Green City Council Committee Meetings and Public Hearings - September 22, 2026

The Green City Council held committee meetings on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Speight called the meeting to order, and all seven council members were present. Committees reviewed legislation on third and second readings, heard reports from city staff, and held an executive session to consider an appointment to the Veterans Advisory Commission. A public hearing on the Stoney Creek Estates Phase V street lighting district was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. that evening. The meeting adjourned at 6:11 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (TMP-5493): A motion to approve the September 8, 2026 Committee Meeting Minutes was made by Council Member Neugebauer, seconded by Council Member Noble, and carried 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tony Ziehler, 3883 Golden Wood Way, Green, OH: Mr. Ziehler reiterated his request that traffic be steered away from Golden Wood Way due to safety concerns for young children at play. He supported signage directing cut-through traffic to Tabs Drive as a bypass route.

Discussion Items

• Finance Committee (Humphrey, Neugebauer*, Speight)**

  • 2026-R46AA (Third Reading) – Modified Appropriations: Councilman Humphrey read the legislation and noted the total ask was $307,084. Finance Director Goodrich explained the amended appropriations included: $3,500 for electricity at Fire Station #3, $29,000 for street lighting assessments due to increased electricity rates and a new lighting district, $2,000 for Southgate Park electricity, and $20,000 moved from the consultant city engineer bucket to contracted services for a potential economic development strategy study. She also described a general obligation debt retirement transaction involving $3,394,754.01 and an additional $1,314 for bond issuance expenses, both going to an escrow agent to refund 2020 bonds. She apologized that the exhibit provided was incorrect, stating the actual ask was $3,767,538.01. The refunding is expected to save $237,000 in interest. The committee agreed to receive an amended exhibit before the regular meeting vote and to vote to amend the legislation on the floor.
  • 2026-R51 (Second Reading) – TIRC Recommendations: Councilman Humphrey summarized legislation accepting Tax Incentive Review Council recommendations to continue Community Reinvestment Area agreements for Seco Machinery and Castle Aviation. Planning Director Wiethe reported both businesses are meeting their requirements. The committee supported passing the legislation on second reading.

• Environment and Parks Committee (Neugebauer, Speight*, DeVitis)**

  • Service Director Valerie Carr provided park announcements: Twisted Wilderfest is scheduled for the weekend with free hayrides and $5 organic pumpkins; Parker's Trail Challenge runs through October 31; a community bonfire with Camp Winoa is set for October 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.; and Trick-or-Treat Trail and a movie in the park (Monsters Inc.) is planned for October 17, with an optional non-perishable food donation.

• Public Safety Committee (DeVitis, Humphrey*, Neugebauer)**

  • 2026-R48 (Second Reading) – PUCO Hazmat Grant: Chief Funai reported the city was awarded the full $9,750 requested from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The 100% reimbursement grant will fund an annual hazardous materials refresher training on lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles for all 61 firefighting personnel. Training will be delivered in three one-day sessions for each shift. The committee supported second-reading passage.

• Planning, Community and Economic Development Committee (Noble, DeVitis*, Humphrey)**

  • 2026-22A (Second Reading) – Smoke Shops and Vape/Smoke Establishments: Councilman Noble explained the legislation establishes definitions for smoke shops and vape/smoke establishments, dictates where they may be located, and includes adjacency restrictions to schools, libraries, and parks. A public hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Planning Director Wiethe noted the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended modifications; Council discussed incorporating those modifications into an amended version for October 13. The committee deferred detailed discussion until the public hearing.
  • 2026-23 (Second Reading) – Parking, Loading and Stacking Regulations: Councilman Noble explained the legislation adjusts driveway widths within 10 feet of the right-of-way based on garage size: the standard is 24 feet for a two-car garage and 30 feet for a three-or-more-car garage. A public hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2026.
  • 2026-24 (Second Reading) – Rezoning of 27.8 Acres at Massillon Road and Stein Road: Councilman Noble described the proposed change of approximately 27.8 acres from I-1 (General Industrial) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential) for a proposed apartment complex by Redwood. Planning Director Wiethe noted the land is owned by RJS, never used, and was not actively for sale. Councilman Noble noted the administration did not support the rezoning and that the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3-2 in favor. A public hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2026.
  • Committee Business – Data Centers: Councilman Noble advised that the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed a preliminary draft of data center regulations; council members were encouraged to review the draft and provide feedback. Planning Director Wiethe offered to provide additional information to council in advance of future legislation.

• Rules and Personnel Committee (Speight, Meager*, Brandenburg)**

  • Executive Session: The committee moved into executive session at 5:31 p.m. to consider the appointment of a member to the Veterans Advisory Commission. The motion carried 7-0. The executive session ended at 5:39 p.m. with a 7-0 vote to resume the meeting. No legislation was discussed, and no appointment was announced publicly.

• Transportation, Connectivity and Storm Water Committee (Meager, Brandenburg*, Noble)**

  • 2026-R43 (Third Reading) – SR-619 Resurfacing and SR-241 (Massillon Rd): Councilman Meager summarized the project. The City of Green will pay 20% of resurfacing costs on SR-619 from the west corporate limit to the east, with the state covering 80%. The city will be responsible for 100% of full/partial depth repairs and 100% of city-requested features deemed unnecessary by ODOT. Engineer Paul Ciocca estimated costs between $750,000 and $800,000, which includes a quantity for full/partial depth repairs but not intersection detection upgrades or curb ramp replacements. He noted potential detection upgrades at Cottage Grove and Mayfair intersections are under investigation. Councilman Noble raised the non-functioning detection at S. Main Street; Ciocca confirmed that project is budgeted for this year and will occur before this resurfacing project.
  • 2026-R47 (Second Reading) – MWCD Grant for Crouse Pond: City Engineer Pickett explained the application to the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District's Partners in Watershed Management Grant Program for Crouse Pond/spillway repair. The project would remove the hazardous dam, create a smaller pond to preserve a water feature for residents, and allow a stream channel to flow through the rest. Total project cost is $1.3 million; the city hopes to receive $430,000 from MWCD and approximately $80,000 from ODNR, leaving an $800,000 city share. Councilman Brandenburg asked about the likelihood of receiving the full $430,000; Engineer Pickett stated it is very likely. Councilman Speight asked whether funds were budgeted; Pickett stated the project would be in next year's budget.
  • Committee Business – Road Construction Updates: Communications Manager Valerie Wolford provided a map of road openings/closings. Southwood is set to open October 1, 2026. Butler Road from Arlington to Kenway will be completely closed from October 5 until approximately Thanksgiving. ODOT will close Massillon Rd south of the airport intersection from mid-October through fall 2027 for a roundabout project, with a 60-day full closure next spring. Discussion also covered temporary speed humps on Kenway and Meadowwood, which are being tested in connection with construction projects and will be removed before winter.

• Intergovernmental & Utilities Committee (Brandenburg, Noble*, Meager)**

  • 2026-R49 (Second Reading) – Stoney Creek Estates Phase V Street Lighting District: Councilman Brandenburg explained that all subdivisions are required to have street lighting; the developer pays installation costs, and usage costs are assessed to residents. A public hearing was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. that evening, so the committee deferred discussion.
  • Public Hearing Notice: The agenda indicated a public hearing for 2026-R49 was scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of September 8, 2026 approved 7-0.
• Approved motions to send the following legislation to votes at the regular meeting: 2026-R46AA (as amended with corrected Exhibit A), 2026-R51, 2026-R48, 2026-R43, and 2026-R47.
• The Rules and Personnel Committee held an executive session regarding the Veterans Advisory Commission appointment; no public action was taken.
• A public hearing on the Stoney Creek Estates Phase V street lighting district was held at 7:00 p.m. on September 22, 2026.
• Public hearings for 2026-22A, 2026-23, and 2026-24 are scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
• Six charter amendments (Issue Numbers 21-26) will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot; early voting begins October 6, 2026.

Note: The main text of the minutes reflects the legislation titles as amended later (e.g., 2026-22AAA with amendments through October 27, 2026), while the agenda lists earlier versions. This summary uses the agenda titles as presented at the meeting.