Hudson City Council Regular Meeting – March 4, 2025

The Hudson City Council met on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, beginning with an executive session at 6:45 p.m. to interview applicants for the Military and Veterans' Commission, followed by the regular public meeting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m. All seven council members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved (7-0) the minutes from the February 18, 2025 Council meeting and February 25, 2025 Council Workshop.
• Consent Agenda (Items A–M): Unanimously approved (7-0) after suspending the rules. Items included:
  • Acceptance of a $250,000 State Capital Budget Grant for Boston Mills Trail Bridge Improvements.
  • Authorization to apply for an AARP 2025 Community Challenge Grant (up to $25,000 for downtown public Wi-Fi).
  • Authorization to apply for an ODOT Safe Routes to School Grant (up to $1,000,000 for a sidewalk project on Stow Road).
  • Authorization to bid and contract for a 10-foot trail along Boston Mills Road and a sidewalk on Lake Forest Drive, including intersection realignment.
  • Acceptance of donated lighting equipment (poles and hardware) from Jack Duffy and Associates for six pickleball courts at Barlow Farm Park.
  • Acceptance of $90,000 in donated funding from Hudson Community Foundation for lighting the same six pickleball courts.
  • Software renewal contract with Brightly Software Inc. for asset and workflow management.
  • Increased funding for Ellsworth Meadows Golf Course Hole 17 retaining wall installation.
  • Increased funding for the snow and ice control program contract.
  • Professional services contract with Ciuni & Panichi, Inc. for 2024 annual financial statements.
  • Purchase of three parcels on South Main Street: 14.75 acres from Daniel Steidl, 14.22 acres from the Stokes/Little family, and 6.66 acres from Arthur Joseph Jr. and Nancy L. Stokes (all declared emergencies).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing (Item 25-44): No comments were made regarding the agricultural use district application for Charles P. and Susan Robinson at 7936 Ravenna Road.
• Public Comment: Anthony Ravida, 1746 Edgar Drive, spoke about a fence dispute. He argued that his fence had initially passed inspection but was later deemed non-compliant after city staff revisited. He criticized Mayor Anzevino, Council President Foster, City Manager Sheridan, and Community Development Director Hannan, alleging a false narrative and misuse of sunshine laws. He noted that the judge who found him guilty was later fired by the Ohio Supreme Court. He expressed frustration that the city continued to pursue the matter despite an ongoing appeal.

Discussion Items

• Council Correspondence:
  • Council Member Kowalski provided an update on the Environmental Awareness Committee (EAC) meeting, including Earth Day planning, and addressed AP Government students in attendance.
  • Council Member Sutton suggested inviting fire/EMS leadership to present the Fire/EMS study findings to full council, noting they had not yet spoken directly. Council Member Banweg clarified that the fire chief had been involved in subcommittee meetings and that a subcommittee meeting on March 8 would develop options, after which the chief and other leaders would be brought in. Council Member Bird supported the idea.
  • Council Member Bird praised the PTO Pancake Breakfast on March 1, which drew about 2,300 attendees.
  • Mayor Anzevino reported on naming the new street sweeper “The Hudson Hurricane” after a contest with sixth graders, highlighted ribbon cuttings for The Poppy Shop, Couture Amore, Lily Tea House, and upcoming Spice and Tea Exchange, and congratulated the girls’ gymnastics and basketball teams for their state playoff runs.
• Report of Manager:
  • City Manager Sheridan noted a correction: a Hudson Life Magazine article incorrectly stated $400 million for Fire/EMS improvements; the correct amount is $400,000.
  • Reminded residents to move clocks forward and check smoke/carbon monoxide detector batteries.
  • Reported that the Brandywine Creek study RFP would be released, and the Tinkers Creek watershed study had two finalist consultants.
  • Regarding Fire/EMS, he outlined a two-meeting subcommittee process: the first with residents and subcommittee, the second including fire chief, assistant chiefs, EMS director, and consultant. Goal: bring a recommended plan to full council in April.
• Legislation – Townhomes Zoning (25-43): Council Member Sutton moved to refer the ordinance (removing townhomes from all districts except Village Core District) to the Planning Commission. Motion carried 7-0.
• Legislation – Marijuana Moratorium (25-45): Council Member Banweg moved to suspend the rules to allow immediate passage; seconded by Council Member Bird. The motion failed 4-3 (aye: Banweg, Bird, Goetz, Heater; nay: Foster, Kowalski, Sutton), so the resolution proceeds to a second reading.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Ordinances:
  • 25-22: Codifying the right of public comment at boards/commissions and establishing rules – adopted unanimously (7-0) on third reading.
  • 25-23: Streamlining parliamentary procedures for adopting legislation with amendments – adopted unanimously (7-0) on third reading and declared an emergency.
• Consent Agenda approved as listed above (7-0).
• Referral: Ordinance 25-43 (townhomes) referred to Planning Commission (7-0).
• First Readings: Resolution 25-29 (Brown Farms agricultural district) had its second reading; Resolution 25-44 (Robinson agricultural district) had its first reading.
• Failed Motion: Suspension of rules for Resolution 25-45 (marijuana moratorium) failed 4-3; item moves to second reading.
• Next Steps: Fire/EMS subcommittee meets March 8; full council to receive plan in April. Applications for Planning Commission (partial term) and Board of Tax Review (two terms) remain open.