City Council

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 105 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: We’re gonna get started. (Gavel falls) Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Canton City Council. If everyone could please turn their cellphones to vibrate, and we are also encouraging social distancing here in Council Chambers. With a quorum being present, the Chair calls this meeting of Canton City Council to order. Roll call please, Madam Clerk. 10 COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: (WILLIAM SMUCKLER, JAMES BABCOCK, GREG HAWK, BRENDA KIMBROUGH, JASON SCAGLIONE, CHRIS SMITH, KEVIN HALL, JOHN MARIOL, PETER FERGUSON & FRANK MORRIS) TEN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT. CLERK WOOD: Ten present, two absent, Mr. President. (MEMBER GIAVASIS AND MEMBER FISHER ABSENT) EXCUSING MEMBERS PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move that we excuse Member Fisher and Member Giavasis this evening. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to excuse Member Giavasis and Member Fisher from this evening’s meeting. Are there any remarks? ...Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: The motion carries and Member Giavasis and Member Fisher are excused from this evening’s meeting. Tonight’s invocation will be given by Council Member-at-Large, James Babcock. Would you please stand and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, please. The regular meeting of Canton City Council was held on February 28, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the Canton City Council Chamber. The roll call was taken (see above) by Clerk of Council, Jill M. Wood. The invocation was given by Council Member-at-Large, James Babcock. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Sherer. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you, Member Babcock. AGENDA CORRECTIONS AND CHANGES PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Agenda Corrections and Changes, Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move Rule 22A be suspended to add second reading of Ordinances 10 through 19 to this evening’s agenda. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 106 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 (Brief pause; background noise from audience) PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to suspend Rule 22A to add 2nd Readings to Ordinances 10 through 19 to this evening’s agenda. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 9 YEAS, 1 NAY (MEMBER SMITH VOTED NO) CLERK WOOD: Nine yeas, one nay, Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: The motion carries and Ordinances 10 through 19 are a legal part of your agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Public Hearings and we have one Public Hearing for this evening. Madam Clerk, would you please announce the Public Hearing. CLERK WOOD: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CANTON TO ANNEX THE TERRITORY KNOWN AS THE AMBAFLEX 2021 ANNEXATION AREA CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 3.903 ACRES, MORE OR LESS; ASSIGNING SAID TERRITORY TO WARD 5 OF THE CITY; ZONING SAID TERRITORY AS I-1 LIGHT INDUSTRY DISTRICT; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. PRESIDENT SHERER: Is there anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against this Ordinance, please step forward. I must repeat, is there anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against this Ordinance, please step forward. Seeing no one step forward, the Chair declares the Public Hearing over in regards to this matter. The matter now rests in the hands of Council. OLD BUSINESS PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Old Business and there is no Old Business for this evening. PUBLIC SPEAKS PRESIDENT SHERER: Um, I’m gonna kinda mix it up a little bit. Instead of doing Public Speaks right now, we’re gonna move on to Informal Resolutions. INFORMAL RESOLUTIONS PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Informal Resolutions and we have four for this evening. Madam Clerk, would you please read Informal Resolution #28, by title. 28. COUNCIL-AS-A-WHOLE: COMMENDING FONDA P. WILLIAMS FOR HIS OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE. – ADOPTED PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, may I have that read, please. PRESIDENT SHERER: Madam Clerk. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 107 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 CLERK WOOD: Fonda P. Williams II, a graduate of Duke University and a very proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., began his career with the city of Canton as Ward 4 Council Member, serving two terms. During his tenure on Council, Fonda was very instrumental in getting a new fire station in Ward 4. He was also commended for bringing community policing into target areas and for his diligent work in the fight against drugs and alcohol in his Ward; and Whereas, In 2010 Fonda began working in the Department of Development before being promoted to Chief of Staff and going on to become the city’s Compliance Officer, Deputy Mayor, and Director of Economic Development; and Whereas, In his role as Deputy Mayor, Fonda, along with Mayor Bernabei, lead a team of approximately 915 staff to provide safety and welfare and to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Canton. To achieve this, Deputy Mayor Williams used his change management, networking skills and his ability to lead and motivate; and Whereas, Fonda has had an active career as a public servant. Along with being elected to City Council, he was appointed to serve on the Democratic Party Executive Committee, the Board of Trustees at Stark State College, Board of Trustees for Mercy Hospital, Board of Trustees for Mercy Foundation, Board of Trustees for the American Heart Association and the Board of Directors for United Way of Stark County; and Whereas, In his new role at the Economic and Community Development Institute, Fonda will assure more Ohio entrepreneurs have access to capital and training by developing small business programs in regional and statewide markets, working with cities and municipalities throughout the state; and Whereas, Fonda and his lovely wife, Pamela, live in Canton. They have two sons, Benjamin and Michael and 2 granddaughters, McKenzie and Mykayla. Now therefore be it resolved: That we, the Members of Canton City Council, do hereby honor and commend FONDA P. WILLIAMS II for his time-honored legacy of dedication, enthusiasm and outstanding public service given to the Canton community over the past 28 years. (Applause) MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mis… Mr. President, you folks must be awful sure since we haven’t even taken the vote yet. (Laughter) PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move that we adopt Resolution #28. MEMBER BABCOCK: Oh, I second it. (Laughter) PRESIDENT SHERER: Oh. (Chuckles) It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Informal Resolution #28. Are there any remarks? MEMBER SMUCKLER: Uh… if we could have the vote and then we’re gonna have a presentation tonight. PRESIDENT SHERER: Are there any additional remarks? ... Hearing none, by voice vote, all those in favor, signify by saying aye. Those opposed no. NO REMARKS RESOLUTION #28 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE PRESIDENT SHERER: The ayes have it, the motion carries and Informal Resolution #28 is adopted. MEMBER SMUCKLER: This is a tougher one than most. I… I get to tell stories tonight, Fonda. FONDA WILLIAMS: It’s a long agenda. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 108 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 MEMBER SMUCKLER: (Laughs) A long, long time ago, a Councilman by the name of Peel Coleman called me up and he said, “be at the Mayfair Restaurant at noon on Saturday.” Is that true? FONDA WILLIAMS: Yes, great steaks. MEMBER SMUCKLER: (Laughs) And we walked… I walked over to Mayfair and there’s a young man sitting there; isn’t so young anymore, but neither am I. And Peel looked at me and said, “we’ve already ordered.” And it was steaks at noon. And, “by the way, you’re buying.” And he told me whatever you do, you’re making this gentleman work and become the next Ward 4 councilman. And Fonda and I started a great friendship back then, and I bought a lot of steaks through the years. But Fonda won that election, got re-elected and decided to move on. But Fonda has a habit of al… always migrating back towards government, if any of you have ever noticed. I’ve taken National League of City trips with Fonda. Can I tell that story, Fonda? FONDA WILLIAMS: Absolutely not. (Laughter) MEMBER SMUCKLER: (Laughs) We’ve worked on a lot of different projects together. We’ve gone to sporting events together, and Fonda is as proud a Duke as anybody can be. But he lost a bet one night down here at City Council against Arkansas, and he had to rare… wear a razorback head one night down here for the whole meeting. And he did it. But the one thing that I can always say is there’s a lot of political people, council people, that have come and gone here, but there is no one that’s better loved, works as hard for this community, and I can’t be prouder that I even ran as an at-large councilman as a tandem team with this man. We both had the same color signs, the same everything, and I’ve always been proud of that to this day. And I can’t think of a better person that we honor here this evening than Fonda Williams and his role in government. Thank you. (Applause) MEMBER SMUCKLER: Another… another desk… dust collector for Pam. FONDA WILLIAMS: (Laughs) Good evening, everyone. Um, this is really a total surprise, and I am very, very grateful to receive this. Uh, every word on this plaque is very meaningful because my wife never believed I really worked here, government, so I… (Laughter)… uh, I brought here with her… with me this evening and so, honey, I will give this plaque to you so you can read every word and.. and understand that I did work hard for the city of Canton. No, in our seriousness I… I really want to thank Mayor Bernabei for giving me this opportunity to serve the citizens of Canton, um… and being a dear friend and mentor while that happened, so Mayor, from the bottom of my heart, thank you, my friend, thank you. To the members of City Council, um… you made working for the city of Canton easy. You know, I have a personal relationship with each and every one of you, and that means a lot. Um, I may… I was able to get a lot of legislation passed. Uh, not because it was easy, but I think because we kept the lines of communication open and you knew it wasn’t about, you know, Fonda, it was about what’s best for the City. And that’s how you all served the City, so I’m proud of each and every one of you. It’s not hard. I mean, it’s not easy to do what you do. I’ve wore your shoes before. Uh, it’s… it’s… it’s… and to the people here in the audience, you know, putting your name on the ballot, you know, that’s tough, but being able to serve constituencies, that’s… that’s a really, really tough job. So I applaud each and every one of you for your friendship, your vision and your leadership for the city of Canton. I want to give special thanks to my dear friends, the Mayor’s cabinet, Andrea Perry, Mark Crouse, John Highman and my dear friend and new friend, Eugene Harris… I mean, Eugene Norris. Excuse me. Um, you know, you,,, you work with people and they become your family, your extended family. And we’ve yelled at each other, we’ve cried together, we’ve thrown things at one another, but we’ve always loved one another like a family. And I want to tell you, um… I’ve been around quite some time, not as long as my friend, Bill Smucker, but I… I got to tell you from the bottom of my heart, this is the best Administration the city of Canton has ever had. And I COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 109 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 mean that from the bottom of my heart. So, in closing I just want to say, um… I’m now with a firm called ECDI which stands for Economic and Community Development Institute. Uh, have an office in downtown Canton at the Central Plaza building. I’m up on the 12th floor. We loan money to small businesses. Right before I started, we were named the number one small business administration micro lender in the United States. Um, and we do more than just lend money. We coach people up so that they can have sustainability and create jobs in the State of Ohio. So my focus will be primarily Canton, Ohio, which I love dearly, but I will have statewide responsibility, and again, I look forward to working with each and every one of you to help small businesses and to move Canton forward. God bless you all. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. (Applause) MEMBER SMITH: Excuse me, Mr. President. Excuse me. Um, since you’re no longer working for the City anymore, Fox, (Chuckles) Fonda P. I just want to thank you for being who you are. I think it’s so fitting for the end of Black History Month that you’re getting this honor because that’s what you mean to this city and to the community. You’ve done so much. I know I’m older than you, but being that you are younger, in your young years you’ve done so much for the city and for the community and especially for the 4th Ward. And naturally, I’m gonna miss you, but don’t worry, I got you on speed dial. FONDA WILLIAMS: (Chuckles) MEMBER SMITH: And I already know that if there’s anything I need… FONDA WILLIAMS: You bet. MEMBER SMITH: …or I need guidance on anything, I know you’ll always be there. FONDA WILLIAMS: Amen. MEMBER SMITH: And I love you… FONDA WILLIAMS: Love you too. MEMBER SMITH: And thank you so very much. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. MEMBER SMITH: And much success in your new journey. FONDA WILLIAMS: U-mmm, thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause) MAYOR BERNABEI: Uh, Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Mayor. MAYOR BERNABEI: Dear Fonda, really on behalf of everyone in the city of Canton, every employ… employee and every appointing authority, we thank you for your service to the city. I want everybody to look at his service to the community when you see the different boards on which he serves. Very, very important boards. And maybe most importantly of all, we thank you for your extraordinary friendship to all. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 110 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. MAYOR BERNABEI: You are the fox. FONDA WILLIAMS: (Chuckles) Thank you, Mayor. (Applause) MEMBER BABCOCK: Fonda, Fonda. I just want to wish you the best. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. MEMBER BABCOCK: And now since you won’t be under any pressure, this isn’t a peace sign, this is two aside, you know that. Huh? FONDA WILLIAMS: (Laughs) Three. MEMBER BABCOCK: (Chuckles) Well, best of luck to you, Fonda. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. Thank you very much. MEMBER MARIOL: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Fonda, I just want to thank you for all the guidance that you’ve given me from the first time I got onto Council. You’ve really been a sounding board, someone I can call to get advice. Uh, you’ve helped me grow into this position and um… I… I don’t know how I can do this job without, you know, your guidance through this, and I think I can speak for everybody, when we send out our campaign literature and we put the things that we got done, I don’t think that I have ever told anybody about something good in my ward that you didn’t have a direct and, quite frankly, a larger impact on it than I did. Um, none of us would have been able to accomplish anything that we have been able to without you. So I just cannot thank you enough for your friendship, your guidance and all of the hard work you’ve done for this city. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. MEMBER MARIOL: Thank you, Fonda. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you, John. Thank you. (Applause) Thank you. MEMBER HALL: So no it’s… now it’s my turn. Bill, you know that story, you talked about the Mayfair. I have a similar story that somebody called me and said just come here and listen. So since this is your fault, I’m gonna keep calling you when I need help. (Laughter) You’re gonna continue to be my coach. FONDA WILLIAMS: (Laughs) Thank you, little brother. MEMBER HAWK: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Hawk. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 111 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 MEMBER HAWK: Fonda, in my quest for brevity, thank you. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. (Chuckles) MEMBER MORRIS: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Morris. MEMBER MORRIS: Just to kinda follow off of Kevin’s lead here. I mean, I know when we get ready to lose somebody as valuable as Fonda to the Administration, we all come out and everybody wants to say these nice things and wish you farewell. You still live in Ward 9. I still got your phone number. (Fonda can be heard laughing) I mean, you might not be working for the City anymore, but we still are gonna drag you into our misery. So, I’m… it was a sad day for the City when we heard you were leaving, but I’m really happy for you. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. MEMBER MORRIS: Life in the private sector is a little more rewarding. Government, we pound and beat on you. So best of luck, my friend. And I’m still gonna call you, so you ain’t off the hook. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. MEMBER FERGUSON: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Ferguson. MEMBER FERGUSON: Fonda, we’ve known each other a long time… FONDA WILLIAMS: Yes. MEMBER FERGUSON: …ever since I was on Canton Board of Health, I met you and you know the… our leader on the Board of Health introduced me to you. And I appreciate everything you’ve done, all the years… FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. MEMBER FERGUSON: …for the city and… and for the county. Thank you very much. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. MEMBER FERGUSON: It’s great being a good friend of yours. Thank you. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. MEMBER KIMBROUGH: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Kimbrough. MEMBER KIMBROUGH: I just want to say thank you for all you’ve done. We go way, way back. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 112 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 FONDA WILLIAMS: Yes. (Chuckles) MEMBER KIMBROUGH: And this is two generations worth of work, and he’s done a fantastic job. We’re gonna miss you, but we know you’ll be a shining star wherever you are. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you, thank you. MEMBER SCAGLIONE: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Scaglione. MEMBER SCAGLIONE: Mr. Fonda, thank you for all your help, your advice, your guidance. Every now and then we used to have a meeting in Ward 3 once in awhile and kinda chat a little bit. Please don’t forget where that meeting place is and let’s get together sometime soon. Thank you. FONDA WILLIAMS: You got it. Thank you (inaudible). PRESIDENT SHERER: Uh, Fonda, I guess let me be the last. I want to thank you for the relationship that I’ve always had with you, even prior to me coming on Council. Even when the days when I was thinking of expanding the Ironworkers Union, and we could have moved anywhere but we chose to stay downtown. FONDA WILLIAMS: Yep, that’s right. PRESIDENT SHERER: But I’d really like to thank you for the tireless efforts that you had, especially on behalf of labor. You’ve always had labor’s back, and I know we have a very, very pro-labor Council, absolutely we do. But when having those meetings with the Hall of Fame, when we were first having conversations about maybe having a project labor agreement, but also making sure that minority contractors had a stake… a seat at the table, that’s what I want to thank you for, you know. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. PRESIDENT SHERER: And everything that you’ve done for the city, and I just want to wish you the best. FONDA WILLIAMS: Thank you. Mr. President, I was remiss to not thank two very important people who showed up here tonight, and these are two of my fraternity brothers, Tomier Davenport and Homaundre Pender. Please stand and be recognized. (Applause) These gentlemen, if you don’t know, live right here in Canton, and they’re younger than me, but they’ve been role models to me for years. And our fraternity, our motto is, “Friendship is essential to the soul.” Just think about that for a minute. Friendship is essential to the soul. They took time tonight to come here just to be a part of this special ceremony, which means the world to me, so I wanted to make sure I recognized them. So again, thank you all, God bless you all, and I sincerely love each and every one of you. It’s been a pleasure working with you, and I honestly will continue to work with you. I love Canton just as much as you do. Thank you. (Applause) PRESIDENT SHERER: Oh, let’s see, where are we, so… Madam Clerk, Informal Resolution #29, please. 29. COUNCIL-AS-A-WHOLE: CONGRATULATING STEAMM ACADEMY AT HARTFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL 7TH AND 8TH GRADE BASKETBALL TEAMS ON THEIR FEDERAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP WINS. - ADOPTED COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 113 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Resolution #29. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Informal Res… Resolution #29. Are there any remarks? MEMBER SMITH: Yes, Mis… Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Smith. MEMBER SMITH: As soon as they come in, could we have that read in its entirety. And I would like to ask the Majority Leader and Assistant Majority Leader to assist me, um… with this congratulatory… PRESIDENT SHERER: Madam Clerk. (Inaudible background voice) Absolutely, absolutely. Okay. CLERK WOOD: Why don’t we go ahead and vote. Go ahead and vote. Chris… PRESIDENT SHERER: Majority Leader. CLERK WOOD: Stay in your seat so you can vote. You gotta get back to your seat so we can vote. MEMBER SMITH: Oh, okay. CLERK WOOD: (Inaudible) PRESIDENT SHERER: Majority Leader, hang on for one second. We’re gonna vote real quick and then we’ll bring the kids in real quick. Okay? Are there any additional remarks? ... Hearing none, by voice vote, all those in favor, signify by saying aye. Those opposed no. NO REMARKS RESOLUTION #29 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE PRESIDENT SHERER: The ayes have it, the motion carries and Informal Resolution #29 is adopted. (Brief pause) MEMBER SMITH: Come on in; there’s seats over here too. Get your parents (inaudible). (Brief pause) CLERK WOOD: An Informal Resolution respectfully submitted by Council-as-a-Whole on this 28th day of February, 2022. Whereas, On February 12, 2022, the 7th grade Basketball Team, McKinley Black, defeated North Canton Orange 63-49, ending their season with a 16-2 record. The 8th grade McKinley Black Basketball Team defeated Lake Blue 51-41, ending with a undefeated season; leading to both teams being crowned Federal League Champions; and Whereas, This year’s 8th grade McKinley Black, class of 2026, were also the 7th grade COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 114 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 undefeated champions of the last year, claiming back to back Federal League Championships! Whereas, The 7th grade team roster included players, Damon Cobb-Williams, Shad Davis, A’Vonte Evans-Brown, Darius Hill, Trey’Mar Lane, Trey’Mere Lane, Arius Lucious, Tavion Spencer, Jayion Tate, led by Coach Carlos Parish. The 8th grade team roster included players, Dedrick Britt, Kameron Burton, Avante Cummings, Kayvon Dawkins, Nicos Elder, Derkwan Lawson, Damiere McClellan, Shawn Petrarck, Davey Thompson, Donte Hill, Jayden Matthews… That’s my nephew! (Laughter) …Devon Chester, led by Coach Antonio Swann. Now therefore be it resolved: That we, the Members of Canton City Council, do hereby go on public record congratulating THE STEAMM ACADEMY AT HARFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL BULLDOGS on their Federal League Championship and for demonstrating what sportsmanship is all about. (Applause and cheers) MEMBER SMITH: Okay, I al… I also like to recognize the coaches. Stand up, coaches. Yes. U-huh. (Applause and cheers) Yeah! I’d like to recognize the parents too because without y’all, they wouldn’t be doing all of this, and I’d like to thank the parents also. Stand up parents. Parents and grandparents. (Applause and cheers) Yeah! And… and Babby’s question always be to me, is one of them kids your grandkids? I said no, but they all my kids because they’re in Ward 4, and I like what you’re doing and you gotta keep it up. You gotta keep it up because it just don’t stop here, it can go farther. And that’s why we want to recognize you because we care about you. We care about what you’re doing for your life, for your city and for your school. We also have Superintendent here? Superintendent Talbert? (Applause) And we also have that great Canton City School Board here. Um, I think, sir, your name is…? JR RINALDI: Mr. Smith. MEMBER SMITH: Uh, mister… (laughs). That’s uh… come on, stand up, JR. Okay. I saw Kim, Ms. Brown. (Applause) And who else is here? Yep. Stand up, stand up. (Applause) Thank you all so much. Also, Mr. Milligan. (Applause) Yeah, thank you. And could someone, maybe Mr. Thompson, come and receive this, please. UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: You’re the man that started it all. (Applause) MEMBER SMITH: And I… and I always tell the story, you know, we cry cause they wanted to close Hartford. We cried, kids, to the point to where you cannot do that. But I always say, when one door closes, another one opens, and that’s when we opened the Steamm Academy. And you all are still making it great. Hartford would still be the Hartford Hornets, okay? (Laughter and applause) But, and we also have something for you. We gonna let you say something too. MR. THOMPSON: Okay. MEMBER SMITH: Go ahead. (Laughter) MR. THOMPSON: Hi. Thank you all. Um, I’d like to thank the Mayor and City Council for all that you have done for the young men and the support that you continue to give them. It’s definitely heartfelt. I remember last year when we came and received the… uh, the resolution, one of the players said will this be in the school forever? And so that meant that it meant the world to them. So, and now we have two of them and we’re looking to continue to come back each and every year. So I thank you all for your support. I thank the Board and Superintendent Talbert for his support. Um, it’s just so many people that have helped us at the Steamm COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 115 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 Academy make the right decisions, um… so that we can continue on the… the tradition as Councilwoman Chris Smith would say, of the Hartford Hornets. And it’s… it’s a shame when even the security gives the kids some gas and says, “I was a champion in ’86 and ’87.” (Laughter) And… and… and tells them how he… (inaudible voice in background, laughter) And tells them… and tells them how he used to dunk the ball in the 7th grade. I… I don’t know if there’s any videotape of that or not, but we believe him. (Laughter) Alright. But thank you all. God bless. (Applause) MEMBER SMITH: And I just want you all to know, this is a special night because this is the end of Black History Month, and just think, in 2022 y’all made history. . UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Yeah! MEMBER SMITH: And that plaque will go down in history. (Applause) And so we have something for you if you would come this way. You can come up. Yeah, all of you, all come up. We’ll be going this way. And that’s our Majority Leader, Bill Smuckler… William Smuckler, and our Assistant Majority Leader, Mr. James Babcock. Parents, y’all come too. UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: (Inaudible)… crazy. (Laughter) MEMBER SMITH: And y’all wear those pins proud, okay? Thank you. Yes, yes. UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Come on, parents. MEMBER SMITH: Thank you, Coach. Come on, parents, get your pins. And… and you don’t have to stay, y’all can leave because we have a full agenda. I know y’all don’t want to sit here and listen to our agenda. (Laughs) (Brief pause) PRESIDENT SHERER: Madam Clerk, Informal Resolution #30, please. 30. MAJORITY LEADER SMUCKLER: AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT SAFETY DIRECTOR TO OPEN ONE OR MORE PURCHASE ORDERS IN TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $43,000.00 FOR CAMERAS AND EQUIPMENT FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PERIMETER OF CITY HALL. - ADOPTED PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Resolution #30. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Informal Resolution #30. Are there any remarks? ... Hearing none, by voice vote, all those in favor, signify by saying aye. Those opposed no. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 116 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 NO REMARKS RESOLUTION #30 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE PRESIDENT SHERER: The ayes have it, the motion carries and Informal Resolution #30 is adopted. Informal Resolution #31. 31. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE: CONFIRMING APPOINTMENT OF MR. JOSEPH HUNTER TO CANTON BOARD OF BUILDING APPEALS COMMENCING 2/28/22 TO 12/31/22. - ADOPTED PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Resolution #31. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Informal Resolution #31. Are there any remarks? ... Hearing none, by voice vote, all those in favor, signify by saying aye. Those opposed no. NO REMARKS RESOLUTION #31 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE PRESIDENT SHERER: The ayes have it, the motion carries and Informal Resolution #31 is adopted. PUBLIC SPEAKS PRESIDENT SHERER: Now getting back to the Agenda. We are now under Public Speaks and we have one speaker for this evening. It’s Ms. Skylark Bruce. Ms. Bruce, could you please state your name and residential address, please. SKYLARK BRUCE: My name is Skylark Bruce and I live at 2216 Bollinger Avenue NE. I’m sure you think I know why I’m here. I’d like to paint a picture for you of what Canton might look like if I were not. If black people were murdered by Canton City employees and no one stood up to object. If no protest happened in the streets. Right now you might be thinking that your life would be a little easier. You might be thinking you could go about your priorities as set by you, maybe some donors and maybe some business interests. You might think, oh, what a docile workforce that doesn’t stand up for themselves. If you were trying to emulate present day sugar plantations in the Caribbean, you might think that. Then you’d have a people so down trodden and hopeless that police murder is mourned only at home and never reckoned with in public. I don’t want that for my city. Not for any of us. If your loved ones were senselessly murdered by a city employee, you would want your objections to be taken seriously. If you have dreamed of Canton becoming a shining jewel, a show piece or a destination, that does not happen without justice. Perhaps our litmus test should be if it’s not good enough for the head of the Hall of Fame, it’s not good enough for the person with the lowest position in the city. We all know the same shooting would not have happened through a privacy fence at Montabella Estates. If you want good things for the city of Canton, if you… you know that you don’t start your term on City Council having all the answers. You learn you must listen to the people when they tell you what they need. Marquetta Williams and her family are telling you what they need. They’ve got a ten point plan and it took 37 days to get one singular item on it. How many more till the City government addresses the other nine. We are now at day 59. Many white people’s favorite Christmas movie is It’s a Wonderful Life. The villain in that film is Mr. Potter, who cared mostly about money and power. He referred to the ordinary people George Bailey advocated for as a rapple. Now, I’ll paraphrase George. This rapple you’re talking about, they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 117 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 pay and live and die without constantly suffering under the specter of racist police brutality? Mayor Bernabei didn’t think that was too much in May, 2020. He spoke to protestors in the wake of George Floyd’s death and promised that Canton would be better. Now it’s time to show not just tell that Canton is better. Otherwise, it’s all just talk. Justice for James Williams, and I declare the same to be an emergency. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you, Ms. Bruce. COMMUNICATIONS PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Communications. Let the journal show that all Communications are received as read. NOTE: ALL COMMUNICATIONS WHICH FOLLOW, LISTED BY AGENDA TITLE, ARE ON FILE IN THEIR ENTIRETY IN THE COUNCIL OFFICE. 79. AGENT FOR PETITIONER BAILEY: COPY OF ANNEX PETITION DOCS FILED WITH STARK CO. COMMISSIONERS FOR 4495 BROADWAY AVE NE 2022 ANNEX (APPROX 3.998 ACRES IN NIMISHILLEN TOWNSHIP). – RECEIVED & FILED 80. APPLICANT JOHN HIGHMAN: REQ VACATION OF PORTION OF LENA ST NE & FREDA ST NE (JOHN HIGHMAN FOR CITY OF CANTON). – PLANNING COMMISSION 81. AUDITOR MALLONN: WITHDRAW O#4 FROM 2/14/22 AGENDA. – RECEIVED & FILED 82. FIRE CHIEF BENNETT: 2021 ANNUAL REPORT FOR CANTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. – RECEIVED & FILED 83. EAST AKRON NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: LTR APPRISING COUNCIL OF PLANS TO BE GENERAL PARTNER OF RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DEVELOPMENT LOCATED IN OR WITHIN ONE-HALF MILE RADIUS OF POLITICAL JURISDICTION (SW CORNER OF CLEVELAND AVENUE NW AND 11TH STREET NW INTERSECTION), OHIO 44702, WARD 1). – RECEIVED & FILED 84. FINANCE DIRECTOR CROUSE: REQ ADOPTION OF GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR CITY OF CANTON FOR 2022. – FINANCE COMMITTEE 85. LIQUOR CONTROL DIV (OHIO): REQ NEW D5J PERMIT FOR 4TH STREET PIZZA LLC, DBA JABLES, 1ST FL ONLY @ 309 CLEVELAND AVE NW (WARD 2). – RECEIVED & FILED 86. MAYOR BERNABEI: AUTH APPT OF MR. MICHAEL REX TO CANTON BOARD OF BUILDING APPEALS COMMENCING 3/14/22 TO 12/31/22. – PERSONNEL COMMITTEE 87. MVAH PARTNERS: LTR APPRISING COUNCIL OF THE ABCD, INC. OR SUBSIDIARY THEREOF PLANS TO BE MAJORITY MEMBER AND A SUBSIDIARY OF MVAH HOLDING LLC PLANS TO BE MINORITY MEMBER OF RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DEVELOPMENT LOCATED IN OR WITHIN ONE-HALF MILE RADIUS OF POLITICAL JURISDICTION (2631 HARVARD AVE NW, WARD 7). – RECEIVED & FILED COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 118 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 88. PLANNING DIRECTOR ANGUS: AUTH MAYOR AND/OR SERV DIR TO ENTER INTO LAND LEASE AGMT WITH FOURTH AND MARKET, LTD. FOR PROP @ 401 4TH ST NW; PARCEL 246440; AUTH AUDITOR TO DRAW WARRANTS UPON RECEIPT OF VOUCHERS; EMERGENCY. (PUB RSTRM & CENT PLAZA OPER SUPP FACILITY) – DOWNTOWN & DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEES 89. SAFETY DIRECTOR PERRY: REQ UPDATE OF O#1351.01 (A) (THE CITY APPROVES AND ADOPTS THE MOST CURRENT VERSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE ADOPTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, INC. AS HEREIN AMENDED) – REFERRED TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE 90. SAFETY DIRECTOR PERRY: APPROVE INF RES AUTH SAF DIR TO ENTER ONE OR MORE PURCH ORDERS IN AN AMT NOT TO EXCEED $43,000.00 FOR INSTALLATION AND EQUIP FOR THE CAMERA UPGRADE. – RECEIVED & FILED 91. SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN, SAFETY DIRECTOR PERRY, FINANCE DIRECTOR CROUSE: AUTH APPROP OFFICIAL(S) TO PURCH AND/OR LEASE TITLED VEHICLES, INCLUDING ALL NECESSARY EQUIP AND COMPONENTS, IN ACCORD WITH SEC 105.08 OF CANTON COD ORD; AUTH APPROP OFFICIAL(S) TO ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS, AWARD AND ENTER INTO CONTRACT AND/OR CONTRACT AMENDMENTS/CHANGE ORDERS FOR PURCH AND PROJ THAT EXCEED ANY APPLICABLE DOLLAR AMT THRESHOLD(S); ALTERNATIVELY AUTH APPROP OFFICIAL(S) TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR PURCH AND PROJS VIA ANY PROCUREMENT PROCESS AUTHORIZED BY LAW; AUTH APPROP OFFICIAL(S) TO ENTER INTO ALL PROF SERVS CONTRACTS; WAIVE INF RES REQUIREMENTS OF CANTON COD ORD 105.09 FOR PURCH APPROVED THRU THIS ORD; AUTH AND DIRECT AUDITOR TO PAY ANY AND ALL MORAL OBS FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS OTHERWISE APPROVED BY BOARD OF CONTROL PURSUANT TO CANTON COD ORD 105.14 WITHIN ESTABLISHED DOLLAR AMT THRESHOLDS; MAKE $1,409,635.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 4501 CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND TO 4501 102001 POLICE ADMIN – OTHER – $23,590.00, TO 4501 103001 FIRE ADMIN – OTHER – $175,000.00, TO 4501 201001 SERVICE DIRECTOR ADMIN – OTHER – $100,000.00, TO 4501 202210 STREET MAINTENANCE – OTHER – $170,000.00, TO 4501 204010 OTHER BUILDINGS – OTHER – $601,900.00, TO 4501 208001 MOTOR VEHICLE ADMIN – OTHER – $10,200.00, TO 4501 504010 INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY – OTHER – $235,000.00, TO 4501 506001 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADMIN – OTHER – $15,000.00, TO 4501 601001 COUNCIL ADMIN – OTHER – $36,215.00, TO 4501 753001 LAW ADMIN – OTHER – $17,730.00, AND TO 4501 852001 TREASURER ADMIN – OTHER – $25,000.00; $1,086,858.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 4502 MOTOR VEHICLE PURCHASES FUND TO 4502 102001 POLICE ADMIN – OTHER – $426,538.00, TO 4502 202210 STREET MAINTENANCE – OTHER – $630,320.00, TO 4502 901001 CIVIL SERVICE ADMIN – OTHER – $30,000.00; AUTH AUDITOR TO DRAW WARRANTS UPON RECEIPT OF VOUCHERS; EMERGENCY. – PUBLIC PROPERTY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE 92. SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN: AUTH MAYOR, SERV DIR, OR DESIGNEE, TO ESTABLISH FMV OF ALL PARCELS, FOR FEE SIMPLE TAKES AND TEMP EASEMENTS NECESSARY FOR CONSTRUCTION; AUTH MAYOR, SERV DIR, OR DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE WITH PROP OWNERS FOR PURCH/ACQUISITION OF PARCELS UTILIZING FMV AS BASIS OF NEGOTIATIONS, AND FOR CITY TO ACCEPT TITLE TO PARCELS; AUTH MAYOR, SERV COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 119 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 DIR, TO NEGOTIATE OR DONATE CITY-OWNED PROP FOR PERM ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY, UTILITY EASEMENTS AND/OR TEMP CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS NECESSARY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PROJ; AUTH MAYOR, SERV DIR, OR DESIGNEE TO MAKE MINISTERIAL CHANGES TO CORRECT PROP OWNER NAMES, PARCEL NUMBERS AND OTHER NUMERICAL DESCRIPTIVE OR TYPO ERRORS; DECLARE COUNCIL’S INTENT TO APPROP PARCELS FOR PROJ (REQ BY ORC 719.04) IF NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT CANNOT BE REACHED WITH PARCEL OWNERS; AUTH AUDITOR TO DRAW WARRANTS UPON RECEIPT OF VOUCHERS BASED ON NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT PRICE AGREED TO BY PROP OWNER AND MAYOR, SERV DIR, OR DESIGNEE; AUTH AUDITOR TO DRAW WARRANTS UPON RECEIPT OF VOUCHERS FOR FMV FOR PARCELS THAT REQUIRE PROP APPROP TO BE DEPOSITED WITH COURTS; EMERGENCY (15TH ST SW BRIDGE, PID 113153) – PUBLIC SAFETY & THOROUGHFARES COMMITTEE 93. SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN: AUTH MAYOR, SERV DIR, OR DESIGNEE, TO ENTER INTO PERM STORM SEWER EASEMENT AGMT WITH STARK AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (SARTA); AUTH MAYOR, SERV DIR, OR DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE OR DONATE CITY-OWED PROP THROUGH PERM STORM SEWER EASEMENT TO SARTA NECESSARY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SARTA SITEWORK PROJ; AUTH MAYOR, SERV DIR, OR DESIGNEE TO MAKE MINISTERIAL CHANGES TO CORRECT PROP OWNER NAMES, PARCEL NUMBERS AND OTHER NUMERICAL DESCRIPTIVE OR TYPO ERRORS, SHOULD THEY OCCUR; EMERGENCY. – ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE 94. SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN: AUTH MAYOR AND/OR SERV DIR TO ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS, AWARD AND ENTER INTO ANY CONTRACTS NECESSARY FOR PURCH OF TWO (2) REAR LOADING PACKERS FOR SANITATION DEPARTMENT; ALTERNATIVELY, AUTH MAYOR AND/OR SERV DIR TO ENTER INTO ANY CONTRACTS NECESSARY FOR PURCH OF TWO (2) REAR LOADING PACKERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY PROCUREMENT PROCESS AUTHORIZED BY EITHER ORC OR CANTON COD ORD; AUTH AUDITOR TO DRAW WARRANTS UPON RECEIPT OF VOUCHERS; EMERGENCY. – PUBLIC PROPERTY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE 95. SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN: CITY OF CANTON 2022 UTILITY RATES ADJUSTMENTS; TOTAL MONTHLY INCREASE APPROX $3.75; EFFECTIVE 4/3/22. – ENVIRONMENTAL & PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE 96. SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN: AUTH MAYOR AND/OR SERV DIR TO ENTER INTO AGMTS AS NEEDED WITH ODOT AND DEVELOPER FOR CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION OF PROJ; AUTH MAYOR AND/OR SERV DIR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH A CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING FIRM TO OVERSEE AND INSPECT PROJ; AUTH CITY TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENTS FR DEVELOPER FOR COST OF CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING FOR PROJ; AUTH MAYOR AND/OR SERV DIR TO NEGOTIATE AND RECEIVE PROP, DONATED BY WARRANTY DEED OR EASEMENT WHICH ARE NECESSARY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PROJ; AUTH MAYOR, SERV DIR, AND/OR DESIGNEE, TO MAKE MINISTERIAL CHANGES TO CORRECT PROP OWNERS NAMES, PARCEL NUMBERS AND OTHER NUMERICAL DESCRIPTIVE OR TYPO ERRORS, SHOULD THEY OCCUR; EMERGENCY. - PUBLIC SAFETY & THOROUGHFARES COMMITTEE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 120 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 ORDINANCES AND FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR FIRST READING PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Ordinances and Formal Resolutions for their First Reading. Madam Clerk would you please begin with Ordinance No. 1. NOTE: PRESIDENT SHERER CALLED UPON CLERK WOOD TO READ ORDINANCES #1 THROUGH #9 FOR THEIR FIRST READING BY TITLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, AS FOLLOWS: O#1. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1107, ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE (BRING ADMIN OF BOARD TO CITY PLANNING DEPT) PUB HRG 3/28/22 @ 7:00 PM Referred to Judiciary Committee O#2. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CANTON TO ANNEX THE TERRITORY KNOWN AS THE 4595 KIRBY AVE NE ANNEXATION AREA CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 2.755 ACRES, MORE OR LESS; ASSIGNING SAID TERRITORY TO WARD 6 OF THE CITY; ZONING SAID TERRITORY AS I-1 LIGHT INDUSTRY DISTRICT (I-1); AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (I-1 LIGHT INDUSTRY DISTRICT, WARD 6) Referred to Annexation Committee PUB HRG 3/28/22 @ 7:01 PM O#3. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF PART OF LOT 5479 AND ALL OF LOT 5480; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (PARCELS 227086 & 217581, FOR THOMAS & DIANA BOWMAN AT 623 PARK AVE SW, WARD 5) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#4. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF LOT 37256 AND OUTLOT 820; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (PARCELS 10014820 AND 302756 FOR PAUL BERNIER OF BERNIER GROUP LLC AT 3722 LESH ST NE, WARD 6) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#5. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF OUTLOT 1425; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (PARCEL #10011997, FOR LANIE WESS OF WOOLPERT ARCHITECTURE ON BEHALF OF PROP OWNER, RHINO HOLDINGS CANTON LLC, AT 2725 MARET ST NE, WARD 6) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#6 (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE VACATING FREDA ST NE AND LENA ST NE; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (AREA PERPENDICULAR TO 2900 BLOCK OF REGENT AVE NE, FREDA ST NE & LENA ST NE) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#7 (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS, AWARD AND ENTER INTO A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE COLLECTION SYSTEMS COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 121 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING MODIFICATIONS, GP 1255; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIONS FOR CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 251/2021; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($2,860,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5413 SEWER REPLACEMENT FUND TO 5413 206324 CSD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING MODIFICATIONS, GP 1255 – OTHER) Referred to Finance Committee O#8 (1ST RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 43/2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AS A SUB-RECIPIENT UTILIZING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,500,000.00; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (LATHROP AND HARTFORD NEIGHBORHOODS IN SOUTHEAST CANTON) Referred to Community & Economic Development Committee O#9 (1ST RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 44/2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN ASSIGNMENT OF THE GOODLAND PROPERTIES CRA AGREEMENT WITH STONEHAM ASSOCIATES, INC. AND STONEHAM PARTNERS, LLC; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (10- YR, 75% TAX EXEMPTION FOR QUALIFYING REAL PROP IMPROVEMENTS @ 1212 7TH ST SW) Referred to Community & Economic Development Committee PRESIDENT SHERER: At this time, the Chair would declare an in-house recess for the Community and Economic Devel… Development Committee to meet in regards to Ordinances 8 and 9 on your agenda this evening. You are now in recess. (COUNCIL RECESSED AT 7:48 PM FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ORDINANCE #8 AND ORDINANCE #9; RECONVENED AT 8:00 PM) PRESIDENT SHERER: Council is reconvening after the recess. Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we suspend Statutory Rules on Ordinances 8 and 9. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Ah, never mind. Hold on. I jumped ahead. Mr. President, I move we suspend Rule 22A to place Ordinances 8 and 9 back on this evening’s agenda. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to suspend Rule 22A to place Ordinances 8 and 9 back on this evening’s agenda. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 122 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: The motion carries and Ordinances 8 and 9 are a legal part of your agenda, Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we suspend the Statutory Rules of Ordinance 8 and 9. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to suspend the Statutory Rules on Ordinance… Ordinances 8 and 9. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: You’ve heard the three readings, Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Ordinance #8. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded that you adopt Ordinance #8. Are there any remarks under this Ordinance? … Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. #8 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 43/2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: The motion carries and Ordinance #8 is adopted. Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Ordinance #9. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded that you adopt Ordinance #9. Are there any remarks under this Ordinance? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. #9 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 44/2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: The motion carries and Ordinance #9 is adopted. ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR SECOND READING PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Ordinances and Formal Resolutions for their Second Reading. Madam Clerk, would you please begin with Ordinance #10. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 123 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 NOTE: PRESIDENT SHERER CALLED UPON CLERK WOOD TO READ ORDINANCES #10 THROUGH #19 FOR THEIR SECOND READING BY TITLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, AS FOLLOWS (O#19 ADOPTED): O#10. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 55/77, AS AMENDED, KNOWN AS THE CITY OF CANTON ZONING ORDINANCE; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (PARCELS 230241, 230242 & 230243, 1819 MARKET AVE N, ATTY CHARLES HALL FOR PROP OWNER, DR. MICHELLE HALL, WARD 9) PUB HRG 3/14/22 @ 7:00 PM O#11. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF REVENUE BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,750,000.00 TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO PAY A PORTION OF THE COST OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, FURNISHING OR EQUIPPING AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN THE CITY; AUTHORIZING RELATED MATTERS; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (HALL OF FAME) O#12. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF REVENUE BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,200,000.00 TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO MAKE A LOAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY; AUTHORIZING RELATED MATTERS; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (HERCULES) O#13. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,200,000.00 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE COST OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, RECONSTRUCTING AND IMPROVING CITY BUILDINGS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CITY HALL ROOF, THE CIVIC CENTER ROOF AND IMPROVEMENTS TO OTHER CITY FACILITIES O#14. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 251/2021; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($156,516.00 SUPP UNAPPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 2330 PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE GRANT TO 2330 301001 PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE GRANT – 600 PERSONNEL - $133,216.00, TO 2330 301001 PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE GRANT – 700 OTHER - $23,300.00) (FOR 2 NEW EMPLOYEES) O#15. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE FUNDING OF CANTON COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD UTILIZING GENERAL FUND DOLLARS IN AN AMOUNT OF $50,000.00 PER YEAR; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (FUND OPERATION OF CCIC) O#16. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO: ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS, AWARD, AND EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT; EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 124 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT SERVICES; AND RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $900,000.00 AND A ZERO PERCENT INTEREST LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $600,000.00 FOR THE MARKET AVENUE NORTH WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIONS FOR RELATED PROJECT CHANGE ORDERS THAT ARE OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF CONTROL PURSUANT TO CANTON CODIFIED ORDINANCE 105.14; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO ESTABLISH THE 5249 MARKET AVENUE NORTH WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT FUND; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 251/2021; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($1,500,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5249 MARKET AVENUE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT FUND TO 5249 207054 MARKET AVENUE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT – OTHER; $500,000.00 SUPP APPROPP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5201 WATER FUND TO 5201 207054 MARKET AVENUE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT – OTHER) O#17. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO A FIVE-YEAR SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE OPTION FOR POTENTIAL RENEWALS WITH PAYMENTUS CORPORATION TO SUPPLY, IMPLEMENT, MANAGE, AND SUPPORT THEIR ELECTRONIC BILLING AND PAYMENT SYSTEM; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (UTILITIES BILLING DEPT) O#18. (2ND RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO: ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS. AWARD, AND EXECUTE A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT; EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT SERVICES; AND RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $750,000.00 AND A ZERO PERCENT INTEREST LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $750,000.00 FOR THE HARVARD AVENUE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIONS FOR RELATED PROJECT CHANGE ORDERS THAT ARE OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF CONTROL PURSUANT TO CANTON CODIFIED ORDINANCE 105.14; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO ESTABLISH THE 5248 HARVARD AVENUE NORTH WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT FUND; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 251/2021; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($1,500,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5248 HARVARD AVENUE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT FUND TO 5248 207068 HARVARD AVENUE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT – OTHER; $375,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5201 WATER FUND TO 5201 207068 HARVARD AVENUE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT – OTHER) O#19. (2ND RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 45/2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE, OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO UTILIZE THE TARGETED ACQUISITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, OTHER AVAILABLE PROGRAMS, OR TO NEGOTIATE WITH PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THE ACQUISITION OR PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND FOR THE CITY TO ACCEPT TITLE TO SAID PROPERTY, WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF THE MIDDLE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 125 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 BRANCH GREENSPACE AREA; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (GP 1349) CLERK WOOD: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we suspend Statutory Rules of Ordinance #19. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to suspend the Statutory Rules on Ordinance #19. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote please, Madam Clerk. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: The motion carries. You’ve heard the three readings, Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Ordinance #19. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded that you adopt Ordinance #19. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. #19 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 45/2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: The motion carries and Ordinance #19 has been adopted. ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD AND FINAL READING PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Ordinances and Formal Resolutions for their Third, Final Reading and Vote. Madam Clerk, would you please begin with Ordinance #20. NOTE: PRESIDENT SHERER CALLED UPON CLERK WOOD TO READ ORDINANCE #20 THROUGH ORDINANCE #23 FOR THEIR THIRD READING BY TITLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, AS FOLLOWS: O#20. (3rd RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 46/2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO CONVEY CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, TO THE CANTON COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (510 11TH ST NW, PARCEL 224188) COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 126 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Ordinance #20. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #20. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. #20 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 46/2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: Motion carries and Ordinance #20 is adopted. Ordinance #21, please. O#21. (3rd RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 47/2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CANTON TO ANNEX THE TERRITORY KNOWN AS THE AMBAFLEX 2021 ANNEXATION AREA CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 3.903 ACRES, MORE OR LESS; ASSIGNING SAID TERRITORY TO WARD 5 OF THE CITY; ZONING SAID TERRITORY AS I-1 LIGHT INDUSTRY DISTRICT (I-1); AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (WARD 5) PUB HRG 2/28/22 @ 7:00 PM PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Ordinance #21. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #21. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. #21 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 47/2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: The motion carries and Ordinance #21 is adopted. Ordinance #22, please. O#22. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 48/2022 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE PUBLIC REALM REINVESTMENT PROGRAM USING UP TO $250,000.00 OF ISSUE 13 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUNDS; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH APPROVED PUBLIC REALM BUSINESSES; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 127 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Ordinance #22. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #22. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. #22 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 48/2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: Motion carries and Ordinance #22 is adopted. Ordinance #23, please. O#23. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 49/2022 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO: ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS, AWARD AND ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR THE SALE OF CITY OWNED REAL PROPERTY, NO LONGER NEEDED FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, LOCATED AT STARK COUNTY AUDITOR PARCEL NUMBER 207839 AND TO ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO FACILITATE SAID SALE; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (2020 3rd St NE) PRESIDENT SHERER: Leader. MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President, I move we adopt Ordinance #23. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #23. Are there any remarks? …Hearing none, roll call vote, please, Madam Clerk. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. #23 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 49/2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: Motion carries and Ordinance #23 is adopted. ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Announcement of Committee Meetings. Our next meeting date will be March 14th and Committee starts at 6:30 P.M. MEMBER MORRIS: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Morris. MEMBER MORRIS: Judiciary will meet March 14th at 6:30 P.M. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 128 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you, Member Morris. MEMBER HAWK AND MEMBER MARIOL (Simultaneously): Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Hawk. MEMBER HAWK: Thank you, sir. Finance Committee will meet Monday, March 14th at 6:30 P.M. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you, Member Hawk. Member Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Annexation will meet same time, same place. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you, Member Mariol. MEMBER BABCOCK: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Babcock. MEMBER BABCOCK: Personnel will meet same time, same place. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you, Member Babcock. MEMBER KIMBROUGH: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Kimbrough. MEMBER KIMBROUGH: Uh, Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee will meet also on the 14th at 6:30. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you, Member Kimbrough. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS PRESIDENT SHERER: We are now under Miscellaneous Business. Is there any Miscellaneous Business for this evening? Mayor Bernabei. MAYOR BERNABEI: Mr. President, Members of Council, uh… two things, I have two different things. One, we say good-bye, of course, to Fonda Williams with fond, fond love in our hearts and recollections of the wonderful things he’s done for us. The same time tonight, I want to say hello to our new Director of Economic Development, and that is Mr. Eugene Norris. Uh, Eugene, if you could come to the podium that would be appreciated. Um, you know, upon Fonda providing me notice that he was leaving, we posted his job description, received applications. Uh, Fonda and I then conducted interviews of the four people that we considered to be finalists and well qualified for the position, and we selected, you know, with great hope and expectation, Mr. Norris. Uh, he brings first-hand knowledge and experience in Canton and Stark County eco… economic development needs. He’s coming to us as the Program Director of the Stark County Minority Business Association. Uh, he has 15 to 20 years of prior economic development, non-profit and for profit experience. Um, he knows programming. He meets our development needs. He has already established relationships with many of the leading economic development leaders in our community. And very, very importantly, as we always said about Fonda, I believe that Mr. Norris has the personality and the work ethic and the communications skills which are so critical to being successful. So we are very excited to have him joining us. Uh, Mr. Norris is also, for COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 129 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 many of you, Pastor Eugene Norris. (Eugene Norris can be heard chuckling) And there may be some hope that he may bring religion, or more religion into the Mayor’s life. (Laughter) EUGENE NORRIS: (Chuckles) Right. Mr. President and Council, thank you so much, Mr. Mayor. And I’m honored to be able to serve again in the city of Canton. Sort of cut my teeth in this regard with economic development, then moved to several other areas, but came full circle back in the Canton community and loving being here, all the opportunities that it’s afforded me and what I can bring, every skill and commitment that I have in my life to this community to help it to continue to grow. And as the Mayor mentioned, first thing I brought into my office when I went in Saturday morning was my Bible. I plan to stand on that, and to… uh, not just to bring religion, but my care for this community and hope to serve it with all that God has given me to do. Thank you so much. If there’s any questions… I’ll take a seat. Thank you. MAYOR BERNABEI: Welcome, Eugene. Thank you. (Applause) And… and then the second topic that I wanted to discuss tonight, and I would like to advise City Council, I will be coming down with a Communication and an Ordinance on this for adoption at the March 14th meeting, but we did not have time to prepare it and/or to get it down here for tonight’s meeting. But I wanted to give Council advance notice of several weeks, so that you can ask any questions about this. I have received a non-binding letter of intent for the purchase of the Nationwide Building. The buyer is Chris Maggiore, or an LLC to be named later. Um, I think many of you know Mr. Maggiore. He is the owner and operator of Jerzee’s Café at Centennial Plaza, the other Jerzee’s Sports Bars, he is the owner of significant commercial real estate in the Belden Village and Green areas, and he has other business entry… uh, interests. A very, very capable person, capable of completing projects. He’s making an offer of $1.3 million. Uh, the proposed letter of intent will lead to a binding purchase agreement upon approval by the proposed sale by City Council and the CCIC. The Nationwide Building is titled in the City of Canton’s name, therefore Canton’s, or Council’s approval is needed to transfer the property to the CCIC. The CCIC in turn will sign a purchase agreement with him. Um, upon the sale, upon closing, and of course this is all contingent to closing, the proceeds of the sale will then be returned to the City of Canton. Um, this agreement provides for 90 days due diligence, and is also conditioned upon his request, if necessary, from its present zoning, which B-5 to a L-1, light industrial zoning. Its contemplated use, and this may not be its final use, but his initial thoughts about this building are to convert it into various size commercial spaces with the… uh, with warehousing and/or other commercial light industrial use on a first floor, garage doors on a first floor rather than windows on a first floor, and then with offices for the same business on the second floor immediately above it. Uh, so this will take, you know, significant restructuring of the building, and he has a lot of work to do in… in taking a thorough look at that with engineering and architects and so forth. Uh, we will be adopting this…. I will be requesting adoption next week. It is in our best interest to post this as quickly as possible in order to minimize our ongoing responsibility for the caring costs for the building, for maintenance and security. Uh, we authorized… or Council authorized several months ago the acquisition of this building from the Land Bank. Almost all Council was supportive of it. The… those who were concerned about it were concerned about the continuing costs to the City and whether or not the building could be marketed. Again, I ask and invite you… um, I know that Council Member Mariol has done so, to go through that building, and I think that once you do, you would understand why we considered it such a very, very important asset for the City to maintain, you know, rather than letting it go on the auction block and not knowing what may or may not happen to it. Um, so again, we would like to start this process with unnec… without any unnecessary delay, and again at the March 14th meeting there will be a Communication and Ordinance and a request for adoption. In the meantime, please address any questions concerning this to... to me. Thank you. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank… thank you, Mayor Bernabei. Is there any other Miscellaneous Business for this evening? COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 130 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 MEMBER FERGUSON: Yeah, Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Ferguson. MEMBER FERGUSON: Just… uh, I was at the hospital today, and I think we got some good news from Aultman that we had over 140 cases of COVID about three weeks ago at the hospital; we’re down to 12 now. So it’s been a tremendous change, as we all have been hearing on the news and reading that the numbers have come down significantly. Uh, and I would anticipate (inaudible). Is that right, Jim? HEALTH COMMISSIONER ADAMS: Yes, sir. Would you like me to make a comment? Yes, Member Fer… Ferguson’s correct. Over the last three weeks, we’ve seen… seen a significant drop in the number of new COVID cases, but more importantly the number of hospitalizations due to COVID. Uh, as you might have seen recently, the CDC has changed their recommendations on how they classify communities as far as COVID burden goes. They now have a three level classification system of low, medium and high. Currently Stark County is classified in the low burden category, which means that masks can be optional if that’s what businesses and things want to do. Masks would be optional in schools and things like that. So, you know, that is all very, very good news. Uh, we still strongly encourage vaccination. It’s the best way to… to keep ourselves from getting seriously ill from COVID infection, so it’s very important to get vaccinated if you’re eligible… eligible for vaccination and maintain your vaccination status per all the recommendations and get tested if you think you’re ill with COVID and act appropriately. But really appreciate the community for back… for following all the guidance that we have been doing all these several years to help address this pandemic, and we appreciate their patience and their… and their adherence to our recommendations through this, so you need to be congratulated for leading the way. Thank you. MEMBER FERGUSON: Thanks, Jim. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you, Mr. Adams. MEMBER SMITH: Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Member Smith. MEMBER SMITH: Since we were on vaccination, I… it sorta slipped my mind, but the Black Nurses Association, this weekend, is hosting vaccinations in several beauty salons, barber shops… HEALTH COMMISSIONER ADAMS: That’s awesome. Yeah, thank you (inaudible). MEMBER SMITH: …and Levels Barber College. And they’re gonna be at my salon on this Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00. So, if you know anybody that need a booster or vaccination… uh, they can come to the salon and get them. PRESIDENT SHERER: Okay. Thank you, Member Smith. MEMBER SMITH: And I will post that too. Thank you. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you, Member Smith. Is there any other Miscellane… Miscellaneous Business for this evening? …Hearing none, Majority Leader. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 110 JOURNAL PAGE 131 MINUTES OF THE MEETING FEBRUARY 28, 2022 MEMBER SMUCKLER: Mr. President… uh, good night tonight. We took care of and are about to take care of neighborhoods by spending over $3,000,000.00 in Ward 4 in the southeast end for housing, rehabbing housing, building new housing, and a very big announcement with the Nationwide Building, of taking an empty building off the market in downtown Canton. So, we’ve took care of both this evening. As my job as Majority Leader, sometimes I get messages to read here. This is a rather important message. Today we’re celebrating Council Member Jason Scaglione’s birthday. He was actually born on February 29th, but due to the leap year only occurring every four years, I believe that makes Councilman Scaglione 11 years old, or according to his wife, acts like 11 years old. Happy birthday, Member Scaglione, and many more. MEMBER SCAGLIONE: Thank you, Majority Leader Smuckler. MEMBER SMUCKLER: No problem. Tell Kelly I said hello. On that note, I move we adjourn. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT SHERER: It’s been moved and seconded to adjourn. Madam Clerk, roll call please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Uhh, uhh, uhh, uhh, uhh, uhh… calm down. (Laughter) Calm… just calm down for a second. MEMBER SMITH: That’s right, Mr. President. PRESIDENT SHERER: Thank you. Thank you for coming this evening. (Gavel falls). ADJOURNMENT TIME: 8:25 PM ATTEST: 3/2/22 APPROVED: JILL M. WOOD WILLIAM SHERER CLERK OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT