Following is a summary of the June 20, 2023, City Council Meeting and Workshop. To watch the meeting, visit www.hudson.oh.us/WatchMeetings.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Executive Session
• Council entered executive session to interview applicants for AHBR.
Approval of Minutes
• The minutes of the 6/3/2023 Council Meeting and 6/13/2023 Council Workshop Minutes were approved 6-0.
Proclamation
• Special Recognition of Ms. Ashton Swinford. Recognition for winning the Women’s Division of the Cleveland Marathon on May 21, 2023.
Public Hearing
• Ordinance to amend Section 1040.14 of the Codified Ordinances, revising water rates for water service outside city limits. No comments.
Public Comments
Following are individuals who spoke during the Public Comments Section. Click here to view the public comments in their entirety.
• Seven citizens spoke in favor of performing the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline Study.
• One spoke against performing the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline Study.
• One cautioned that if the study is done, Council should set parameters for what would be achieved with the study.
• Several citizens thanked Council and the Mayor for the statement released on Saturday regarding the Pride Flag incident.
Correspondence and Council Comments
Click here to view the Council Comments in their entirety.
• Council thanked the organizers for the successful Home & Garden Tour this weekend.
• Council encouraged people to see the Hudson High School Golf Team compete in the Hudson Junior Invitational at the Hudson Country Club.
• Some Council members expressed concerns about the statement that was issued over the weekend regarding the Pride Flag incident. While they wholeheartedly agreed with the statement, they questioned the fact that they did not see the statement before it went public. Staff will bring this discussion forward at a future Council meeting.
• Council reminded residents that there is a modified Council meeting/workshop schedule for the summer. Meetings and Workshops will be combined on the following dates: July 11 and 18 and August 1 and 15. There will be only two meeting/workshop dates each month.
Report of Manager
• The City Manager clarified that due to the Communications Manager’s vacation, he wrote the statement and sent a text message to Council just prior to instructing the Communications Manager to issue the statement to the public. This procedure or protocol, along with several other communication items, will be placed on a future meeting agenda for discussion, either as a discussion item or an executive session.
Appointments
• John Caputo and John Workley to the Architectural and Historic Board of Review. Approved 6-0.
Consent Agenda
Council passed the following Consent Agenda items. Passed 6-0.
• Motion to acknowledge receipt of May 2023 Monthly Financial Report.
• Motion to enter into a contract with Thompson Electric for construction services for the Eastside Substation transformer replacement.
• Resolution to enter into a right-of-way construction agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway and establishing an account for the Owen Brown Street Reconstruction and Sidewalk Project.
• Resolution to receive bids and enter into a contract for the disposal of the old Eastside Substation Transformer.
• Resolution to enter into a contract with Elizabeth Slagle as acting clerk of council.
Legislation
• Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 22-243 making appropriations for the current expenses and other expenditures during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 by making additional/amended appropriations for legal fees for 2023. Third reading. Passed with 5 votes and 1 abstention.
• Ordinance amending the City’s Pay Range Structure and Pay Range Assignments adopted by Ordinance No. 22-156 for the Volunteer Firefighters. Third reading. Passed 6-0.
• Ordinance amending Section 1040.14 of the Codified Ordinances, revising water rates for water service provided to customers outside the City limits. Second reading.
• Ordinance establishing Section 1040.081 in the Codified Ordinances to require new developments to utilize City Water services and providing City Council first right of refusal. Second reading.
• Ordinance amending Ordinance 16-46 “Temporary Special Events” of the Business Regulation Code and repealing Ordinance No. 08-158 and Chapter 810, “Circuses and Carnivals” of the Business Regulations Code. First reading. A motion was made to amend the title of the Ordinance to “Resolution adopting and instructing the City Manager to apply a temporary events fee schedule pursuant to Chapter 872 to any event or organization hosting such an event and removing any exemptions previously granted effective January 1, 2024.” Motion to amend passed 6-0. This will appear on the next meeting agenda.
• Resolution to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with Hudson Drive Realty to acquire real property at 5431 Hudson Drive for public purposes at a price of $1.9 million. First reading.
Meeting Adjourned
-----------------------
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Correspondence and Council Comments
• No comments.
Discussion Items
• Park Board Goals and Objectives. Park Board representatives presented goals and objectives to Council. After discussion, Council requested that the Park Board provide Council with annual year-end report or report card listing items accomplished during the year. Staff will work with the board on this project. Council also clarified that the Park Board is a separate fund, and any land or money the City gives to the Park Board cannot be taken back. To get it back would require a citizen referendum on the ballot. To listen to the discussion and view the goals and objectives document on the agenda, click here.
• Economic Growth Board Goals and Objectives. The Growth Board provided an update on their achievements over the last year and ongoing goals/objectives. To view to the discussion and see the goals and objectives/achievements document, click here.
• Economic Development Boards and Commissions Structure. Council discussed the structure of the Boards/Commissions that support the Economic Development function. Discussed the TIRC (Tax Incentive Review Council) and EDIC (Tax Incentive Review Council). They recommended redefining the membership and a clarification of the mandate for the TIRC and EDIC. For the Environmental Awareness Board, Council recommended stagger terms, and reduce number of members. They also discuss aligning with the Chamber of Commerce. To view the entire discussion and view materials presented to Council, click here.
• Greenhouse Gas Baseline Inventory Mapping Follow-Up Discussion. Council considered a Greenhouse Gas Baseline Inventory to determine the current emission levels for the City of Hudson. Council questioned the purpose of the study, concerns about the data that has been presented to Council, and what would be done with the data. Council will form a Council subcommittee of three members to look at this further and perhaps reach out to the study company with Council’s questions about the data before determining if the City should move forward with the study. A later step suggested would be to involve other groups, such as the school board, and look for possible cost-sharing opportunities. To view the discussion, click here.
• Ordinance Amending Chapters 1205 “Zoning Districts-City of Hudson Map” and 1206 “Use Regulations.” Discussion of Land Development Code text amendment to establish expanded regulations for the blending of density for residential development adjacent to existing development. Council discussed districts where the current density is significantly lower than maximum allowable by code. Council recommend having a first reading and referring it to the Planning Commission. To view the discussion and see the recommendations, click here.
• Water Expansion Project. Council continued its discussion regarding the proposed project. The project involves five areas with well-water that were selected see IF they want water extended to their neighborhood. This is a program where those neighborhoods could “opt-in” to connecting to the City’s water system. If residents are interested, they can complete a Special Assessment Petition, and if 60% of the property owners agree, the City would build the project, and owners would be assessed on their property taxes for the cost of construction. With this offer, the City would pay for 25% of the construction cost, while homeowners would be responsible for 75% and the cost of the tap-in to their individual home. If less than 60% sign the petition, the project will not move forward. If 60% of the owners agree and the project moves forward, you would not be obligated to actually tie-in to the system, although you would be assessed along with all the properties in the project area. You could tie-in at any time. If, however, your water well fails, you would be required to tie-in per the City Codified Ordinances. More information will be provided on the City’s website, and public meetings will be held for each of the five neighborhoods. Staff will revise the project information materials and move forward with reaching out to the first neighborhood selected. To view the discussion and materials, click here.
Proposed Consent Agenda for July, 11
• Ordinance to enter into a contract for the purchase of one vehicle for EMS. EMS found a vehicle available, and the dealer is holding it for 30 days. These vehicles are backlogged and difficult to obtain.
Proposed Legislation Items for July 11
• Ordinance amending Section 1040.14 of the Codified Ordinances, revising water rates for water service provided to customers outside the City limits. Third reading.
• Ordinance establishing Section 1040.081 in the Codified Ordinances to require new developments to utilize City Water services and providing City Council first right of refusal. Third reading.
• Ordinance amending Ordinance 16-46 “Temporary Special Events” of the Business Regulation Code and repealing Ordinance No. 08-158 and Chapter 810, “Circuses and Carnivals” of the Business Regulations Code. Second reading.
• Resolution to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with Hudson Drive Realty to acquire real property at 5431 Hudson Drive for public purposes at a price of $1.9 Million. Second reading. Council will refer it to Planning Commission.
• Ordinance Amending Chapters 1205 “Zoning Districts-City of Hudson Map” and 1206 “Use Regulations.” First reading.
Future Agenda Items
• Solar Stone Finance is looking for Council’s interest in their desire to building a battery system and solar array on the property near a 69 KV transmission line. Council President asked Council if they are interested to proceed. More information will be forthcoming on this.
Meeting Adjourned