Following is a summary of the January 4, 2022 City Council Meeting. To watch the meeting, visit www.hudson.oh.us/WatchMeetings.
Executive Session
- Council entered executive session to interview applicants for the Environmental Awareness Committee.
Mayoral Introductions
- The Mayor introduced Todd Hunt who will be acting City Solicitor and Aparna Wheeler, the new Clerk of Council.
Public Comments
- A citizen congratulated the newly elected and re-elected Council members and encouraged transparency and collegiality in the coming year. He thanked the City Manager and staff for their work.
- An American Fireworks representative spoke about how the company, the City, and neighboring citizens worked together to come up with the legislation on tonight’s agenda.
- A representative for the Santa Mailbox spoke to say that Santa was impressed with all the Christmas Spirit of all children in Hudson this year. He received over 1,300 letters from kids through the Mailbox program. In the past, Hudson Collision repainted the Mailbox for Santa. This year Hudson Collision supplied a new mailbox that will keep the letters to Santa safer. The representative gave a shout out to all the elves who worked to make this project happen.
Council Comments
- Council thanked Santa’s liaison and elves for Santa’s Mailbox.
- Councilman Sutton indicated he would abstain from some votes for approving board/commission applications as he was unable to attend all the interviews.
- Tree Commission Update. The sugar maple on the Boy Scout Cabin green is a high risk. They are trying to save it, but it is dying. Also, the “lollipop tree” evergreen on the green has a fungus infection and had to be pruned at the bottom. It is healthy now, but they have planted additional evergreens nearby if the tree fails.
- Council would like to have the water rate discussion on the February 8 meeting agenda.
City Manager’s Report
- The high number of COVID cases among City staff forced the closure of City facilities and staff returning to remote work. The City anticipates reopening buildings on January 10.
Discussion Items
- Scheduling of Council Retreat: Strategic Plan / 2022 Goals & Objectives. Council discussed times and dates for scheduling the Council retreat in February. Council preferred to have the retreat on a Saturday.
- Scheduling of Annual Road Tour (Informational). The informational road tour will be scheduled for the spring of this year. The suggestion was made that the tour include other issues/items in addition to the road information. A date/time will be scheduled.
Appointments
- Mrs. Sarah Norman was appointed to a full term on Planning Commission, expiring 1/1/26.
- Mr. Louis Wagner was re-appointed to a full term on Board of Zoning & Building Appeals, expiring 1/1/26.
- Dr. Spiro Mavroidis was appointed to a partial term on the Environmental Awareness Committee, expiring 12/31/24.
Consent Agenda
The following consent agenda item was passed by Council. Passed 7-0
- Resolution affirming the application to the Ohio Department of Development Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. The Program is to help fund the demolition of commercial and residential properties and revitalization of those properties (non-brownfield). The City applied for the demolition of the buildings on the recently acquired property on Ravenna Street. This property will be revitalized for purposes of storm water management.
Legislation
- Ordinance amending Chapters 1201, 1202, 1203, 1205, 1206, and Appendix D of the Architectural Design Standards of the Land Development Code. Has had three readings and is actionable. Council made a motion to amend the legislation to strike the works “but not limited to” because that is vague. The motion passed 7-0. The motion to pass the legislation as amended passed 7-0.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 1207.17 “Signs,” of the Land Development Code. Third reading. A motion was made to accept the Planning Commission recommendation. The motion passed 5-2. The motion to pass the legislation itself failed 5-2.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 1205, 1206 and 1213 to incorporate regulations to conditionally permit fireworks storage and fireworks retail facilities. Has had three readings and is actionable. Passed 7-0.
- Resolution repealing Resolution No. 21-116 and authorizing to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with Fairmount Properties for the sale of property in the downtown. This Resolution, proposed by Councilman Foster, is intended to repeal Resolution No. 21-116 while simultaneously authorizing the sale of property in the downtown area to Fairmount Properties for development of Downtown Phase 2 pursuant to terms different than those terms previously authorized. Third reading. Passed 5-2.
Executive Session
Council entered executive session to consider a personnel matter concerning the employment of a public employee. Motion to enter executive session passed 6-1.