Green City Council Committee Meetings - July 28, 2026

On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the Green City Council held its committee meetings beginning at 5:01 PM and adjourning at 8:35 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including income tax collections, a contract with the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA), a supplemental appropriation for safety inspections of horizontal drilling, two lease agreements with the school district, a policing contract amendment for Flock safety cameras, a drive-through bypass lane ordinance (Megan's Way Out), a municipal economic development grant, personnel changes, a concrete repair contract, and multiple proposed charter amendments.

Consent Calendar

• TMP-5421: Approval of the June 23, 2026 Committee Meeting Minutes was moved by Council Member Neugebauer, seconded by Council Member Noble, and passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Seamus Lee (1150 Every Drive, Green) spoke during the Public Safety Committee against renewing the Flock camera contract. He cited numerous nationwide misuses of Flock systems by law enforcement officers (stalking, excessive searches) and security vulnerabilities, including a lack of mandatory multi-factor authentication and accounts sold on the dark web. He urged council to vote against the contract.
• Nick and Kelly Keleman (parents of Megan Keleman) testified during the Planning, Community and Economic Development Committee regarding the proposed Megan's Way Out ordinance (2026-10AA). They described how their daughter was fatally shot in a fast-food drive-thru on August 14, 2024, after being trapped with no bypass lane. They expressed full support for requiring bypass lanes in new and substantially renovated drive-thrus to allow a safe exit and improve emergency responder access.
• Jason Burrell (Narrow Path Investigations) added that the Kelemans support local business and suggested exceptions for minor renovations or use of green space if concrete bypass lanes are infeasible.
• Larry Brown (Summit County Sheriff) explained why the county declined several proposed amendments to the Flock agreement, emphasizing the tool's investigative value.
• Captain McCutcheon and Sergeant Hostetler (Summit County Sheriff's Office) detailed internal policies, including a new 7-day hot list expiration and monthly audits, to prevent abuse of the Flock system.

Discussion Items

Finance Committee (Chair Humphrey)

• Income Tax Collections (TMP-5432): Finance Director Shelley Goodrich reported that overall income tax collections for the first six months of 2026 decreased by 0.20% compared to the same period in 2025, largely due to a 12.5% decline in net profit tax collections. Withholding taxes increased 3.23%, indicating strong local employment. She noted the budget assumed a 0.5% increase.
• 2026-15 (RITA Contract) – Third Reading: Councilman Humphrey summarized the benefits of contracting with RITA: estimated annual savings of $300,000–$350,000, better enforcement through federal tax matching, and a collection cost of 1.04% versus the city's 2.5%. Councilman Brandenburg asked about conflicts with the Ohio Revised Code; Goodrich confirmed that RITA identified areas where the city's tax ordinance is non-compliant and that legislation to correct it will come this fall. Councilman Meager reported that tax preparers prefer RITA and requested a "soft implementation" to avoid a mass audit of past years. Councilman Noble's due diligence with another community was positive. Councilman Humphrey emphasized RITA is a quasi-government entity, not a for-profit business. Committee supported moving to adoption.
• 2026-R40 (Modified Appropriation) – First Reading Passage: This resolution appropriates $200,000 for contracted services to hire QCI as a safety inspector for Loomis' fiber optic drilling project, following a gas explosion in Twinsburg. Mayor Yeargin explained that Loomis will reimburse the city, making it a pass-through with no net cost. The funds also reallocate street maintenance savings to cover a 15% increase in salt prices. Councilman Neugebauer opposed philosophically, arguing the city should not dictate means and methods or assume liability. Law Director Dean stated the city's right-of-way ordinance provides authority. Councilman Noble asked about QCI's scope; Mayor Yeargin said they would oversee key safety steps. After discussion, committee supported first reading passage.
• 2026-R41 and 2026-R42 (Building and Ground Leases with School District) – First Reading Passage: These resolutions authorize leases for the new joint bus garage/storage facility on Parcel 2817723. Law Director Dean explained the cooperative agreement consolidates a dilapidated school bus garage and city maintenance garage. The building lease runs through 2105 (based on building lifespan), and the ground lease is $1 per year. Service Director Valerie Carr noted the project also provides public restrooms for Kleckner Park and headquarters for Blessings in a Backpack. Councilman Brandenburg asked about the lease duration vs. cooperative agreement. Committee supported first reading passage.
• Insurance Savings: Mayor Yeargin announced that switching insurance carriers to Travelers will save approximately $61,377 annually.

Environment and Parks Committee (Chair Neugebauer)

• No legislation. Service Director Carr reported on new Sunday Fun Day golf discounts for Green residents (20% off green fees after 1 PM, free golf for children 7-14 with a paying adult) and a member-guest carnival night at The Core.

Public Safety Committee (Chair DeVitis)

• 2026-R26AA (Flock Safety Cameras) – Amended: Councilman DeVitis reviewed seven proposed amendments to the contract with Summit County to enhance privacy safeguards. The county agreed to two: (4) the county will comply with its own policy and report any changes; (5) the county will timely report technological changes to the city. The county denied requests for 24-hour data deletion for non-flagged vehicles, removal of Flock's "good faith belief" data-sharing clause, and a city right to terminate if Flock is sold. Extensive debate followed. Councilman Meager stated he cannot support the contract without the same right to terminate upon sale that the county secured for itself. Councilman Humphrey framed the issue as a balance of privacy benefits vs. public safety burden. After discussion, the committee agreed to bring a clean contract reflecting only the county-approved amendments to the next meeting for a vote.

Planning, Community and Economic Development Committee (Chair Noble)

• 2026-10AA (Drive-Through Bypass Lanes – Megan's Way Out): The committee heard public testimony (see above). Discussion was deferred to the public hearing at the regular council meeting. Planning Director Wiethe noted the legislation will be amended to include the planning commission's vote and clarification on a single bypass lane per site.
• 2026-R24 (Hoover Kacyon MEDG) – Third Reading: Councilman Noble summarized the three-year municipal economic development grant providing a 50% rebate on estimated annual income tax of $400,000 (about $4,000 per year) to help the business relocate to Green. No objections; committee supported adoption.

Rules and Personnel Committee (Chair Speight)

• 2026-16 (Veterans Advisory Commission Expansion) – Second Reading: Adds two members to the commission (mayor appoints two, council appoints one). No questions; time requested.
• 2026-17 (Accounts Payable Clerk) – Second Reading: Creates a new job classification for an existing incumbent, resulting in a 3.1% pay increase. No FTE increase. HR Manager Serina and Finance Director Goodrich explained the expanded duties. No questions; time requested.
• 2026-18 (Member Services Clerk) – Second Reading: Creates a new full-time position at The Core. Service Director Carr argued it would help increase revenues and provide a permanent front-desk presence. Councilman Humphrey strongly opposed, citing the Core's $1.6 million deficit (including $1 million annual debt service) vs. only $53,000 in year-to-date revenue. He questioned adding staff when the facility is already a financial drain. Other council members did not speak. Time requested.

Transportation, Connectivity and Storm Water Committee (Chair Meager)

• 2026-R38 (Concrete Repairs Contract to Kunkle & Sons) – Second Reading: City Engineer Pickett reported Kunkle & Sons was the lowest bidder at $126,716 (base bid) out of five bids, with an engineer's estimate of $160,000. Councilman Meager expressed concern about Kunkle's workmanship on a previous project (Park Ridge Drive) and said he would inspect it before the next meeting. Councilman Neugebauer asked about past performance; Pickett said they were satisfactory on last year's sidewalk project. Committee agreed to request time.
• Chick-fil-A Construction Update: Councilman Noble asked about the ongoing road work on Arlington Road near the new Chick-fil-A. Planning Director Wiethe will contact the contractor for an estimated completion timeline.

Intergovernmental & Utilities Committee (Chair Brandenburg)

• No legislation; committee did not meet.

Committee of the Whole (Chair Neugebauer)

• Charter Amendment Proposals (2026-R30 through R37) – Second Reading: Councilman Neugebauer read all eight resolutions. For R30 (non-substantive changes), Councilman Brandenburg noted two items: (1) a reference on page 14 about potentially separating the Law Director article (to be removed as the charter review commission decided against it); (2) a page 35-36 reference changing "his/he" to neutral terms like "their" (to be added). Law Director Dean agreed to make those corrections. All other charter amendments (R31-R37) were read in and deferred to the public hearing scheduled for later in the evening.

Key Outcomes

• Finance Committee:
  • 2026-15 (RITA): Committee in support; will move to adopt at the regular meeting.
  • 2026-R40 (Modified Appropriation): Committee in support of first reading passage; motion to adopt at regular meeting.
  • 2026-R41 and 2026-R42 (Leases): Committee in support of first reading passage; motions to adopt at regular meeting.
• Public Safety Committee:
  • 2026-R26AA (Flock): No vote; committee directed Law Director Dean to prepare a contract reflecting only the two amendments the county agreed to (points 4 and 5) for the next meeting. The contract will be subject to Flock's final approval.
• Planning Committee:
  • 2026-R24 (Hoover Kacyon MEDG): Motion to adopt at regular meeting.
  • 2026-10AA (Megan's Way Out): Public hearing to be held at the regular meeting; further discussion deferred.
• Rules and Personnel Committee: Time requested on 2026-16, 2026-17, and 2026-18 at the regular meeting.
• Transportation Committee: Time requested on 2026-R38 at the regular meeting.
• Committee of the Whole:
  • 2026-R30: Time requested; Law Director to incorporate Councilman Brandenburg's edits.
  • 2026-R31 through R37: Deferred to public hearing at the regular meeting.
• Regular Meeting: Scheduled to begin after committee adjournment at approximately 7:00 PM (delayed), with public hearings on the charter amendments and the Megan's Way Out ordinance.