City Council

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 123 JOURNAL PAGE 185 MINUTES OF THE MEETING AUGUST 25, 2025 ROLL CALL: Nine Members Present MOTION TO EXCUSE MEMBERS: Members Mariol, Crystal Smith and Morris Absent INVOCATION: Chris Smith, Ward 4 Council Member PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Bates Aylward AGENDA CORRECTIONS & CHANGES: (Suspended Rule 22A to add 1st Rdg O#22 - O#24; 2nd Rdg O#25 - O#31; O#22 - O#24 Adopted on 1st Rdg; O#149/2025 and O#148/2025 Reconsidered and Amended) PUBLIC HEARINGS: None OLD BUSINESS: None PUBLIC SPEAKS: Kim Bell spoke regarding the recent shooting incident at her son’s barbershop. Keith Douthett expressed his disappointment with the judicial system. Seradia Minor, Glenn Schumacher, Virginia Garner and Jennia Garner addressed the shooting death of their family member, Janeyah Garner. David Kerestes discussed the living conditions at Gateway II. Chamone Russell raised concerns about the CPS system. Roger Gates spoke about inflation in the economy. Daniel Gates commented on House Bill 29. Ranee Ulrich expressed concerns about her personal safety. Skylark Bruce addressed the death of Rosia Kolbs at the Stark County Jail. Jolanda Jackson offered a remembrance of her grandmother, Betty Jackson. Daniel Meston and Shawna Kirby spoke about homelessness in the city. Justin Nicely, Tanawah Downing and Jessica Saxton provide notices of emolument to the city. Alyssa Harrah requested resources to help establish a community area in her neighborhood. INFORMAL RESOLUTIONS: 1. Personnel Committee: Confirm appt. of John Mariol, II, to the HOF Energy Special Improvement District (ESID) Board commencing 8/25/25 and expiring upon completion of his term. – ADOPTED 2. Council-as-a-Whole: Commending Suffragan Bishop Robert L. Evans on his pastoral service to Canton, Ohio. – 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 August 25, 2025. ORDINANCES AND FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR FIRST READING: NOTE: President Bates Alyward called upon Clerk Wood to read Ordinances #19 through #24 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 August 25, 2025. (O#22 - O#24 Adopted on 1st Rdg) 22. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 153/2025 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE STATEMENT OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE 3228 55TH ST. NE AREA – 2025 ANNEXATION AREA, THE APPROXIMATE DATE SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED, PROCEDURE TO RECONCILE INCOMPATIBLE ZONING USES UPON ITS BEING ANNEXED TO THE CITY OF CANTON, OHIO; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 123 JOURNAL PAGE 186 MINUTES OF THE MEETING AUGUST 25, 2025 23. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 154/2025 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE STATEMENT OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE 4401 TUSCARAWAS ST. W. AREA – 2025 ANNEXATION AREA, THE APPROXIMATE DATE SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED, PROCEDURE TO RECONCILE INCOMPATIBLE ZONING USES UPON ITS BEING ANNEXED TO THE CITY OF CANTON, OHIO; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY 23. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 155/2025 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE STATEMENT OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE 4403 CLEVELAND AVENUE NW AREA – 2025 ANNEXATION AREA, THE APPROXIMATE DATE SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED, PROCEDURE TO RECONCILE INCOMPATIBLE ZONING USES UPON ITS BEING ANNEXED TO THE CITY OF CANTON, OHIO; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR SECOND READING: NOTE: President Bates Aylward called upon Clerk Wood to read Ordinances #25 through #31 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 August 25, 2025. (O#31 Adopted on 2nd Rdg) 31. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 156/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO FILE ANY ACTION PLAN/ACTION PLAN AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S 2023 AND 2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLANS TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE CDBG PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO ALL CONTRACTS NECESSARY FOR THE TIMELY EXPENDITURE OF CDBG 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. – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD AND FINAL READING AMENDMENT Pursuant to Rule 41 and 36 respectively, I move to reconsider and amend Ordinance No. 149/2025 by amending the fund number in the first supplemental appropriation from “22788” to “2788.” 32. ADOPTED AS RECONSIDERED AND AMENDED AS O#149/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO UTILIZE THE SUBGRANT TITLED VIOLENCE INTERDICTION PATROLS INITIATIVE FOR OVERTIME IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO RENAME FUND 2788; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 55/2025; AN DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMEGENCY ($100,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 22788 OCJS 2025 VIOLENCE INTERDICTION PATROLS INITIATIVE GRANT FUND TO 2788 102001 POLICE ADMIN – OTHER; $100,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 1001 GENERAL COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 123 JOURNAL PAGE 187 MINUTES OF THE MEETING AUGUST 25, 2025 OPERATING FUND TO 1001 102001 POLICE ADIN – OTHER; $100,000.00 INTER-FUND TRF FR 1001 102001 – ADVANCE OUT TO OTHER FUND TO 2788 102001 – ADVANCE IN FROM OTHER FUND). – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY NOTE: President Bates Aylward called upon Clerk Wood to read Ordinance #33 through #36 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 August 25, 2025. 33. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 157/2025 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1131, DEFINITIONS OF TITLE SEVEN AND CHAPTER 1166, FLOOD HAZARD ZONING DISTRICT OF TITLE THIRTEEN OF THE CANTON CODIFIED ORDINANCES. – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY 34. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 158/2025 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 9/2024, AS AMENDED, TO ESTABLISH THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT AS THE CLASSIFICATION PLAN FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS’ BARGAINING UNIT PERSONNEL EMPLOYED BY THE CITY OF CANTON; AND DELARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY. – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY 35. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 159/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ADVERISE, RECEIVE BIDS, AWARD, AND EXECUTE ANY CONRACTS NECESSARY FOR THE GROSS AVENUE NE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $600,000.00 AND A ZERO PERCENT INTEREST LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $900,000.00 FOR THE PROJECT; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIONS FOR CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS THAT ARE OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF CONTROL PURSUANT TO CANTON CODIFIED ORDINANCE 105.14; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO ESTABLISH THE 5256 GROSS AVENUE NE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT FUND; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 55/2025; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($1,500,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR 5256 GROSS AVE NE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT FUND TO 5256 207086 GROSS AVE NE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT – OTHER; $900,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5201 WATER FUND TO 5201 207086 GROSS AVE NE WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT - OTHER). – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY 36. ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE NO. 160/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO PAY ALL MORAL OBLIGATIOS NEESSARY TO CLOSE THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STA US-62-24.05 PID 100824 PROJECT; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 55/2025; AND DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMERGENCY ($28,535.19 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 5201 WATER FUND TO 5201 207072 US 62 ODOT WATER MAIN RELOCATION - OTHER). – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY AMENDMENT Pursuant to Rule 41 and 36 respectively, I move to reconsider and amend Ordinance No. 148/2025 by amending the fund name from “OCJS 2024 Project Safe Neighborhood Grand Fund” to “OCJS 2023 Project Safe Neighborhood Grant Fund” in Section 2 and in Section 3. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS JOURNAL 123 JOURNAL PAGE 188 MINUTES OF THE MEETING AUGUST 25, 2025 37. ADOPTED AS RECONSIDERED AND AMENDED AS O#148/2025 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO UTILIZE THE SUBGRANT TITLED VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION INITIATIVE FOR OVERTIME IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT; AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO RENAME FUND 2774; AMENDING APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 55/2025; AN DECLARING THE SAME TO BE AN EMEGENCY ($20,000.00 SUPP APPROP FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 2774 OCJS 2024 PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT FUND TO 2774 102001 POLICE ADMIN – OTHER; $20,3000.00 FR UNAPPROP BAL OF 1001 GENERAL OPERATING FUND TO 1001 102001 POLICE ADMIN – ADV OUT; $20,000.00 INTER-FUND ADV FR 1001 102001 – ADVANCE OUT TO OTHER FUND TO 2774 102001- ADANCE IN FROM OTHER FUND). – ADOPTED ___9____ YEAS ____0_____ NAY ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 @ 6:45 PM Judiciary Committee Finance Committee CITY ANNOUNCEMNETS: Mayor Sherer announced the upcoming Hall of Fame HBCU Classic events taking place this weekend. In addition to the festivities, a Job Fair will also be held. The Mayor encouraged all residents to attend, participate and show their support. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Member Chris Smith highlighted the upcoming HBCU Classic, noting festivities begin at 9:00 a.m., with the parade and conclude with the football game, with free parking provided. There will be a free gospel concert prior to the football game, although, tickets are required for the game. Safety Director Perry also announced the 9/11 Memorial Climb at Monument Park on September 11 at 8:00 a.m. MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:37 PM ATTEST: APPROVED: JILL M. WOOD KRISTEN BATES AYLWARD CLERK OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT *To listen to the minutes in their entirety, the audio can be found at www.cantonohio.gov.*