By Julie Erickson

Hudson City Council

Jeffery L. Anzevino              Mayor

Chris Foster,                         President of Council (Ward 2)

Christopher A. Banweg,     Council Member (At-Large)

Michael W. Bird                   Council Member (Ward 4)

Patricia L. Goetz                   Council Member (Ward 1)

Nicole V. Kowalski               Council Member (At Large)

Skylar J. Sutton                    Council Member  (Ward 3)

 

Karen Heater                        Council Member (At Large)        

 

Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. and the meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by roll call with all present except Karen Heater. Minutes from January 21, 2025 were approved.

 

A resident of Hudson, Anthony Revita residing on Edgar Drive addressed the council again concerning his ongoing issue with a previously obtained property permit for the installation, of a now installed, fence. 

 

The resident stated he had received approval, paid permit fee, to install the fence then received notification that the permit had been approved in error. A city inspector then visited the property and noted the fence was installed but not on the approved location but encroached on a city easement and the fence material included unapproved metal materials.

 

 

A heated discussion then took place and Mr. Foster, President of the Council, reiterated for the record that the fence constructed was not constructed on the property in the approved permitted area but rests on land that is part of a city easement. In addition, the fence was constructed with nonapproved metal materials. In order to work with the citizen, the city had offered a land lease option that would allow the fence to stay in place (with metal materials removed) until the city needed to access the easement. The Mr. Revita did not accept this proposed resolution and stated he will continue to attend future meetings to again address this with council.

Council member Ms. Kowalski thanked individuals that attended her open forum the previous week on the topic on Hudson safety services. AEC met yesterday electing a new Vice Chair and the AEC is now accepting vendor applications for Earth Day April 19th in addition the AEC also collected 2,000 pounds of Christmas lights saving diverting these from a land fill.

 

Council member Mr. Banweg stated he would like to take a forensic look at the matter Mr. Revita reviewed again with the council regarding the permitting of his property. Mr. Banweg also shared that he is gone to from council meetings time to time because of his military duty assignments. His past absence was one that could have future applications for Hudson in that he attended the Joint Preparedness Liaisons Conference and it made him “very happy we do not suffer from hurricanes in Hudson.”

 

Council member Mr. Foster wanted the community to understand that there are multiple sides to the situation regarding the installation of the fence installed by Mr. Rivita. The fence was not approved by the ARC to be installed in the city’s right away but was to be placed further back on the property. In addition, the fence was not to contain metal, which is prohibited in the city by the land development code, except for use on agricultural land. Mr. Foster again stated a land lease could be granted but this had been refused when offered.

 

 

 

Mayor Anzevino stated that he had a land lease with the city to resolve a similar issue he had on his property with a city right away and thought this was a good resolution. The mayor reminded that the state of the city will be held February 13th

 

 

Mr. Sheridan stated that February 17th the city offices will be closed, and the community should be aware of this. August 8th flood update: the studies for three of the four city areas affected by the August 8th flood have been completed and that information will be given to council with the results of the study for the fourth area to be completed within the next few weeks. Tinkers Creek information will be available later in the fall. Road damage has been observed due to freezing and thawing of roads and repairs will be done. February 18th under the city Manager report Mr. Sheridan will be bringing back the fire and EMS consultant for input on the study done and if council members have other input to pass onto him for inclusion.

 

 

Chris Foster stated he had appointed Chris Banweg as liaison for the charter review committee.

 

25-13 A resolution regarding employment contract of the city manager Thomas Sheridan was pulled per request of Mr. Foster. Motion to suspend rules to approve. Passed six in favor zero against to raise the salary of the City Manager to make it consistent with other members of the city staff. Over past three years Mr. Sheridan has secured thirty million in grants for the city of Hudson with 16.5 million secured for the Hines Hill Project.

 

25-14 A resolution to entertain for competitive bids for the 10” trail along Barlow Road connecting The Barlow Farm Park Trail to the existing Summit County Metro Parks trail.

 

25-15 A resolution to amend agreement with Norfolk Southern for ongoing engineering review and design services for a new multi -purpose path (as outlined in above 25-14 as part of the proposed path will cross Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks between the two parks.

 

 

25-16 A resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a quiet zone agreement with Norfolk Southern Railroad for the Barlow Road Trail as part of a needed improvement.

 

25-17 A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Ohio Rail development commission for the Hines Hill Road grade separation project through the Ohio grade separation elimination project. Good news! The city was awarded a grant int eh amount of $2,886,174. From the Ohio Rail Development Commission.

 

25-18 A resolution authorizing the City Manager designee to submit an application to the US Department of transportation for the promoting of resilient operations for transformative, efficient and cost saving transportation (PROTECT) grant. The city would receive up to 80% of project funds in Federal grant funding for the South Main (SR 91) Storm Sewer Redirection and Railroad Underpass Project.

 

25-19 A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter into a lease termination and asset purchase agreement with destination Hudson, Inc. for the purchase of certain physical assets, retail inventory and furniture from the visitor center. Pulled per Mr. Foster request. Not approved with four in favor two against.

 

25-20 A resolution to approve a then and now certificate for a purchase made. Council authorization is needed for payment of the invoice shown in this resolution in excess of $3,000. For which a commitment was made before a purchase order was generated. Approval required for Ohio State Highway Patrol LEADS Annual dues: $7,200.

 

Summary: All consent agenda items approved with exception of 25-13 and 25-19. Rules were suspended for both and 25-13 was then approved six to zero and 25-19 was not approved with four in favor two not in favor so this will move to legislation at next meeting as a second reading.

 

25-12 An ordinance to amend the Backflow Prevention Program with updated guidelines, standards and language. Note: second reading.

 

25-21 An ordinance codifying the order and rules of a public hearing. This will change time to thirty minutes, from previous five minutes, allowed to applicants to present to council. It will also change from five minutes to fifteen minutes for a resident with standing this is a resident that has received notification from city of action that may impact their property. Note: first reading.

25-22 An ordinance codifying the right of public comment at any board or commission meeting and establishing rules for public comment. This will define an ordinance which requires boards/commissions to accept comment from the public provided the topic is relevant to the board and provide tools to reject comments that are not relevant to them. Note: first reading.

 

25-23 An ordinance to change rule to reestablish prior practice of moving to adopt legislation with certain, specified amendments without first having to adopt legislation with certain, specified amendments without having to first put the item up for discussion through a simple motion to adopt. Note: first reading