Hudson City Council Regular Meeting and Workshop - July 8, 2025

The Hudson City Council met on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Town Hall, 27 East Main Street. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. and immediately recessed into executive session, upon a motion by Council Member Bird, to interview a Park Board applicant with all Council members and the Mayor invited. The Regular Council Meeting was gaveled back into session at 7:30 p.m., adjourned at 8:08 p.m., and the Council Workshop convened at 8:10 p.m. and adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Five of seven council members were present, so all five affirmative votes were required to suspend the rules for the consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Item 25-0086: Approved the June 17, 2025, Combined Council Meeting & Workshop minutes by a vote of 5 in favor to 0 against.
• The Consent Agenda was approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote after the rules were suspended, approving: Resolution 25-97; Resolution 25-98 authorizing the City Manager to enter into a professional services contract with GPD Group for the Stowe Road, Hudson Aurora Road, and Hudson High School Traffic improvements; Resolution 25-99; Resolution 25-100 authorizing the City Manager to enter into stormwater easements for the 1900 Middleton Drainage Improvement Project; and Resolution 25-101 authorizing the City Manager to accept grant funding from the Hudson Kiwanis on behalf of Hudson Parks.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mayor Anzevino opened public hearings on Ordinance No. 25-95 and Ordinance No. 25-96; no members of the public offered comments on either hearing.
• One resident spoke during the public comments period, expressing opposition to Council President Foster and accusing him of having a "personal agenda" and of using the city and its employees to do what he pleases "at everyone's expense." The resident, who referred to "Foster aka Littlefinger," alleged that Foster called the resident's friends five minutes before detectives arrived, and described an encounter where a woman came out yelling as the resident walked to his car with the police chief. The resident also mentioned a discussion with Council Member Banweg from three weeks prior. Council did not respond on the record, and public comments were then closed.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation: Mayor Anzevino read a proclamation recognizing the Hudson High School Drama Club for its outstanding group and individual accomplishments at the 2025 DAZL boards. The drama club's advisor and a student speaker thanked the community and the district for their support.
• Council Member Heater thanked City staff for the fireworks and residents who helped clean up the next day.
• Council Member Goetz read remarks made by Mrs. Heater at the May 19 Park Board meeting and questioned the position that cost should not be a factor in the playground location decision.
• Park Board playground exchange: Heater stated the decision "should not be based on cost variance between the two locations" because "this is a long project, and we're going to have the playground around for a long time." Foster responded, "You've said that I defamed you, and yet twice in that meeting, you did say do not base this on cost." Heater replied that this reflected what residents at the meeting had said, and Foster countered, "I went through and you exactly said cost should not be a factor in the decision made by the park board members." Heater thanked the Park Board for its dedication and said Council looks forward to the board's recommendation on the final playground location.
• City Manager Sheridan thanked the Hudson Community Foundation for supporting the fireworks.
• Mayor Anzevino announced upcoming ribbon cuttings, concerts, and downtown events.
• Legislation: Ordinance No. 25-90 was passed by roll call vote following no discussion. (The subject of the ordinance was not identified in the provided materials.)

Workshop Session

• Council President Foster convened the workshop at 8:10 p.m.
• Utility aggregation program: Council discussed the AMP (American Municipal Power) program, which generates and serves electricity to Hudson and 132 other public power communities. Discussion compared a lock-in price option with an alternative rate set at two cents under the standard choice offer, noted that gas is billed in MCF (thousand cubic feet), identified a typical 30-60 day enrollment period, and referenced a state-level website where residents can compare rates and possibly pay less. It was noted that the current offer is good through the next month.
• Charter amendments: It was announced that charter amendments will be presented at a Special Workshop on July 15, 2025, before the Regular Council meeting. A reminder was given that if Council wanted to place an item on the ballot itself, it would require five members of Council to do so.
• The proposed Consent Agenda and proposed Legislation Agenda for the July 15, 2025, Council meeting were reviewed, including financial summaries, an ordinance amending the 2025 budget for additional appropriations, and an FP&S Grant divided into two main categories.
• The FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) proposal (TRC Proposal, City of Hudson FTTH 2025, dated 19 June 2025) was included in the workshop materials.
• Motions, ordinances, and resolutions discussed during the workshop were forwarded for further consideration at the July 15, 2025, Council meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the June 17, 2025, minutes 5-0.
• Approved the Consent Agenda 5-0.
• Passed Ordinance No. 25-90 by roll call vote.
• The Regular Council Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.; the Council Workshop adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
• Next steps: A Special Workshop on charter amendments and the Regular Council meeting are scheduled for July 15, 2025, including consideration of the Park Board's playground location recommendation and items forwarded from this workshop.