By Noell Wolfgram Evans

The Tallmadge City Council held their second meeting of October on the 23rd at 7 p.m. in council chambers at the Tallmadge City Hall. In attendance were President of Council and Ward 3 Council Member Jonathon Bollas, Vice President of Council and Ward 2 Council Member Donald Pavlik, Ward 4 Member Tracy Pletcher, Council At-Large Member Jessica Epstein, Council At-Large Member Nick Rubino and Council At-Large Member Christine Cipa. 

Also in attendance were Mayor Carol Siciliano-Kilway, Economic Development Director Samantha Poole, Director of Finance Mollie Gilbride, Director of Law Megan Raber, Director of Public Service Michael Rorar, Director of Administration Joe Ignazzitto and Clerk of Council Rachel Osborne.

The meeting started before a full gallery with an opening prayer from Pastor Andy Alberts of the Tallmadge Lutheran Church. Following the invocation, those in attendance offered up the Pledge of Allegiance. Osborne then called the roll. Ward 1 Council Member Ted Roy was noted as not being in attendance and Bollas declared that he had been excused from the meeting.

Following the roll call, the minutes from the Sept. 25 council meeting were approved and entered into the record. There was an agenda item for the presentation of the financial reports but there were no reports to share.

During the period of public comment, resident Julie Lewis of Nottingham Street provided an update on the changes taking place there. 

“This is a wow time on Nottingham,” she said. 

After sharing the new developments and improvements being made to the street, she thanked several council and administration members for their support. She also said “no thanks to Nick Rubino” who, she said, voted against the projects she spoke about.

Following the public comment period, two proclamations were offered. Siciliano-Kilway presented a Certificate of Accountability and Professionalism to Police Chief Douglas Bohon and several members of his staff. The department was recognized for reviewing and updating more than 160 policies in order to meet the requirements of the state-mandated Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board.

Rubino then provided a Certificate of Appreciation to Tallmadge cheerleading coach and school employee Ashley Tatgenhorst. Rubino said that the certificate was a recognition of her “platform for building confidence and teamwork both on and off the field.” Tatgenhorst thanked the council for the honor and paid special acknowledgement to the “army of cheerleaders” who filled the seats in council chambers in support of their coach.

Chris Freeman-Clark and Thom Craig next spoke on behalf of the County of Summit ADM Board. They urged the council and all those in attendance to vote yes on Issue 1, which would help supply funding for the work of the board. Freeman-Clark said that for a home valued at $100,000, if the issue passed, it would cost the homeowner an estimated $75 a year.

“We have seen a higher and higher level of need for our services, especially around mental health,” Craig said.

The report from the mayor was the next item on the agenda. Siciliano-Kilway’s report consisted of a series of dates: trick-or-treat will be Oct. 30, leaf collection starts on Nov. 3, there will be a Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11 and the public Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held on Nov. 30.

Ignazzitto shared that there will be a budget workshop at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6. He will be sending materials to council members and the administration in advance of that meeting.

The economic development report came in two parts. Poole first shared some facts and details on recent projects, while reminding council that “economic development is a regional issue.” She spoke on the opening of the recent $51 million polymer research center in the area and how that could benefit Tallmadge business growth. Poole also shared that last year, Summit County saw $1.7 billion in tourist dollars being spent. She added that her office is looking into ways to see how the city can grow its share of those tourism funds.

As part of the workforce development group, she shared updates on growth by Masters Precision Machining, progress on the Village of St. Edward development (which will open in 2027) and the planned mid-November opening of the new VA imaging center. Poole also announced the Tallmadge Expo is coming in April of 2026. 

Catey Breck Scanlon from the inSITE Advisory Group next provided a quarterly update on the work they were doing. Breck Scanlon said they have assisted business owners on 11 projects across the city. They currently are working on three larger projects that would bring in new businesses and help the ones they have targeted in the city to expand.

There was no report from public service. Gilbride’s finance report was an update that her department is currently working on retroactive payroll payments.

Raber reported that she recently spoke to a group of seniors about senior scams. She stated that scams among seniors in Ohio are up 22% this year and offered to speak to other organizations on this topic to help increase awareness.

Following the administration reports, each council committee offered an update.

Pletcher spoke for the Planning and Zoning Committee. She offered two first readings of potential new ordinances. There was no discussion on ordinances 2025-86-Exhibit A and 2025-90-Exhibit A, so a public hearing was set for Dec. 11.

Pavlik represented the Finance Committee and offered four ordinances for committee approval. 2025-81-Exhibit A authorized the sale of “unneeded vehicles and equipment.” Rorar said these items, including a backhoe, F150 and workout equipment, would be sold through GovDeals. The ordinance passed with unanimous consent.

Ordinance 2025-83 is to pay for the repairs of light poles. Rorar stated that the city budgeted for the repair of six light poles for the year as that was the number that, on average, were hit each year. To date, eight poles have been hit, including one that was hit twice in one day. The ordinance passed with unanimous consent.

Ordinance 2025-84, which passed unanimously, allows Gilbride to transfer money from a TIFF back into the general fund.

According to Rorar, the increased costs of natural gas and electricity prompted the need for 2025-85, which would approve funds to cover those expenses. This ordinance was approved by all members.

Pavlik also offered Ordinance 2025-87-Exhibit A, which deals with the presentation and adoption of the budget. No comments were made and so this ordinance will have a public hearing on Dec. 11.

A “companion ordinance” was put forward by Cipa in the report from the Personnel Committee. This ordinance will also have a public hearing on Dec. 11.

Pletcher next shared Ordinance 2025-80-Exhibit A from the Community Issues Committee. Among other things, this ordinance would approve the potential for residents to rent the dog park for dog birthday parties, set rates for selling advertising on various structures at the rec center and make a slight change to the non-resident Maca fees. This ordinance was held at the request of Rorar and will be brought up again at the next council meeting.

There was no report from the Safety Committee.

The Public Service Committee presentation was made by Epstein. She offered up the first reading of Ordinance 2025-82-Exhibit A. This ordinance would allow the city to enter into an agreement with the city of Akron for water delivery. The proposed contract would have a 50-year term with an opt-out after 20 years (with a 5-year notice). The water rates would be 22.5% above what an Akron resident would pay (which is the same as the current contract). There would also be an annual user fee and a 1% income tax rate in the Tallmadge service area. No action was taken on this ordinance at this meeting.

Epstein also read ordinance 2025-89, which would enable the mayor to support Munroe Falls as they pursue a grant for the Route 91/Northmoreland road project. Rorar said the Tallmadge owns half of the road and that the grant would go toward intersection improvements, including a new traffic control system. The ordinance was read, but no further action was taken up by council.

With no further committee business, the meeting was adjourned.