On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Hudson City Council held a workshop meeting at 7:30 PM in Town Hall, 27 East Main Street. The meeting opened with correspondence and council comments, followed by four major discussion items: an annual update from the Environmental Awareness Committee, final phases of the Birdsong Art Project and the 365-Day Kindness Rock Garden, the City Manager’s 2026 State of the City address, and proposed amendments to rules governing council liaisons. All items on the proposed consent agenda and proposed legislation were forwarded for further consideration at the February 17, 2026, regular council meeting. The workshop adjourned at 9:33 PM.
It is 7 30. We're gonna go ahead and get started. I'd like to call this meeting to order. This is a duly noticed workshop meeting of Hudson City Council, held in accordance with the sunshine laws of the state of Ohio, Section 121.22 in the City of Hudson Charter. Article 3, Section 3.02 for Tuesday, February 10th, 2026. It is 7:30 p.m. And since this is a workshop meeting per ordinance 220.031 titled workshop meetings and item C, would now like to turn the meeting over to Council President Byrd so as to continue through the remaining workshop agenda items. Council President Byrd, the floor and workshop meeting is yours. All right, thank you, Mayor. Um next is number two, correspondence and council comments. If anybody has any council comments to share, get my attention. Yes, Amanda. I was at Planning Commission last night, and um there was discussion around um density comparisons with peer uh communities. Uh helpful discussion just to compare some of our different zones and zoning areas with the types of densities that those communities have with ours. Um good discussion around their corridors and their um core areas of their cities with some comparisons of communities who are being very kind of thoughtful about increasing density in very key areas like those corridors and those downtown areas. Uh there was also a discussion about District 11, the um area near Joann's. Uh the planning commission had some other um things they would like change with district eleven that we'll see. Uh they also talked about the planning commission establish um subpoena power should they need it. Um and we had a resident came um to advocate for just respectful dialogue between the uh planning commission and the applicant. And that's it. Oh, so Thursday night I was able to attend the HC TV's uh production of our explorers wrestling match. Uh that was of uh interest to me just as a as a former wrestler and was really uh impressive. Uh all the work they do there. Um that evening I was able to uh to meet Nick Zaklanovich. Uh he was working in the uh slow motion replay uh for the event, as he has for for many, many years. Um and I'd just like to extend my condolences to to Nick and his family. Um unfortunately he passed away this weekend. Um so that was my first time meeting him, and unfortunately my only time meeting him. Um him and his family have been long time volunteers and and members of many boards and committees here in Hudson. Um a long history of public service, and it's a sad loss. Um last night I was able to uh visit the park board for the first time as council liaison. Uh there was a presentation by Pipers Key. Uh they were talking about a very generous grant they got from the Hudson Garden Club of 27,000. Um this will be used for a sensory garden in the inclusive playground. Uh details about the layout of the garden, uh, the types of plants, etc. were presented. Uh the board was able to ask some questions, good discussion. Uh they moved to approve uh the garden with you know finer details to be ironed out. Uh the park board also discussed uh a number of items. Uh the golf simulators uh for one, uh doing very well both uh in turnout and financial, um, you know, financially. So uh hearing nothing but good things about the simulators. Um discussion about Hudson Parks branded merchandise now that the city owns the visitor center. Uh discussion about uh I believe they have a poster at the printer now, uh, so they're starting to pilot some ideas of Hudson Park branded merch. Um there was also some discussion around the two of the trails that have been um long being worked on with uh two kind of very expensive pinch points. Um one I think we've discussed before, uh being the Barlow Road Railroad spur, uh the sidewalk over that, kind of preventing the connection from the Barlow Park over to the summit park there. And then the other one being the prospect bridge, uh being the Valley View Trail through Hunting Hollow there. Um just kind of general discussion around unfortunately the expense of the projects might prevent for at least delay for quite some time the completion of those trails. Uh finally, the the board did approve going to competitive big bid for six of the twelve pickleball courts utilizing the funds raised by the pickleball community. No plans to contribute park board funds now or in the future. Um, and one more point the engineering plan will be available for the public hearing uh with the residents in regard to the improvements to Middleton Park.