Hudson City Council Regular Meeting and Workshop - December 17, 2024

The Hudson City Council held a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. on December 17, 2024, preceded by an executive session at 6:45 p.m. to interview applicants for boards and commissions. All seven council members were present for the regular meeting and subsequent workshop. The meeting addressed multiple land development code amendments, a growth management allocation resolution, a job creation grant agreement, and several consent agenda items. Council also received updates on a proposed alley paving request and the ongoing August flood recovery efforts. The regular meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m., followed by a workshop that concluded at 9:33 p.m.

Public Hearings

• Ordinance 24-104 – Amending setbacks for D6 and D8 districts adjacent to residential properties. Sarah Norman, Vice Chair of the Planning Commission, addressed the council, stating the commission was "pretty enthused" about the changes and anticipated bringing further recommendations in 2025, including a potential moratorium for a major code rewrite. No other public comments were offered. The public hearing closed at 7:35 p.m.
• Ordinance 24-105 – Amending non-conforming residential use provisions. No public comments were offered; the hearing closed at 7:36 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No general public comments were made during the designated public comment period.

Council Comments

• Council members expressed gratitude for volunteers and participants in the Christkindlmarkt, noted two severe accidents at Terex Road and SR 91 (to be reconstructed in one to two years), thanked residents for feedback on the Fire/EMS study, and shared holiday wishes. Mayor Anzevino thanked participants in the clothing drive, especially Little Tikes Company which collected 400 pairs of socks.

Report of Manager

• North Main Street Alley: City Manager Sheridan reported that three business owners requested the City pave the alley behind North Main Street (between Clinton and Owen Brown) at an estimated cost of $30,000. Sheridan noted other owners had previously paved their portions at their own expense. Council did not take action but agreed to consider a future workshop discussion.
• August Flood Update: Sheridan provided a detailed update: a contractor cleaned major creeks (from the high school to Stow Road, through Herrick Park); the county installed 125 sanitary sewer manhole inserts to prevent inflow; and consultants are studying four areas (College Street, Edgeview/Darrow Park, Jesse Drive/Herrick Park Circle, and Middleton/Rennet) with results expected January–April 2025. An RFP for a Tinkers Creek watershed study will be issued in January. Total unbudgeted stormwater spending to date: $168,000. Additional ditch and culvert projects are planned. No update was available from the county on the Brunswick pump station.
• Sheridan noted the draft Fire/EMS study would be distributed to council on Friday, with the final report and workshop discussion scheduled for January 28, 2025.

Consent Calendar

• Motion 24-0126 – Acknowledged timely receipt of the November 2024 monthly financial report.
• Motion 24-0127 – Directed the Clerk to send notice to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control indicating no request for a hearing regarding the transfer of a liquor permit to Ozer Petroleum LLC at 27 S. Main St.
• Ordinance 24-154 – Amended the City’s pay range structure and pay range assignment schedule, adjusting pay bands by a factor of 1.03 for non‑bargaining unit employees in 2025. Declared an emergency.
• Resolution 24-155 – Authorized Hudson Fire to purchase a Fotokite tethered, autonomous, pilotless drone from Atlantic Emergency Solutions for continuous use with visual and thermal imaging. Declared an emergency.
• Resolution 24-156 – Authorized the City Manager to contract with Montrose Ford for the purchase of one Ford Explorer for the Fire Department under the State Bid List. Declared an emergency.
• Resolution 24-157 – Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Benbery LLC to purchase a 12.1‑acre parcel on Stow Road (Summit County Parcel #3009781) for $350,000, with a 10% deposit and a 6-month due diligence option. Declared an emergency.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7‑0).

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 24-104 – After debate, Councilmember Sutton expressed concern that the fourth whereas clause flipped the intent by burdening industrial uses. The ordinance passed 4‑3 (Aye: Banweg, Bird, Foster, Heater; Nay: Goetz, Kowalski, Sutton).
• Ordinance 24-105 – Councilmember Sutton found the amended language repetitive in Section 1(e)(2). Council agreed to postpone the vote to a date certain (January 21, 2025) to clarify the language. A motion to postpone passed 7‑0.
• Resolution 24-131 – Accepted the City Manager’s recommendation not to implement the Growth Management Residential Development Allocation System in 2025 due to no appreciable population change. Passed 7‑0.
• Ordinance 24-151 (Second reading) – Amends storm collection and stormwater engineering standards to reflect higher conveyance and flood mitigation standards. Councilmember Goetz asked if the standards would improve stormwater handling; City Manager Sheridan confirmed stormwater is managed by the city (sanitary by the county). No vote taken; scheduled for third reading on January 7, 2025.
• Ordinance 24-152 (Second reading) – Adopts the General Fund budget overage commitment for Hudson infrastructure. No vote taken; scheduled for third reading on January 7, 2025.
• Ordinance 24-153 (Second reading) – Amends the Employee Handbook and Personnel Rules as approved by the Personnel Advisory and Appeals Board. Social Media Policy removed from the handbook; to be issued as internal policy. Council discussed Media Relations Policy: Councilmembers Kowalski, Sutton, and others argued elected officials should be exempt from media restrictions, especially regarding crisis communications. City Manager Sheridan requested any revisions in redline form. No vote taken; scheduled for third reading on January 7, 2025.
• Resolution 24-158 – Authorizes a job creation grant agreement with Charter Communications (Spectrum) for a 50% income tax credit over 10 years. Charter plans to invest $6.3 million and maintain a minimum payroll of $14 million at 280 Executive Parkway West. Council suspended the rules and passed the resolution unanimously (7‑0) on first reading.

Key Outcomes

• Passed (4‑3): Ordinance 24-104 (setback amendments for D6/D8 adjacent to residential).
• Postponed (7‑0): Ordinance 24-105 to January 21, 2025, for language clarification.
• Passed (7‑0): Resolution 24-131 (no growth management allocation system in 2025).
• Passed (7‑0): Resolution 24-158 (Charter Communications job creation grant agreement).
• Consent Agenda approved (7‑0): All six items including financial report, liquor permit, pay ranges, drone purchase, Ford Explorer purchase, and land purchase option.
• Executive Session (7‑0): Entered at 8:20 p.m. to discuss employment of a public employee; meeting recessed and resumed at 9:06 p.m.
• Workshop: Proposed consent agenda for January 7, 2025, includes a resolution to accept a $680,000 state grant for the Hudson Inclusive Playground (no city match required) and a resolution regarding City Manager Thomas Sheridan’s employment contract. Proposed legislation for third reading includes Ordinances 24-151, 24-152, and 24-153; Resolution 24-158 was already passed. An honorary resolution for Annette Johnson’s retirement will be added.
• Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 6:45 p.m.