Noell Wolfgram Evans

Amy Ward, a Kent resident, addressed council with a request to put a 20 mph School Zone sign in front of Walls Elementary. She said it was the only school in the city without a marker, which she claimed was not only needed but mandated by state law.

Larkin immediately asked Crowe for a moment of reflection. He announced that the day prior, a Roosevelt senior passed away after a long battle with a medical condition.

Mullaly then offered a report from the fire department and said they were currently looking at cost-cutting measures. Those include limiting purchases; stopping TV, newspapers and coffee at the station; limiting training; and limiting participation in the county teams.

Also in the consent agenda, Heflinger proposed the removal of school fees, excluding extra and co-curricular activities. He additionally asked for approval for contracts to purchase ELA books, for pest control services with A-Best Pest Control and with the ESC for special services.

With a projected growth in revenue in 2027, the end balance that year is estimated to be $750,000. That number will continue to grow in 2028 to $1.035 million. At that point, revenue numbers will flatten out. He predicted that in 2030, the district “will need to pay close attention to their cash on hand.”

The district will be operating with a surplus for two years, which will quickly turn into a deficit by 2031. Plageman also updated the board on recent and pending state legislation that could impact these projects. “There is an uncertainty at the state level,” Plageman said. 

The bulk of Adkins’ time was spent in a discussion on the potential renewal of the township’s contract for Flock cameras. Adkins asked for a one-year renewal for the four cameras in the township.

Palmer then kicked off the community reports. The bulk of his report centered on a request for approval for two expenditures. The first was in the amount of $65,969 for the purchase of a power cot for the ambulance. The second was for $205,587 for a new chassis for that same ambulance.

Shaffer Bish had the only new business. A resident contacted her regarding a beer-pong table that has become what she called “a fixture” in her neighbor’s yard. Shaffer Bish asked council to take up the item as a potential code issue in a future committee meeting. All members voted yes to move this concern forward.

The Portage County Board of Commissioners let Meyer know that they were working with Congressman Dave Joyce to secure funds in the federal 2027 appropriation budget for the public water system rehabilitation project in the village. 

Scott Rudlosky offered a proposal to add some disc golf holes at the township parks. He proposed a pilot program that could be started with a $500 grant he recently received specifically for disc golf.

“We’re in an interesting place in terms of enrollment,” Heflinger said. He said that the district doesn’t have room in Brimfield to grow, adding that “if kindergarten enrollment goes up, we will be scrambling.”

Coia shared an update on a $2 million neighborhood grant. The hope is that it will pay for about two-thirds of the hookups to the sewer lines in the allotted area. He also said he has been working on the township dinner, which will be held in August. Space has been reserved at the Elks and a caterer has been procured.

Following the acceptance of the Jan. 12 meeting minutes, members of the public were invited to address the council. Ted Hurd spoke with great pride about the new City Hall, which he said “was always my dream to see.” 

According to the banking statements shared, the village ended December with $173,273.10 in the bank and with $119,845.60 in investments with STAR Ohio.

Calfee asked Smallfield for an update on the Flock system and if it has been “worth it.” Smallfield enthusiastically shared his positive opinion on the system and said that it has helped to solve about 100 crimes already.

Unanimous approval was also provided for entering into a service agreement with Southeast Local Schools for the services of an ELL tutor, the establishment of an Indoor Track and Field Club at the high school, and the purchase of a new van for the transportation of special education students.

Errera was unanimously elected and immediately sworn in. Errera thanked those in attendance and quickly cast his first vote, which was an approval to move the board into executive session.