Green City Council Meeting - August 11, 2026

The Green City Council met on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 7:26 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a study session with presentations from the Oak Clinic and Summit County property tax re-evaluation, a public hearing on the Aqua Ohio water rate agreement, and action on multiple legislative items including a controversial Flock safety camera resolution that failed, adoption of a drive-through safety ordinance inspired by Megan's Way Out, and several charter amendments to be placed on the November ballot.

Consent Calendar

• TMP-5450: Approval of the July 28, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Following the adoption of 2026-10AA (Megan's Way Out), Nick and Kelly Keleman, parents of Megan Keleman, addressed council. They expressed gratitude for the city's adoption of the ordinance, which requires bypass lanes in new or reconstructed drive-throughs. They stated they are "humbled, grateful, and honored" and hope the measure becomes state law.
• No public comments were made during the Public Report portion of the agenda.
• No members of the public spoke during the Aqua Ohio public hearing.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by Sue Arnold, Director of Development & Education, The Oak Clinic: Ms. Arnold described the Oak Clinic, a nonprofit MS clinic in Green serving 2,000 patients. The clinic is planning a new 30,000-square-foot facility at 1928 Burgess Drive, funded by a $22 million capital campaign. She requested the city's support for removing a boulevard and creating an access road between Burgess Drive and Town Park Boulevard to improve safety and egress. Council members commended the clinic's commitment to Green and noted the requests align with prior discussions.
• Presentation by Valerie Wolford, Communications Manager (substituting for Joe Fantozzi): Ms. Wolford explained the Summit County property tax re-evaluation process. The state-required six-year reappraisal has been completed, and new values will take effect in 2027. Residents who received letters should verify property data on the fiscal officer's website and contact the office by August 27, 2026, for informal corrections. An in-person meeting is scheduled for August 12 at Central Park Community Hall from noon to 8 PM.
• Public Hearing: 2026-19 – Aqua Ohio Agreement Renewal: Sean Smith, Area Manager for Aqua Ohio, presented a proposed five-year water rate plan. The plan includes a 5.5% increase in 2027 and 5.75% increases from 2028 through 2031, with Aqua Ohio investing an additional $1.5 million in infrastructure in Green. The increases are driven by a planned plant expansion to meet peak capacity needs by 2032. Council members discussed the affordability of the rates compared to PUCO-regulated options and the benefits of local rate-setting. The public hearing was closed at 8:34 PM; the ordinance remains on second reading.
• 2026-R26AA – Flock Safety Cameras (Public Safety Committee): This resolution, on its fifth reading, would authorize a second amendment to the policing contract with the Summit County Sheriff to include 14 Flock cameras at a cost of $84,000 over two years. Council members expressed divided views: supporters (Brandenburg, Neugebauer, Humphrey) cited the cameras as a valuable public safety tool; opponents (DeVitis, Meager, Noble, Speight) raised concerns about contract terms, lack of direct city-Flock agreement, data privacy, and the county benefiting without sharing costs. The resolution failed 3-4.
• 2026-10AA – Drive-Through Bypass Lanes (Megan's Way Out): This ordinance amends the planning code to require bypass lanes in new or reconstructed drive-throughs to improve safety, in support of Senate Bill 264. It was adopted unanimously 7-0 after a public hearing at the July 28 meeting.
• Charter Amendments (Committee of the Whole): The Charter Review Commission's recommended amendments were presented. Notable discussion items included:
  • 2026-R31A: Adding "strong" to the form of government description. Councilman Neugebauer opposed, calling it misleading. Failed 0-7.
  • 2026-R35: Modifying the allocation of annual income tax revenue within the Parks and Recreation Income Tax Fund (from 100% capital to up to 40% for operations/programming). Councilman Brandenburg opposed, arguing it would reduce capital funding for parks. Passed 6-1.
  • All other charter amendments (R30A, R32, R33, R34, R36, R37) passed unanimously 7-0 and will appear on the November ballot.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted (all unanimous 7-0):
  • TMP-5450: Approval of July 28 minutes.
  • 2026-10AA: Drive-through bypass lanes (Megan's Way Out).
  • 2026-16: Adding two members to the Veterans Advisory Commission.
  • 2026-17: Creating Accounts Payable Clerk position in Finance.
  • 2026-R38: Awarding contract to Kunkle & Sons for 2026 concrete repairs ($126,716 base bid plus alternatives).
  • 2026-R30A: Non-substantive charter corrections.
  • 2026-R32: Adding email with read receipt for special meeting notification.
  • 2026-R33: Adding electronic/online publication for ordinances and notices.
  • 2026-R34: Clarifying powers and duties of the Parks and Recreation Board.
  • 2026-R36: Allowing electronic publication for Charter Review Commission recommendations.
  • 2026-R37: Requiring charter review every five years.
• Adopted 6-1: 2026-R35 (parks income tax allocation); Brandenburg voted no.
• Adopted 4-3: 2026-18 (creating Member Services Clerk position at The Core); DeVitis, Meager, Noble, Speight in favor; Brandenburg, Neugebauer, Humphrey opposed.
• Failed: 2026-R26AA (Flock cameras) – 3 aye (Brandenburg, Neugebauer, Humphrey), 4 nay (DeVitis, Meager, Noble, Speight).
• Failed unanimously (0-7): 2026-R31A (adding "strong" to form of government description).
• Second Reading – Time Granted: 2026-20 (Chick-fil-A TIF), 2026-21 (Brenneman Group TIF), 2026-19 (Aqua Ohio agreement).
• Mayor's Report: Announced NOPEC refund checks (ranging from $5 to $20) to affected residents due to enrollment delay; zip code legislation (SB 4505) passed out of Senate committee; voter registration deadline Oct. 5; veteran nominations for Veterans Day ceremony due Oct. 30; and upcoming community events.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.