. Passed 11-0.
Finance & Appropriations:
B-113: An ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract or contracts for the purchase of a portion of certain real property known as 1749 Main Street. Passed 11-0.
B-114: An ordinance authorizing the director of public service to enter into a contract or contracts, without competitive bidding, with A. Crano Excavating for the installation of a new 18” storm sewer and associated appurtenances on Front Street, from The Glens subdivision to Sackett Avenue. Passed 11-0.
Miscellaneous Business:
David O’Neill, Director of the Summit County Regional Dispatch Center addressed Council and advised that on Tuesday October 24, Cuyahoga Falls will go live from the new center. He stated that this will be the culmination of all the training and standardization that has taken place with all the communities involved and flanked by representatives from Cuyahoga Falls Dispatchers, Police and Fire, who all felt confident and are ready to make the transition.
Community Development Director Diane Colavecchio presented Council with the city development report showing over $40 million of private investment in Cuyahoga Falls since January 1, 2023.
Four residents in the State Rd. and Chestnut Blvd. area presented Council with signatures opposing the marijuana dispensary being constructed on State Rd. Three of the residents addressed Council and voiced their displeasure on a business of this nature being placed so close to their neighborhood. Community Development Director Diana Colavecchio distributed a FAQ sheet to council and those attending the meeting. The building previously housed a payday lender and had been vacant for approximately three years.
–courtesy Community Development Director Diana Colavecchio
