Tonight the Council meeting started off with several residents who live in the neighborhood adjacent to the city center property who were concerned with the current plan to put an amphitheater, play trail, and splash pad at the city center site. Many of the residents were open to a play trail and splash pad area but did not like the idea of an amphitheater because of the noise, hours of use, and potential traffic it could create. Previously, when I sat on the parks board there was a plan shared that included the play trail, splash pad, and a green lawn space/gathering area that could be used for events like farmers markets and other outdoor events. I have not seen any a plans that includes an amphitheater, either on parks board or while on city council.
In light of the concerns with the city center area Council voted on two prior ordinances from 2018 relating to SKIP Park (these items had previously been discussed and tabled). The first was to create a fund and a matching policy for the City to match any funds raised by private donors to rebuild or replace SKIP up to $75,000. The second was to create a committee for the rebuilding of SKIP that would include recommendations on how to rebuild, create a fundraising plan to attract and collect donations for rebuilding, and act as a liaison between the city and other community organizations who would have an interest in assisting with the rebuilding of SKIP.
Tonight at the meeting the Mayor stated that this project was not very far along and that money had not been raised or pledged yet. However, two Stow Sentry articles both mentioned funds already raised and pledged and that committees had already been formed (see articles here: April 8 Article and July 11 Article). I think both of these new pieces of legislation will help provide a little more transparency as to what is going on with this project and will allow some of the residents who live in this area who will be directly affected to get involved in the committee.
The other item that was discussed tonight was the addition of a charter amendment to the fall ballot. This amendment would be centered around the Safety Services Communication Center. Initially, Councilman Lowdermilk presented this amendment and it related to the location of the Safety Services Communication Center and a requirement for it to remain in Stow and in the Safety Services Building. I proposed an amendment to this legislation that would clarify to voters that the amendment is less on “where” the safety services communication center is located and more on “who” controls the safety services communication center. Previously there had been discussion of entering into a Council of Government that would control a regional dispatch center that Stow would be a part of. This did not get passed or moved on at that time, but there is a chance it could come up again. This charter amendment (if passed) would then put it before the voters to decide whether the control safety services communications would be transferred outside of our own city control. Safety Services provided by the city are on the top of the list of important things to our citizens so I support asking the voters their opinion on whether they feel they should vote on control or if they feel council and administration would make that decision.
The next City Council meeting is July 25, 2019 at 7 PM.