Hudson City Council Regular Meeting - February 18, 2025

The Hudson City Council met on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, beginning with an executive session at 6:30 p.m. to interview Cemetery Board applicants, followed by the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Anzevino was absent; President of Council Foster served as Acting Mayor. All seven council members were present for the regular session. The meeting included a proclamation, a public hearing, public comment, a Fire/EMS study update, appointments, consent agenda approval, and several legislative items.

Proclamation

• Council recognized the Hudson Community Foundation’s 25th Anniversary with a proclamation declaring February 18, 2025, as Hudson Community Foundation Day. The Foundation has assets of $33 million, has provided over $500,000 in grants, and supported more than 60 nonprofit organizations since its founding in 2000. Representatives accepted the proclamation.

Public Hearing

• A public hearing was held for Resolution No. 25-29, approving the placement of land in a Current Agricultural Use District for Brown Farms One, LLC, Brown Farms Two, LLC, and Sheryl J. Brown, Trustee, covering five properties totaling approximately 63.02 acres off Barlow Road and Seasons Road. No public comments were made; the hearing was opened and closed at 7:35 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anthony Ravida (1746 Edgar Dr.) addressed council, disputing statements made by Council President Foster at the February 4 meeting regarding a fence dispute. Ravida asserted he followed a ten-step permit process over 52 days, with inspections by city staff, and that the permit was properly issued. He claimed his wooden fence (not metal) was approved, and that council members' narratives were inaccurate. He invited council to inspect the neighborhood, noting that three other homes have metal fences and horse barns. Ravida also mentioned a court appearance where he left due to heat and odor, not defiance. He criticized City Solicitor Pitchford for allegedly changing records.

Discussion Items

• Fire/EMS Study Follow-Up: Vaughn Miller of K2M Design presented responses to council’s questions on firefighter staffing, facility upgrades, and the need for a second station. He clarified that the recommendation is to staff one company with four firefighters 24/7 (meeting OSHA’s two-in/two-out standard). He outlined phased renovations to the existing station: Phase 1 (~$400,000) for dorm space, air vestibules, turnout storage, and immediate repairs; Phase 2 (~$2.5 million) for deeper remodeling; Phases 3-4 for EMS dorms, bathrooms, decon areas, and kitchen upgrades. He estimated total long-term improvements at about $5 million. Miller compared Hudson to surrounding communities: Community A (pop. 18,000, budget $3.3M, 1 station, ~3,000 calls/year); Community B (pop. 35,000, budget $9.5M, 3 stations, ~5,000 calls); Community C (pop. 20,000, budget $5.3M, 2 stations); Community D (pop. not provided, budget $760,000, 2 stations, ~700 calls). Hudson has ~3,500 calls, a $6M budget, and currently staffs 5 personnel 24/7 for EMS with paid call staff. Council discussed next steps: Councilmember Banweg proposed bringing in three external fire/EMS experts (one active from a neighboring community, two retired residents) to advise the subcommittee. Council agreed to form a subcommittee to tour the facility and develop a staffing and facility recommendation within four weeks. Regarding hiring daytime EMS staff, council was split: Sutton wanted to wait for a plan, but a majority (including Banweg, Bird, Foster, Goetz, Heater) supported starting advertising now, with interviews after a plan is in place. City Manager Sheridan will proceed with advertising.
• Destination Hudson Lease Termination & Asset Purchase (Resolution 25-19): This resolution authorizes the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Destination Hudson (DH) to terminate the lease and purchase retail inventory and furniture from the Visitor Center and Gift Shop. Councilmember Goetz opposed, arguing DH has been a valuable asset (raised $350,000 to renovate the building, operates with volunteers) and that taking over the center is fiscally irresponsible, will reduce golf revenue (volunteer incentive), and may require hiring staff. Councilmember Kowalski also opposed, citing costs, staffing concerns, and that DH had no choice because council refused to renew their lease. Councilmember Sutton supported the resolution, noting the Comprehensive Plan directs the city to promote downtown and events, and that the agreement is mutually beneficial as DH leaders are nearing retirement. Councilmember Banweg emphasized that the agreement facilitates DH’s continued presence in the city and called it a good compromise. City Manager Sheridan clarified the city is only taking over the visitor center, not DH itself. The resolution passed 5-2 (Banweg, Bird, Foster, Heater, Sutton in favor; Goetz, Kowalski opposed).
• Other Legislation:
  • Ordinance 25-12 (Backflow Prevention Program update) passed unanimously on third reading, 7-0.
  • Ordinance 25-22 (codifying public comment rights at boards/commissions) and Ordinance 25-23 (streamlining parliamentary procedures for legislation with amendments) both had second readings, with no action taken.
  • Ordinance 25-28 (allowing AHBR to consider consultants recognized by the state historic preservation office) was given first reading and referred to Planning Commission, 7-0.
  • Resolution 25-29 (Brown Farms agricultural use district) had first reading.

Consent Calendar

All consent agenda items were approved unanimously, 7-0, after suspending the rules:

• 25-0022: Motion to acknowledge January 2025 monthly financial report.
• 25-0023: Motion directing Clerk to send notice to Ohio Division of Liquor Control indicating no hearing request for Hudson Table LLC liquor permit transfer.
• 25-24: Resolution authorizing application for Summit County Reworks Community Assistance Recycling Grant (up to $22,000 for leaf pick-up personnel costs).
• 25-25: Resolution authorizing contract with Summit County Public Defender’s Office for indigent defense in 2025.
• 25-26: Resolution authorizing increase of $3,272.49 for a large capacity rough mower due to lower trade-in allowance.
• 25-27: Resolution renewing Republic Services as preferred trash/recycling vendor for three years (first year increase 10.8%, subsequent years 5%).

Key Outcomes

• Appointments: Marilyn Orr was appointed to a full term on the Cemetery Board (vote 6-0-1, Heater abstained).
• Fire/EMS Study: Council directed staff to begin advertising for daytime EMS hires, with interviews to start after a staffing/facility plan is developed (expected in four weeks). Subcommittee will tour station and invite external experts.
• Destination Hudson Agreement: Resolution 25-19 adopted (5-2), authorizing lease termination and asset purchase.
• Legislation Passed: Backflow Prevention ordinance (25-12) adopted; AHBR consultant amendment (25-28) referred to Planning Commission.
• Public Comment: Councilmember Kowalski offered to meet with Anthony Ravida to seek resolution; Councilmember Banweg requested a documented list of options for Ravida’s fence situation.
• Executive Session: Council entered executive session at 8:30 p.m. to discuss real estate transfer, then adjourned at 9:11 p.m.