Public Hearing Review
Before the regular City Council meeting, council reviewed proposed amendments to existing legislation during a public hearing.
- T-8035: Amend Chapter 1155.0, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements
- T-8036: Amend Section 1103.02(a)(129), Rear Yard Definition
Both items were approved for placement on the regular City Council agenda under Introduction and Legislative Review.
Regular City Council Meeting
The regular Aug. 10 City Council meeting was called to order, and roll call was taken.
- Present ward members: Marianne Glenn, Anthony Lombardo, Jen Wagner and Justin Ring
- Present at-large members: Steve Michniak and Michael Lampa
- Excused absence: Jon Hannan
Safety Committee Meeting
It was motioned and approved to exit the regular City Council meeting and the Safety Committee reconvened to discuss the following items:
- T-8043: Accept a Dodge Ram truck forfeited as part of a plea condition.
- T-8044: Donate dive equipment to the Portage County dive team.
- T-8045: Authorize contracts to outfit the new command vehicle.
All three items were moved to the Aug. 10 regular council meeting.
Additional Safety Committee Discussions
The committee discussed restricting registered sex offenders from city parks and recreation centers. Following discussion, council determined that a proposed city ordinance should be prepared for review at the next regular council meeting, including examples of ordinances adopted by other cities.
Michniak led a discussion on arming selected city staff to help defend against armed attacks on city employees. After considerable discussion, and with the mayor stating he did not support the proposal, council agreed to explore additional layered security measures instead. The discussion noted concerns about city liability related to arming and training volunteer staff.
Service Committee Meeting
The following new business items were approved to move to the Aug. 10 regular council meeting without further discussion:
- T-8046: Accept 2026 second-quarter updates.
- T-8047: Authorize bidding for the police station roof replacement.
- T-8048: RFQ for owner’s representative design review services.
- T-8049: Removed from consideration because new copiers are no longer needed.
- T-8050: Dispose of unneeded skate park equipment.
Special Finance Committee Meeting
The following items were moved to the Aug. 10 regular council agenda:
- T-8051: Assign LayerZero TIF funds for reimbursement of public infrastructure costs.
- T-8052: Authorize TIFs for Stainless Works and Gebhardt/O’Malia.
- T-8053: Authorize a CRA agreement with Stainless Works/O’Malia.
Regular Council Meeting Reconvened: Citizens’ Comments
Ten citizens spoke against the installation of Flock cameras, and no speakers expressed support for the installation. Clyde Ream raised concerns about the extent of citizen monitoring that Flock cameras could enable. He asked council to consider the significance of a decision that could allow the monitoring of residents’ daily activities and activity patterns.
A Seasons Road resident responded to a comparison made at the prior council meeting between cell phone data collection and Flock camera data collection. In his view, residents choose whether to opt into cell phone applications, but they cannot opt out of Flock camera monitoring. He also expressed concern about the cost of the cameras and suggested that the city evaluate the value of the data collected.
Katie Scott spoke against the cameras based on data-security concerns. She stated that more than 50 significant vulnerabilities had been identified in the Flock system at the end of 2025 and remained verified as existing. She cited information from SimeonOnSecurity.com, noting that the site provides a detailed breakdown of those vulnerabilities. The city would be responsible for the management and protection of the gathered data as Flock only is responsible for the hardware. Scott said she works with AI every day as a programmer, and her concerns regarding the use of Flock cameras is all related to the data storage and the security built around who can access the data, how that data is then used and the liability the city would be taking on if security breaches occurred.
Police Chief Tricia Wain said many improvements have been made to the system and shared examples where crimes were solved with the use of data from Flock cameras. She also stated that Flock cameras have been around for 15 years and does not understand why now they are receiving so much criticism.
Michniak echoed her support of the cameras. The councilman brought up that cell phone use already supplies much data on people’s whereabouts, buying patterns and more. Even if the Flock cameras are voted down, technology is coming.
At this point, the decision was made to move directly to a vote on the Flock cameras. The vote was four against installation to two in favor, with Michniak and Wagner as the yes votes. The measure failed to pass.
Introduction of Legislation With a Statement of Emergency
The below all passed:
- T-8043 Accept Forfeited Dodge Ram Truck
- T-8044 Donate Dive Equipment to Portage County Dive Team
- T-8045 Authorize Contracts to Upfit New FD Command Car
- T-8046 Accept 2026 2nd Quarter Code Updates
- T-8047 Go Out to Bid for Police Station Roof Replacement
- T-8048 RFQ for Owner’s Representative Design Review Services [Frost Road]
- T-8049 Go Out to Bid to Purchase Copiers
- T-8050 Decommission and Dispose of Unneeded Skatepark Equipment
- T-8051 Assign LayerZero TIF Funds for Reimbursement for Public Infrastructure
- T-8052 Authorize TIFs for Stainless Works and for Gebhardt
First reading
- T-8053 would authorize CRA agreement with Stainless Works
Second reading
- T-8039 to approve residential CRA property tax exemption
- T-8036 amend chapter 1103.02 (a) (129) rear yard definition
Third Reading
- T-8037 Purchase of Flock cameras. Failed to pass.
- T-8035 Amend chapter 1155 off street parking and unloading. Passed
- T-8036 Amend section 1103.02 (a) (129) rear yard definition. Passed.
Reports/Communications from Departments/Boards and Commissions
The fire chief advised that in the past few weeks, there had been a few department responses to kitchen fires and residents should never leave items cooking on top of the stove unattended.
Wain shared that the past week, the new park opened and that the Brew and BBQ event was coming up.
The planning department, per Matt Miller, is working on improvements to the development approval process and the finance department shared that they are continuing work on the 2027 budget.
Mayor’s Report
Earlier in the regular meeting, the mayor swore in Todd Wolf following council’s approval of his appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The mayor also encouraged residents to attend the Brew & BBQ Bash over the weekend.
President of Council’s Comments
The president of council thanked everyone who attended the meeting and expressed appreciation for the comments shared by residents.
Council Members’ Comments
Council members thanked residents for attending the meeting and participating in the discussion. Lampa said he appreciated the private messages and phone calls he received from citizens regarding the Flock camera vote, adding that residents were “heard loud and clear.” Ring said he hoped residents would continue attending future meetings.
Announcements
The Brew & BBQ Bash was to be held Aug. 15 and the Ice Cream Social Aug. 16.
A Finance Committee meeting and a regular Council meeting will be held Aug. 24, beginning at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.