Hudson City Council Regular Meeting & Workshop - July 9, 2024

President of Council Chris Foster convened the Hudson City Council Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Town Hall, 27 East Main Street, in the absence of Mayor Anzevino. The regular meeting was followed by a workshop; the regular meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. and the workshop concluded at 8:38 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved the minutes of the June 18, 2024 Combined Meeting and Workshop.
• Council suspended the rules and approved the Consent Agenda, including Resolution 24-77. Related attachments included the Hudson Inclusive Playground Group (HIP) settlement agreement, which resolved all disputes between her and the city, and the FEMA Approval Letter dated April 19, 2024.
• Council Member Sutton said he could not agree to any lease in City Hall and that the City should not be in the leasing business; Council Member Banweg agreed but said the legislation complies with previously established guidelines.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public came forward during the public comment period.

Council Comments & Statements

• A statement from Council Member Nicole Kowalski (who was unable to attend) was read into the record. She discussed her appeal of a censure and the related case, City of Hudson v. Jane Doe, criticizing subpoenas issued to residents and political figures, including State Representative Casey Weinstein, council members Patricia Getz and Mike Byrd, former candidate Madeleine Lapiti Carino, Patsy Simons, and Don Reed. She criticized the use and cost of special counsel, quoting the City Charter that the city solicitor shall represent the municipality, and said a judge had found a claim frivolous. She said she would vote yes on the settlement to avoid additional appeal costs.
• Council Member Banweg thanked Mayor Anzevino for leading the effort on the new City flag, noting the city's 225th anniversary.

Discussion Items

• Public Works and Hudson Public Power Facility Design: City Manager Sheridan reviewed the RFP/RFQ process for the 30-acre site and the new facility, including design phases at 30, 60, 90, and 100 percent. The BCI fee proposal was discussed; it was lower than expected, and following interviews staff recommended including Hudson Public Power in the full scope as an alternate. A motion regarding the proposal was forwarded to the July 16 meeting.
• Proposed Consent Agenda Items for July 16, 2024: Financial summaries and a budget amendment ordinance were discussed, with a planned change to combine two funds into one note.
• Sidewalk Ordinance and BCBA Conflicting Decisions: Council discussed a draft ordinance to address conflicting Board of Zoning and Building Appeals (BCBA) rulings on whether developers must install sidewalks or pay cash-in-lieu. Members questioned whether the language should apply to all zoning districts or be narrower, and discussed the option to decline sidewalk construction or accept cash-in-lieu. Council also critiqued the Planning Commission's public hearing process, noting resident testimony was limited to five minutes while the applicant had nearly two hours.
• Railroad Crossing Grant: Sheridan reported that the Ohio Railway Commission is applying for a grant on the City's behalf for a bridge project. The application is about 90% complete; letters of support will be needed from every Council member as individuals and from adjacent mutual-aid communities. No residents will be displaced. Consultant input is due back July 12, 2024, with Council consideration anticipated in August.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the June 18, 2024 minutes and the Consent Agenda, including Resolution 24-77.
• Forwarded to the July 16, 2024 Council meeting: the motion on facility design fees, a resolution, and the sidewalk/BCBA ordinance.
• For the railroad crossing grant, letters of support from all Council members and adjacent communities are to be provided; the application is expected before Council in August.