By Noell Wolfgram Evans

Stow City Council Meeting

Council Chambers, Stow City Hall

June 26, 2025

In attendance were Stow Mayor John Pribonic; Cyle Feldman, President of Council; Kelly Coffey, councilmember; Mario Fiocca, councilmember; Matt Riehl, Vice President of Council; Kyle Herman, councilmember; Jeremy McIntire, councilmember;  John Baranek, Pro Tem; Nick Wren, Director of Public Service;  Kelly Toppin, Finance Director; Drew Reilly, Law Director; Zack Cowan, Deputy Director of Development; Steve Hooten, Deputy Law Director; Don Brooker, Deputy Director of Public Service; Nick Stone, Fire Chief; Mike Lang, Assistant Fire Chief; Jeffrey Film, Police Chief.

The start of the June 26 Stow City Council meeting was delayed slightly by a presentation to two area residents. Fire Department CaptainTroy Acker, standing beside several members of the department, told the story of a man (Bob) who went into full cardiac arrest on June 5 in the parking lot of The Basement Sports Bar and Grill. Walgreens employee Marissa Thurston and Basement employee Lisa Yacobucci were in the area separately because of their work, they independently saw Bob and assisted with CPR and calling 911. Acker credited their quick thinking with saving Bob’s life. Stow Mayor John Pribonic issued proclamations to both women. 

The start of the council meeting was held so photos could be taken and refreshments, as provided by The Basement, were enjoyed.

At 7:30 p.m., council was called to order. After the roll was called, the first order of business was to approve the minutes of the June 12 meeting. There was unanimous consensus to do this.

Law Director Drew Reilly issued his report which was to say that, as the end of the quarter was here, he would have a full report for the quarter at the next meeting.

President of Council Cyle Feldman next addressed council about an email he sent regarding proposed dates to meet over nine line items that might be updated as part of the charter review process. Feldman “wants to have those put before committee before July 8.”

Councilmember McIntyre suggested that not all of those items have had readings before council and proposed a process where that could happen. Reilly reviewed previous meeting notes and determined that five of the items had first readings while four did not.

It was then determined to pull those four out of committee review and put them before council during this meeting which would be considered their first reading. This approach was approved by all members and Feldman directed the agenda to be adjusted to reflect this.

Fire Chief Stone had a presentation to showcase the 40% growth in calls to the department in the past 10 years. Year to date they have had 2,996 calls with 2,006 being overlapping calls (ones that came in while crews were already out). The chief stated that while mutual aid with adjoining departments helps cover some of the burden you can’t always count on those departments to be available.

Mike Lang, Assistant Fire Chief, stated that the utilization rates for Station 1 is 36%, Station 2 is 28%, and Station 3 is 29%.  He shared industry numbers that found that any utilization over 30% is considered “A Line in the Sand.” The department has tried to lessen the number of people sent on certain runs but feel that the only solution is to add two new firefighters this year and three in 2026. This request is based on current conditions and anticipated needs with the growth of new builds in the community.

Kelly Toppin, Finance Director, said that the addition of one position was in the budget for this year. He added that if the anticipated start date of two new people were not until August, that would not result in a budget negative.

McIntyre asked what the addition of two firefighters would do to the utilization numbers shared earlier. Lang could not “accurately” predict what the numbers would be brought down to but was certain the addition would “help us buy time for care.”

John Baranek, Council Pro Tem, offered a concern about some of the current proposed changes in the Ohio Statehouse in regards to inside millage. He said that if the removal of that passed, next year they may need to look at “making some very difficult choices.”

Councilmember Kelly Coffey asked if there was data on overtime variances for this year between the three stations. Lang said all they had was a broad total. Coffey asked if that could be provided by the next meeting and Feldman reminded members that they were considering this request for additional firefighters as a motion in this meeting.

Matt Riehl, Vice President of Council, questioned how much of this issue was due to the loss of private ambulance services in the region. Stone said many of the runs their department makes were taking over what private services used to cover which was an unexpected, but necessary, duty.

Members of the Stow Firefighters Union then read a letter to council in support of this request.

Feldman called for a motion to vote on the addition of two firefighters this year. The motion passed unanimously.

During the public comment period Donna and Ron Novak, residents since 1976, spoke of the problems they have had with “unwelcome wildlife.” Donna asked council if they could help to alert the public to the importance of not feeding or otherwise enticing wildlife such as skunks, groundhogs, and feral cats.

Following their comments the meeting was adjourned.