Brecksville City Council Committees and Regular Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Brecksville City Council held committee meetings beginning at 6:30 PM, followed by an executive session and a regular council meeting that concluded at 9:16 PM. The council considered multiple ordinances and resolutions including amendments to tax increment financing (TIF) districts, adoption of a cybersecurity program, jail housing agreements, code updates, and various property variances.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of committee meeting minutes from December 2, 2025, for Buildings & Grounds, Finance, Legislation, Safety-Service, Streets & Sidewalks, Utilities, and Committee of the Whole.
• Finance minutes from November 24, 2025 were not available and tabled.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Emily Midgley (resident) read a letter on behalf of Ellen Mehendale expressing concerns regarding the proposed TIF ordinances. Council President Caruso responded that the TIFs are only being set up at this stage, with no specific projects or uses of funds earmarked, and that substantial funds would likely not be generated for 8-10 years. Mayor Kingston echoed that the timeline for TIF implementation could take 2-3 years and that any discussions about use of funds will occur far in the future.

Discussion Items

• Amended TIF Ordinances (5808, 5809, 5810, 5811, 5813): Economic Development Director Russ explained that due to the Cuyahoga County objection, changes were made noting the objection in the whereas clauses and adjusting the distribution to give the county 50% of the county share in years 11-30 of the TIF. The city will receive 100% of non-school TIF revenue for the first 10 years. He recommended passing the three TIFs for projects that are underway or imminent (Woodlands, Highland Park, Edgerton Road) and not proceeding with the two speculative TIFs (Snowville South and Snowville North) to avoid triggering county compensation now. Council Member Bender and Mayor Kingston concurred with this approach. Council discussed and agreed.
• Cybersecurity Program (Resolution 5733): Law Director Matty noted that ORC 9.64 requires adoption by the legislative authority before year-end. The city's IT representative assisted in developing the program.
• Jail Housing Agreements: Police Chief Korinek presented agreements with Parma ($225/day, up from $150), North Royalton ($252/day, supplemental only, not primary), and Bedford Heights ($36,500/year for one guaranteed bed plus $125/day supplemental). Bedford Heights is significantly cheaper than North Royalton ($91,980 equivalent) and has a smoother intake process. Council approved all three.
• Police Training Center: Chief Korinek explained that the Metro Parks range in Strongsville (Mill Stream Run) will reduce travel time from 1 hour 15 minutes to roughly 30 minutes, saving costs and increasing training efficiency. The annual cost is $750. The department will still use Bellevue for night shooting.
• Rec Commission Meeting Schedule (Ordinance 5833): Council Member Ganim and Recreation Director Engle explained that the Recreation Commission will move to quarterly meetings with an organizational meeting in January, plus the option for additional meetings as needed, to improve efficiency for volunteer members.
• Appropriations (Ordinance 5830): Finance Director Starosta presented adjustments: increase for Workers' Comp premium (paid in December), $60,000 for additional road salt, and a net-zero transfer within the VA Phase 3 fund.
• Board of Zoning Appeals Variances: Council Member Stucky moved approval of six variance applications addressing fence height, setbacks, parking dimensions, and extension of an expired variance.
• Planning Commission Items: Council President Caruso moved approval of a residential deck, a conditional use for a therapy/wellness business, and preliminary approval for First Energy parking and site improvements with specific deviations (reduced parking spaces, fence location and height).

Key Outcomes

• TIF Ordinance 5808 (Woodlands) passed (6-0-0, Bender excused).
• TIF Ordinance 5809 (Highland Park) passed (7-0-0).
• TIF Ordinance 5810 (Edgerton Road) passed (7-0-0).
• TIF Ordinance 5811 (Snowville South) failed (0-7-0).
• TIF Ordinance 5813 (Snowville North) failed (0-7-0).
• Resolution 5733 (Cybersecurity Program) adopted (7-0-0).
• Ordinance 5830 (Appropriations) passed (5-0-0, Bender and Ganim excused).
• Ordinance 5831 (Traffic Code updates) passed (7-0-0).
• Ordinance 5832 (General Offenses updates) passed (7-0-0).
• Ordinance 5833 (Rec Commission meeting schedule) passed (7-0-0).
• Ordinance 5834 (Parma Jail Agreement) passed (7-0-0).
• Ordinance 5835 (North Royalton Jail Agreement) passed (7-0-0).
• Ordinance 5836 (Bedford Heights Jail Agreement) passed (7-0-0).
• Ordinance 5837 (Metro Parks Training Center License) passed (7-0-0).
• Ordinance 5838 (Private sanitary force main license) passed (7-0-0).
• Six BZA variance appeals approved (7-0-0 each).
• Planning Commission approvals (deck, conditional use, First Energy preliminary approval with deviations) approved (7-0-0).
• RecTrac & WebTrac maintenance agreement ($7,958.47) approved (7-0-0).
• Kids Quarters insurance addition ($921) approved (7-0-0).
• Executive session convened to discuss collective bargaining and security matters (7-0-0 vote).

Other Reports

• Police Chief Korinek thanked council for the jail agreements and reported that the "Shop with a Cop" program assisted 50 families and 50 children during the holiday season.
• Mayor Kingston and Council President Caruso thanked staff, directors, and volunteers for successful holiday events, including the Kiwanis Santa delivery (250 stops, 600 children, 36 volunteers).
• The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for January 4, 2026; Human Services Board on January 13, 2026; Recreation Commission on January 26, 2026.