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Record of Proceedings

Green City Council Meeting – September 8, 2026: Audit Award, Public Safety, and New Legislation

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, September 8, 2026
BodyGreen, Ohio
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, September 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 41:56

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

And if you could please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:05

Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:10

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:22

Thank you.

0:23

Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll call of council members?

0:26

Sure.

0:26

Mr.

0:27

Branenberg.

0:28

Here.

0:28

Mr.

0:28

Humphrey.

0:29

Here.

0:29

Mr.

0:30

Nunjamar.

0:30

Here.

0:31

Mr.

0:31

Noble.

0:32

Mr.

0:32

Devitas.

0:33

Here.

0:33

Mr.

0:33

Spate.

0:34

Here.

0:34

Mr.

0:34

Maker.

0:35

Here.

0:36

All right.

0:37

Thank you, ma'am.

0:38

We'll start off with council study sessions.

0:40

This evening we have Tina Ludwig from the Auditor of State to present the audit award with distinction to the city's finance director, Shelley Goodrich, and her department.

0:54

Hello, thank you for allowing me a few minutes on your agenda.

0:59

We are here to celebrate a job well done.

1:03

My name is Tina Ludwig, and I am auditor of state Keith Faber's Northeast Ohio Regional Liaison.

1:11

Or as the auditor likes to say, I'm your personal customer service representative.

1:16

It's my honor to be here on behalf of Auditor Faber to present the Auditor of State Award with Distinction to the City of Green.

1:25

Each year, our office conducts over 4200 audits of our 6,000 clients statewide.

1:33

And this award is quite a special accomplishment because only 4%, it's actually a little bit less than 4%, get the award with distinction.

1:44

And it comes with a lot of requirements.

1:47

So the auditor of state award with distinction is presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a clean financial audit that meet the following criteria.

2:54

And public meetings or public records issues.

2:57

That is why I need cliff notes here, because that is a lot.

3:01

And the award represents the hard work of all of the City of Green's staff and employees.

3:08

You make each and every uh day to attain accounting excellence.

3:15

We'd like to recognize you, the council, the administration, and finance department that have done an outstanding job watching over every dollar.

3:26

What this award truly means is that across the entire organization, you have both the people and processes in place that understand fiscal accountability.

3:37

Specifically, we want to recognize Finance Director Shelley Goodrich for her leadership, professionalism, and exceptional commitment to fiscal integrity.

3:48

On behalf of Auditor Faber, I would like to present the City of Green with the Auditor of State Award with Distinction.

4:13

Oh my goodness.

4:43

Yay.

4:47

Thank you, Mrs.

4:48

Ludwig, for coming in this evening, and congratulations to Shelly Goodrich and your department for a job well done.

4:55

Thank you very much, ma'am.

5:00

Next on our agenda is a presentation from our communications manager, and this is Valerie Wolford.

5:04

Thank you so much.

5:05

Um I won't take uh much of the time, but I wanted to share on behalf of the Green Drug Task Force Mental Health Committee that today is 988 day, so it's September 8th, so 98.

5:19

And it is a day to recognize and to remind people that 988 is the number to call if you are having a mental health challenge or suicidal.

5:30

So just to help people understand, you do not have to wait until you are suicidal or be suicidal to call 988.

5:38

If you are having a mental health crisis at any time of day, you can call them and talk to a licensed professional that can assist you.

5:46

So we just want to share that message to let everyone out.

5:49

I gave all of you to which um has the 988, these are from ADM board who supports the City of Green in our endeavors to spread the message, and then I also gave you a bracelet as well, and we are sharing these at our high school in the coming coming weeks.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████41%
Transportation Safety███████████████████19%
Mental Health Awareness██████████10%
Public Engagement████████8%
Public Safety███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Green City Council Meeting – September 8, 2026

The Green City Council met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 7:01 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Central Administration Building (1755 Town Park Blvd., Green, Ohio). All seven council members were present, along with Mayor Yeargin, Clerk of Council Nichole Messner, Finance Director Shelley Goodrich, City Engineer Paul Pickett, and Planning Director Wayne Wiethe. The meeting included an Auditor of State award presentation, a mental-health awareness update, public testimony on neighborhood safety, first reading of eight legislative items, adoption of three resolutions, committee reports, and the Mayor's report. Council adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

Council Study Session

  • Tina Ludwig, Northeast Ohio Regional Liaison for Auditor of State Keith Faber, presented the Auditor of State Award with Distinction to Finance Director Shelley Goodrich and her department. The award recognizes a clean financial audit; statewide, fewer than 4% of audited entities (out of roughly 4,200 audits of 6,000 clients conducted annually) receive this distinction.
  • Communications Manager Valerie Wolford, on behalf of the Green Drug Task Force Mental Health Committee, highlighted September 8 as 988 Day and September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and promoted free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide-prevention training offered October 1, funded by a grant at no city expense.
  • TMP-5481: Council approved the August 25, 2026 meeting minutes by a 7–0 vote (motion by Neugebauer, second by Noble).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jennifer Doerrer (3914 Meadow Wood Lane) expressed serious concern about traffic safety in Meadow Wood: high school students frequently travel well over the speed limit through the neighborhood (worsened by the closure of Bottler Road), there are no sidewalks, and peak traffic times coincide with when the youngest students board school buses. She asked council to seriously consider installing traffic-calming measures, specifically speed humps similar to those used in Spring Hill. She also raised concern about the lack of resident notification when the sheriff's department was searching the neighborhood for an armed individual, and asked for timely alerts to warn residents to remain indoors in such situations.
  • Joyce McMillen (3922 Meadow Wood Lane) asked about installing a "no outlet" sign on her end of the block (noting a neighbor, Kevin, had previously offered to pay for it and never received a response), and asked how to start a senior card-playing group, suggesting information be posted at the YMCA, library, or senior center for residents who do not use email.
  • Council President Speight said the city would look into the no outlet sign, request sheriff's deputy presence in the mornings, and investigate why the emergency alert system was not activated.
  • Mayor Yeargin said the city had purchased speed humps for Meadow Wood as part of the Arlington Road project traffic-calming work and would install them on an experimental basis, then seek resident feedback before deciding whether to invest in more. Regarding the armed-individual incident, the Mayor stated the information the city received differed from what was provided to the schools (the city was told the person was unarmed and there was not an immediate risk); the sheriff is debriefing on Wednesday and city staff will meet with sheriff personnel on Thursday to review channels of communication and the decision to shutter schools.

Reading of Correspondence

  • TMP-5482: July 1, 2026 Design Review Board minutes.
  • TMP-5483: September 2, 2026 Design Review Board agenda.
  • TMP-5484: Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation for the Redwood rezoning.
  • TMP-5485: PZC recommendation for the residential driveway width text amendment.
  • TMP-5486: Email from Zaid Zawahri raising concerns about Flock camera deployment, data privacy, and resident notification.
  • TMP-5487: Planning Department August 2026 financial summary.

New Legislation – First Reading

  • 2026-R47: Resolution authorizing the city to file an application to the Partners in Watershed Management Grant Program in the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District for Crouse Pond; referred to the Transportation, Connectivity & Storm Water Committee.
  • 2026-R48: Resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept grant funds from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for a hazardous materials training class for all fire department personnel; referred to the Public Safety Committee.
  • 2026-R49: Resolution establishing a street lighting district for Stoney Creek Estates Phase V; referred to the Intergovernmental & Utilities Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
  • 2026-R50: Resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for a Safe Community First Responder Program grant from Enbridge to purchase firefighting hose. First reading passage was requested because the grant application deadline is Friday, September 11, 2026. Council Member DeVitis explained the funds would purchase 19 sections of 50-foot, 2½-inch hose (replacing all hose plus extra for the tanker truck) to meet NFPA requirements. Council voted 7–0 to bypass committee deliberations, 7–0 to bypass the three-reading rule, and 7–0 to adopt (motions by DeVitis, second by Humphrey).
  • 2026-R51: Resolution accepting Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) recommendations regarding the Community Reinvestment Area within the City of Green; referred to the Finance Committee.
  • 2026-22: Ordinance amending Chapter 157 of the Codified Ordinances to establish regulations for smoke shops and vape and/or smoke establishments; referred to the Planning & Economic Development Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. (Note: the meeting minutes reference this item as 2026-22A with an amendment dated September 22, 2026.)
  • 2026-23: Ordinance amending Section 157.134(7)(B)(3)(b) (parking, loading, and stacking regulations); referred to the Planning & Economic Development Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
  • 2026-24: Ordinance changing the zoning classification of approximately 27.8 acres on the west side of Massillon Road at Stein Road from I-1 (General Industrial) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential); referred to the Planning & Economic Development Committee. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Committee Reports & Second Reading Items

  • Finance Committee (Humphrey, chair):
    • 2026-R44: Resolution requiring the Summit County Fiscal Officer to advance property tax funds to the City of Green. Noted as annual housekeeping. Council voted 7–0 to bypass the three-reading rule and 7–0 to adopt.
    • 2026-R45: Resolution accepting amounts and rates determined by the Budget Commission, authorizing necessary tax levies, and certifying them to the county fiscal officer ("inside millage" of 2.4 mills for the City of Green). Council voted 7–0 to bypass the three-reading rule and 7–0 to adopt.
    • 2026-R46A: Resolution modifying appropriations within certain funds, with a total of $141,184, following a detailed overview by Finance Director Goodrich. Time was requested and granted for a later vote. (Note: the agenda lists this as amended September 1, 2026, while the minutes list amendments dated September 8 and September 22, 2026.)
  • Environment & Parks Committee (Neugebauer, chair): met and heard brief public comment, including Green resident Pat Karleski congratulating the city on its senior expo, and a report from the Service Director on Silver Sneakers enrollment at The Core.
  • Public Safety Committee (DeVitis, chair): discussed 2026-R50. Council Member Brandenburg raised a question about the status of Flock cameras in the city; the committee received clarification that the county terminated the contract, the cameras are no longer in use, the city has not paid for them since the contract lapse, and Flock and the county are expected to remove the cameras in the near future.
  • Planning, Community & Economic Development Committee: did not meet.
  • Rules & Personnel Committee: did not meet.
  • Transportation, Connectivity & Storm Water Committee (Meager, chair): presented 2026-R43, a resolution consenting and cooperating with the Ohio Director of Transportation for resurfacing of SR-619 (East Turkeyfoot Lake Road) and a portion of SR-241 (Massillon Road). The city would pay 20% of resurfacing costs within city limits (estimated at about $800,000), 100% of full and partial curb repairs, 100% of additional requested items deemed unnecessary by state and federal highway administration, and 100% of ADA-compliant curb ramps at intersections (ancillary items estimated at under $1 million). The project is slated to begin in 2028. Time was granted on the item. City Engineer Paul Pickett also reported: Southwood Drive expected to be completed from the top of the hill to Tabbs in late September/early October; Butler Road lane closures between Kenway and Arlington expected to last until around Thanksgiving.
  • Intergovernmental & Utilities Committee: did not meet.

Mayor's Report

  • The Core: charter member renewal drive underway with a $25 discount for members who joined prior to opening, valid through November 30; The Core is a Silver Sneakers and RenewActive partner location (seniors 65+ with qualifying Medicare plans can join free, and the city receives payment for up to 10 visits per month); Try It Tuesday free visits on October 6 and November 3.
  • Construction: partial closure of eastbound Butler Road (Arlington to Kenway) began September 2; full closure of Butler Road from Kenway to Arlington expected at the end of September; Southwood Drive final section connecting Arlington Road to Tabbs Drive nearly complete.
  • Events: Sara Subaru ribbon cutting at its new Interstate Parkway facility (Saturday, August 29); Strike Out The Stigma softball game September 10 at Greensburg Park (5:30 p.m. start, game at 6:00 p.m.); Parker's Trail Challenge September 1 – October 31 (complete 9 of 10 trails for an annual patch, with The Core track included for non-members); free QPR suicide-prevention training October 1 at the John Torok Center; public art plan open house October 6 at Central Park Community Hall; first-ever Joiner Fair October 18 at The Core (2:00–4:00 p.m.), seeking social groups to register for tables.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the August 25, 2026 council meeting minutes (7–0).
  • Adopted 2026-R50 (Enbridge grant application for firefighting hose) on first reading, 7–0, with committee deliberations and the three-reading rule waived.
  • Adopted 2026-R44 (advance property tax funds) 7–0 and 2026-R45 (tax levy certification) 7–0.
  • Granted time on 2026-R46A (appropriation modifications) and 2026-R43 (ODOT resurfacing cooperation agreement).
  • Scheduled public hearings: September 22, 2026 (2026-R49 street lighting district) and October 13, 2026 (2026-22, 2026-23, 2026-24).
  • Mayor directed installation of previously purchased speed humps in Meadow Wood on an experimental basis, and the city will follow up with the sheriff's office on alert system activation and communication channels.
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. (motion by Neugebauer, second by Noble, 7–0).

Meeting Transcript

And if you could please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll call of council members? Sure. Mr. Branenberg. Here. Mr. Humphrey. Here. Mr. Nunjamar. Here. Mr. Noble. Mr. Devitas. Here. Mr. Spate. Here. Mr. Maker. Here. All right. Thank you, ma'am. We'll start off with council study sessions. This evening we have Tina Ludwig from the Auditor of State to present the audit award with distinction to the city's finance director, Shelley Goodrich, and her department. Hello, thank you for allowing me a few minutes on your agenda. We are here to celebrate a job well done. My name is Tina Ludwig, and I am auditor of state Keith Faber's Northeast Ohio Regional Liaison. Or as the auditor likes to say, I'm your personal customer service representative. It's my honor to be here on behalf of Auditor Faber to present the Auditor of State Award with Distinction to the City of Green. Each year, our office conducts over 4200 audits of our 6,000 clients statewide. And this award is quite a special accomplishment because only 4%, it's actually a little bit less than 4%, get the award with distinction. And it comes with a lot of requirements. So the auditor of state award with distinction is presented to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a clean financial audit that meet the following criteria. And public meetings or public records issues. That is why I need cliff notes here, because that is a lot. And the award represents the hard work of all of the City of Green's staff and employees. You make each and every uh day to attain accounting excellence. We'd like to recognize you, the council, the administration, and finance department that have done an outstanding job watching over every dollar. What this award truly means is that across the entire organization, you have both the people and processes in place that understand fiscal accountability. Specifically, we want to recognize Finance Director Shelley Goodrich for her leadership, professionalism, and exceptional commitment to fiscal integrity. On behalf of Auditor Faber, I would like to present the City of Green with the Auditor of State Award with Distinction. Oh my goodness. Yay. Thank you, Mrs.

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