By Julie Erickson

Hudson City Council

Oct. 7, 2025

Chris Foster, president

Jeffrey Anzevino, mayor

Chris Banweg, council member

Karen Heater, council member

Nicole Kowalski, council member

Skylar Sutton, council member

Michael Bird, council member

Patricia Goetz, council member

Thomas Sheridan, city manager

Marshal Pitchford, city solicitor and special council

Aparna Wheeler, clerk of council

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with all council members in attendance. 

The minutes from the Sept. 16 City Council meeting were approved, as provided, without discussion, as were the Sept. 23 workshop minutes.

Scott Lancaster expressed his approval of ordinance 25-92 if it still prohibits kennels in zone 2 of Hudson.

No additional public comments.

Heater gave a shout out to the Hudson Fire Department for its response to a fire where they left the station within one minute of the call and arrived at the locale within seven minutes.

Kowalski advised that a Hudson resident had contacted her regarding the need to fix raised pavement located at the border of Hudson and Boston Heights.

Goetz shared that the previous Tuesday, she held an open forum attended by Sheridan. Chief of Police Perry Tabak and Fire Chief Jerry Varnes were among those to discuss bridging the gap on mental health awareness. The city will be putting together flyers for residents to detail available mental health resources.

Sutton shared that the Tree Commission had a meeting and discussed that some trees located at the previous Joann Fabrics property, though not planted by the Tree Commission, were planted as part of the Hudson Bicentennial. They did advise the Planning Commission of this so that they could review any plans that may affect these trees. In addition, the Planning Commission is looking at using available grants in additional landscaping downtown on public greens. The Tree Commission also discussed land development code, looking at how LDC measures tree height, as well as the intent to add language to move away from monocultures, which means not planting one species of trees down a street. Planting multiple species of trees would ensure several species of trees are planted side by side in case a disease would target one species of tree. 

A resident contacted Sutton with concern over the new adaptive signals not allocating enough time for a left turn at the intersection of Main and 303. In addition, the signals are not considering traffic from no-signal-regulated side streets to be able to merge onto streets.

Banweg discussed plans for Veterans Day. The committee is looking at Honor Your Hero banners being created to honor specific Hudson veterans, with details about this banner program available on the city website.

Bird noted that the open forum on safety was very valuable and that now is a good time to remind residents to change batteries in smoke detectors. Another reminder was that the early voting location is now located at 1050 E. Tallmadge Ave. and no longer in downtown Akron.

Foster noted that the new hybrid fire department is operating well and has reduced response time.

The city will look at the reported Boston Mills Road issue and correct, but noted that it is not likely it is Hudson crew issue as paving for the year is completed. The city engineer in the next few weeks will report on adaptive signals, and the fire chief will report on the new hybrid approach at the fire station. Capital budget starts next week for council. The inclusive playground is under design and on the city website is a fly-by video. Hydrant flushing will run this month through the 24th. Lastly, the final Farmers Market of the season is this Saturday.

The Safety Force open house is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13 at the city of Hudson Safety Center (fire station/police station) at 40 S. Oviatt St. 

Trick or Treat will be Oct. 31, and the request is in to put up message boards throughout town to remind drivers to slow down and be cautious.

Foster confirmed the road work that needs to be done is in Boston Heights and they will be advised action is needed.

Foster announced that he was nominating Rob Gerling and Jonathan Elson to full terms on the Economic Growth Board and Robert Kahrl for reappointment to a full term on the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals. All nominations passed, but Kowalski and Goetz abstained from voting, as they did not attend all candidate interviews.

25-148: A resolution to formally dedicate Franklin Street as a public right of way.

25-149: A resolution to authorize the City Manager to enter in and take bids for state Route 91 and Terex Road turn lane improvements.

25-150: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for East Barlow resurfacing.

25-151: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the downtown pedestrian phase 2 project.

25-152: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the 2026 capital maintenance programs of the city of Hudson.

25-153: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the Division Street culvert replacement with the lowest and best bid and with declaring an emergency.

25-154: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to adopt a project name and develop a site branding for the city-owned downtown development site.

25-155: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to issue a request for proposal for professional architectural and engineering design services for the downtown development preliminary plan and to award to the most qualified consultants and declaring an emergency. 

25-156: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to advertise for competitive bids and to enter into a contract for the construction of the Hudson Public Works facility project and declaring an emergency.

All items on the consent agenda passed 7 to 0, in favor.

25-92: An ordinance amending chapter 1205 and 1296 of the land development code applicable to regulations for boarding kennels and veterinary. This was the third reading, so actionable.

Foster moved to pass, as amended. Goetz did not support the 300-foot set back, but did support boarding kennels only in commercial areas 5, 6, 7 and 8 with 300-foot set back. 

Kowalski stated some of the changes council was making lately to the land development code were being too reactionary in making sweeping changes that could affect the whole city.

Banweg said this has had a robust discussion and felt it was the best proposal and well developed. Bird said there are areas in district 2 that are wide open enough for placement of a boarding kennel. Foster said Sutton did a good job in separating boarding kennels from pet grooming and removing district 2, as no resident would want a kennel next to them. Heater stated she felt this was a well thought-out piece of legislature and she would support it.

It passed 5 in favor to 2, with Goetz and Kowalski not voting in favor.

25-110: An ordinance amending Chapter 1206 of the land development code relevant to assisted living, continuing care retirement communities and institutional residential from allowed uses within the commercial focused districts. Third reading. Foster moved to postpone to Nov. 18. It passed to postpone 6 to 1, with Bird abstaining due to conflict.

25-127: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of $740,000 of taxable economic development nontax revenue bond anticipation notes, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying costs of acquiring 40 acres of Owen Brown Street and Morse Road. Third reading and passed 7 to 0.

25-128: This ordinance would allow for the refinancing of existing financial obligations of the city. It would allow for the rollover of net proceeds used to pay the former Windstream property at 94 Owen Brown St. purchased as part of Downtown Phase II project. Third reading. Passed 7 to 0. 

25-129: An ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of not to exceed 100,000 of notes in anticipation of the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying costs of improving city-owned property located at 5810 Hudson Dr. for a new bus garage and salt storage facility. Third reading. Passed 7 to 0.

25-130: This ordinance allows for the financing of the purchase of the Hudson Drive property that will be used for the new Public Works facility, as well as financing its design. Third Reading. Passed 7 to 0.

25-131: This ordinance allows for the financing of construction of the new Public Works facility. Third reading. Passed 7 to 0.

25-132: This ordinance allows for the financing of the new clubhouse at Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club with a total cost estimated at $3.1 million. The balance of the project cost will be paid from the golf course fund balance. Third reading. Passed 7 to 0.

25-133: This ordinance allows for the multipurpose trail along Boston Mills Road between Omni Lake Parkway and Lake Forest Drive. Third reading. Passed 7 to 0.

25-134: This ordinance allows for the financing of the trail along Valley View Road and Hunting Hollow Drive and on Hunting Hollow Drive to Prospect Road as part of the connectivity plan. Third reading. Passed 7 to 0.

25-135: This ordinance allows for the financing of the remodeling renovation of the Fire/EMS facility. Third reading. Passed 7 to 0.

25-136: This ordinance authorizes borrowing for the installation of the expanded residential broadband services. Third reading. Passed 7 to 0.

25-143: Planning Commission approved a motion to forward a list of Land Development Code recommendations for review by the city council. Along with the list, the Planning Commission requested City Council enact a 90-day moratorium on all private (non-government) applications to the Planning Commission that would require a public hearing. Third reading. Considerable discussion took place prior to this passing 4 in favor, 3 against.

Goetz asked why the Planning Commission can’t meet twice a month and said that a moratorium could cause a backlog of applications. If they met twice a month, there would be no backlog. Bird expressed the same concerns that the moratorium could cause an effect on city staff and backlog of applications.

Banweg said that a commission member said the moratorium is needed or it will result in one set of applications under one set of rules and another set of applications under another set of rules. The change in code has been discussed for four years and it is time to act. The moratorium does not affect HIP, which was rumored.

Sutton said he had no idea why this has “been so contentious and has become such a political football.” It passed by 4 in favor and 3 against without emergency language. The no votes were from Goetz, Kowalski and Bird.

25-144: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to record protective covenants for the city-owned parcel at 996 Hines Hill Rd. Second reading, not actionable.

25-145: A resolution authorizing the City Manager to adopt the site name “Hudson Innovation Park” and develop site branding for the city-owned parcel at 996 Hines Hill Rd. Second reading, not actionable. 

25-147: This resolution was a declaration of necessity that would allow the library levy to be placed on the May 5, 2026, ballot. First reading, not actionable.

25-157: An ordinance establishing a rule to allow the efficient postponement of legislative items and declaring an emergency. First reading, not actionable.   

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. and moved to executive session.