Green City Council Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Green City Council met on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 7:01 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a presentation from Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree on the 2025 year-in-review, a public hearing on a rezoning request, passage of several ordinances and resolutions, and the mayor’s report on upcoming community events and city operations. All six present council members (Brandenburg, Meager, Noble, Neugebauer, Speight, Humphrey) voted on all items except where recusals occurred. Council President Justin Speight presided.

Consent Calendar

• TMP-5269 – Approval of February 24, 2026 Council Minutes: Approved unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the Public Report section. During the public hearing on the rezoning, two neighboring property owners (the church to the east and Mr. Pariso) expressed support via phone; no opposition was voiced.

Discussion Items

Summit County Sheriff’s Year-in-Review Presentation

Sheriff Kandy Fatheree provided an overview of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office activities in Green for 2025. Key statistics include:

• Three cruisers on patrol 24/7, plus an extra eight-hour cruiser five days a week and a K9 unit.
• Deputies responded to 33,258 calls for service and made 2,495 traffic stops.
• 530 individuals were arrested or issued summons.
• The drug task force removed over 200,000 grams of illegal drugs (equivalent to 32 bowling balls), conducted 29 operations, and arrested 37 suspects.
• The OVI task force and gun violence reduction team conducted 312 investigations in Green.
• The warrants division arrested 135 felons countywide.
• Specialty units available: SWAT, negotiators, CSI, crash investigation, bomb squad, dive rescue, drone response, mounted unit.
• Community programs include Safety City, Camp Reliance (with Green Local Schools), Coffee with a Cop, Christmas with a Cop, Carnival with a Cop, Knox Box, and Senior Watch.
• A new sheriff’s office opened in the Central Administration Building in February 2026.
• The sheriff’s office is nearing full staffing and is actively recruiting (SummitSheriffJobs.com).

Council members thanked the sheriff for the partnership and services.

Public Hearing – Rezoning at 988 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road (2026-03)

Councilman Noble opened the public hearing at 7:13 PM. Planning Director Wayne Wiethe explained that the property owners (Mr. and Mrs. Carney) requested rezoning of 2.76 acres from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to B-1 (General Business). The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval 5-0. The parcel is surrounded by B-1, B-3, and B-5 zoned land; the owners wish to sell. Utilities (water and sewer) are available. The property contains a residence that would become non-conforming. No public opposition was expressed. The pastor of the neighboring church and Mr. Pariso (corner property owner) voiced support. Council members expressed support, noting the rezoning aligns with the corridor’s character and adds property value. No vote was taken this evening; a vote on the ordinance will occur at the next council meeting (March 24, 2026). The hearing closed at 7:18 PM.

New Legislation – First Reading

• 2026-R09 – Chick-fil-A Right-of-Way Dedication Plat: A resolution approving a right-of-way dedication for an additional turn lane at Arlington Ridge (Target Plaza) to accommodate the new Chick-fil-A. The applicant requested first-reading passage due to construction timelines. Councilman Noble explained the committee supported bypass of committee deliberations and the three-reading rule. Councilmember Meager noted that while discussions with Target about stacking on Arlington Ridge continue, an additional lane is needed regardless. The resolution was adopted unanimously (6-0) after suspending committee deliberation and bypassing three readings.
• 2026-06 – Planning/Zoning/Right-of-Way Fee Schedules Ordinance: Introduced on first reading and referred to the Planning and Economic Development Committee.

Committee Reports & Subsequent Votes

• Finance (Chair Humphrey):
  • 2026-R03 (Third Reading) – Professional Services Contracts: Authorizes three-year contracts with engineering, construction management, and testing firms. Councilmembers Neugebauer and Noble recused themselves due to employer affiliations. Approved 4-0 (Brandenburg, Meager, Speight, Humphrey aye; Noble and Neugebauer abstain).
  • 2026-R06A (Second Reading) – Appropriation Modification: Details additional appropriations totaling $139,250 across several funds. $24,500 for general fund repairs (utilities, maintenance); $40,750 for parks and recreation (credit card fees, excess leave sale, supplies); $56,000 for parks capital reserve (furniture, restroom improvements at Creekbaum Park); $18,000 for revolving health care agency fund (COBRA). Time was requested and granted for further consideration at a future meeting.
• Public Safety (Chair Humphrey, pro tem):
  • TMP-5267 – Liquor License Transfer: Belgrade Gardens South Inc. transferring D-2, D-3, D-1 licenses to ADIVANISHI LLC at 3476 Massillon Road. Sheriff’s office raised no concerns. Council voted unanimously (6-0) to not request a state hearing, allowing the transfer to proceed.
  • The committee also heard an update on the new emergency notification system (QR code in city publication) replacing the old system.
• Planning, Community & Economic Development (Chair Noble):
  • 2026-03 (rezoning) – no vote taken; time granted until next meeting.
  • 2026-R09 had already been adopted earlier in the meeting.
• Intergovernmental & Utilities (Chair Brandenburg):
  • 2026-R04 (Third Reading) – Legal Defenders Office Agreement: Annual renewal for indigent defense services. City pays $45 per closed case (down from $50.60 in 2025), with state covering costs up to $250 per case. Approved unanimously (6-0).
  • 2026-04 and 2026-05 (Third Reading) – NOPEC Electricity Aggregation: Two companion ordinances authorizing the city to join NOPEC’s electricity aggregation program and adopt its governance plan. A public hearing was held February 24, 2026. The negotiated rate for 2026 is 9.48¢ per kWh (current rate is 9.669¢), the lowest of five bids. Green will be an opt-out community; residents need take no action to receive the lower rate starting June 1, 2026. Both ordinances adopted unanimously (6-0).
  • 2026-R08 (Second Reading) – NOPEC Energized Community Grant: A resolution authorizing acceptance of $20,462 in grant funds for energy efficiency/infrastructure projects. Council bypassed the three-reading rule and adopted it unanimously (6-0).

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Yeargin highlighted:

• Appreciation for the Sheriff’s Office and ongoing collaboration, including weekly meetings with sergeants.
• At the next council meeting (March 24), Lumos will present on fiber-optic internet installation progress and resident instructions.
• Income tax forms will no longer be mailed; available online, at city hall, or Green Branch Library.
• Battle of the Slice (Feb. 28): Approximately 1,500 attendees and $14,000 raised for Green Schools Foundation. Upper Crust Pizza won best pizza.
• City hiring: full-time (service workers, code inspector) and seasonal staff (day camp, sports monitors, groundskeepers, road crew).
• Veterans Memorial Park banner sales ($100 each) through May 1; Grove of Honor tree sponsorships ($250) due March 31.
• Drug Task Force Scholarship ($1,000) for graduating seniors impacted by substance abuse; applications due April 24.
• Easter egg hunt and breakfast with the bunny at Veterans Memorial Park on March 28 (sensory-friendly and general sessions).
• Mayor’s Morning Meetup on March 27 at The Chapel (1800 Raber Road).

Key Outcomes

• Approved Unanimously (6-0): February 24 meeting minutes; 2026-R09 (Chick-fil-A right-of-way dedication); TMP-5267 (liquor license transfer – no hearing); 2026-R04 (Legal Defenders agreement); 2026-04 and 2026-05 (NOPEC electricity aggregation); 2026-R08 (NOPEC grant).
• Approved 4-0 with two abstentions: 2026-R03 (professional services contracts for engineering firms).
• Public Hearing Completed: Rezoning 2026-03 (988 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road) – final vote scheduled for March 24, 2026.
• Second Reading Continued: 2026-R06A (appropriation modification) – time granted, further consideration at next meeting.
• Referred to Committee: 2026-06 (fee schedules ordinance).
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM following a motion by Councilmember Neugebauer, seconded by Councilmember Meager, approved unanimously (6-0).