6/15 Meeting & 6/22 Workshop Recaps
Happy Friday, Hudson! I’ve decided to switch to doing my recaps every other week. I have not gotten a lot of feedback on this, so let me know how you like it.
Public Comments
There were public comments in favor of Councilwoman Schlademan’s proposal to grant funds to the DEI Alliance, and the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Hudson spoke in opposition to Councilman Foster’s term limit legislation.
Report of City Manager
Public, portable restrooms have been installed at 36 North Main Street in a parking lot adjacent to the Baldwin Buss house and across from Amaize Popcorn. Staff is working on installing signage. Read about it here.
Consent Agenda
11. C. 21-66 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE HUDSON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SUPPORT OF THE CONTINUATION 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 continuation of a targeted digital marketing campaign through an additional contribution of $20,000 from the City of Hudson.
My Take: This passed 5-1 with one abstention (Councilwoman Schlademan abstained because she is a merchant and a member of the Chamber of Commerce). Nicole Alverson from the Hudson Chamber of Commerce spoke to us during the public comments portion of the meeting about the need to continue the campaign to support our small businesses as things begin to open up and we return to normal. I support this and voted “yes” on it, but also am in agreement with my colleagues on Council who stated this cannot become a permanent line item in the city’s budget. I anticipate that this will be the last time we do this.
Legislation
12. A. 21-54 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART TWELVE OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF HUDSON TO AMEND SECTIONS 1205.10(a), 1205.10(d), 1205.10(e), AND 1206.01 TO PERMIT SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLINGS, TOWNHOMES, AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS AS ALLOWED USES WITHIN THE DISTRICT 7 OFFICE OVERLAY ZONE. Brief Description: Consideration of proposed Land Development Code Text Amendment to amend the City’s Land Development Code, Section 1205.10, District 7: Outer Village Commercial Corridor and Office Overlay Zone, and Section 1206.01, Table of Permitted and Conditional Uses by Zone District, to permit single family attached dwellings, townhomes, and planned developments as allowed uses within the District 7 Office Overlay.
My Take: This required a supermajority of 6/7 to pass, so as a result, this failed even though the vote was 4/3 in favor. We have a serious need for empty nester housing in Hudson, so I voted “yes” on this because these town homes would have helped satisfy that need.
Discussion Items
3. A. 21-0055 Stopped Train Warning Signals
Brief Description: Councilman Chris Foster has requested discussion regarding stopped train warning signals for the Hines Hill Road railroad crossing.
My Take: The issue of stopped trains blocking traffic to the neighborhoods NW of this railroad crossing was examined. This location causes many residents significant inconveniences. There are several possible solutions to mitigate the backups and warn residents about a stopped train. At least one member of Council has suggested the City eventually fix the issue with a grade separation (bridge over the rail line). However, this is an extremely costly project and, to me, is not justifiable unless we received federal funding to assist with the cost.
The justification for this is that it is a safety hazard, that the trains could block emergency services from reaching these neighborhoods in a timely manner. But this is a fallacy. Because of mutual aid agreements with neighboring cities, which there is no cost for, as well as alternate routes that can be taken to reach these neighborhoods, there is no reason for anyone to worry.
I contacted the police and fire chiefs, and both said this is not an issue. A records search showed that in the last three years we have had no fire calls that required Auto Aid, eight EMS calls that got a Valley FD response, and four EMS calls that got a Macedonia FD response. That means there is a total of 12 Automatic Aid calls for service in the latest 36 month period with an average total of four Automatic Aid calls per year. Our safety services are led by smart people who are well-prepared to keep us all safe.
Legislation
5. A. 21-65 AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORS OF HUDSON A PROPOSAL BY HUDSON CITY COUNCIL TO AMEND SECTIONS 3.01 AND 4.01 OF THE CHARTER OF HUDSON CONCERNING TERM LIMITS FOR MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR.
Brief Description: Councilman Foster has proposed amendments to the City’s Charter to implement term limits for members of City Council and the Mayor. Pursuant to Charter Section 13.01, five or more affirmative Council votes are necessary for passage of this Ordinance.
My Take: There was some discussion about this. After hearing the LWV speak in opposition to this legislation, I began to do some research.
Why are two 4-year terms the standard?
When did two 4-year terms become the precedent everyone must follow, and how was this length of time determined?
I understand the rationale for this as it applies to our executive branch, but I have never entirely understood why it should also apply to the legislative branch. I was not able to find a lot on this that was based on anything more than opinion when I was doing research. The number seems to have been arbitrarily decided and consistently used in term limits because everyone else uses it.
Additionally, term limits do not seem to actually accomplish what they intend to in most cases. It more often results in a loss of institutional knowledge because of this revolving door of new elected officials, and politicians forcing things through in order to accomplish what they need to in a limited amount of time.
Councilman Foster was not able to answer my question of, “why two terms?” It seems this legislation is based off of what is done at the state and national level, which I question the relevance of to our municipality’s non-partisan City Manager form of government.
Most importantly, I think this legislation will take the choice away from voters by limiting who can represent them. You vote us in, you can apply term limits by voting us out.
For this to pass and go to the ballot, it will need to receive 5/7 affirmative votes from Council.
5. E. 21-75 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE HUDSON DEI ALLIANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION FOR FACILITATING COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.
Brief Description: The Hudson DEI Alliance and a representative of the City of Hudson will oversee the coordination, development and implementation of a program to implement facilitated community conversation through a contribution of $30,000 from the City of Hudson.
My Take: Councilwoman Schlademan clarified some points, answered questions previously asked by Council members and the mayor, and gave more information on the DEI Alliance as an organization. Council requested she come back with more specific information on the program this would be funding.
June 21, 2021 Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Workshop
We held a special workshop on traffic and pedestrian safety. Chief Perry Tabak was in attendance. Several residents came and spoke, and Council directed staff to look more closely at certain areas that seem to be consistent issues. Enforcement seemed to be the big take away from the night. This is something that will we will look at continually improving.
Because Council only meets four times a month, we will not be meeting this week (it is the fifth Tuesday of the month). The next time Council meets is July 6.
Follow my Facebook and Twitter for frequent updates!
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.
