Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Brecksville City Council held its regular meeting on July 7, 2026 at 8:00 PM, adjourning at 8:40 PM. The council approved several ordinances and resolutions, including a development agreement, a grant to a community prevention association, amendments to employee compensation ranges, and new collective bargaining agreements with the police department. A discrepancy was noted between the agenda (which listed approval of June 2, 2026 minutes) and the actual minutes approved (June 16, 2026).
Approval of Minutes: The council approved the minutes from June 16, 2026 (not June 2 as listed in the agenda) with Council Member Savage abstaining. The vote was 6 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.
ORD. 5872 – Development Agreement with VA Current, LLC: Council Members Bender and Ganim recused themselves due to business conflicts. After suspending the rule requiring three readings, the ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Development Agreement and Escrow Agreement was passed unanimously by the remaining five members. The agreement protects the city for work in the right-of-way, including water main and sidewalk improvements.
RES. 5801 – Grant to CAPA: The council unanimously passed a resolution to provide a $10,000 grant to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Community Awareness and Prevention Association (CAPA) for prevention and intervention services.
ORD. 5873 – Amendment to Employee Compensation: Council Members Bender and Koepke recused themselves due to family conflicts. The ordinance amends Ordinance 5839 to adjust salary ranges for non-union full-time employees. Extensive discussion centered on the "27th pay" period (occurring every 11 years) and the need to raise ranges so that the Mayor can implement comparable pay increases for non-union employees that mirror those negotiated with unionized police and fire personnel. The ordinance was passed 5-0.
ORD. 5874 and ORD. 5875 – Collective Bargaining Agreements with Police: These ordinances authorize three-year collective bargaining agreements with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association for patrolmen (ORD. 5874) and sergeants (ORD. 5875). Key terms include a 3.5% increase in the first year and 3.35% in each of the second and third years. The agreements also contain language clarifying the handling of the 27th pay period. Both ordinances were passed unanimously 7-0.
Buildings and Grounds Committee Report: Council Member Ganim presented a motion to approve an Aquatic Maintenance Service Agreement with Hastings Water Works for $7,920 for pool winterization. The motion passed unanimously 7-0.
Finance Committee Report: Council Member Bender presented a motion to approve monthly professional bills totaling $56,139.83. The breakdown included payments to Matty, Henrikson & Greve LLC ($16,356.83), William Logan ($4,000), Kutak Rock, LLP ($1,584), Mary Hanna, Esq. ($700), Mansour Gavin LPA ($2,349.50), Donald G. Bohning & Associates, Inc. ($24,024.50), and Sixmo ($7,125). The motion passed unanimously 7-0.
Discussion on 27th Pay and Range Adjustments: During the Finance Committee meeting, detailed discussion occurred on the mechanics of the 27th pay period. Special counsel Jim Budzik explained that police officers are hourly employees and that the 27th pay results from the calendar cycle every 11 years, not from additional hours worked. The administration recommended paying the extra pay period, as has been the city's past practice. Questions were raised about budget implications; it was noted that assumptions for the 27th pay were not likely included in the current budget and that adjustments would be made through appropriations amendments.
Director Reports: Purchasing Director Monica Bartkiewicz announced a public hearing for the 2027 Community Development Supplemental Grant will be held on July 9, 2026 at 6:45 PM before the Planning Commission. Council President Caruso reported attending the ribbon cutting for the Sherwin-Williams Global Research Center, which now employs approximately 900 people, and acknowledged the completion of police collective bargaining negotiations.
Votes and Approvals:
Next Steps:
Um first for buildings and grounds. Call to order uh Chairperson Gannum. Thank you, President Crusoe. I call buildings and grounds to order at 701. Mr. Bender? Here. Ms. Kepke? Here. And I'm here. First item is approval of the meeting minutes from June 16th. Do I hear any revisions? Hearing none, I move to approve as presented. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Our next or only item for business is for the uh approval of our pool closure and winterization agreement with Hastings. It's pretty clear in the memo. Are there any questions? Um what what we're trying to accomplish here. Do we know what the prior year's actual was just for comparative purposes? I think in the memo it said eighty dollars of a difference. Yellow's difference. Thank you. Any other questions? All right. Hearing none, I moved that council approve of an aquatic maintenance service agreement with Hastings Waterworks in the amount of seven thousand nine hundred and twenty dollars for pool maintenance and shutdown. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Any other items for buildings and grounds. Hearing none, move to adjourn at 702. Second. All those in favor? Aye. We're adjourned. Uh next for finance committee chairperson Bender. Thank you, Mr. President. I call finance the order at 702 p.m. Savage. Here. And Bender is here.