Green City Council Meeting - December 9, 2025

The Green City Council met on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 7:10 PM in Council Chambers at 1755 Town Park Blvd., Green, Ohio. All seven council members were present: Barbara Babbitt (Ward 1), CJ Meager (Ward 2), Rick Miller (Ward 3), Council President Jeff Noble (Ward 4), Vice President Justin Speight (At-Large), Clark DeVitis (At-Large), and Gerard Neugebauer (At-Large). The meeting marked the final session for outgoing councilmembers Babbitt and Miller and included a series of third-reading votes on contracts and appropriations, committee reports, and the mayor's report. Council President Noble called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM (agenda listed 7:00 PM).

Consent Calendar

• TMP-5185 — Approval of the November 10, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes: Approved by roll call vote (6 ayes: DeVitis, Noble, Babbitt, Neugebauer, Speight, and Miller).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed Council during the Public Report portion of the agenda.

Reading of Correspondence

• TMP-5187 — Planning Department November 2025 Monthly Financial Summary: Read into the record by the Clerk of Council.

Committee Reports & Legislation

Finance (Neugebauer, DeVitis*, Meager):**

• 2025-R50AA — 2026 Capital Budget Appropriation (amended, emergency): Passed 6-1. Councilman Neugebauer cast the sole dissenting vote and explained his position at length. He stated he does not oppose the entire capital budget, but expressed concern that significant spending is putting the city into debt through the CORE, which limits how remaining capital funds can be used. He stated that he believes the city is not using its parks capital budget to serve all residents of Green as it should, noting that residents in the Mystic Point area walk through a park (located just outside his ward) to reach Uniontown Park's playground. He acknowledged he voted for the two spending measures referenced, but is concerned about their combined effect on the rest of the budget.
• 2025-R51 — Municipal engineering services contract with Environmental Design Group LLC (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2028): Passed with 6 ayes. Discussion occurred at the prior two meetings with no new discussion at this meeting; the committee brought it to a vote.
• 2025-R52AA — Contracts with planning, architecture, historic preservation, landscape architecture, and surveying firms for professional services: Passed 7-0. No new discussion was raised.
• 2025-R61 — Environmental Design Group agreement for site improvement plans for Cleckner Park (with appropriation): Passed with 6 ayes. Councilman Neugebauer recused himself from discussion and the vote on this item.
• During discussion of parks-related spending, it was noted that the administration chose a pre-fabricated restroom facility providing four family-style restrooms at Creek Baum Park, rather than the brick-and-mortar buildings typically constructed by the city in the past.

Public Safety (Babbitt, Miller*, DeVitis):**

• TMP-5186 — Kittle's Brick Oven liquor license LLC ownership change (3700 Maslin Road): Approved; the committee reported the change was a name change on LLC documents only.
• The committee also reported that Summit County Sheriff's Officers who serve Green will now report, conduct roll call, and maintain offices in Green.

Rules & Personnel (Noble, Babbitt*, Miller):**

• 2025-15A — Amended Civil Service Commission Rules: Passed on third reading with all members in favor; the administration requested the legislation become effective immediately after passage (emergency clause approved). The changes address two areas: (1) upgrading rules to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and be considerate of persons with disabilities, and (2) giving city directors additional flexibility.
• Council's 2026 Board/Commission appointments and the Mayor's appointments to various boards were approved by unanimous roll call votes, including Matt Glasner to the Design Review Board.

Other Committees:

• The Planning, Community & Economic Development committee noted that a public hearing on the Greensburg Meadow Rezoning was held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
• Transportation, Connectivity & Storm Water and Intergovernmental & Utilities committees reported items on second reading with passage requested.

Mayor's Report

• The Mayor extended special thanks to Santa, his team, and all city employees and volunteers for making Christmas at Central Park a magical event for Green families.
• Additional sponsors were recognized: Ariel Corporation (Freedom Fest) and Evans Insurance (pickleball tournament sponsorship).
• City offices will be closed December 25, 26, and January 1.
• There will be no council meeting on December 23, 2025 (the Tuesday before Christmas). The next meeting will be the organizational meeting in early January, where newly elected council members will be sworn in and council leadership will be elected; the council president election was noted for January 5.

Farewell Remarks & Unfinished Business

• Council President Noble presented outgoing council members Barb Babbitt (Ward 1) and Rick Miller (Ward 3).
• Councilman Miller delivered farewell remarks. He said it was an honor to be placed in the position by people who knew what the role required, and recounted that during his re-election campaign, some voters said they would not vote for him because he was originally appointed rather than elected. He took pride in the appointment despite that. He humorously noted he sat between a former mayor and the law director, who could "elbow" him when he said the wrong thing. He encouraged community members watching to visit council meetings periodically or regularly. He then moved to adjourn.

Key Outcomes

• 2026 capital budget resolution (2025-R50AA) passed 6-1, with Councilman Neugebauer's dissent recorded and explained.
• Municipal engineering services contract (2025-R51) passed with 6 ayes.
• Professional services contracts (2025-R52AA) passed 7-0.
• Cleckner Park site improvement planning agreement (2025-R61) passed with 6 ayes; Neugebauer recused.
• Amended Civil Service Commission Rules (2025-15A) passed unanimously with an emergency clause making it effective immediately.
• Kittle's Brick Oven liquor license ownership change (TMP-5186) approved.
• No council meeting on December 23, 2025; the next meeting is the January 2026 organizational meeting, including new member swearing-in and election of the council president on January 5.