3/2/2021 Council Meeting Recap
I have loved the warm(er) days we’ve been having! Bring on spring.
This week we had a Council meeting. Here is where you can view the City’s synopsis of the meeting, which provides a concise and unbiased account of the topics we discussed.
The full agenda can be viewed here. If you want to watch the meeting, you can do so here.
We started early for executive session.
Public Comments
We had a public comment regarding the proposed plan for the 1927 Building the school district is considering.
My take: I always appreciate hearing the perspectives of residents because it can help us, as community leaders, to be more in tune with your wants and needs. But Council has little to no influence on this project or any decisions that will be made in relation to this. A zoning change related to this project may come before Council, but that will likely be the extent of our involvement. And as Council members, we will have to review that zoning change request without bias like we would any other zoning request that would come before us. The School Board is ultimately going to be the governmental body who will vote to approve or deny any plans for this project.
Report of Manager
Police & Dispatch Update
Chief Tabak was present to give an update on topics such as the dispatch system, body cams, and crime in the area.
My take: To learn more about the new dispatch system, check out this fun Hudson Headlines video on the topic. Regarding the body cams - this program is up and running! Each officer has 1 body cam and each vehicle is equipped with 3 cameras, and they recently bought more batteries for them. He expressed that crime in general, not just in Hudson, seems to be up. However, the recent rash of car thefts did lead to suspects being taken into custody. Everyone should remain diligent and continue to lock their cars and be as safe as possible.
Appointments
We appointed Lydia Bronstein to a partial term on the BZBA.
Consent Agenda
12. A. 21-0017 A Motion authorizing the City Manager to provide $20,000 in funding for a partnership with the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce for the creation of a targeted digital marketing campaign aimed at promoting Hudson as a destination for dining, shopping and services.
Brief Description: The Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Merchants of Hudson, Destination Hudson, and a representative from the City of Hudson will oversee the creation of a targeted digital marketing campaign that is to be initiated through $20,000 from the City of Hudson.
My take: This passed 6-0 with one abstention (Councilwoman Schlademan). I am excited that we were able to do something to help our businesses. We ended 2020 in great shape, partially due to CARES funding (but also because Council and city staff have been good stewards of our money in recent years), so I felt that giving back to our businesses who are the backbone of our local economy was a wise investment.
12. B. 21-0017 A Motion authorizing the City Manager to move forward with a Professional Services Contract with Research Analytics Consulting LLC for a Downtown Development Community Survey.
Brief Description: The purpose of this proposal is to assist in the development, implementation, compilation, and analysis of a statistically significant random community survey questionnaire to assess a vacant 20-acre City owned property located within our central business district. The final survey shall identify community ideas and priorities for the future development of this downtown area, and the consultant’s fee shall not exceed $17,000.00.
My take: This passed 7-0. Although it passed, I have been vocal about concerns I have regarding the process that got us here. While I have concerns about the process moving forward, I have confidence that the consultant we chose will prevent us from going down the wrong path and will be able to ensure a seamless process moving forward. I will, of course, be watching this issue very closely and a blog on the P2 land is forthcoming in the near future.
12. G. 21-22 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR A SOLID WASTE STORAGE AREA BEHIND THE MAIN STREET STORES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
Brief Description: This resolution would authorize the City Manager to enter into a license agreement with Kep’s Tavern LLC to permit the use of a City-owned dumpster enclosure on City property to properly store their trash, solid waste, and recyclables.
My take: This was pulled, but ultimately passed. The Council member who raised issues with this has a valid concern, but the proposed plan seems to be the best solution for now.
12. H. 21-23 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SOLICIT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE DESIGN OF A TENNIS AND PICKLE BALL COMPLEX AT BARLOW FARM PARK.
Brief Description: This Resolution allows the Public Works Department to advertise for RFPs for the design of a tennis and pickle ball complex at Barlow Farm Park.
My take: We punted. (Yes, I know, wrong sport, haha) We sent this back to Park Board. A couple of Council members said that Park Board felt out of the loop and wanted more input on scope, however, this resolution only enables staff to put out an RFP. Nothing else. I suggested that, in order to keep the process moving, we just involve the Park Board in the RFP process to ensure they have input on the scope. Ultimately, it seemed the majority of Council wanted Park Board to revisit this and send it back to us. Neither way is wrong, I just believe both get us to the same place in the end, but one much faster than the other. I had hoped we could take advantage of every efficiency so that we could get you all playing in the fall of 2021. This will prolong the process.
Legislation
No actionable items tonight, everything here was on first or second reading.
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Have questions? Want to share your thoughts with me on any of the agenda items or issues listed above? As always, I would love to have a conversation! Email me directly at nkowalski@hudson.oh.us.
