Hudson City Council Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Hudson City Council met on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Town Hall (27 East Main Street). The meeting began with an executive session at 7:00 p.m. to interview a Tree Commission applicant, resumed as a regular session at 7:30 p.m., and recessed again at 8:03 p.m. for an executive session on property matters, finally adjourning at 8:53 p.m. All seven council members were present for the regular session; Council Member Sutton arrived at 7:22 p.m. during the first recess.

Executive Sessions

• The council unanimously (7-0) entered an executive session at 7:00 p.m. to interview a Tree Commission applicant. The session recessed at 7:00 p.m. and resumed at 7:30 p.m.
• A later executive session was held at 8:03 p.m. to discuss the sale or transfer of real property and confidential matters, with a unanimous (7-0) vote to enter. The meeting resumed at 8:53 p.m. and adjourned immediately.

Consent Calendar

• Motion No. 26-0055: Acknowledged timely receipt of the June 2026 Monthly Financial Report.
• Ordinance No. 26-109: Amended the 2026 appropriations ordinance (No. 25-165) for additional/amended appropriations as listed in Exhibit A.
• Resolution No. 26-110: Increased funding for the snow and ice control program contract for public properties.
• Resolution No. 26-111: Authorized the City Manager to enter into a Local Public Agency (LPA) Federal Local-Let Project Agreement with ODOT for the Boston Mills Road Resurfacing Project (PID# 125894).
• Resolution No. 26-112: Authorized the City Manager to enter into an LPA agreement with ODOT for a 10-foot wide asphalt trail along railroad tracks from Veterans Way to Barlow Road (Veterans Rails to Trails 2, PID# 125911). All consent agenda items were approved unanimously (7-0) after a motion to suspend the rules (also 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anthony Ravida (1746 Edgar Dr.) alleged that the City engaged in malicious prosecution and tampering with records. He claimed that City Manager Sheridan, along with others, conspired to create a malicious prosecution against him and his family, referencing a survey on his property conducted June 16–17, 2026. He asserted the City's paperwork shows his fence is complete and not in the easement, and he challenged the City's response as "field visits" rather than a survey. He cited Ohio Revised Code sections and Hudson codified ordinances, and urged the council to investigate, stating that if he is charged on July 28, 2026, the council would be complicit. He also mentioned a meeting with Council Member Weinstein at City Hall the next day.

Discussion Items

• Council Comments:
  • Councilor Goetz reported on the Cemetery Board: the O'Brien Cemetery restoration will finish this year, Markley St. Mary's begins next year, and the city is exploring expansions (700 additional plots in the back, 1,400 in the front). A tour of O'Brien Cemetery is set for September 26, 2026, from 4–6 p.m. with limited parking and 32 sign-up slots.
  • Councilor Sutton noted the Tree Commission discussed storm damage and chlorosis on Great Oak Drive, with concerns about monoculture plantings. The City Arborist will attempt an experimental treatment at about $60 per tree.
  • Councilor White thanked the Public Works Department and arborists for clearing a downed tree on Atterbury Blvd within about an hour.
  • Councilor Weinstein mentioned her office hours at City Hall on July 22 (12:30–1:30 p.m.) and the Clinton Crossing on-site community engagement event from 5–8 p.m. that evening.
• Manager's Report (Thomas Sheridan):
  • Clinton Crossing community engagement event on July 22, 5–8 p.m., on site near Owen Brown and Morse Road, with three community plans to be presented.
  • DREAM Playground ribbon cutting on August 9 at noon–2 p.m. at Oak Grove Park; playground remains closed until officially opened.
  • Hines Hill Road Bridge (over railroad) project is in design; public open house scheduled August 12 from 5–7 p.m. at City Hall.
  • Repair of a bump at Heather Lane and State Route 303 will be completed by end of week, weather permitting.
  • Ellsworth Golf Course will host the Mayor's Association of Portage, Summit, and Stark Counties golf outing next Friday; renovations to the old clubhouse are complete, and reservation information will be posted on the website.
• Legislation 26-99 (Natural Gas Aggregation):
  • Ordinance 26-99, authorizing a governmental natural gas aggregation program with opt-out provisions, was on third reading. Councilor Weinstein noted the city's informational materials explain the program well. Council President Bird stated there is over three months to answer additional questions and update the FAQ before the November 7 vote. The ordinance passed 6-1, with Councilor Sutton voting against.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval (7-0) of the minutes from the July 14, 2026 combined meeting and workshop.
• Re-appointment of Michael Casper to the Park Board for a full term ending July 22, 2030 (7-0).
• Re-appointment of Allyn Marzulla to a full term (ending July 22, 2030) and appointment of Lindsey Putzier to a partial term (ending June 30, 2029) on the Architectural and Historic Board of Review (7-0).
• Unanimous approval of all five consent agenda items (7-0).
• Adoption of Ordinance No. 26-99 on third reading by a vote of 6-1 (Sutton opposed). The ordinance directs the Summit County Board of Elections to submit an opt-out natural gas aggregation ballot question to voters.
• The council entered executive session at 8:53 p.m. and adjourned the regular meeting immediately afterward, indicating no further public business.