At tonight’s council meeting we discussed several issues:
- We heard from Stow Municipal Courts on their proposed 2019 budget, both from the Judges side and the Clerk of Courts side. They do not foresee any issues with meeting their debt obligations in 2019. There was mention that the only issue that could de-rail their budget estimates would be if, at the state level, there were amendments to some of the drug sentencing guidelines that could increase cases coming through the court. This will be something to keep on the radar to see if this could impact the court operations.
- Council approved several Mayor appointments to the Commission on Inclusion, Urban Forestry Commission, Senior Citizens Commission, and the Cemetery Board.
- Council made two selections for the Arts Board—Jeremy McIntire and Tom Stephan. Congratulations!
- The Planning Director, Rob Kurtz, gave council a heads up that there will be several industrial improvements and additions around the Seasons Road area coming in the next several meetings. This is good news for Stow as attracting new businesses and current business expanding and adding space and employees increases our tax base. I look forward to seeing the proposals that will be coming forward in the next several months.
- Council approved a new duplex site plan to be located at the corner of Hibbard and Sunnyside Drive. This issue was one that came through Planning Commission last year when I was a member, we voted to approve it, however it had failed at council last year on a 3-3 vote. Council considered revising the zoning code regarding requirements of where a duplex may be located, however Planning Commission (as of last year) did not support a revision and Council did not make any changes to the code. I personally feel the requirements to build a duplex are already rather stringent (minimum lot size of 18,000 square feet, lot width of 120 feet, and within 300 feet of two other 2-family dwellings) and did not feel a change was necessary. This location already met the requirements of the code and did not require any variances for approval.
- Mayor Pribonic selected Brendan Mackin to serve as the interim Law Director until a new one is elected in November. Brendan has been the Assistant Law Director and has worked for the City for the last 7 years. Council will have to approve this appointment as it is more than 75 days until the next election. I am supportive of this move since the election is this year and the appointment will help keep things running smoothly vs. bringing in a new party who hasn’t been working within the law department.
- There will be upcoming construction on Route 8 both north and south bound between Graham Road and 303 will have various lane restrictions, including lane closures until fall (roughly October/November).
The next City Council Meeting will be March 28, 2019 at 7 PM.