City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING MASSILLON CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Good evening. Welcome to the Massillon City Council meeting for Monday, September 15, 2025. We have in attendance the following City officials: Mayor, Jamie Slutz, Safety Service Director, Renee Baker, Chief Counsel, Earle Wise Jr., City Engineer, Alex Pitts, Director of Development, Ted Herncane, Police Chief, Jason Saintenoy, Fire Chief, Matthew Heck, and Income Tax/Budget Director, Lori Kotagides-Boron. Under #5 on the agenda is where the public can speak on any topic that appears on tonight’s agenda and under #17 is where the public can speak on any topic that does NOT appear on tonight’s agenda. I’d like to remind you that if you have a cell phone, please set it to mute, vibrate or turn it off. Thank you. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Roll call, please. 1. ROLL CALL Roll call for the evening found the following Council Members present: Holly Bryan-Huth, Jill Creamer, Sarita Cunningham, Mike Gregg, Julie Harwig Smith, Ed Lewis, Seth Marcum, John Paquelet and Eric Ray Roll call of 9 present 2. INVOCATION COUNCILMAN ED LEWIS 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY COUNCILMAN LEWIS COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Councilman Lewis. 4. READING OF THE JOURNAL COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Madam Clerk, are the minutes of the previous meeting transcribed and open for public viewing? COUNCIL CLERK ROLLAND – Yes, they are. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Are there any additions or corrections to be made? COUNCIL CLERK ROLLAND – No, there are not. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – If not, then the minutes stand approved as written. Thank you, Madam Clerk. COUNCIL CLERK ROLLAND – You are welcome. 1 5. REMARKS OF DELEGATIONS AND CITIZENS TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA 6. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Gregg. COUNCILMAN GREGG – Thank you, President Slater. I have a couple of items; first item is a big shout-out to the Tigers for a win on Friday night against a team from New York and this week is St. Ed’s, a big game for the Tigers. We’ve handled them three times in a row; looking for the fourth time on Friday. So, go Tigers. The second item is, in accordance with Division (G)(4) of Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code, I move that we enter into executive session to include all Members of Council, President of Council, Mayor Jamie Slutz, Director of Safety and Service, Renee Baker, Chief of Fire, Matt Heck, Budget Director, Lori Kotagides- Boron and Law Dept. Chief Counsel, Earle Wise. The purpose of the executive session is for reviewing negotiation sessions relating to the Collective Bargaining Agreements with several of the City’s public employees’ unions concerning their compensation and other terms and conditions of their employment. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilwoman Bryan-Huth. 9 yes to enter into Executive Session – 6:35 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Gregg. COUNCILMAN GREGG – Thank you, President Slater. I make a motion to exit Executive Session. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilman Ray. Roll call. 9 yes to exit Executive Session – 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. 7. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Ord. No. 77 – 2025. ORDINANCE NO. 77 – 2025 BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE to accept the dedication of road right of way for Out Lot 261 and Lot 10320, owned by the City of Massillon, Ohio, and located at the intersection of Main Ave. W. and Tremont Ave. S.W. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Creamer. COUNCILWOMAN CREAMER – Thank you, Mr. President. First reading. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you. Ord. No. 77 – 2025 has received first reading. Ord. No. 78 – 2025. 2 ORDINANCE NO. 78 – 2025 BY: STREETS, HIGHWAYS, TRAFFIC & SAFETY COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of Public Service and Safety of the City of Massillon, Ohio, to advertise for and receive sealed bids and to enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder, upon the approval of the Board of Control, for the Springhill Settlement Phase V Improvement Project, and declaring an emergency. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Paquelet. COUNCILMAN PAQUELET – Does anyone have any more questions regarding this issue that Mr. Pitts spoke about last week? I see none. This does come with emergency language. I would like to make a motion that we waive the rules requiring three readings and bring Ord. No. 78 – 2025 forward for a vote. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilwoman Creamer. Roll call for suspension. 9 yes for suspension COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – And for passage. 9 yes for passage COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. Ord. No. 78 – 2025 has passed. Ord. No. 79 – 2025. ORDINANCE NO. 79 – 2025 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE making certain appropriations from the unappropriated balance of the 2101 Wastewater Treatment Fund, for the year ending December 31, 2025, and declaring an emergency. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Lewis. COUNCILMAN LEWIS – Yes. Last week we heard from the City Engineer about this appropriation that is a total of $893,766.42. Does anyone have any further discussion or questions this evening? Seeing none, I make a motion we suspend the rules requiring three readings, bringing Ord. No. 79 – 2025 forward for a vote. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilman Gregg. Roll call for suspension. 9 yes for suspension COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – And for passage. 9 yes for passage COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. Ord. No. 79 – 2025 has passed. Ord. No. 80 – 2025. 3 ORDINANCE NO. 80 – 2025 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE making certain appropriations from the unappropriated balance of the 1401 Income Tax Capital Improvement Fund, for the year ending December 31, 2025, and declaring an emergency. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Lewis. COUNCILMAN LEWIS – Yes. This is an appropriation of $122,524.02 related to our services and contracts that benefit our Police Dept. with Axon. The Chief of Police was in here last week to discuss. Are there any further questions or discussion this evening? Seeing none, I make a motion that we suspend the rules requiring three readings, bringing Ord. No. 80 – 2025 forward for a vote. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilman Marcum. Roll call for suspension. 9 yes for suspension COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – And for passage. 9 yes for passage COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. Ord. No. 80 – 2025 has passed. Ord. No. 81 – 2025. ORDINANCE NO. 81 – 2025 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE amending Exhibit “B”, “Description of Public Infrastructure Improvements”, of Ordinance No. 183 – 2016, the First North Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Agreement. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Lewis. COUNCILMAN LEWIS – First reading. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you. Ord. No. 81 – 2025 has received first reading. Ord. No. 82 – 2025. ORD. NO. 82 – 2025 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE amending Exhibit “B”, “Description of Public Infrastructure Improvements”, of Ord. No. 184 – 2016, the Stark Glass Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Agreement. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Lewis. COUNCILMAN LEWIS – First reading. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you. Ord. No. 82 – 2025 has received first reading. Res. No. 9 – 2025. 4  RESOLUTION NO. 9 – 2025 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE A RESOLUTION establishing new publication procedures for the items covered by Ohio Revised Code Section 731.21(A), that such publication can be accomplished through a posting on “the website and social media account of the municipal corporation”, specifically to the ordinances passed by Massillon City Council, effective January 1, 2026. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Lewis. COUNCILMAN LEWIS – First reading. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Res. No. 9 – 2025 has received first reading. Res. No. 10 – 2025. RESOLUTION NO. 10 – 2025 BY: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE A RESOLUTION whereas the City of Massillon, Ohio, is in support of serving as the government sponsor of Polykinetix’s application to the Ohio EPA for the 2026 Scrap Tire Grant Program. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Gregg. COUNCILMAN GREGG – Thank you, President Slater. This is something that we discussed. Mr. Ollum from Polykinetix was here last week during Work Session to go over some details on this. Are there any further questions or discussion? Seeing none, I make a motion that we waive the rules requiring three readings and bring Res. No. 10 – 2025 forward for a vote. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilman. Roll call for suspension. 8 yes; 1 abstention for suspension COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – And for passage. 8 yes; 1 abstention for passage COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. Res. No. 10 – 2025 has passed. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 9. PETITIONS AND GENERAL COMMINCATIONS 10. BILLS, ACCOUNTS AND CLAIMS US Bank Equip. Finance - $ 127.00 – September Invoice for copier submitted to the Auditor’s Office for payment September 3, 2025 COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. 5 11. REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS Auditor’s Report - August 2025 COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Lewis. COUNCILMAN LEWIS – I make a motion to accept the Auditor’s Report. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilman Gregg. Roll call. 9 yes to accept the Auditor’s Report COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. 12. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Our next Work Session will be Monday, September 29, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Council will be off the week of September 22, 2025. 13. RESOLUTIONS AND REQUESTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Cunningham. COUNCILWOMAN CUNNINGHAM – Thank you, Mr. President. I fortunately had a re-election campaign fundraiser Saturday and was given the agenda with the signed in elected officials and such and unfortunately, there was one very important person that I neglected acknowledge and I want to make amends for that right now this evening and that’s for our wonderful Clerk of Courts, Diane Rolland. Diane, I’m sorry. COUNCIL CLERK ROLLAND – That’s okay, but I’m Clerk of Council, dear. I love you back. 14. CALL OF THE CALENDAR 15. THIRD READING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 16. SECOND READING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Ord. No. 74 – 2025 ORDINANCE NO. 74 – 2025 BY: RULES, COURTS & CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE authorizing the Mayor and the Director of Public Service and Safety of the City of Massillon, Ohio, to accept and enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the Massillon Professional Firefighters Association, Local #251, effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2027, and declaring an emergency. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Gregg. COUNCILMAN GREGG – Thank you, President Slater. This relates to the discussion we had in executive session earlier. This is a contract and it’s well past the beginning date on it and it 6  does have emergency language to accept the agreement within a timeframe for contract acceptance. Is there any further discussion or questions regarding this legislation? Seeing none, I make a motion that we waive the rules requiring three readings and bring Ord. No 74 – 2025 forward for a vote. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilman Marcum. Roll call for suspension. 9 yes for suspension COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – And for passage. 9 yes for passage COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. Ord. No. 74 – 2025 has passed. 17. REMARKS OF DELEGATIONS AND CITIZENS TO MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA DAN SUTTER – Thank you. Dear Mayor Slutz, President Slater. Oh, my name is Dan Sutter and not in the ward Massillon. I’m a Stark County resident; I live in North Canton. I’m here to speak about the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ levy coming up in November. So, dear Mayor Slutz, President Slater and Massillon City Council Members. I’m a past volunteer Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities Board member of 12 years, also a past Ohio County Board of Development Disabilities Trustee. I’ve termed out of these positions, but still remained actively involved as a volunteer on the Finance and Human Rights Committees of Stark DD. I’m also currently the levy Chairperson for the levy for Stark DD in November. Thank you for this opportunity to speak with you tonight. It’s an honor to stand before you and share the vital work of the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities known as Stark DD. This work touches the lives of over 5,000 individuals in our county, including 500 residents right here in the City of Massillon. Our mission is simple, but powerful: to support people with developmental disabilities and their families. Our vision is even bolder- that Stark County be enriched by the full inclusion and contributions of people with disabilities. But to get there, we must continue breaking down the attitudinal barriers that still exist. That’s why we’re here; to raise awareness, build partnerships, and amplify the voices of those we serve. Every year, we support over 700 families with infants who have disabilities; meeting them in their homes, offering guidance and hope from the very beginning. We educate 180 students with complex needs through specialized preschool and school age programs. We fund services for more than 1,900 individuals, helping them live, work and thrive in our communities. These services are continuous and many times, life-long for the individual. We are not just a funder; we are life planners, advocates and watchdogs. We collaborate with 200 private agencies and over 200 independent providers, ensuring quality and accountability. Many of these are right here in Massillon. Massillon is home to 133 independent providers and agencies. Midwest Health, with headquarters here in Massillon, is the largest provider in Stark County employing over 200 people. And we work closely with the Sheriff’s office and Massillon City Police to investigate abuse and neglect, safeguarding the health and safety of those we serve. We want you to know our name; Stark DD and to think of us when you meet a neighbor, a friend or a constituent who needs support. Because Stark DD is a trusted partner to thousands of families. We provide lifelong, high-quality services to a growing population; serving 43% more people that we did a decade ago. And while our commitment has grown, so 7  have our cost; up 140% over the past ten years. Led by a 35% Medicaid provider rate increase over the past two years. Our goal is not just a good life for people with developmental disabilities, but a great one. And we’re working hand-in-hand with Massillon and communities across Stark County to make that vision real. This November, Issue One will be on the ballot. It is a 1.6 mill additional continuous levy. Per the Stark County Auditor, a homeowner of a $100,000 home will pay $56 per year. Its passage is critical. Without it, we face painful cuts to the services that thousands rely on. Early voting is from October 7th through November 2nd. Voting day is November 4th. We ask for your support-both individually and collectively-to protect these vital programs. Thank you for your time, thank you for your leadership and your continued service to our community. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak at this time? EVAN HANNON – Good evening everyone. I’m a resident of Ward 2, my Councilman, Eric Ray is right there; he just put a sign in my yard; go ahead. The reason I’m here today, I’ll be very brief. It’s regarding the speed tables. I live on 2nd St. N.E. and Lake, Commonwealth; they’re used as drive-through’s or cut-throughs, okay. These individuals that drive through, drive extremely fast throughout that neighborhood. They’re individuals that have in the neighborhood that have their cars parked on the side of the street. There’s kids in that neighborhood. Some of these individuals that are driving extremely fast, they lose control of their vehicle, hit the car, hit a child, get in someone’s yard or even hit someone’s house. I was asking if there was a way that a couple of those speed tables could be placed on 2 nd St. to kind of cut down on that high speed through that neighborhood. I’m sure there’s other wards that have the same problems that people just speed through those neighborhoods and I was just wondering if there’s a way that some speed tables could be on 2nd St. and I did run this by my ward councilman first. He advised me to get here and bring this to your attention. Thank you. You guys have a good evening. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you. 18. ADJOURNMENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Lewis. COUNCILMAN LEWIS – I make a motion to adjourn. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilwoman Harwig Smith. Roll call. 9 yes to adjourn COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Meeting adjourned. ______________________________ ______________________________ DIANE ROLLAND, COUNCIL CLERK MIKE SLATER, PRESIDENT 8