Brecksville City Council Regular Meeting – August 4, 2026

The Brecksville City Council met in regular session on August 4, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. in the Ralph W. Biggs City Council Chambers. Standing committees met earlier in the evening and forwarded recommendations to the full Council. The Council approved the amended 2026 appropriations ordinance, two fund-related resolutions, two memoranda of understanding, a third-party traffic study review for Valor Acres, liquor permit renewals without a hearing, and several routine administrative items. No public comments were made; no audience members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the July 21, 2026 City Council minutes by a vote of 6-0-1; Council President Caruso abstained because he was not present at that meeting.
• Approved monthly professional bills totaling $48,342.33, including Maddie Hendrickson and Grieve, LLC ($16,141.33), William Logan ($4,000), Mary Hannah Esquire ($700), Manzer Gavin LPA ($2,516), Donald G. Boeing and Associates ($22,460), and Sixmo ($2,525).
• Approved two salary continuation requests for service department employees injured while working; each motion passed 7-0.
• Approved a blanket purchase order not to exceed $17,930 to Bronner's Commercial Display for Christmas decorations damaged or destroyed in the Blossom Service Garage Fire; the purchase is covered by insurance.
• Approved Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $42,995 for the Central School demolition project for additional asbestos removal.
• Authorized the Purchasing Director to advertise for bids for the Riverview Road Culvert C-14 replacement project; the work will require a complete road closure and has an estimated cost of $325,000.

Discussion Items

• ORD. 5878 – 2026 Appropriation and Revenue Adjustments. Finance Director Laura Starosta said the ordinance revises the income tax revenue estimate upward by just over $2 million, a roughly 9% increase, based on withholding and net-profit expectations. The ordinance also increases appropriations for payroll-related costs, including the 27th pay period for bargaining employees, a 3.5% increase for non-bargaining full-time employees, and transfers of $101,000 to the fire department fund and $21,000 to the community center fund. It passed 7-0 after a suspension of the rules.
• RES. 5805 – Fund Transfers and Elimination of Architect and Engineering Fee Funds. Finance Director Starosta explained that the Architect Fees (7560) and Engineering Fees (7550) funds are being closed, with remaining balances transferred to the general fund. Going forward, building-department permit fees will go directly to the general fund, and engineering and architect services will be paid from it. It passed 7-0.
• RES. 5806 – Ohio Department of Medicaid EMS Supplemental Payment MOU. Fire Chief Mark Bender said the MOU allows the City to receive additional revenue for ambulance calls through the Medicaid program and the required intergovernmental transfer. It passed 7-0.
• RES. 5807 – Cuyahoga Valley Career Center School Resource Officer MOU. Police Chief Stan Corneck said the City entered the original three-year MOU in October 2023, and Superintendent Dave Mangus and Principal Mike Hall are satisfied with the program, including Officer Maxwell's work. The new three-year MOU continues the SRO program and adds an absence and substitution clause: if staffing falls below 28 officers, the SRO may be pulled back to road patrol, with refunds for any pre-paid period and reinstatement of billing once staffing is restored. The MOU is a 50/50 cost share based on billable labor rates, including salary and benefits. It passed 7-0.
• RES. 5808 – Valor Acres Third-Party Traffic Study Review. City Engineer Jerry Wise requested acceptance of a $7,545 proposal from TMS Engineers Inc. for an independent review of the Valor Acres traffic study. He said about two to three building sites remain in the project and that the review focuses on Brecksville Road and Miller Road. The Planning Commission was supportive. It passed 7-0.
• Liquor Permit Renewals. The Council determined that no hearing is needed by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for renewal of Class C and D liquor permits expiring October 1, 2026. Police reported no problems with current permit holders. The motion passed 4-0; Councilmembers Caruso, Bender, and Ganim recused themselves due to business conflicts.
• ALICE Active-Shooter Training Proposal. Following the recent tragedy in North Royalton, Mayor Daryl Kingston proposed ALICE active-shooter response training for all city buildings and departments and offered it to City Council. Police Chief Corneck said two SROs are certified ALICE instructors and proposed roughly one hour of classroom instruction plus one to two hours of scenario training. Council members discussed holding it privately in Council Chambers before a Council meeting and scheduling it in September or October. No vote was taken.

Reports and Announcements

• Building Department Director Scott Packard reported that in July 2026 the department issued 135 permits with a valuation of just under $5.3 million and total receipts of $39,780.33.
• Planning Commission recommended approval of two Valor Acres items after meeting on July 9, 2026. Its next meeting is Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
• Board of Zoning Appeals had no items for Council; its next meeting is August 10, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
• Human Services Advisory Board's next meeting is August 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the Human Services building.
• Recreation Commission had no items for Council.
• Mayor Kingston announced an award ceremony on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Brecksville Fire Department to honor fire, police, and Metro Health responders involved in a winter cardiac arrest rescue; the patient was resuscitated and is thriving. He also announced the Brecksville Historical Association corn roast on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Squire Rich Museum; a ribbon cutting for American Way Exteriors on Mill Road on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.; and the Citywide Garage Sale on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with addresses due to Virginia Farr by Thursday, August 20, 2026.
• Law, Engineer, Finance, Human Services, Service, Purchasing, Police, and Fire directors gave no report.

Key Outcomes

• July 21, 2026 Council minutes approved 6-0-1, with President Caruso abstaining.
• ORD. 5878 and RES. 5805, 5806, 5807, and 5808 all passed 7-0 after suspensions of the rules where required.
• Liquor permit hearing waiver passed 4-0, with three council members recused.
• Two Valor Acres Planning Commission items were approved 5-0, with Councilmembers Bender and Ganim recused due to business conflicts: the Residential Phase Two Canvas Parkway T1 Block B temporary real estate sign, including requested deviations, and final approval of the Valor Acres Building G ground-floor tenant storefronts at 4550 Ruby Street, as described in the June 18, 2026 application and June 22, 2026 plans.
• Committee-reported items, including the Christmas decoration purchase, Central School asbestos change order, professional bills, salary continuations, and Riverview Road culvert bid advertisement, were approved 7-0.
• The next budget meeting was scheduled for November 10, 2026, with November 12, 2026 as a backup date.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.