By Noell Wolfgram Evans

The Munroe Falls City Council held its regular meeting at 7 p.m. on April 21 in council chambers. In attendance were Council President and Ward 1 Council Member Ross Widenor,  Ward 2 Council Member Bob Post, Ward 3 Council Member Connie Collinson and At-large Council Members Al Prince, Chris Ritzinger, Dina Edwards and John Hegnauer. Also in attendance were Fire Chief Lee Chafin, Clerk of Council Misty Smith, Law Director Tom Kostoff, Public Works Director Jim Bowery and Finance Director Mia Swartz. 

The meeting was called to order by Widenor, who then asked Chafin to lead those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. The first order of business was an approval of the previous meeting’s minutes. Ritzinger first offered one change to the standing committee meeting minutes and that was to correct what he deemed “a typographical error.” With this accepted, all members except Collinson, who abstained, approved the minutes. Widenor then put the regular council meeting minutes from April 7 up for approval. Again Collinson abstained, but all other members voted in the affirmative.

The agenda next called for a report from the mayor. Widenor said that the mayor was attending an informational meeting on a property tax petition that was currently circulating in the area. He shared that the mayor wanted everyone to know that a new police chief has been hired. James Orsine, currently on the force at Tallmadge, will be assuming the position of chief. 

Kostoff shared with council that he had office hours on April 7 and 21. His next scheduled office hours session is April 27. Widenor asked if there had been any further action involving potential zoning violations of the trees at the Creekwood development. Kostoff said they were still investigating it.

Widenor next shared that he had received a proposal for a solar installation and was still exploring potential options for adding solar arrays on city buildings. He also met with the new community and economic director regarding her role. He also asked her to work on the long-gestating city newsletter. Widenor also shared that he attended the Stow-Munroe Falls leadership meeting, adding that he paid for it himself.

The Public Safety Committee report was offered by Ritzinger. He commended the interim police chief for managing the department and thanked Chafin for the work he has done in securing fire-based grants for the city. The next committee meeting will be May 17.

Prince shared the report from Parks and Recreation. They are working hard on preparations for Summerfest, which will take place on June 21. There is one confirmed food truck and Dairy Queen is donating a sizable number of ice cream bars. They also have three bands secured: It’s About Time, Riverfront Band and Just Plain Folk. Prince said the committee currently has $4,000, with $1,000 marked for Summerfest. The committee will next meet on May 7.

There was no report from the Finance Committee. Their next meeting will take place on May 19.

During the public comment period, resident Jeanne Fraelich used her time to implore council members to approve the evening’s resolution to recognize Pride Month in the city. She felt it was important to support the LGBTQ+ members of the community and show them the city was a “safe space.”

The council then moved on to the first reading of five resolutions. Resolution 2026-24 would recognize June 2026 as Pride Month. Following the reading, Edwards asked to suspend the rules for further readings. Prince seconded the proposal. A vote was called and all council members voted yes, except Post who voted no. Edwards then proposed bringing the resolution to a vote. Again Prince seconded it. Post asked Kostoff if there were any policies that might dictate the types of organizations the council could support. Kostoff said there was not. Post said he was not against anyone but “if we don’t have a policy for this, we may need to think about what comes before us.” Widenor said he believed it was the job of the council to make these types of decisions based on what they think residents want. 

“There may not be a policy but we do have precedent,” Ritzinger said.

Widenor then called for a vote. All members approved the resolution, except for Post.

Resolution 2026-26 for assessing the cost of street lighting in the city and resolution 2026-27 to investigate the question of a tax levy for road repairs were both read without comment.

Resolution 2026-28 to amend the city appropriations was read, and Hegnauer immediately asked to suspend the rules on further readings. The entire council voted in the affirmative. He then asked that the resolution be brought up for a vote. It was, and it passed unanimously. Swartz offered the council her thanks.

As new business, Edwards invited everyone to the first First Friday celebration on May 1. Post asked if they could include clean-up responsibilities in the lease with Float the River. Hegnauer said he would be out of the country the first week of May. Post also asked if there was any update on the work Kostoff was doing to review the property maintenance ordinances in other cities. Kostoff said he is still looking into it. Widenor then adjourned the meeting.