Hudson City Council Special Meeting and Workshop – December 9, 2025

The Hudson City Council held a Special Meeting at 6:45 PM followed by a Regular Workshop at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Town Hall, 27 East Main Street. The special meeting included the swearing-in of At-Large Councilmember Kyle Brezovec, an executive session to interview applicants for the Ward 2 vacancy, and the appointment of Dan White to fill that vacancy. The workshop covered discussions on the cancellation of the Turnpike Bridge widening on Prospect Street, the Ravenna Street Sidewalk contract award, and the 2026 budget and Five-Year Plan. Several consent agenda items and proposed legislation for the December 16 council meeting were reviewed.

Consent Calendar

• Acknowledgment of November 2025 Monthly Financial Report – Forwarded for further consideration at the December 16 council meeting.
• Shared Access Agreement/Easement along Thirty Acres Drive – The City would be a beneficiary of an amended and restated driveway easement for official business and safety purposes. The easement must be signed by all property owners along Thirty Acres Drive. Forwarded for further consideration.
• Professional Services Contract with Hurricane Labs – A $46,150 contract for a vulnerability assessment and network security architecture review for the water and electric utilities. Forwarded for further consideration.
• Amendment to 2025 Appropriations (Third Appropriations) – Ordinance amending the 2025 budget for additional and/or amended appropriations. Forwarded for further consideration.
• Purchase Agreement for a New Ambulance – Replacing the 2018 ambulance with a 2027 Ford Life Line Type 1 “Custom Superliner” from Pfund Superior Sales Co., Inc. Delivery expected in 2.5 years. Forwarded for further consideration.
• Agreement with Hudson Community Foundation for a Community Calendar – Pilot program; cost of first year absorbed by the city, then shared proportionally. Forwarded for further consideration.
• Repeal of 90-Day Moratorium on Private Applications to Planning Commission – Repealing Resolution 25-143 to allow evaluation of development activity and review of Planning Commission recommendations. Forwarded for further consideration.
• Amendments to Leases for Public Works Space at 1769 and 1566 Georgetown Road – Extending leases through August 31, 2027, while the new Public Works facility is under construction. Forwarded for further consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the special meeting or the workshop.

Discussion Items

• Turnpike Bridge Widening on Prospect Street (25-0138) – Assistant City Manager Griffith and City Engineer Kosco provided a history: project started in 2017, cost escalated from $35,000 design to nearly $2 million, prompting cancellation of the contract with the Ohio Turnpike. The city had a 30-day out clause; cancellation cost about $212,000. The project is removed from funded capital, but remains in unfunded column for potential future grants. Connectivity alternatives exist via Valley View Road trail and Hines Hill Bridge (planned 2030).
• Ravenna Street Sidewalk Contract Award (25-0139) – City Manager Sheridan reported bids opened December 2. An attorney representing a proposed development at Ravenna and Stow Road requested delay to allow utility coordination. Three options discussed: build as planned, cancel, or delay award up to 120 days (contractor agreed to hold price). Councilmember Sutton expressed resident frustration over repeated delays. Councilmember Goetz noted contractor cannot start until April anyway. Councilmember Bird requested an executive session with the city solicitor in December to discuss pending litigation. The discussion did not result in a decision; further action is expected in January 2026.
• 2026 Budget and Five-Year Plan Discussion (25-0140) – Assistant City Manager Knoblauch highlighted: income tax revenue down 0.8% (better than projected 3.7% decrease due to loss of major employer); robust capital programs (street program $3.5M/yr, stormwater projects $8.3M total over four years); Fire Department personnel increases for daytime and overnight staffing (summer 2026); connectivity spending $18M from 2021-2025, with additional $4.2M scheduled in five-year plan; general fund maintaining 40% carryover balance. Excess carryover balance to be reported in January 2026 per Ordinance 24-152 (50% to infrastructure).

Key Outcomes

• Appointment to Ward 2 Council Vacancy – Dan White was appointed by a vote of 4 in favor (D'Eramo, Goetz, Weinstein, Bird) to 1 against (Sutton). The nomination was made by Council President Bird.
• Oath of Office – Kyle Brezovec was sworn in as At-Large Councilmember.
• Proposed Legislation for December 16, 2025, Council Meeting – All items were forwarded for further consideration, including:
  • Ordinance 25-110: Removing assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, and institutional residential from commercial-focused districts (Districts 6 and 8), with explanation to preserve land for income-tax-generating uses and address EMS service demands. Existing facilities become non-conforming.
  • Ordinance 25-167: Amending Appendix A submittal requirements.
  • Ordinance 25-168: Limiting transfer of land where a conditional use permit has recently been issued.
  • Resolution 25-169: Retroactive amendment to City Manager Sheridan's employment contract.
  • Resolution 25-174: Accepting recommendation not to implement growth management allocation system in 2026 (population growth below 1.5% threshold).
  • Resolution 25-180: Submitting a 3.5-mill library levy renewal and increase to voters on May 5, 2026 ballot.
• Adjournment – The workshop adjourned at 9:57 PM.