Green City Council Committee Meetings — October 27, 2026

The Green City Council held its regular committee meetings on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, beginning at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers at the City of Green Central Administration Building, 1755 Town Park Blvd. All seven committees met: Finance; Environment and Parks; Public Safety; Planning, Community and Economic Development; Rules and Personnel; Transportation, Connectivity and Storm Water; and Intergovernmental & Utilities. Committees considered a public art plan, a Quick Response Team grant application, vape/smoke shop regulations, a sewer jet equipment trade-in, fee schedule amendments, and service award changes. Committee sessions adjourned at 6:26 PM (Environment and Parks), 6:40 PM (Public Safety), 7:20 PM (Planning), 7:21 PM (Rules), and 7:30 PM (Transportation), with plans to reconvene at 7:45 PM for the regular council meeting. The meeting minutes were not available; this summary is based on the agenda and transcript.

Consent Calendar

• TMP-5533 — Approval of the October 13, 2026 Committee Meeting Minutes: approved unanimously by roll-call vote (all members present voting yes).
• Discrepancy note: the agenda also listed TMP-5534 (Approval of the October 13, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes) under the Finance Committee's financial report, but the transcript records no discussion or action on that item.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public comment was taken during the Environment and Parks Committee's public art plan presentation:

• A resident (referred to later in the discussion as Mr. Knapp) supported a public arts plan and program, noting that comparable high-performing cities generally have such plans or programs in place or in development. He urged that art represent Green's culture, be curated as part of a community narrative, and that the first installation be especially strong. He recommended funding through independent, self-funded mechanisms such as foundations and grants, not the city budget or park capital set-asides, and cautioned that residents could become activated if installations do not reflect local culture.
• Shannon Bowman, a 20-year resident, Green Arts Focus Group member, and Green High School visual arts teacher for 31 years, urged support for the initiative. She said public art creates shared points of connection, shared ownership, and civic pride, and helps ensure Green is a community where residents belong rather than just a place to commute and sleep.
• Sharon Masky, a local artist and 39-year resident, supported the plan. She said art creates beauty, meaning, and connection, and can make parks, streets, and public places more inviting, welcoming, and memorable.

Discussion Items

Finance Committee

• 2026-R52 (second reading, passage requested): Resolution declaring certain Service Department equipment surplus to be traded in to offset part of the purchase price for a replacement, requesting reappropriation of funds, and declaring an emergency. Service Director Carr said the supplier quoted a $50,000 trade-in, making the net cost $324,672 for the replacement sewer jet machine with water-jet digging capability. The new equipment reduces the risk of cutting into underground utility lines. Carr said the purchase would allow the city to pull work in-house, saving about $60,000 from contractual catch basin and vault cleaning services, and potentially over $100,000 if all vault cleaning is done in-house; renting comparable equipment would cost $130,000 to $174,000 per year. Manufacturer training is included in the price. Council discussed possible equipment sharing through the council of governments; Brandenburg noted a similar mutual-aid attempt about 10 years ago involving Summit County and the City of Tallmadge did not succeed because larger cities were reluctant to share equipment during storms. The committee agreed to advance the resolution with second reading passage requested.

Environment and Parks Committee

• Land Studio Inc. Public Art Plan presentation: Community Development Administrator Sarah Herring said the 2024 comprehensive land use plan included an Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation chapter for the first time, and a 2025 grant from Arts Now (a Summit County cultural organization) funded development of the public art plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission made a favorable recommendation. Consultants Aaron Guido and Macy Nelson (Land Studio, Cleveland) presented the framework: 24 inspirational project concepts; four focus areas (town center, parks and natural spaces, schools, and corridors/gateways); and eight art typologies (murals, crosswalk art, installations, nature art, landmark art, functional art, quick activations, and mixed). Engagement included a public art personality quiz, about 40 community and staff interviews, and a temporary chalk/spray stencil event at Central Park. The plan's toolbox addresses oversight, a funding spreadsheet of about 35 potential sources, and review processes. Recommended first steps: establish an art board, designate a public art liaison, write policies, build a funding strategy, and prepare a first annual work plan.
• 2026-27 (second reading): Ordinance adopting the public art plan. Council discussed the proposed public art liaison (likely a city employee, possibly in the planning department) and art board models (Cleveland, Shaker Heights, and Sandusky; some use hybrid project-specific stakeholder groups). The Mayor said no additional staff is needed, the board could be volunteers under planning that recommend to the Planning Commission, no public art funding is in the current budget (an initial project has some funding; other sources would be pursued), and community engagement identified nature and belonging as core values. Brandenburg raised concern about Section 3, which repeals conflicting codified ordinances, and requested a list of the codified ordinance changes before passage; the administration said follow-on ordinances (such as establishing a board) would come separately and agreed to provide the list. The item remains on second reading and is expected to return for a third reading and vote at the next meeting.

Public Safety Committee

• 2026-R53 (first reading, passage requested): Resolution authorizing the Mayor to apply for a Quick Response Team (QRT) Program Grant from the Ohio Attorney General's Office. The Fire Chief said the QRT has operated for about 10 years, following up on substance use, overdose (including alcohol), and mental health calls. Licensed social worker Layla provides 24 hours per week under a separate One Ohio grant that expires at the end of 2027. The new grant is competitive, with awards from $10,000 to $100,000; the city is applying for the full $100,000, with no local match required. The application deadline is October 31. Funds would expand Layla's hours, training, or equipment. September statistics showed 18 interactions, including suicide attempts, suicidal ideations, an adult suicide by overdose, alcohol abuse problems, and altered mental status calls; the Chief also cited successful connections of veterans with VA resources and training for firefighters. The committee approved first reading passage.

Planning, Community and Economic Development Committee

• 2026-22AAA (fourth reading): Ordinance amending Chapter 157 to establish regulations for vape and smoke shops and smoke establishments. The legislation defines the uses, limits them to B4, B5, and I-1 zoning districts, prohibits locations within 1,000 feet of a parcel containing a school or licensed child care center, and — as revised October 27 — within 1,000 feet of a public park, public library, or place of worship (increased from the earlier 500 feet). A 150-foot residential setback also applies. Planning staff displayed a map showing the five existing vape shops, which would be non-conforming but grandfathered; the exemption is lost if a business closes for 180 days. A sale or transfer of the business would not end the grandfathering. Law Director Dean said the approach mirrors other Ohio municipalities and is defensible, though a legal challenge cannot be ruled out. Noble (a sponsor, along with Speight) said the legislation also addresses signage and aesthetics. Humphrey asked about the child care center definition; staff responded the rationale includes impaired drivers near child care centers. The committee moved to adopt the ordinance at the regular council meeting.
• 2026-23 (fourth reading): Ordinance amending Section 157.134(7)(B)(3)(b), parking, loading, and stacking regulations. The change responds to frequent variance requests and sets residential driveway widths within 10 feet of the right-of-way at a maximum of 24 feet for two-car street-facing garages and 30 feet for three-car street-facing garages. The committee moved to adopt it at the regular council meeting.
• 2026-24: Rezoning 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). The applicant has requested withdrawal; a formal withdrawal declaration will be made at the regular council meeting.
• 2026-25 (second reading): Ordinance amending the zoning and right-of-way fee schedules adopted by Ordinance 2026-06. Three changes were presented: a fee for zoning verifications; a $300 fee (previously $40) for linear, multi-parcel utility conduit installations (e.g., gas, water, fiber); and a $100 road opening permit for single-parcel connections. Staff said utility companies found the fees acceptable. Meager and Neugebauer requested clarifying descriptions (e.g., "linear multi-parcel" and "single parcel connections"), and discussion addressed whether service connections are included in the linear permit. Neugebauer agreed to email proposed language; the item was held and will not pass that night.

Rules and Personnel Committee

• 2026-26 (third reading): Ordinance amending Section 32.03, Service Awards, of Chapter 32, replacing the 1992 policy to give the administration flexibility in gift types for employee service milestones (e.g., alternatives to clocks and watches). No new money is required. Speight stated he will make a motion to adopt at the regular council meeting.

Transportation, Connectivity and Storm Water Committee

• No legislation. Discussion included complaints about the contractor performing citywide concrete repairs: saw-cut slurry left on streets and materials that killed grass. The Service Director said the contractor is being required to pressure-wash and clean up, a pre-construction meeting was held, and the contractor is average but needs more hand-holding. Meager raised a resident complaint about unsafe contractor conduct and requested follow-up. Microsurfacing on Hackman Road and Mayfair Road caused significant rush-hour backups with no geofenced notifications or signage; the Mayor acknowledged the communications failure and said staff would improve messaging for future projects. Staff confirmed the Corporate Woods Parkway microsurfacing is the final surface. On pothole maintenance, staff said shallow concrete surface defects are difficult to patch and may require full-depth slab replacement; Noble suggested adding saw-cutting cleanup requirements to future contract specifications and coordinating a city street sweeper.

Intergovernmental & Utilities Committee

• No legislation. Student municipal representative Megan McKee reported that the first school quarter ended, the football season concluded without a playoff berth (a first in her high school years), and a daily "clue" announcement segment was not working well, taking about five minutes of first period.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the October 13, 2026 Committee Meeting Minutes unanimously.
• 2026-R52 (sewer jet equipment trade-in): committee supported second reading passage; expected to appear on the council agenda.
• 2026-27 (public art plan): read on second reading; will return for a third reading and vote; administration to provide a list of codified ordinance changes referenced by Section 3.
• 2026-R53 (QRT grant): committee approved first reading passage; application deadline is October 31.
• 2026-22AAA (vape/smoke shops): motion to adopt at the regular council meeting.
• 2026-23 (driveway widths): motion to adopt at the regular council meeting.
• 2026-24 (Massillon Road/Stein Road rezoning): applicant withdrawing; formal declaration at the regular council meeting.
• 2026-25 (fee schedules): held for clarifying amendments; Neugebauer to provide proposed language.
• 2026-26 (service awards): motion to adopt at the regular council meeting.
• Council recessed; the regular council meeting was planned to reconvene at 7:45 PM.