City Council

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 123 JOURNAL PAGE 163 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JUNE 30, 2025 ROLL CALL: All Members Present MOTION TO EXCUSE MEMBERS: Not necessary INVOCATION: Crystal Smith, Council Member-At-Large PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Bates Aylward AGENDA CORRECTIONS & CHANGES: (Suspended Rule 22A to add 1st Rdg O#29; 2nd Rdg O#30 - O#37; O# 29 Adopted On 1st Rdg; O#36 Adopted as Amended on 2nd Rdg; O#37 Adopted on 2nd Rdg; O#35 Retained Indefinitely; O#116/2025 Reconsidered and Amended) PUBLIC HEARINGS: None OLD BUSINESS: None PUBLIC SPEAKS: David Kerestes spoke about his concerns with the building structure of Victory Square and Gateway 2. Skylark Bruce, Alyssa Harrah, Pierce Brooks, Sierra Mason and Lanrinda Johnson spoke on their concerns with ICE and Canton Pd. Alex Rogers spoke about the State of Education. Stephanie Ferrell and Justine Nicely spoke about their experiences with Canton PD, Child Protective Services and government rules. Joshua Brown said he's being followed by black suv's and the Canton PD. INFORMAL RESOLUTIONS: 1. Majority Leader Mariol: Authorize Mayor or Service Director to open purchase orders in total amount not to exceed $77,250.00 for Traffic Control Services for line repairs for Water Department. – ADOPTED COMMUNICATIONS: All Communications were received as read. NOTE: All Communications, listed by agenda title, are on file in their entirety, in the council office with the agenda items file dated June 30, 2025. ORDINANCES AND FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR FIRST READING: NOTE: President Bates Alyward called upon Clerk Wood to read Ordinances #20 through #29 for their First Reading, by title, as required by state law. All First Readings, listed by agenda title, are on file in their entirety, in the Council Office with the agenda items file dated June 30, 2025. (O#29 Adopted on 1st Rdg) (COUNCIL RECESSED AT 7:14 PM FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS O#29; RECONVENED AT 7:53 PM) 29. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 119/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO ANY CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO RESPOND TO THE CLEVELAND CLINIC MERCY HOSPITAL WATERLINE REPAIR; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ANY MORAL OBLIGATIONS FROM RESPONDING TO THIS EMERGENCY SITUATION; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 55/2025; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___12____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 123 JOURNAL PAGE 164 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JUNE 30, 2025 ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR SECOND READING: NOTE: President Bates Aylward called upon Clerk Wood to read Ordinances #30 through #37 for their Second Reading, by title, as required by state law. All 2nd Readings, listed by agenda title, are on file in their entirety, in the Council Office with the agenda items file dated June 30, 2025. (O#36 Adopted As Amended on 2nd Rdg; O#37 Adopted on 2nd Rdg) AMENDEMENT Pursuant to Rule 36, I move to amend Agenda Item No.36 by amending Section 1 by removing “70506 Court Capital/Special Projects Fund” and replacing it with “Judges Admin”. 36. ADOPTED AS AMENDED AS ORDINANCE NO. 120/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CANTON MUNICIPAL COURT TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JUSTICE AUDIO VISUAL SYSTEMS FOR UPGRADES TO THE COURT'S AUDIO/VISUAL, EVIDENCE PRESENTATION AND DIGITAL RECORDING SYSTEMS; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 55/2025; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___12____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY 37. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 121/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO ALL AGREEMENTS AND TAKE ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO PARTNER WITH THE STARK COUNTY PARK DISTRICT TO APPLY FOR A CONSERVATION EASEMENT GRANT FROM THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION FOR STARK COUNTY AUDITOR PARCEL NUMBERS 4880031 AND 4880011; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___12____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD AND FINAL READING RECONSIDERATION AND AMENDEMENT Pursuant to Rule 41 and 36 respectivly, I move to reconsider and amend Ordinance No. 116/2025 by amending the caption, Section 1 and Section 2 to change the dollar amount from “$12,712.50” to “$10,000”. 38. ADOPTED AS RECONSIDERED AND AMENDED AS ORDINANCE NO. 116/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT FOR AND ACCEPT $12,712.50 IN GRANT FUNDS FROM THE OHIO OFFICE OF CIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 55/2025; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED PUB HRG 6/16/25 @ 7:00PM ___12____ YEAS ____0_____ NAYS NOTE: President Bates Aylward called upon Clerk Wood to read Ordinance #39 through #41 for their Third, Final Reading and Vote. All 3rd Readings, listed by agenda title, are on file in their entirety, in the Council Office with the agenda items file dated June 30, 2025. 39. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 122/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE/SAFETY TO ADVERTISE, RECEIVE BIDS, AWARD, AND ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR THE REMEDIATION OF THE OHIO CAST PROPERTY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 123 JOURNAL PAGE 165 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JUNE 30, 2025 THAT IS ESTIMATED TO COST $563,000;AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO ALL AGREEMENTS TO REMEDIATE, DEMOLISH, AND SECURE SAID PROPERTY; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 55/2025; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___12____ YEAS ____0_____ NAYS 40. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 123/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF STARK COUNTY AUDITOR PARCEL NUMBER 239294 FROM MIRACLE LAND COMPANY LTD. AND PARCEL NUMBERS 245553, 212209, 206993, 200149, AND 224471 FROM S & C APARTMENTS LTD.; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___12____ YEAS ____0_____ NAYS 41. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 124/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO A JOB CREATION AND RETENTION TAX INCENTIVE AGREEMENT WITH AMBAFLEX MANUFACTURING INC. PURSUANT TO THE CITY'S INCENTIVE PROGRAMS; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___12____ YEAS ____0_____ NAYS ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS: MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025 @ 6:45 PM Annexation Committee Finance Committee Judiciary Committee Public Safety & Thoroughfares Committee CITY ANNOUNCEMNETS: Mayor Sherer wished everyone a Happy 4th of July and reminded everyone that the fireworks will be held Thursday at Monument Park. First Friday will be pushed back to July 11, 2025 due to a Blues Festival event. He also introduced the new Community and Economic Development Director, Peter Zahirsky and thanked Chris Hardesty for all his hard work and dedication. He also addressed the concerns from Public Speakers. He confirmed that Canton PD is not working with ICE; State Legislators are doing all they can to limit who can oppose legislation for education, and the city is looking into every option available for a Victory Square resolution. Council Members Chris Smith, Mariol and Giavasis also gave remarks of appreciation for Chris Hardesty. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Member Morris agreed with what the Mayor stated about ICE. Member Sacco stated he hasn't received a response from the State Legislators concerning the changes in education. Member Mariol explained the Tax Cut Proposal and how it effects education. Member Cooks thanked those who stayed to the end of the meeting to listen to the Council's views on the Agenda and to possibly get answers to questions asked during Public Speaks. MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:19 PM ATTEST: APPROVED: COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 123 JOURNAL PAGE 166 MINUTES OF THE MEETING JUNE 30, 2025 JILL M. WOOD KRISTEN BATES AYLWARD CLERK OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT *To listen to the minutes in their entiretly, the audio can be found at www.cantonohio.gov.*