City Council

City of Hudson, Ohio Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Craig A. Shubert, Mayor William D. Wooldredge, President of Council (At-Large) Beth A. Bigham, Council Member (Ward 4) Hamilton DeSaussure, Jr., Council Member (At-Large) Christopher W. Foster, Council Member (Ward 2) Katherine R. Schlademan, Council Member (Ward 1) Skylar J. Sutton, Council Member (Ward 3) Vacant, Council Member (At-Large) Jane Howington, City Manager Matthew J. Vazzana, City Solicitor R. Todd Hunt, Special Counsel Elizabeth A. Slagle, Clerk of Council Tuesday, June 23, 2020 7:00 PM Via Video-Conference & Live-Stream Special Meeting & Regular Workshop Special Meeting 1. Call to Order Mayor Shubert called to order the special meeting of Hudson City Council at 7:05 p.m., in accordance with the Sunshine Laws of the State of Ohio, O.R.C. Section 121.22. 2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag 3. Roll Call Present: 6 - Mrs. Bigham, Mr. DeSaussure, Mr. Foster, Ms. Schlademan, Mr. Sutton and Mr. Wooldredge Mrs. Bigham joined the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Staff in Attendance: Ms. Howington, City Manager; Mr. Vazzana, City Solicitor; Mrs. Slagle, Clerk of Council; Mr. Comeriato, Assistant City Manager - Operations; Mr.Ersing, Broadband Manager; Mr. Hannan, Community Development Director; Mr. Knoblauch, Assistant City Manager - Financial/Special Projects; Mr. Kosco, City Engineer; Mr. Leedham, Innovation & Technology Director; Mr. Leiter, Production Assistant; Mr. Sheridan, Assistant City Manager - Professional Services; Mr. Stifler, Economic Development Director; and Mr. Tabak, Police Chief. 4. Public Comments None. City of Hudson, Ohio Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 23, 2020 5. Legislation A. 20-77 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT A TEMPORARY OUTDOOR USE PROGRAM FOR RETAIL AND RESTAURANT OPERATIONS TO ALLOW FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE INCREASED SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Brief Description: This Resolution authorizes a temporary outdoor use program for the safe operation of local restaurants and retail establishments, as necessitated by the COVID-19 crisis, and to stimulate the local economy. Attachments: Resolution No. 20-77 A motion was made by Mr. Wooldredge, seconded by Ms. Schlademan, to suspend the rule requiring three readings in order to allow passage of Resolution No. 20-77. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Mr. DeSaussure, Mr. Foster, Ms. Schlademan, Mr. Sutton and Mr. Wooldredge Excused: 1 - Mrs. Bigham Mr. Wooldredge stated that the legislation recently passed (Resolution No. 20-68) only included the downtown area on public property. Ms. Howington stated that this legislation will include all local businesses, outdoor sales, and sidewalk sales within Hudson. A motion was made by Ms. Schlademan, seconded by Mr. Wooldredge, to pass Resolution No. 20-77. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Mr. DeSaussure, Mr. Foster, Ms. Schlademan, Mr. Sutton, Mr. Wooldredge and Mrs. Bigham 6. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Shubert adjourned the special Council meeting at 7:15 p.m. * * * * * * * Regular Workshop 7. Call to Order President of Council Wooldredge called to order the workshop of Hudson City Council at 7:15 p.m., in accordance with the Sunshine Laws of the State of Ohio, O.R.C. Section 121.22. Present: 6 - Mrs. Bigham, Mr. DeSaussure, Mr. Foster, Ms. Schlademan, Mr. Sutton and Mr. Wooldredge City of Hudson, Ohio Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 23, 2020 Staff in Attendance: Same as above. 8. Correspondence and Council Comments Mrs. Bigham thanked staff for coordinating a successful Ward 4 Connectivity Forum on June 22, 2020, and she thanked all who participated. She said that attendees were able to agree on priorities, and she encouraged Ward 4 residents to provide feedback via the City's website. Mr. Wooldredge said that similar Connectivity Forums are scheduled in virtual sessions for the other wards and for the community at-large, with Council representatives in attendance at all. He encouraged interested residents to attend and to review information on the City's website. Mr. Wooldredge announced that City Council will conduct the City Manager's annual performance review in the coming weeks, and he will work with Mr. Sutton regarding preparations, as well as any other interested Council members. He said that the performance evaluation form will be distributed in the near future to all members. Mr. Foster announced that the Ward 2 Connectivity Forum is June 29, 2020, and he will also host Ward 2 Open Forums on June 26 & 27, 2020. He encouraged participation regarding establishing connectivity priorities for Ward 2. Mrs. Bigham said that she was disappointed to read a recent Letter to the Hub-Times Editor, which had a negative take on connectivity. 9. Discussion Items A. 20-0084 Summit County Sanitary Sewer “Area K” Investigation Project Brief Description: Starting in July 2020, the Summit County Department of Sanitary Sewer Services (DSSS) will be starting a Sewer Investigation Project within the historic district of Ward 1. Summit County and/or their consultant, Environmental Design Group (EDG) will be present to discuss this project and answer any questions from the Mayor and Council. Attachments: Area K Map Mr. Sheridan provided a brief overview on what the project entails. Mr. Vinay, Summit County Department of Sanitary Sewer Services, and Mr. Sendrey, Environmental Design Group, stated that they will be working with residents and businesses within area "K", which includes Owen Brown Street, Western Reserve area, N. Main Street, Division Street, and Church Street. Mr. Vinay further stated that the investigation includes looking into improper storm water connections to the sanitary sewer system, and that Summit County received a grant from The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District that will pay for this work and correct any connection issues. He also stated that the only costs that businesses and/or residents would incur would be if a lateral line is damaged and needs replaced. This matter was discussed. B. 20-0085 Request for Authorization to Purchase Police Body Cameras Brief Description: Chief Tabak will be present to discuss the purchase of body cams for the Police Department. City of Hudson, Ohio Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 23, 2020 Chief Tabak provided an explanation on the need for body cameras, how they work, and cost. Brief discussion followed that included storage of data, record retention, and battery life. This matter was discussed, and Council will take action to purchase police body cameras at an upcoming meeting. C. 20-0086 Velocity Broadband (VBB) Presentation Brief Description: Staff will present the current financial position of VBB’s Enterprise Fund and Capital Fund, as well as the financial forecast. As part of the forecast, we will discuss growth opportunities. Attachments: Home Businesses and Future Interest 11x17 (3) Response to Beth - 5 Questions - 200609 JK (1) VBB Cash Flow - Capital Fund VBB Cash Flow - Enterprise Fund Mr. Leedham and Mr. Knoblauch reviewed the current financial report of Velocity Broadband and the future interest. Mr. Wooldredge asked staff to come back to Council at a future workshop with 3 recommendations on the direction of the future of Velocity Broadband. This matter was discussed. D. 20-0089 COVID-19 CARES Act Financial Update Mr. Knoblauch provided an update and the requirements on funds that the City can receive from the CARES Act and payroll relief funds. This matter was discussed. 10. Proposed Consent Agenda for July 7, 2020, Council Meeting A. 20-79 AN ORDINANCE CREATING A FUND ENTITLED “CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND (235)”; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Brief Description: With passage of Resolution No. 20-75, the City must establish a Fund for receipt of Coronavirus Relief funding. The amount of federal funding received from State House Bill 481 is $494,369.87. Attachments: Ordinance No. 20-79 This Ordinance was forwarded for further consideration at the Council meeting on July 7, 2020. 11. Proposed Legislation for July 7, 2020, Council Meeting A. 20-67 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH CROWN CASTLE FIBER, LLC FOR INCREASING BANDWIDTH CAPABILITY. Brief Description: Velocity broadband’s current internet provider contract with Crown Castle Fiber, LLC (formerly Lightower Fiber Networks) established initial bandwidth service pricing to upgrade service bandwidth as customer demands would require. Due to current usage trends, staff now seeks to execute an upgrade to provide adequate bandwidth to existing and future customers. City of Hudson, Ohio Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 23, 2020 Attachments: Resolution No. 19-102, passed 7-30-2019 VBB Bandwidth Increase - Q&A and supplemental info. Resolution No. 20-67 Mrs. Bigham asked for an explanation on why this needs Council approval. Mr. Leedham stated that the increase puts the contract above $25,000, which requires Council approval. This Resolution was forwarded for further consideration at the Council meeting on July 7, 2020. B. 20-69 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CREATION OF A DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA FOR THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IN SPECIFIED PUBLIC AREAS OF DOWNTOWN HUDSON, ENACTING REGULATIONS THEREFOR; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Brief Description: Authorization to establish a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) within Downtown Hudson. Attachments: Application for establishment of Downtown Hudson DORA Notice of Public Hearing on 6-16-2020 Notice of Action on Res. No. 20-69 Resolution No. 20-69 This Resolution was forwarded for further consideration at the Council meeting on July 7, 2020. C. 20-82 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 410.07 OF THE TRAFFIC CODE TO ADD VILLAGE WAY AND PARK LANE AS ONE-WAY STREETS IN THE CITY OF HUDSON. Brief Description: Merchants in First & Main have inquired with staff to identify solutions to increase parking in the commercial area. City staff has evaluated alternate parking layout alternatives to increase the number of parking stalls available in the First & Main area. Staff is proposing converting Village Way and Park Lane as one-way only streets and modifying parking stall lines as one-way to increase parking locations in the First & Main area. This change will have no adverse effects on traffic in our downtown. Attachments: Exhibit A - Existing Parking Layout on Park & Village Exhibit B - Proposed 60 Degree Parking Layout Notice of Public Hearing on 7-21-2020 Ordinance No. 20-82 Mr. Sheridan provided background information and the reason for the change. Council requested staff obtain resident feedback on the change and also hold a public hearing. This Resolution was forwarded for further consideration at the Council meeting on July 7, 2020. City of Hudson, Ohio Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 23, 2020 D. 20-78 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR PLACEMENT OF LAND IN A NEW AGRICULTURAL USE DISTRICT FOR PURPOSES OF O.R.C. 929.02 FOR CHARLES P. AND SUSAN ROBINSON, 7936 RAVENNA ROAD, HUDSON, OHIO. Brief Description: Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have submitted the attached Application for Placement of Farmland in an Agricultural District for property located at 7936 Ravenna Road in Hudson. Attachments: New Application - Robinson 7936 Ravenna Rd (6-8-2020) Zoning Inspector Memo 6-12-20 Map - 7936 Ravenna Rd Hyperlink - Summit County Website Notice of Public Hearing on 7-7-2020 Resolution No. 20-78 This Resolution was forwarded for further consideration at the Council meeting on July 7, 2020. 12. Items to be Added to Future Agendas Mr. Foster requested a status update on the Historic District Expansion. Ms. Howington stated that this is currently on hold until the Fall due to COVID-19. 13. Executive Session A motion was made by Ms. Schlademan, seconded by Mr. Foster, to enter into executive session to consider a personnel matter concerning the appointment of public officials. Mr. Wooldredge recessed the meeting at 9:33 p.m. after the motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Mrs. Bigham, Mr. DeSaussure, Mr. Foster, Ms. Schlademan, Mr. Sutton and Mr. Wooldredge Mr. Wooldredge reconvened the Council workshop at 9:55 p.m. Mrs. Bigham left the workshop at 9:56 p.m. Executive Session A motion was made by Mr. Foster, seconded by Mr. Sutton to enter into executive session to consider confidential information related to the specific business strategy of an applicant for economic development assistance under the Community Reinvestment Act Program – and, for the further reason that, it is necessary to protect the interests of the applicant or the possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with the economic development project. Mr. Wooldredge recessed the meeting at 9:57 p.m. after the motion carried by the following vote: City of Hudson, Ohio Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 23, 2020 Aye: 5 - Mr. DeSaussure, Mr. Foster, Ms. Schlademan, Mr. Sutton and Mr. Wooldredge Excused: 1 - Mrs. Bigham Mr. Wooldrege reconvened the Council workshop at 10:12 p.m. 14. Adjournment There being no further discussion, Mr. Wooldredge adjourned the Council workshop meeting at 10:12 p.m. _______________________________ Craig A. Shubert, Mayor _______________________________ William D. Wooldredge, President of Council _______________________________ Jane Howington, City Manager, Clerk of Council Pro Tempore Workshop Minutes prepared by Melissa Raber, Business Operations Manager - Professional Services. Upon approval by City Council, this official written summary of the meeting minutes shall become a permanent record, and the official minutes shall also consist of a permanent audio and video recording, excluding executive sessions, in accordance with Codified Ordinances, Section 220.031 (a), Rules for Workshop Meetings. City of Hudson, Ohio Page 7