City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING MASSILLON CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026 COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Good evening. Welcome to the Massillon City Council meeting for Monday, May 4, 2026. We have in attendance the following City officials: Mayor Jamie Slutz, Safety Service Director, Renee Baker, Asst. Law Director, Edmond Mack, City Engineer, Alex Pitts, Director of Development, Ted Herncane and Street Superintendent, Josh McClay. Under #5 on the agenda is where the public can speak on any topic that appears ON tonight’s agenda and under #18 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, Sarita Cunningham, Mike Gregg, Julie Harwig Smith, Seth Marcum, John Paquelet, Mandwel Patterson, Eric Ray and Tony Townsend. Roll call of 9 present COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. Councilwoman Harwig Smith. 2. INVOCATION COUNCILWOMAN JULIE HARWIG SMITH 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY COUNCILWOMAN HARWIG SMITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Councilwoman. 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 – I’m sorry, Mr. President. No they are not. I’m having some technical difficulties with my foot pedal. Hopefully I can get that resolved and get them on this week. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – I’d appreciate that. Thank you for the update. 5. REMARKS OF DELEGATIONS AND CITIZENS TO MATTERS ON THE AGENDA 6. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 1 7. CONSENT AGENDA COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Ord. No. 50 – 2026. ORDINANCE NO. 50 – 2026 BY: RULES, COURTS & CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE amending the OCCUPATION LIST OF CLASS TITLES of Ordinance No. 10 – 2026 to update job titles within the 405 “ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT”, and declaring an emergency. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Ord. No. 51 – 2026. ORDINANCE NO. 51 – 2026 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE making certain appropriations from the unappropriated balance of the 1100 General Fund, for the purpose of the Massillon Police Department, for the year ending December 31, 2026, and declaring an emergency. ORDINANCE NO. 52 – 2026 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE making certain appropriations from the unappropriated balance of the 1216 Federal Law Enforcement Fund, for the year ending December 31, 2026, and declaring an emergency. ORDINANCE NO. 53 – 2026 BY: FINANCE COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE making certain appropriations from the unappropriated balance of the 1100 General Fund, for the purpose of the Engineering Department, for the year ending December 31, 2026, and declaring an emergency. RESOLUTION NO. 24 – 2026 BY: POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE A RESOLUTION approving the retirement of K-9 Loki and awarding ownership to his handler, Patrol Officer Alexis Hillyer. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. Councilman Marcum. COUNCILMAN MARCUM – Sure. I’ll make a motion suspend the rules and bring forward all items on the Consent Agenda forward for passage. 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. 50 – 2026, Ord. No. 51 – 2026, Ord. No. 52 – 2026, Ord. No. 53 – 2026 and Res. No. 24 – 2026 have passed. 2  8. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10. PETITIONS AND GENERAL COMMINCATIONS 11. BILLS, ACCOUNTS AND CLAIMS 12. REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS Auditor’s Report - April 2026 COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Gregg. COUNCILMAN GREGG – Thank you, President Slater. I make a motion that we accept the Auditor’s Report. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilwoman Harwig Smith. Roll call. 9 yes to accept the Auditor’s Report 13. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Our next Work Session will be Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. 14. RESOLUTIONS AND REQUESTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Bryan-Huth. COUNCILWOMAN BRYAN-HUTH – Thank you, Mr. President. I will not be in attendance next Monday. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Cunningham. COUNCILWOMAN CUNNINGHAM – Thank you, Mr. President and President Pro Tem. I will not be in attendance next Monday as well. I will be handing out, awarding six scholarships in Amanda’s name for the band students. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – I appreciate that. 15. CALL OF THE CALENDAR 16. THIRD READING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Ord. No. 39 – 2026. ORDINANCE NO. 39 – 2026 BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE amending the Zoning Map of the City of Massillon, Ohio, by rezoning a certain property from B-3 General Business District to R-1 One-Family Residential District. 3 COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Harwig Smith. COUNCILWOMAN HARWIG SMITH – Thank you, President Slater. This zoning was approved by the Planning Commission on March 11, 2026. The applicant is Joe Glick. The location is Cherry Rd. between Cable Cir. N.W. and Princehorn Cir. N.W. for the purpose of building four to five single-family homes. It’s being changed from B-3 to R-1. Did anyone have any questions on this? This is the third reading. We have a public hearing for Ord. No. 39 – 2026 on May 18th at 6:15 p.m. in Council Chambers. So, I’d like to table Ord. No. 39 – 2026 until May 18th. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilman Marcum. Roll call. 9 yes to table Ord. No. 39 – 2026 until May 18, 2026 COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Ord. No. 39 – 2026 has been tabled until May 18, 2026. Ord. No. 40 – 2026. ORDINANCE NO. 40 – 2026 BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE amending the Zoning Map of the City of Massillon, Ohio, by rezoning certain properties from RM-1 Multiple Family Residential District to B-3 General Business District and a certain property from R-1 One-Family District to B-3 General Business District. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Harwig Smith. COUNCILWOMAN HARWIG SMITH – Thank you, President Slater. This rezoning was approved by the Planning Commission also on March 11, 2026. It is for a Take 5 Oil Change on Lincoln Way E. involving four lots. This also has a public hearing on May 18 th at 6:15 p.m. in Council Chambers. So, at time I’d like to table Ord. No. 40 – 2026 until May 18th. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilman Marcum. Roll call. 9 yes to table Ord. No. 40 – 2026 until May 18, 2026. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Ord. No. 40 – 2026 has been tabled until May 18, 2026. Ord. No. 41 – 2026. ORDINANCE NO. 41 – 2026 BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE approving the proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Budget for the FY2026 Program year, and declaring an emergency. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Harwig Smith. COUNCILWOMAN HARWIG SMITH – Thank you, President Slater. This is for our annual CDBG budget. We’ve had two public hearings on this. Did anyone have any questions? At this time, I’d like to bring it up for a vote. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilwoman Bryan-Huth. Roll call for passage. 4  9 yes for passage COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you, Madam Clerk. Ord. No. 41 – 2026 has passed. 17. SECOND READING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Ord. No. 48 – 2026. ORDINANCE NO. 48 – 2026 BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE to accept the replat and roadway dedication for Janda Development on Richville Dr. S.E., Massillon, Ohio. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Harwig Smith. COUNCILWOMAN HARWIG SMITH – Thank you, President Slater. This is for the replat and roadway dedication of Janda Development on Richville Dr. S.E. The site is located on Augusta Lakes subdivision on Richville Dr. S.E. Our Engineer, Alex Pitts, showed us that. Did anyone have any further questions? At this time, I’d like to make a motion to waive the rules requiring three readings and bring Ord. No. 48 – 2026 forward for a vote. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER - Seconded by Councilwoman Bryan-Huth. 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. 48 – 2026 has passed. Ord. No. 49 – 2026. ORDINANCE NO. 49 – 2026 BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AN ORDINANCE to accept the dedication of road right of way and easements for Sippo Reserves Allotment, Phase IV, in Massillon, Ohio. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Harwig Smith. COUNCILWOMAN HARWIG SMITH – Thank you, President Slater. Ord. No. 49 – 2026 is for the dedication road right of way and easements for Sippo Reserves Allotment, Phase IV. It includes the dedication of 1.42 acres of roadways, including extensions of Woodforest St. N.W. and May Ave. N.W. It was approved on February 11, 2026 by the Planning Commission. There will be forty-seven additional plotted lots in the subdivision and the area is currently zoned R-1. Did anyone have any further questions on this? At this time, I’d like to make a motion to waive the rules requiring three readings and bring Ord. No. 49 – 2026 forward for a vote. 5  COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilwoman Bryan-Huth. 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. 49 – 2026 has passed. 18. REMARKS OF DELEGATIONS AND CITIZENS TO MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA JAYNE SCHULTZ – I live at 1221 Providence Rd. N.E. I’m here to ask about the data center. I wanted to gain some insight regarding the proposed data center. It kind of reminds me of a time in our nation when we said “Nuclear plants, just not in my backyard”. But, I saw the Industrial Park on the website and its vast which is great and I was appreciative to be able to see that on there. Trying to educate myself regarding the data center that’s being considered for the Industrial Park by speaking with some Council members and some advisers and I need help understanding a couple of things. How will the water be recycled? Will it be filtered before its released into the environment? How will the air be purified before being released to the outside? And while I understand the electric bill’s probably going to increase; do we have a range? And what return on our investment is the data center giving to the City of Massillon? In terms of tax dollars, schools, community service. I understand the data center’s supposed to get a twenty-year tax abatement at 70%. That’s a lot. So, I want to know what that’s going to mean to our city services? COUNCILMAN GREGG – We don’t have a data center. COUNCILMAN PATTERSON – We don’t have any legislation on that. That’s Perry. JAYNE SCHULTZ – Okay, good. Well when you find out please let us know. COUNCILMAN PATTERSON – That’s Perry Twp. JAYNE SCHULTZ – Oh, okay. We don’t have anything yet? COUNCILWOMAN CUNNINGHAM – Yeah, but we have a crypto mine. JAYNE SCHULTZ – In any case, help me understand and find out this information. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Please continue. JAYNE SCHULTZ – Finally, our country and our community has suffered a tremendous loss, I know personally, by not having access to hardcopy newspapers that allows us to share research based information that requires accountability. So, I’ve viewed these meetings. I just got lucky and saw it on MCTV. Who knew? But I don’t know when to look for them and I need to know when you’re here so I can see the meetings and I would like to see somehow this information regarding the data center to get out to the public and I think the flyers that the Mayor sends out twice a year are great. But I understand that they’re expensive. So maybe 6 they could put that on the website so we can read that or have this information on the website so you can just go into it. I mean, I discovered the website recently and found a lot of information there and it was very helpful to me. Especially seeing the site. That was educational. So, that’s primarily what I’m asking them to do is to just get this public informed about this so that we can trust your judgement in making that decision. Thank you. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you. Anyone else? PEGGY BRADY – Good evening to the President and Council and fellow citizens. I’m here on behalf of Robert Heidy who resides at 31 Marion Ave. S.E, Massillon, Ohio, and is present. He is seeing a resolution to the ongoing issue of poor water drainage on a handicapped sidewalk due to the work performed in 2024 on this street. He has provided pictures, which I have two sets and a copy of my statement, but I’m not sure which Ward that he’s in. Yes, pictures of the effects that occur when it rains and causes flooding in the roadway, as well as spilling over onto the handicap accessible sidewalk aforementioned. Mr. Heidy anticipated the paving company hired by the City would inspect the work after they were finished for proper drainage, however, as of to date, the problem has not been addressed. We are coming here in hopes this will be the first step to find a resolution to the ongoing problem not only for Mr. Heidy, but his fellow neighbors affected due to not being able to use street parking and the sidewalk. When it turns cold all the water laying in the road and on the sidewalk, freezes; making it even more of a safety hazard for drivers, pedestrians and bikers. Also, this lack of drainage creates problems for the snow plows, garbage trucks and school transportation. Most concerning is that it is a handicap accessible sidewalk and it should be kept free from debris and water to prevent falls. In closing, thank you for your time and consideration into this matter and an expected resolution to the ongoing issue, making the community of Marion Ave. S.E., a safer place to reside. Thank you. ROBERT HEIDY – I’m not sure what Ward I’m in at 31 Marion Ave. S.E. COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND – That would be Ward 4. PEGGY BRADY – I know the Mayor used to be of that Ward, I think. If you have any questions for him, as the homeowner, you’re welcome to ask. But, at least we can take and be able to address this situation and you come out and maybe even take a look. We start we’d start at City Council where you’re all at so that we can maybe take a get somebody to look and take a look at it when it rains and how it affects people. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilman Townsend. COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND – What is the address again? PEGGY BRADY – 31 Marion Ave. S.E., Massillon, Ohio. COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND – Do you guys live on Marion? ROBERT HEIDY – I live there. PEGGY BRADY – I live there partially. COUNCILMAN TOWNSEND – If you guys could hang around a little bit when the meeting is over; I want to sit and talk with you. 7 PEGGY BRADY – Ok, yeah, and they’ve got pictures of what it looks like after it rains and everything. Thank you so much. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Harwig Smith. COUNCILWOMAN HARWIG SMITH – I just have a quick question. How long has this been going on and is the first time you’ve told anyone? Have you contacted anyone prior? PEGGY BRADY – No. We have not contacted anybody but it’s been going on for about a year. Shortly after the paving company came through and they did all of that work with doing the gas lines and water lines and stuff, down through there and then the paving company. We just thought maybe because they were going to pave Erie St. maybe you guys could make it so they could fix that drainage problem. Because it just lays in front of there. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you. Councilwoman Cunningham. COUNCILWOMAN CUNNINGHAM – Thank you, Mr. President. I just want everybody in the audience to know there is a public meeting open to anybody that wishes to come on the 21 st hosted by the Mayor and some of the Administration and if some Council people show up as well, questions can be asked and discussions made and it’s at the only church on Lake Ave. So, I would like to see everybody that has concerns be there. Bring your neighbors, bring friends. The church is named is the First Assembly. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Anyone else? CODA GALLAGHER – I live at 1313 Lincoln Way N.W. and I am in Ward 5. As we just saw, there’s a lot of confusion regarding data centers. I know there’s been a lot of discussion. Thoughts and feelings about it. So, I want to say not only things I think, just in general about data centers, but also talk about what I heard last week namely from Councilwoman Harwig- Smith when discussing the same issue. There were some things that were said last week that I think were wrong and some things that didn’t make sense to me. Like using the term “banana bite”. I don’t know what that was in reference to in regard to data centers. But regardless, what I did understand is the suggestion that there hasn’t been definitive studies on data center energy usage. But according to the Computer Research Center in 2024, “US data centers consume the equivalent of the energy of the entire nation of Pakistan” and that numbers projected to more than double by 2030. The next thing that I took issue with was that [They] Bitdeer did come talk to us. They said “it would have no effect on our bill here in Ohio”. That is what the First Energy representative said to Council when they were talking about the Bitdeer Center and it’s true that one data center in the City will likely not affect electricity prices. But as Councilman Gregg pointed shortly after that was said “Ohio is part of an interstate power grid”. Which means one day the center doesn’t do anything until one city’s electricity bill, but there are two hundred other data centers in Ohio. So it will and has driven prices up for everyone. The Bitdeer facility has a two hundred twenty megawatt capacity from First Energy which is the same energy equivalent of pairing up to 188,000 American homes in a year. Prices are already rising from 2008 to 2020; residential electricity prices rose by 1.3% per year. But from 2024 to 2026 it rose by 4.2% per year. And those are national averages which includes states with little to no data centers. So, in Ohio, we have the fifth highest amount of data centers in the country. So, it’s a lot. It is true that this Council was never voted to approve any data centers. Even the Bitdeer Center is not technically a data center. It’s a crypto mining center. But was is undeniable is the impact that it has and I think it is appropriate to directly address these rumors that we’re hearing about Council. But when there 8  has been little to no discuss how the City will address the going problem and when our Mayor is writing letters of recommendations for data center companies which don’t produce anything of value for our residents and directly turn our electricity into their own profits while our utility bills skyrocket, I don’t think its professional to use the Committee meetings to air grievances about Facebook comments regarding the issue unless we’re properly addressing why people feel this way. Royalty to the Mayor’s decision should not come before loyalty to our constituents and if your constituents feel abandoned and rumors about your loyalty are spreading, it is not the jobs to be defensive and call they’re claims “a load of crap”. It is our job to listen and communicate with our residents and make clear what we’re going to do going forward to meet the needs of the people and meet the needs of the City. Thank you. COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Thank you. Councilwoman Harwig Smith. 19. ADJOURNMENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Councilwoman Harwig Smith. COUNCILWOMAN HARWIG SMITH – I’d like to make a motion that we adjourn COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Seconded by Councilman Gregg. Roll call. 9 yes to adjourn COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLATER – Meeting adjourned. ______________________________ ______________________________ DIANE ROLLAND, COUNCIL CLERK MIKE SLATER, PRESIDENT 9