Hudson City Council Meeting and Workshop – August 5, 2025

The Hudson City Council held a regular meeting beginning at 7:30 PM followed by a workshop at approximately 9:38 PM on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Town Hall. The meeting included a public hearing on proposed changes to boarding kennel and veterinary facility regulations, public comments, passage of several legislative items, executive sessions, and a workshop covering community engagement software, a military tribute banner program, a road intersection improvement project, and a water expansion proposal. Five of seven council members were present throughout.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 25‑112 – Authorized the City Manager to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for fiber construction material and procurement services for the Fiber to the Home First Year Build‑Out Project. Approved unanimously on the consent agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elisa Poggi (1230 Hunting Hollow Dr.) – Supported the Planning Commission’s recommendation to remove kennels from all districts except 6 and 8, and urged further discussion on the 500‑foot setback due to noise and traffic, especially school bus times.
• Jamie Dalton (1410 E. Hines Hill Rd.) – Requested sensible restrictions for peaceful coexistence, citing potential home value decline (up to 10%), noise, smell, and environmental issues. She advocated for a larger setback (1,500–2,000 ft), sound barriers, a cap on number of dogs, mandatory reinspections, and consideration of compliance history.
• Dr. Ram Donthi (6945 Hunting Hollow Lane West) – Raised concerns about noise levels (citing OSHA standards of 85 dB), contagious canine respiratory outbreaks, and hidden taxpayer costs for enforcement and emergencies.
• Bill Phipps (225 Aurora St.) – Addressed curbside parking hazards in the Historic District, especially on Hudson Street, and requested an ad hoc committee to review parking on Aurora, Hudson, and College Streets.
• Josh Studzinski (2409 Hudson Aurora Rd.) – Announced the upcoming visit of a baseball team from Hudson’s sister city Landsberg, Germany, and detailed planned activities including two exhibition games at the high school, a RubberDucks game, a Guardians game, and visits to Cedar Point and the Hudson Beer Garden.
• Joanna Menolasino (letter read by Councilor Kowalski) – Expressed concerns about Ordinance 25‑91 (concealed weapons policy), specifically that Section I‑6 would give the Council President sole authority to issue a policy on concealed carry in government buildings, and that the policy and related records would be classified as security records, thus not public.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing (25‑92) – Ordinance to amend Chapters 1205 and 1206 of the Land Development Code regarding boarding kennels and veterinary facilities. Multiple residents testified in favor of stricter regulations. Council President Foster noted the ordinance aims to balance business needs with residential peace. Councilor Banweg thanked speakers for highlighting school traffic concerns.
• Charter Review Commission Amendments (25‑111) – Extensive debate occurred during both the regular meeting and workshop. Councilor Kowalski criticized the process, stating the final output did not allow for public or council input after July 3. Councilors Sutton, Banweg, and Foster defended the community‑led process, noting 11 meetings with 22 opportunities for public comment and that Council could have placed competing amendments on the ballot but chose not to. The ordinance initially passed 4‑1 but without emergency status. After a motion to reconsider, it passed 4‑0 with one abstention (Kowalski) and was declared an emergency, ensuring timely delivery to the Board of Elections.
• Workshop – SeeMyLegacy Software – Staff presented a community engagement and fundraising tool costing about $1,500–1,700/year. Council expressed support for a one‑year trial, with discussion around integrating existing memorials and potential transition policies.
• Workshop – Military Tribute Banner Program – The Military & Veterans Commission proposed “Hudson’s Hometown Heroes” banner program honoring Hudson‑affiliated service members. Banners would cost $175 to the participant (covering printing), displayed along Veterans Way and SR 91 for two weeks before Memorial Day and Veterans Day for up to three years. Council was in favor and noted potential cycling of banners if demand exceeds 41 locations.
• Workshop – Terex and SR 91 Intersection Improvement – City Engineer Brad Kosco presented 75% design plans: extending left‑turn lanes eastbound and westbound on Terex Road to improve sight lines, plus an alternate bid for a turn lane into the Joann Fabrics parking lot. The project is funded with a $400,000 federal grant; total estimate is $750,000. Council expressed no concerns.
• Workshop – Nicholson Drive Water Expansion – City Manager Sheridan reported a $958,000 federal grant for this fifth water expansion area. Council discussed offering only the grant (29% city contribution) rather than adding the 25% match provided in previous areas, to avoid perceived inequity. Consensus: proceed with public outreach to Nicholson residents offering the grant only; if residents decline (less than 60% approval), grant funds will be redirected to the Hudson Drive waterline project.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved – July 15 and July 22, 2025, minutes approved 5‑0.
• Resolution 25‑96 (DORA) – Conducted five‑year review and approved continued operation of the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in downtown Hudson. Adopted 5‑0 on third reading.
• Ordinance 25‑111 (Charter Amendments) – Passed 4‑0 with one abstention after reconsideration, including emergency declaration, to place eight proposed charter amendments before voters on November 4, 2025.
• Consent Agenda – Resolution 25‑112 for fiber construction material procurement approved unanimously.
• Executive Sessions – Council entered two executive sessions: one to consider purchase of real property (5‑0) and one to discuss pending litigation (4‑0, with Council President Foster abstaining).
• Workshop Consensus Items:
  • Move forward with SeeMyLegacy software purchase on a trial basis.
  • Proceed with implementation of the Military Tribute Banner Program.
  • Advance the Terex/SR 91 intersection improvement project to bidding early 2026.
  • Offer only the federal grant (29% contribution) to Nicholson Drive residents for water expansion; if rejected, grant will be used for Hudson Drive waterline.
• Proposed Consent Agenda for August 19, 2025 – Items forwarded: Hudson Drive waterline extension, Brandywine Creek Watershed Study update, stormwater easement with Country Club of Hudson, temporary easements for Downtown Pedestrian Safety Project, Tallgrass energy schedule with AMP, and ordinance authorizing City Manager to set Velocity Broadband rates.
• Proposed Legislation for August 19, 2025 – Third readings: Ordinance 25‑91 (concealed weapons compliance), Ordinance 25‑92 (boarding kennels/veterinary facilities). First reading: Ordinance 25‑119 (low‑speed/utility vehicles). Council directed the Solicitor to review ORC sections 149.333 and 149.433 regarding security records for the concealed weapons policy. Planning Director Hannan noted an error in summary table for 25‑92 and will correct it before third reading.
• Future Agenda Items – A proclamation honoring Colt Nelman for winning the Soap Box Derby will be read August 19. An ordinance dedicating the Lincoln Memorial plaque at Maple and College Street will be brought forward in the fall. A proclamation for Liz Murphy of Destination Hudson will be considered at the September 2 meeting.