Documented by Lee Lundblad
There were three meetings held consecutively Dec. 12: an organizational meeting followed by a committee meeting and a regular council meeting.
Streetsboro City Council
City Council Organizational Meeting, Service Committee Meeting, Regular Council Meeting
Monday, Dec. 12, 2022
7 p.m.
Streetsboro City Hall
555 Frost Rd.
Streetsboro, OH 44241
In Attendance – Organizational Meeting
Justin Ring, Council-at-Large
Steve Michniak, City Council Member
Jon Hannan, Council-at-Large
Julie Field, City Council Member Ward 4
Jennifer Wagner, City Council Member Ward 3
Anthony Lombardo, City Council Member Ward 2
Michael Lampa, City Council Member Ward 1
Caroline L. Kremer, Clerk of Council
Glenn Broska, Mayor
Matt Miller, Finance Director
Robert Reinholtz, Fire Chief
Tricia Wain, Chief of Police
Franklin Beni, Law Director
Documenter Summary
This was a very brief organizational meeting to nominate and elect the president and vice president of council for the next year. Nominations were quickly made and seconded; council voted and elected Jon Hannan as council president and Anthony Lombardo as vice president.
Committee assignments for the 2023 year were also made.
Documenter Notes
City Council Organizational Meeting
Mayor Broska called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and Julie Field led the invocation and pledge of allegiance. Roll call was completed by the clerk of council; all were present.
Field asked if there were any nominations from the floor for president of council. Jon Hannan was nominated, and the motion was seconded. The ensuing vote was unanimous. Hannan then physically switched seats with the outgoing president, Field, and Hannan asked for nominations from the floor for vice president of council. Lombardo was nominated, and the motion was seconded for this position. The vote was unanimous. Hannan continued with the agenda, naming council members for committee assignments.
A short conversation ensued about the amendment of council rules, which was next on the agenda. Council decided to put it off until another meeting.
Announcements: Hannan made the announcement that the Service Committee will meet immediately following this meeting. He then asked for a motion for this meeting to adjourn; it was seconded and carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
In Attendance – Service Committee Meeting
Justin Ring, Council-at-Large
Steve Michniak, City Council Member
Jon Hannan, Council-at-Large
Julie Field, City Council Member Ward 4
Jennifer Wagner, City Council Member Ward 3
Anthony Lombardo, City Council Member Ward 2
Michael Lampa, City Council Member Ward 1
Caroline L. Kremer, Clerk of Council
Glenn Broska, Mayor
Matt Miller, Finance Director
Robert Reinholtz, Fire Chief
Tricia Wain, Chief of Police
Mr. D’Agostino, Building Department
Franklin Beni, Law Director
Documenter Summary
This was the monthly meeting of the Service Committee. After a brief executive session to discuss pending litigation, the majority of the meeting centered on new business, which entailed some speakers and discussions among the committee members. All the new business items were moved for voting to the full council meeting, which would be held directly after the Service Committee meeting. There were no citizen comments. After announcements, a motion was made to adjourn. Motion carried.
Documenter Notes
Service Committee Meeting
Hannan, committee chair, called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m., and the roll was completed by the clerk of council. All were present. A motion was made, seconded and carried to accept the minutes from the special Service Committee meeting of Sept. 26, 2022. A motion was made, seconded and carried to accept the minutes from the regular Service Committee meeting of Nov. 14, 2022. A motion was then made for the committee to adjourn into executive session at 7:23 p.m. to discuss pending litigation. Motion carried. The committee returned, and Hannan asked for a motion for the committee to reconvene at 7:32; motion carried.
Continuing with the agenda, D’Agostino of the Building Department spoke to the committee about the department’s plan to streamline the building inspection process and to achieve better service than Streetsboro is receiving right now with the current contracted business. He introduced Jerry Flanek from F&B Engineering, who spoke briefly to the committee about his background. Mayor Broska noted that by engaging F&B Engineering, the process will be more efficient. A motion was made and carried to move this item to the full council meeting (after this meeting) for a vote.
D’Agostino continued addressing the committee about the need to have backup inspectors due to the growth of Streetsboro. He is proposing a contract with Inspection Solutions. Again, a motion was made and carried to move this item to the full council meeting for a vote.
A discussion then ensued on item (f) on the agenda, which referred to a zoning text amendment. It is a minor text change, changing the current text from “3 inch gaps in pool fences” to “4 inch maximum gaps in pool fences” to be in line with Ohio’s building code. There will be a public hearing scheduled for this matter Jan. 9. Motion was made and carried to move the first reading of this amendment to the regular council meeting being held directly after this meeting.
Attention then turned to item (g) on the agenda, which was a discussion to amend Code Section 509.10 Unlawful Noise Prohibited. Law Director Beni explained that he was asked to look into giving this section of code “more teeth” and researched what other cities were doing. Currently for a first offense, it is considered a minor misdemeanor; if there are continuing offenses, it moves into a fourth-degree misdemeanor. There is a $250 fine, which most find very lenient. Beni is proposing an amendment to include two violations within one calendar year and a $1,000 fine, plus possible jail time at a judge’s discretion. Justin Ring thought the existing wording was fine and that this change was too harsh. He went on to explain that someone could have a party and then have problems with their dog barking and be in violation of this ordinance. He thought it was a bit of an overreach. Lombardo agreed with Ring. Field asked if there has been a big issue with noise. Chief Wain explained that this change was mainly prompted by one resident who continues to set off large-scale fireworks/firecrackers, often between midnight and 4 a.m. Her officers are dispatched to the resident’s home; however, the resident doesn’t care and knows that the penalty is minor. Field asked Chief Wain for her recommendation. The chief indicated that the current fines aren’t working and is concerned how long we let neighbors have to deal with this. Michniak suggested making it three occurrences in one year rather than two. Lampa concurred and said he wants to give the police what they need to do their job. Chief Wain then added that what they’re looking for is an increase of the fine. The current $250 doesn’t do much, but increasing it to $1,000 would hurt. A motion was made to amend this section of the code to read three violations in one year, raise the fine, and move it to the full council meeting for a vote. Motion carried.
Mr. Czekaj gave the committee background on the need to engage the company Strand & Associates to complete a Stormwater Needs Analysis. Streetsboro needs this to be compliant with an EPA audit and to bring the Stormwater Plan into compliance. Motion was made to move this to the full council meeting for a vote. Motion passed
Finance Director Miller requested that the committee authorize the annual fee to Brightly Software, which is used in Streetsboro. Motion was made to move this to the full council meeting for a vote. Motion passed.
Miller continued updating the committee for the need to purchase trench shoring equipment and trailer. Motion was made to move this to the full council meeting for a vote. Motion passed.
Mayor Broska brought up the final item of new business by requesting an additional 1,700 square feet of office space to be leased to accommodate new hires and meeting areas. The space they are located in now, which is temporary while the new building is being built, just does not accommodate all the people they have working at City Hall. Mayor Broska also explained that there will be a renewal on the lease for the current space, which is going up substantially. The net increase for the new lease plus the extra 1,700 square feet would be an increase of approximately $10,000 from what they had budgeted. Mayor Broska explained that the new space is one door down from where they are now and would not need to be remodeled. He said the internet would have to be run to the new space and security would have to be put in place. Field asked the mayor if he would elaborate on what the space would be used for. Mayor Broska explained it would be used by the Building Department for inspectors and clerks and an anticipated new hire. Also, the Planning and Zoning Department needs additional space. Lombardo added that he often sees how cramped the employees are, and often they voice their frustration over the cramped quarters. Motion was made to move this to the full council meeting for a vote. Motion carried.
There were no citizen comments.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn this meeting at 8:23 p.m. Motion carried.
In Attendance – Full Council Meeting
Justin Ring, Council-at-Large
Steve Michniak, City Council Member
Jon Hannan, Council-at-Large
Julie Field, City Council Member Ward 4
Jennifer Wagner, City Council Member Ward 3
Anthony Lombardo, City Council Member Ward 2
Michael Lampa, City Council Member Ward 1
Caroline L. Kremer, Clerk of Council
Glenn Broska, Mayor
Matt Miller, Finance Director
Robert Reinholtz, Fire Chief
Tricia Wain, Chief of Police
Franklin Beni, Law Director
Documenter Summary
This full council meeting was a working session where departments and the mayor updated the council with reports. A variety of new pieces of legislation had moved from the previous Service Committee meeting to the full council meeting agenda and were voted on. All new pieces of legislation were passed by the council. The council also listened to a first, second and third reading of the amended Code Section 509.10 Unlawful Noise, approval of the 2023 Annual Appropriations/Budget, and amended code regarding texting while driving, respectively. The new council president, Jon Hannan, addressed the council thanking them for their support in electing him president for 2023. He is looking forward to a great year. Announcements were then made, followed by a motion for adjournment at 8:54 p.m.
Documenter Notes
Hannan, the newly elected council president, called the meeting to order. The roll call was completed by the clerk of courts, and all were present. A motion was made to accept the Nov. 28 regular council meeting minutes. It was seconded and passed. There were no citizens present to offer comments.
Hannan continued with the agenda and requested department and board reports to be presented:
- Fire Department – Chief Reinholtz noted it has had a very busy year and is going on 3,024 calls.
- Police Department – Chief Wain was proud to note that it had another banner year with the “Shop with a Cop” program. Together with a small grant it received as well as donations, the department was able to supply clothes and needed items to 34 children. Dairy Queen provided lunch for volunteers, and Walmart offered the grant. Due to the flu, several volunteers could not attend, but Wain said the department received additional help from Aurora and Twinsburg PDs.
Hannan then led the council through the introduction of legislation:
- Contract with F&B Engineering (see previous committee meeting for info on discussion); reading was suspended, approved with roll call; adopted and approved with roll call.
- Contract with Rick Loconti, backup inspector (see previous committee meeting notes for info on discussion); reading was suspended, approved with roll call; adopted and approved with roll call.
- Contract with Inspection Solutions, backup inspector (see previous committee meeting notes for info on discussion); reading was suspended, approved with roll call; adopted and approved with roll call.
- Authorize contract for Stormwater Needs Analysis (see previous committee meeting notes for info on discussion); reading was suspended, approved with roll call; adopted and approved with roll call.
- Authorize annual subscription for Brightly Software (see previous committee meeting notes for info on discussion); reading was suspended, approved with roll call; adopted and approved with roll call.
- Authorize purchase of trench shoring equipment/trailer (see previous committee meeting notes of info on discussion); reading was suspended, approved with roll call; adopted and approved with roll call.
- Amend City Hall lease agreement (see previous committee meeting notes for info on discussion); reading was suspended, approved with roll call; adopted and approved with roll call.
The council listened to a first reading of the proposed amendment Code Section 509.10 Unlawful Noise Prohibited as amended in the previous committee meeting. No other discussion transpired as this item was just discussed in the Service Committee meeting.
The council listened to a second reading of the approval of the 2023 Annual Appropriations/Budget.
The council listened to a third reading of the amended code regarding texting while driving.
Mayor Broska then delivered his report to the council. The mayor began by stating that since Streetsboro is still reeling from a recent tragedy, the city has become closer and stronger by going through it. He also spoke of an incident which happened Sunday night, Dec. 13, which involved a teenager and social media. A teenager recorded himself in front of the schools brandishing a weapon. He was apprehended by the Streetsboro Police Department. There will most likely be media coverage of this event.
The new president of council, Jon Hannan, made some comments. He, too, congratulated the “Shop with a Cop” program and thanked those involved. He further thanked the council for voting him in as president for the 2023 term. He is looking forward to a great year.
He further made a few announcements alerting everyone to the following:
- Finance Committee & and regular council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, in council chambers.
- City Hall will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 26, for the Christmas holiday, and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, for the New Year’s holiday.
A motion was made at 8:54 p.m. for adjournment of this meeting. Motion passed.
