Green City Council Meeting - June 9, 2026

City Council met on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM (called to order at 8:30 PM) in Council Chambers. All seven members were present. The meeting covered a wide range of financial and development items, including multiple bond issuances totaling $6.45 million in new debt and a $12.865 million refunding, the adoption of a controversial rezoning for a 101-lot subdivision on a 4-3 vote, a unanimous tax-increment financing (TIF) for a Dunkin’ Donuts, and a lengthy discussion on renewing the Flock Safety camera contract amidst privacy concerns. Mayor Yeargin provided updates on fiber optic construction, street projects, and summer events. The meeting adjourned at 9:01 PM.

Consent Calendar

• TMP-5381: Approval of the May 26, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes – approved unanimously (7-0).
• TMP-5389: Approval of the April 2026 Electronic Financial Report, Subject to Audit – approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public signed up to speak.

New Legislation – First Reading

• 2026-R24: A resolution authorizing a Municipal Economic Development Grant (MEDG) agreement with Hoover Kacyon, LLC – referred to the Planning and Economic Development Committee.**
• 2026-R29: A resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for a Fiscal Year 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for the purchase of a fire engine (90% federal / 10% city match, up to $1 million). First reading passage was requested due to the grant deadline. The Council voted to bypass committee deliberations (7-0), bypass the three-reading rule (7-0), and adopt the resolution (7-0). The adopted resolution allows the city to apply; if awarded, additional appropriation legislation will follow.
• 2026-15: An ordinance authorizing a contract with the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) for municipal income tax administration – referred to the Finance Committee.

Discussion Items

Finance Committee (Chair Humphrey)

All items were on second reading; no final votes were taken. Time was granted for each.

• 2026-R27A (Amended): Resolution modifying appropriations within funds – provides $1.5 million to refund bond anticipation notes issued for Southwood Drive Phase I, covering repayment and financing costs.
• 2026-11: Ordinance to issue $1.5 million in bonds to retire notes for Southwood Drive Phase I.
• 2026-12: Ordinance to issue $3.9 million in bonds for the city’s 20% share of the Arlington/Boettler Road roundabout project (federal government pays 80%).
• 2026-13: Ordinance to issue $1.4 million in bonds for Southwood Drive Phase II.
• 2026-14: Ordinance to issue $12.865 million in bonds to refund all or part of the city’s General Obligation bonds issued in 2016 and 2020. This does not add new debt but allows refinancing at lower interest rates.

Environment & Parks Committee (Chair Neugebauer)

No legislation. Committee discussed tree planting in neighborhoods and noted the Green Baseball/Softball tournament (78 teams, 14 fields) as a success.

Public Safety Committee (Chair DeVitis)

• TMP-5383: New C-1 & C-2 liquor license application for Friendly Express 7 Ltd. at 4053 S. Main Street (former Rite Aid location). The project is still in design review; the license application moves independently. Council voted 7-0 not to request a hearing before the state liquor control board.
• 2026-R26A (Amended): Resolution to amend the policing contract with the Summit County Sheriff (fiscal years 2024-2026, extended to 2026-2028) to include Flock Safety cameras. The cost is $82,000 for two years ($41,000/year). The committee heard from the Sheriff’s office and a Flock representative, followed by nearly two hours of discussion. Council members raised concerns about data retention, data sharing provisions, and past lack of cooperation from the county. The general consensus was to request changes (e.g., stricter retention limits and limitations on Flock’s ability to share data) and hope for a cooperative response from the county by the next meeting (June 23). This item was on second reading; time was granted.

Planning, Community & Economic Development Committee (Chair Noble)

• 2026-08: Ordinance to rezone approximately 31 acres at the northeast corner of Greensburg Road and Winning Way from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to PD (Planned Development) and approve the amended conceptual plan for Greensburg Meadow (101 single-family detached lots on the former horse farm adjacent to I-77). A public hearing was held on May 26. After a motion to adopt, the council voted 4-3 in favor (Brandenburg, Meager, Neugebauer, Humphrey in favor; DeVitis, Noble, Speight opposed). The rezoning is adopted.
• 2026-09: Ordinance declaring a portion of improvements to a property owned by SLW Development, LLC (Dunkin’ Donuts, currently under construction on Arlington Road) as a public purpose, exempting 100% of the value from real property taxation for 30 years (TIF). On third reading. Adopted unanimously 7-0.
• 2026-R25: Resolution approving the final plat and a performance bond of $844,590.53 for Stoney Creek Estates Phase V (27 single-family lots, one-third to one-half acre each). On second reading; time granted.
• 2026-10: Ordinance to amend Section 157.134(5)(C) of the Planning & Development Code regarding drive-through bypass lane design. A public hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM. Discussion was deferred; on second reading; time granted.

Other Committee Reports

• Rules & Personnel (Chair Speight): Did not meet.
• Transportation, Connectivity & Storm Water (Chair Meager): Heard an update on the Arlington Road construction; referenced the city newsletter for improvement details.
• Intergovernmental & Utilities (Chair Brandenburg): Received an update on the Summit Connects fiber project (130-mile fiber ring for public safety). Work is occurring this week on Arlington, Maslow, and Steese Roads, causing minor delays.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Yeargin provided the following updates:

• Loomis fiber project: 62% complete citywide after 18 months; northwest and far southwest wards are next; overall completion expected in October, with an aerial piece at Massillon and Greensburg in December.
• Arlington Road construction: Pre-construction meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 11; a timeline will be available at the next council meeting.
• Summer events: Central Park splash pad open 11 AM–7 PM (weather permitting); free yoga Wednesdays and Sundays at 9 AM through early September; the rescheduled movie “Wicked for Good” is June 23 at 7 PM; the first Summer Celebration Concert (June 12) features Chris Castle Nuovo at 5:30 PM and headliner The Shootouts at 7 PM, with food trucks and adult track night; Freedom Fest at Butler Park on June 27 (noon–11 PM) with food, inflatables, entertainment, and fireworks.
• Dog Side Grill held its grand opening at the former Ramp Restaurant, featuring waterside dining.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approvals: Consent calendar items, fire engine grant (2026-R29), liquor license non-hearing, Dunkin’ Donuts TIF (2026-09), and all second-reading items were held over (time granted).
• Split vote: Greensburg Meadow rezoning (2026-08) adopted 4-3.
• Pending Flock camera contract: Council expressed significant reservations and requested that the Summit County Sheriff consider amendments; the matter will be revisited on June 23.
• Bond package: Five bond-related ordinances (2026-R27A, 11, 12, 13, 14) remain on second reading; final votes expected at future meetings.
• Public hearing scheduled: July 28, 2026 for the drive-through lane ordinance amendment (2026-10).