Hudson City Council Meeting and Workshop – April 8, 2025

The Hudson City Council held a regular meeting and workshop on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM at Town Hall. The meeting covered routine approvals, a public hearing, public comments, legislation, executive session, and six workshop discussion items including traffic safety, land use, utilities, park planning, and fire/EMS improvements. Key outcomes included a 5-2 vote to extend a marijuana moratorium (non-emergency), authorization of litigation against a property owner for fence encroachment, and direction to staff on several long-term projects.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes approved – Motion by Banweg, second by Bird, passed unanimously (7-0).
• Consent Agenda (items 25-58, 25-59, 25-61, 25-62, 25-63) approved 7-0 after suspension of rules, with items 25-60 and 25-64 pulled separately. Both later passed 7-0.
  • 25-58: Tinkers Creek Watershed Study – professional services contract with MS Consultants.
  • 25-59: Utility and sidewalk easement agreements with 5698 Hudson LLC (ShopCo).
  • 25-60: Cultural Resources Study at 996 Hines Hill Road for SiteOhio Authentication – passed after discussion clarifying that the $600,000 salt barn relocation is independent of the study.
  • 25-61: Soft drink pouring rights contract at Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club.
  • 25-62: ECOSMART Choice Sustainability Grant for tree planting and education.
  • 25-63: Purchase of up to four golf simulators at Ellsworth Meadows Golf Club.
  • 25-64: Lease agreement with Hudson Fire Museum and Historical Education Society (10-year term, same as previous).

Public Hearing

• 25-65 – Renewal of Agricultural Use District for alpaca farm at 5457 Stow Road (14.37 acres). Opened and closed with no public comments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anthony Ravida (1746 Edgar Dr.) criticized Council President Christopher Foster, alleging improper spending on litigation, a driveway permit issue, and a frivolous case against a former employee. He estimated city litigation costs at $30,000–$50,000 for one case and referenced a $30,000 personal expense by Councilwoman Kowalski. Ravida claimed Mr. Foster’s actions undermine accountability. (Additional 2 minutes granted.)

Appointments

• Council President Foster appointed Council members Dr. Bird, Mr. Sutton, and himself to a subcommittee to evaluate the Land Development Code for the D7 and D8 districts (South Darrow Road corridor).

Legislation

• 25-45 (Third Reading) – Resolution declaring a 3-month moratorium on accepting new applications for marijuana-related activities. Passed 5-2 (Kowalski and Sutton nay). Because it had emergency language but received only five votes (needed six), it becomes effective in 30 days rather than immediately.
• 25-56 (Second Reading) – Ordinance amending Chapter 1016 regarding use of public ways by service and cable providers. Read for second reading; no vote.
• 25-65 (First Reading) – Resolution approving the agricultural use district renewal for Joann Poulton. Read for first reading; no vote.

Executive Session

• Council entered executive session (7–0) to discuss real estate purchase and imminent litigation. Upon return, a motion was made and passed 6-1 (Kowalski nay) to authorize the City Solicitor to commence civil legal proceedings against the owner of 1746 Edgar Drive regarding an encroaching fence on city property.

Discussion Items (Workshop)

HAWK Signal (Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon) – 25-0041

• City Engineer Brad Kosco presented a follow-up study. The best location for a HAWK signal is at Church Street and SR 91, combined with removal of the mid-block crosswalk. The device would coordinate with adaptive traffic signals. Concerns were raised about driver confusion and the need for public education. Council consensus: proceed with traffic counts this summer, begin public input, and budget for 2026.

South Darrow Road Corridor LDC Amendment – 25-0042

• Community Development Director Greg Hannan reviewed the subcommittee appointment and timeline to develop a vision and framework for the corridor, engaging property owner at 5455 Darrow Road.

Natural Gas Aggregation – TMP-7863

• City Manager Sheridan reported that Eastern P&G, the City’s opt-in gas supplier, sought to amend terms (increasing rate by ~$0.05/year, saving residents ~$5 annually). With broker Tom Bellish, staff recommended termination. Council unanimously opposed termination by the City, preferring to let Eastern P&G cancel the contract. The item was removed from the proposed consent agenda. Staff will continue seeking a new opt-in supplier.

Clock Tower Lighting – 25-0043

• Councilwoman Kowalski requested discussion on allowing lighting for special groups/awareness events. Council members opposed, citing clutter, constitutionality, and preference for existing banner policy. Council President Foster directed staff to draft a policy for future discussion.

Inclusive Playground Location – 25-0044

• Mr. Sheridan reported that the City did not receive $800,000 in federal funding for the originally planned location at Middleton Road. The Park Board asked staff to evaluate Hudson Springs Park and Barlow Farm Park. Barlow Farm Park was favored due to lower cost (~$1.2M vs. $1.45M), existing infrastructure, shade, and parking expansion plans. Council members supported Barlow Farm. Staff will meet with the Park Board subcommittee and the HIP private fundraising group and return to Council on April 22, 2025, for final direction.

Fire & EMS Recommendations – 25-0045

• Council subcommittee member Banweg and City Manager Sheridan presented a phased hybrid staffing and facility renovation plan. Phase 1: daytime (7 AM – 7 PM) staffing with two part-time firefighters supplementing volunteers; weekend daytime covered by volunteers. Phase 2: nighttime staffing (7 PM – 7 AM) after building renovations. Building renovations (phased, ~$5M total) include dormitories, kitchen, EMS decontamination, and locker rooms, with a 20-year bond. Council generally supportive but requested a comprehensive financial model (5, 10, 15-year projections) before final commitment. Staff will bring updated capital budget to the April 22 workshop.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved 7-0.
• Consent agenda approved (most items) 7-0; items 25-60 and 25-64 individually approved 7-0.
• 25-45 (marijuana moratorium) passed 5-2; effective in 30 days (not emergency).
• Litigation authorized against property owner at 1746 Edgar Drive for fence encroachment: 6-1 (Kowalski opposed).
• HAWK signal to be studied further, with traffic counts summer 2025 and budgeting for 2026.
• Natural gas aggregation – Council directed staff to let Eastern P&G terminate the contract; no opt-out program; seek new opt-in supplier.
• Clock tower lighting – No policy change; staff to draft a policy for future workshop.
• Inclusive playground – Barlow Farm Park recommended; staff to refine with Park Board and HIP group; update at April 22 workshop.
• Fire/EMS – Hybrid staffing and building renovation plan supported conceptually; detailed financials requested at April 22 workshop.
• Proposed consent agenda for April 15, 2025 includes: March financial report (TMP-7879), amended appropriations (corrected to remove $540,000 for Norfolk Southern right-of-way), Dillman Drive Bridge funding increase (25-66), extension of “Melody” sculpture (25-71), land swap with Fischers (25-67), EMS training grant (25-68). Natural gas termination removed. Proposed legislation: Ordinance 25-21 (public hearing rules) second reading with amendments; Ordinance 25-56 third reading; Resolution 25-65 second reading; Resolution 25-69 (Tax Incentive Review Council recommendations) first reading.