City Council

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Canton City Council. Happy New Year. If everyone would please turn your cell phones to vibrate, we would appreciate it. With a quorum being present, the Chair calls this meeting… to order. Roll call, please, Madam Clerk. ROLL CALL TAKEN BY CLERK WOOD: 10 COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: (JOHN MARIOL, JAMES BABCOCK, LOUIS GIAVASIS, CRYSTAL SMITH, BRENDA KIMBROUGH, JASON SCAGLIONE, CHRIS SMITH, ROBERT FISHER, RICHARD SACCO & FRANK MORRIS) TEN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT (MEMBERS HAWK AND COOKS ABSENT) CLERK WOOD: Ten present, two absent, Madam President. EXCUSING MEMBERS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we excuse Member Hawk and Member Cooks from… tonight’s meeting. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s moved and seconded to excuse Members Hawk and Member Cooks from this evenings meeting. Are there any remarks?…Hearing none, roll call vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. The motion carries and Members Hawk and Cooks are excused from this evening’s meeting. Tonight’s invocation will be giving… given by Ward 4 Council Member, Chris Smith. If you’ll please stand and remain standing for our Pledge. The regular meeting of Canton City Council was held on January 6, 2025 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 Ward 4 Council Member, Chris Smith. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Bates Aylward. AGENDA CORRECTIONS AND CHANGES PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: And thank you, Member Smith. We are now under Agenda Corrections and Changes and there are none for this evening. PUBLIC HEARINGS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Public Hearings and we have none for this evening. OLD BUSINESS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Old Business and there is no Old Business for this evening. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 2 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 PUBLIC SPEAKS PRESIDENT BATES ALYWARD: Pursuant to Rule 12(b), we will move Public Speaks to right before Miscellaneous Business. COMMUNICATIONS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Communications. Let the journal know 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 WITH THE AGENDA ITEMS FILE DATED JANUARY 6, 2025. 1. REQ ADDITIONAL AMENDED CERTIFICATE DATED 10/31/2024. - AUDITOR MALLONN 2. LTR ADVISING COUNCIL OF UPDATED APPTS TO CANTON CITY LANDMARK COMMISSION AS AUTH BY CHAPTER 1005. - MAYOR SHERER 3. REQ HARTER HEIGHTS AREA WTR MAIN REPLACEMENT AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJ. - PHASE 1; EMERGENCY (SUPP APPROP TO 5254 207083 5254 HARTER HTS AREA WTR MAIN RPLCMT & RDWY IMPRV - PHASE 1 - OTHER; TO 5201 207083 HARTER HTS AREA WTR MAIN RPLCMT & RDWY IMPRV - PHASE 1 - OTHER). - SERIVCE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN 4. REQ PAYMENT OF MIDDLE BRANCH OF THE NIMISHILLEN CREEK STREAMGAGE MORAL OB; EMERGENCY. - SERIVE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN 5. REQ LEG FOR 2025 SANITARY SEWER CAPITAL PROJ; EMERENCY (SUPP APPROP TO 5413 202089 OCHARD VIEW AVE SE SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION GP 1467 - OTHER). - SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN 6. COMPARATIVE RPT OF CASH RECEIPTS AS OF 10/30/24. – TREASURER PEREZ 7. RPTS OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS AND OUTSTANDING INVESTMENTS AS OF 10/30/24. – TREASURER PEREZ 8. RPT OF PARKING METER REVENUE FOR 10/30/24. – TREASURER PEREZ ORDINANCES AND FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR FIRST READING PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Ordinances and Formal Resolutions for their First Reading. Madam Clerk, would you please begin with Ordinance #9. NOTE: PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD CALLED UPON CLERK WOOD TO READ ORDINANCES #9 THROUGH #21 FOR THEIR FIRST READING BY TITLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, AS FOLLOWS: COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 3 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 O#9. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF LOTS 6107 AND 6108; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (CANTON FOR ALL PEOPLE 301 – 305 BROWN AVE NW, WARD 1) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#10. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF PART OF LOTS 1600, 1602 AND PART OF VACATED ROAD; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (CANTON FOR ALL PEOPLE @ 1002 3RD ST NW, WARD 1) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#11. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF LOTS 4498, 4499 AND 4500; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (CANTON FOR ALL PEOPLE @ 400 BLOCK OF NEWTON AVE NW, WARD 1) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#12. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF LOTS 1587 AND 1588; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (CANTON FOR ALL PEOPLE @ 219 NEWTON AVE NW, WARD 1) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#13. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF OUTLOT 796 AND PART OF OUTLOT 795; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (TRISHA FERRUCCIO @ 3000 ATLANTIC BLVD NE, WARD 6) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#14. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF LOTS 29497 AND 29498; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (JOHN & REBEKAH EISENBARTH @ 702 22ND ST NE, WARD 9) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#15. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ACCEPTING THE REPLAT OF LOTS 1898 AND 1899; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY (HABITAT FOR HUMANITY @ 607 14TH ST SE, WARD 4) Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#16. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO: ENTER INTO AGREEMENT FOR AND ACCEPT $96,455 IN JOINT GRANT FUNDS WITH THE STARK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE FROM THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAM, BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE; AND ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF 15 TG3 KEYBOARDS, 5 HAVIS DOCKS, WATCHGUARD BATTERIES, 2 POLICE BICYCLES W/ACCESSORIES, 2 FTC PRO DOUBLE LAUNCHER BUNDLES, 1 BALLISTIC SHIELD AND 1 BOMB DETECTION K9 FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO ANY PROCUREMENT PROCESS AUTHORIZED BY LAW; COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 4 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO RENAME FUND 2769 BYRNE MEM JUSTICE ASSIST GRANT 2015 FUND TO 2769 FY24 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL GRANT FUND; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 247/2024; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY EMERGENCY ($48,227.50 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 2769 FY 24 EDWARD BYRNE MEM GRANT FUND TO 2769 102001 POLICE ADMIN - OTHER) Referred to Finance Committee O#17. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO CHANGE ORDER NO. 5 WITH S.E.T., INC IN A AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $219,184.62 FOR THE 11 ST. SE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, PID 90465, GP 1144; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO SAID CHANGE ORDER; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#18. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE, OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE WITH PROPERTY OWNERS AND ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY EASEMENT PARCELS BY DONATIONS IN EXHIBIT A; ESTABLISHES 28TH ST. NW AS A PUBLIC STREET, CONTINGENT UPON THE CITY ACQUIRING ALL PARCELS LYING UNDER THE EXISTING ROAD WAY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT A; AUTHORIZNG THE MAYOR, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE OR THEIR DESGINEE TO MAKE MINISTERIAL CHANGES TO CORRECT PROPERTY OWNER NAMES, PARCEL NUMBERS, AND OTHER NUMERICAL DESCRIPTIVE OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY Referred to Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee O#19. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO FILE ANY ACTION PLAN/ACTION PLAN AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S 2022 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE HOME PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY FOR THE TIMELY EXPENDITURE OF CDBG PROGRAMS FUNDS; AND ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO ALLOW FOR EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM DURING THE GRANT PERIOD USING ANY AND ALL PROCUREMENT PROCESS AUTHORIZED IN THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OR OHIO REVISED CODE; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY Referred to Community & Economic Development Committee O#20. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO FILE ANY ACTION PLAN/ACTION PLAN AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S 2024 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE CDBG COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 5 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY FOR THE TIMELY EXPENDITURE OF CDBG PROGRAMS FUNDS; AND ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO ALLOW FOR EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM DURING THE GRANT PERIOD USING ANY AND ALL PROCUREMENT PROCESS AUTHORIZED IN THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OR OHIO REVISED CODE; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY Referred to Community & Economic Development Committee O#21. (1ST RDG) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO FILE ANY ACTION PLAN/ACTION PLAN AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S 2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE HOME- ARP PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY FOR THE TIMELY EXPENDITURE OF HOME-ARP PROGRAM FUNDS; AND ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO ALLOW FOR EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM DURING THE GRANT PERIOD USING ANY AND ALL PROCUREMENT PROCESSES AUTHORIZED IN THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OR OHIO REVISED CODE; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY Referred to Community & Economic Development Committee CLERK WOOD: Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR SECOND READING PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Ordinances and Formal Resolutions for their Second Reading, and we have none for this evening. ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD AND FINAL READING PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Ordinances and Formal Resolutions for their Third, Final Reading and Vote. O#22. (3RD RDG) RECONSIDERED AND AMENDED AS ORDINANCE NO. 257/2024 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 68/2019, 100/2011 AND ANY OTHER ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT WITH THE UPDATED POLICES BY ESTABLISHING THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT AS THE PERSONNEL GUIDELINES FOR RECRUITING, HIRING, AND RETAINING NON-BARGAINING PERSONNEL WITHIN THE CITY OF CANTON; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Leader Mariol. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 6 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we… reconsider Ordinance #257/2024, adopted on December 16, 2024. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Is there a second? MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to reconsider Ordinance #25/2024 (President should have said #257/2024) which was adopted on December 16, 2024. Are there any remarks? And that should be per… what you have before you. Yes, Member Sacco. MEMBER SACCO: Thank you… uh… what’s the… what’s the… the difference in this? CLERK WOOD: We didn’t make the motion for the amendment yet. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Well, I think he can ask what the amendment’s about. That’s okay. Go ahead. SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN: Please, Madam. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes. SERVICE DIRECTOR HIGHMAN: Alright… uh… Madam President, Members of Council so, nothing here is changing in terms of the intent and all of things we’ve talked about… what a month ago now. Essentially though, when we actually started looking… employee by employee, of people and sitting down and like with department managers and looking at this, with the way it was worded we created a situation for people who are between the 80th and 85th percentile, and really it was bad for the people who are like let’s say the 84th percentile, where we had people who… before they could every qualify to move through the grade again, they’re going to have to get like a… you know a $300.00 a year raise rather than like a typical, you know 1,2,3 so on percent. So we’re clarifying, essentially, how it works for the people between the 8… 80th and 85th percentile saying that if you are… uh… less than 80… less than the 80th percentile, you can move to the 85th. Previously it said less than the 85th percentile. So, if you were at 84.9 you had to… move to 85, wait a year and then have something. So… so, essentially we corrected that and then changed it. If you’re at 80 or above, you then can qualify for one of the lower percentile pieces to move you through the grade. So, the… the goal is to… to not… you know have someone who’s at like a 84th percentile have to wait 365 days. So, I… I… I think it was like a couple days after it passed that were looking person by person. I called Leader Mariol and said “Hey, I screwed this up.” So, I… should’ve caught it. Really there was a whole bunch of us who looked at this and… and because we… we did the right thing and I… we… didn’t have a person in mind for this. And we were looking at it kind of globally. Once we started looking individually at people we realized that we created this mathematical log jam. So, that’s the fix. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Okay, so before we go on to vote to Reconsider, that’s the first thing… uh are there any other comments? Okay, so it’s been moved and seconded to reconsider Ordinance #257/2024 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 7 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 which was adopted on December 16, 2024. Which was explained by our Service Director… uh we’ve heard remarks, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, the motion carries. Leader. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we amend Ordinance #257/2024 per the copy in front of every Council Member. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to amend Ordinance #257/2024 before the copy before each of you, subject to the explaination given by our Service Director. Are there any further remarks? …Hearing none, by voice vote, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Those opposed, no. NO REMARKS AMENDMENT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY BY VOICE VOTE PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: The ayes have it. Leader. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt… Ordinance… #257/2024, as amended. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. AMENDMENT Pursuant to Rules 41 and 36 respectively, I move to reconsider and amend Ordinance No. 257/2024 by replacing the Exhibit attached to the ordinance with the attached revised Exhibit. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved & seconded that you adopt Ordinance #257/2024, as amended. Are there any remarks? ...Hearing none, roll call, vote please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Madam Clerk. The motion carried and Ordinance #257/2024 as as amended, is adopted. Now, continuing with Third Readings… uh Ordinance #23 please, Madam Clerk. ORDINANCE #22 ADOPTED AS RECONSIDERED AND AMENDED AS ORDINANCE NO. 257/2024 NOTE: PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD CALLED UPON CLERK WOOD TO READ ORDINANCE #23 AND #24 FOR THEIR THIRD READING BY TITLE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, AS FOLLOWS: O#23. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 1/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO: ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS, COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 8 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 AWARD, AND ENTER INTO ONE OR MORE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FOR THE CANTON MEMORIAL CIVIC CENTER RESTROOM AND NORTH PARKING LOT EXPANSION PROJECT; ENTER INTO ONE OR MORE CONTRACTS FOR THIS PROJECT UTILIZING ANY PROCUREMENT PROCESS AUTHORIZED BY LAW; AND ENTER INTO A DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT CONTRACT WITH SOL HARRIS/DAY ARCHITECTURE, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $77,152; AUTHORIZES THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIONS FOR CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS THAT ARE OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF CONTROL; AMENDS THE 2025 TEMPORARY APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Ordinance #23. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #23. Are there any remarks?...Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Madam President. #23 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 1/2025 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. The motion carries and Ordinance #23 is adopted. Ordinance #24, please. O#24. (3RD RDG) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 2/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATE APPOINTING AUTHORITY, DURING CALANDER YEAR 2025, TO SELL CITY OWNED PERSONAL PROPERTY WHICH IS NOT NEEDED FOR PUBLIC USE, OR IS OBSOLETE OR UNFIT FOR THE USE FOR WHICH IT WAS ACQUIRED, BY INTERNET AUCTION PURSUANT TO O.R.C. 721.15(D); AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adopt Ordinance #24. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s moved and seconded to adopt Ordinance #24. Are there any remarks?...Hearing none, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 9 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Madam President. #24 ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 2/2025 PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. The motion carries and Ordinance #24 has been adopted. ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Announcement of Committee Meetings. Our next meeting date is January 13th … oh I’m sorry. MEMBER SMITH: CD? Okay, CD… CLERK WOOD: Not yet… not yet. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Well, wait… I… I’m not quite done, sorry (laughs). We are now under Announcement of Committee Meetings. Our next meeting date is January 13, 2024 and Committee Meetings will start at 6:15. Chief Gabbard will give a presentation on the state of the Police Department and End of Year Statistics. And take it away. MEMBER SMITH: CD will meet the same time, same place that you just announced. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you much. Public Safety and Thoroughfares. MEMBER BABCOCK: Madam… Public Safety and Thoroughfares will meet January 13th, 6:15. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Finance. MEMBER GIAVASIS: Finance will meet same time, same place. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: And Community and Economic Development. Will somebody call that for Mr. Hawk. CLERK WOOD: Chris just did. MEMBER SMITH: I just did. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Oh, just what am I saying. She did just do it, I’m sorry. I’m loosing my mind okay. Thank you, okay. PUBLIC SPEAKS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: We are now under Public Speaks, and we have four speaker this evening. Uh… most of you have been with us before, but I do see a couple of new names. When I call your name you will step forward and you will give your name and your residential address. Uh… and please speak into the microphone. And our first speaker is Ms. Kim Bell. Ms. Bell. KIM BELL: Kim Bell, 1733 Morris Ave. Uh… first I want to talk about… the uh… speed tables. I didn’t know there was one by the water fountain on… by Mounument Park. I go that way all the time when I’m going to the print shop to see… Giavasis. And I… get… in my car went up. I was like, not another one. They put one on Shorb… I mean 6th and Shorb… or 6th and something and I went up that one. So, they tell you after… you guys… tell us, put it in the paper after you put the speed bumps up. So, when a senior citizen is driving, like Mr. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 10 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 Phil Giavasis, go down that… go around one of them streets he’s not aware…of those speed bumps. Why didn’t you put… I don’t know who did it, who’s idea it was, but why didn’t you put flashing yellow lights around the sign, like they have flashing red lights around the stop sign to give us a warning that that speed bump is there. We’re not looking for a speed bump. Just my thought. So, this is in front of my job and in back of my job at the Laundry Press. The homeless. So, they… they… they camp out there… they’ll be there about time I gets there… back to the laundry mat to lock up and close, but they hang out there in the back and sleep im the back and they make a tent by the trash can or they’re making a tent at the back of Rite Aid up under the uh… drive through. And those are pictures of the homelessness and uh… from my understanding… uh Mayor, uh… you’re going to start a Homeless Task Force and I would like to be apart of that because I was homeless at one time. And I want to thank one of… one of the people up in this Chambers during that time I was homeless. Thank you, Miss Perry. Now, on to the Hall of Fame, my favorite subject. This should be a shame, we should be a shame of this. We fell for this… all… there’s over… there’s more. There’s over ten liens on the Hall of Fame. This is shameful. Ten liens right here, just alone, on this page. That’s… that… that’s not nickles and dimes, we’re talking about… we’re not talking about a maybe a million or two. We’re talking about millions they owe these people. This was a joke, but lets fix it. We can fix it if you work with… let’s work together on it. And come up with some ideas to… to create to have players come and invest in this City and this prop… and… and… and that property. And we’ll figure it out together. I got more to talk about. Three minutes is never enough. Y’all know I’m longwinded and very vocal… I’ll see you tomorrow Louie. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you very much, Ms. Bell. KIM BELL: Can you make copies? PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes, we’ll make copies. Well yes…I think you can make some copies, Lou. Our next speaker and I’m not sure I’m reading this right, I think it says N. Goodnite? MEMBER GIAVASIS: Nick Goodnite. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Oh, I’m sorry (laughs) Oh I’m sorry I didn’t read it correctly. And if you could step foreward and give us your name and residential address please. And I’ll correct that. NICKOLAS GOODNITE: My name is Nickolas Goodnite and I’m an investor here in the City. I got properties throughout. Uh… the reason I’m here is not to, first of all, and foremost, not to ask Council for anything. Uh… everybody ask… ask.. but nobody is offering to give and I’m offering to… I’m not the most uh… intelligent person in the world, but I’m here to give whatever I can give to help make a lot of things better. And for example I will help anyone up there just give me a call… reach out to me and say, “I need help with this.” I don’t want paid I don’t need anything. How will I get compensated? I’ll get compensated by being able to call a department with the City and not being frustrated at the end of that call. Being able to call somebody with the City and saying, “Hey I think we actually fixed something, or I think we’re on our way towards resolution.” Instead of the end of it slamming the phone down or being worse off then I was before I made that phone call. Or getting audited by a specific department because I asked questions for tens of thousands of dollars. What finally pushed me far enough to get me here? Two Fridays ago, I went to go pay my rental fees for each individual house that we have. As we know it went from $80.00 to $130.00, that’s fine. Where that money goes, it’s suppose to go to the Building Department. I paid on Friday, I come back on Friday and I got this stack of bills from the rental department for each individual house… completely fine. I open up the first one, has an address on it… right address. Open up the second one, it has the same address as the first one. Go to the second one, different address, they’re all double billed. No big deal things happen. So I called and I said “Hey you guys double billed me. I paid my fees today. Is there… what happened?” They go “Oh no big deal, you’re lucky your COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 11 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 lucky only got two bills in the mail, per place. Some people got 9 or 10.” These cost $.63 cents a piece to mail, plus the stationary, plus someone’s time to take them off the printer, plus someone’s time to put them in a box. Now, why can’t we email them or have a paperless option. If I had 10 per house, that’s $6.30 cents, times 100 houses, that’s $630.00. There’s a lot of people that have that many houses or doors in… in the investors world they’re doors. You have 10 doors per billings it s 10 unit building. That’s something that I would be willing to contribute to anything. I’ll look itself, I’ll audit stuff, I’ll be apart of a committee group… just tell me where I can help. I don’t want paid, but if we can save nickles and dime like this… we can bigger money, everywhere. There’s a lot of ideas that I have, just someone ask to put it on paper and tell me that they’re wrong, but some of the ideas that I’ve seen haven’t lost millions, they made quite a bit. I started off with nothing and do a pretty well now. Both my parents uh… are in jail actually. I didn’t get my money I made it. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Mr. Goodnite. Our next speaker is Ms. Michelle Beyer. Ms. Beyer. MICHELLE BEYER: Thank you, I’m going to pass at this time. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Okay, thank you very much for coming. Our next speaker is Mrs. Cassandra White, Mrs. White. CASSANDRA WHITE: My name is Cassandra White, 4161 Arlington Road. I come before you tonight as mom that had to see another young man’s name added to the list of deaths by an officer. I stood outside of the Akron City Council meeting last month. I heard and seen a lot. Outside I seen hurt, frustration, and determination. Inside I heard Council Members expressing their feelings and concerns. So, lets compare that to this meeting, here in this City of Canton. Outside we’re all frustrated, hurt, and full of determination. Inside, we’re a bunch of scared mice. Why… why do you all sit here scared. Why won’t the City Law Director or the Mayor sit down with Bobby DiCello, because you all are cowards. I knew from day one this was going to be a fight I would have to do, but I did not know this is a fight Canton citizens have been fighting for… years… or that after Zachery was murdered, we would have to watch Frank Tyson be suffocated to death, Jamal McElroy be kicked in chest while complying, Cassie Convor be attacked by a dog, all of these by the hands of your officers. From December 20 of 23 to August of 2024, 9 months time, 2 dead and two severly hurt and traumatized. And you still don’t want to talk to anybody. I would like you all to take the time and watch the Akron City Council meeting from December 2nd. That is a Council that cares about their people. Not just what the higher ups or Police Union tell them to do. I’m sure most of you won’t, but my question is, what is enough? Your City is not happy with you. People from other cities laugh at you. No one wants to raise their kids here. On last thing, I did not get to be here when the company doing the construction at Highland Park was here. I came in here and I told you all what a terrible job they were doing and residents are freezing. And by the way, still are because there’s still holes in the walls and they’ve never came back to finish the work. But the Repository reported that the Mayor, quote, “Floated the idea of having… Path renovate Victory Square apartments.” So you… just don’t care, that they don’t listen to any of us? Instead you just look down on all of us. One thing I can tell you about every person standing with me is that we are here for the people, not ourselves. I have seen who is not here for theirselves anf it’s about time the rest of you wake up. I would like to thank the two City Council members on this board that showed up for my family on December 5th. And showed us the respect and the humanity, it meant the world to us. Justice for Zachery Fornash and justice Zach… Frank Tyson. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Ms. White. We are now under Miscellaneous Business. Is there any Miscellaneous Business that anyone would like to bring before the body? COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 12 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes, Leader. MEMBER MARIOL: So, I uh… I called Saf... Service Director Highman and let him know this, but I wanted to give a shout out to the Street Department. Uh… I believe it was Friday, my wife was driving home and she called me, and she was driving through Jackson, through Plain, through North Canton. And she she told me that the roads were horrible until she hit Canton. And the roads in Canton were phenominal and uh… to be completely honest it’s probably the first time that I’ve had that phone call from her and uh… my experience on the roads were that they were also. Uh… so, whatever you guys are doing, it’s working amazing. So, a big shout out to the Street Department and uh.. the Service Director and the… uh Street Superintendent. Thank you. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Leader. Are there any other Miscellaneous Business matters? MEMBER MORRIS: Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes, Member Morris. MEMBER MORRIS: Alright, water and sewer, our customers have the option to go paperless. Why is the Building Department sending out bills? And this, quite honestly, sir, is not the first time we’ve heard double, triple billing… on one property. Okay I’ll send and email and get an answer. Thank you. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. Now, is there any other Miscellaneous Business that anyone would like to bring before the body? MEMBER SMITH: Yes, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes, yes Member Smith. MEMBER SMITH: I’d just like to thank everyone for supporting the Unforgettable Christmas. Uh… it was a success and I’ll just like us to continue… supporting each other in such matters. And uh… and Happy New Year to those that I haven’t seen. Alright. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes, I heard it was wonderful and thank you… for… doing that. I’m sure the kids were thrilled. MEMBER KIMBROUGH: Uh… excuse me… PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes… MEMBER KIMBROUGH: Oh… PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: …Member Kimbrough. MEMBER KIMBROUGH: I just wanted to say that… uh if you uh… I know it’s been cold and everybody is enjoying that weather. And for all of those who wanted that white Christmas, but uh… I wanted to give a shoutout to downtown and if you have a chance to go check out those ice sculptures downtown. And because of COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 113 JOURNAL PAGE 13 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JANUARY 6, 2025 the cold weather, they’re going to last a little longer. So, it’s a little bit of something that enjoy the winter and everyone I… I’d adhere you to all be careful when you stop out there. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you, Member Kimbrough. Is there any other Miscellaneous Business? MAYOR: Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Yes, Mayor. MAYOR: Uh… Member Morris, I will contact… I will contact you first thing tomorrow morning… with your question. MEMBER MORRIS: Thank you Mayor, because it’s not the first time we’ve heard this. MAYOR: Well (inaudible) We’ll make sure that’s not going to happen again. MEMBER MORRIS: Thank you. MAYOR: Yea. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Is there any other Miscellaneous Business? Hearing none, Leader Mariol. MEMBER MARIOL: Madam President, I move we adjourn. MEMBER BABCOCK: Second. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: It’s been moved and seconded to adjourn. Madam Clerk, roll call vote, please. NO REMARKS ROLL CALL 10 YEAS, 0 NAYS CLERK WOOD: Ten yeas, Madam President. PRESIDENT BATES AYLWARD: Thank you. We are adjourned. (Gavel falls) ADJOURNMENT TIME: 7:30 PM ATTEST: APPROVED: JILL M. WOOD KRISTEN BATES ALYWARD CLERK OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT