Hudson City Council Regular Meeting: September 17, 2024

The Hudson City Council met on September 17, 2024, at Town Hall. The meeting began with an executive session at 6:45 PM to interview Planning Commission applicants, followed by the public meeting at 7:30 PM. Council heard proclamations, received a detailed flood recovery update from the City Manager, appointed a new Planning Commission member, debated and approved a new tennis and pickleball court reservation policy, and addressed the Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club clubhouse contract. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM. Council member Christopher Banweg was absent; six members were present.

Proclamations

• Vincent William Baran Day of Service (September 21–28, 2024): Recognized the Baran family's community service in memory of Vincent. Statistics cited: 1,452 volunteers, 3,524 service hours at 51 nonprofits, approximately 875 participants in the Friends of the Poor Walk raising $33,000 for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Ben and Lindsay Baran accepted the proclamation.
• Constitution Week 2024 (September 17–23): Proclaimed by the Mayor. Representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution accepted and spoke.
• Hike Hudson Day (October 5, 2024): Recognized by the Mayor. Friends of Hudson Parks representatives accepted, presented a poem, and highlighted the event including a guided hike at Hudson Springs Park at 10 AM followed by a picnic.

Public Hearing

• Ordinance 24-76 – Adoption of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan: A public hearing was opened at 7:48 PM. No speakers came forward, and the hearing was closed at 7:49 PM. The ordinance remained in second reading.

Public Comments

• No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Correspondence and Council Comments

• Council member Skylar Sutton read a letter from Ward 3 resident Hugo Sandberg regarding the proposed tennis and pickleball court reservation policy. The letter argued that the policy was based on misinformation, noted that the May 2024 pickleball tournament used 16 pickleball courts but only two were reserved for resident play, and stated that restricting tournaments to nine courts would reduce capacity by 44% and reduce fundraising for parks. The letter also asserted that Hudson City Schools agreed to accommodate play during tournaments and that the correct tape for court marking had been found.
• Mayor Anzevino announced Clark Rumiser’s 95th birthday (crossing guard for 50+ years), a ribbon cutting for Splott Spirit, the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk (1,300+ participants in 2023), and the Mayor's Association meeting.

Report of City Manager

• Flag replacement: All old city flags replaced with the new design.
• Fiber-to-the-home survey: Mailed to residents; 540 responses received by September 17 (closes September 27).
• Snow plow applications: Driveway plowing program for seniors/disabled closes September 20.
• WWI monument: Staff found $17,000 from public properties fund to complete the monument, with a goal of unveiling on Veterans Day.
• August 8 storm/flood recovery:
  • 250 flooded basements identified; door-to-door meetings with property owners underway (over 100 houses visited).
  • Three consultants hired: one for Herrick Park/Hudson Park area, one for Edgeview area, one for College/Division/Oviatt area.
  • All ditches and culverts being cleared; contractors handling blockages larger than city equipment.
  • Ohio Emergency Management Association expected to respond mid-September.
  • Meeting with Summit County regarding Brunswick Drive pump station (power outage, no generator). County agreed to consider raising control panel and pump station, and to install manhole “helmets” (50 inspected).
  • County committed to a 2025 project on State Route 303 (College Street to Hayden) to reduce inflow/infiltration; staff working with county on traffic maintenance.
  • City considering moving up Brandywine Creek and Tinkers Creek watershed studies.
  • Temporary inspector hired to assist engineering department.
• Council member Sutton relayed thanks from Western Reserve Estates residents for ditch clearing.

Appointments

• Angela Smith appointed to the Planning Commission: first for a partial term ending January 1, 2025 (motion by Foster, second by Heater; vote 6–0), then for a full term from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2029 (motion by Foster, second by Heater; vote 6–0).

Consent Calendar

• Items A (Motion 24-0088 acknowledging August 2024 financial report), B (Motion 24-0089 authorizing sidewalk design on Valley View and Hines Hill roads), C (Resolution 24-106 for Dillman Drive bridge rehabilitation), D (Resolution 24-107 increasing grant request for Hines Hill Road grade separation to up to $13,705,000, reflecting a new total project estimate of $19.5 million), and F (Resolution 24-109 approving then-and-now certificates for Vizmeg Landscape $3,650 and Fabrizi Trucking $3,208.75) were approved unanimously on consent.
• Item E (Resolution 24-108 for Ellsworth Meadows clubhouse) was pulled from consent for separate consideration.

Discussion Items

• Ellsworth Meadows Clubhouse Contract (Resolution 24-108): Council member Sutton moved to remove “Alternate 5-1 – Outdoor Dining Porch Structure” ($147,500) from the resolution, reducing the authorization to $2,677,094 (including $100,000 contingency). The amendment failed on a 3–3 tie (Aye: Foster, Heater, Sutton; Nay: Goetz, Kowalski, Bird). The original resolution then passed unanimously (6–0), authorizing the City Manager to contract with Rycon Construction, Inc. for $2,744,594 for the approximately 6,000 sq ft clubhouse, exterior patio, cart staging, and paths.
• Tennis and Pickleball Court Reservation Policy (Resolution 24-63): After third reading, Council substituted the proposed amendment and Exhibit A dated September 17, 2024 (motion by Sutton, second by Foster; vote 6–0). The amended policy limits facility reservations to ensure public availability. Discussion noted it is a first-year policy that can be revisited. Council member Goetz expressed concern it was too restrictive compared to other sports facilities. The resolution passed 5–1 (Aye: Kowalski, Sutton, Bird, Foster, Heater; Nay: Goetz).

Key Outcomes

• Votes & Decisions:
  • Minutes of September 3 and September 10, 2024 approved (6–0).
  • Consent Agenda (excluding 24-108) approved (6–0).
  • Resolution 24-108 (Ellsworth clubhouse) passed as submitted (6–0).
  • Resolution 24-63 (tennis/pickleball reservation policy) passed as amended (5–1).
  • Angela Smith appointed to Planning Commission for partial and full terms (each 6–0).
• Referrals & Next Steps:
  • Ordinance 24-76 (Comprehensive Plan) remains in second reading.
  • Resolutions 24-103 (Safe Routes to School Travel Plan) and multiple bond ordinances (24-110 through 24-117) received first readings; no votes taken.
  • Flood recovery efforts to continue with door-to-door inspections, consultant studies, and coordination with Summit County.
  • WWI monument agreement to be drafted with City Solicitor.