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Special Council Meeting Minutes

Special Council Meeting · minutes

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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AVON LAKE CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 5, 2026 The special meeting of the Avon Lake City Council was called to order on January 5, 2026, at 8:34 p.m. in the Council Chamber with Council President Smith presiding. Public Works Director Liskovec led Council, staff, and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Councilmembers Jennifer Fenderbosch, Amy Gentry, Kayla Goodwin, Matthew Reynolds, Rob Shahmir, and Geoff Smith; Mayor Mark Spaetzel; Law Director Gary Ebert; Finance Director Beth Krosse; Public Works Director Jon Liskovec; and Clerk of Council Valerie Rosmarin. Absent: Councilmember David Kos. MOTION Council President Smith moved to add Ordinance No. 26-1 to the agenda. Yes: Fenderbosch, Gentry, Goodwin, Reynolds, Shahmir, Smith No: None Absent: Kos Motion passed. LEGISLATION First Readings: Ordinance No. 26-1, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 886.01, 886.03, 886.04 AND 886.06 OF THE CITY’S CODIFIED ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR THE LEVY OF AN ADDITIONAL 0.40% INCOME TAX, FOR FIVE YEARS, COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2027, TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING COSTS OF (i) MAINTAINING, REPAIRING AND IMPROVING CITY STREETS BY CONSTRUCTING, RECONSTRUCTING, WIDENING, GRADING, DRAINING, CURBING, PAVING AND EXTENDING STREETS AND RELATED BRIDGES, AND (ii) CONSTRUCTING STORM SEWERS AND RELATED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, INSTALLING TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND SIGNALIZATION, AND ACQUIRING VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS AND FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING DEBT CHARGES ON CITY NOTES, BONDS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS ISSUED FOR THOSE PURPOSES, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, was read by title only. This legislation will amend Codified Ordinance Sections 886.01, 886.03, 886.04, and 886.06 to implement an additional 0.40% municipal income tax for a five-year period, if approved by voters on May 5, 2026. Beginning January 1, 2027, through December 31,

January 5, 2026, Special Council Meeting 2 2031, the City’s income tax rate will increase from 1.50% to 1.90%. The additional 0.40% is a temporary levy and will expire at the end of 2031. Revenue generated by the additional tax will be dedicated as follows: • 50% for maintaining, repairing, and improving City streets and related bridges, including construction, reconstruction, widening, grading, drainage, curbing, paving, and extensions. • 50% for storm sewer and drainage improvements, traffic signals and signalization, and the acquisition of vehicles and equipment for City departments. Funds may also be used to pay debt service on notes, bonds, or other obligations issued for these purposes. Mr. Shahmir stated that he would support the legislation pending receipt of a five- year funding allocation plan, as well as a longer-term plan extending five to ten years and beyond. Resolution No. 26-2, A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE NECESSITY OF AN ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF APPROVING THE PASSAGE OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 886.01, 886.03, 886.04 AND 886.06 OF THE CITY’S CODIFIED ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR THE LEVY OF AN ADDITIONAL 0.40% INCOME TAX, FOR FIVE YEARS, COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2027, TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING COSTS OF (i) MAINTAINING, REPAIRING AND IMPROVING CITY STREETS BY CONSTRUCTING, RECONSTRUCTING, WIDENING, GRADING, DRAINING, CURBING, PAVING AND EXTENDING STREETS AND RELATED BRIDGES, AND (ii) CONSTRUCTING STORM SEWERS AND RELATED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, INSTALLING TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND SIGNALIZATION, AND ACQUIRING VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS AND FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING DEBT CHARGES ON CITY NOTES, BONDS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS ISSUED FOR THOSE PURPOSES, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, was read by title only. This legislation will place a question on the May 5, 2026, ballot asking voters to approve a temporary 0.40% municipal income tax increase. If approved, the income tax rate would increase from 1.50% to 1.90% for five years, beginning January 1, 2027. The additional revenue would be used to fund critical City infrastructure needs, including street and bridge improvements, stormwater and drainage projects, traffic infrastructure, and necessary vehicles and equipment for City operations, as well as related debt costs. If the income tax increase is approved, it is Council’s intent to discontinue the existing 1.5-mill property tax currently used for police, fire, street maintenance, and parks and recreation services, beginning with tax year 2026 and continuing through its expiration in tax year 2029. Mr. Shahmir stated again that he would support the legislation pending receipt of a five-year funding allocation plan, as well as a longer-term plan extending five to ten years and beyond.

January 5, 2026, Special Council Meeting 3 EXECUTIVE SESSION Mrs. Fenderbosch moved to adjourn to Executive Session in compliance with Ohio Revised Code Sections 121.22(G)(1), (2), and (3) to discuss the dismissal of a public employee, the purchase or sale of property, and pending court action. Yes: Fenderbosch, Gentry, Goodwin, Reynolds, Shahmir, Smith No: None Absent: Kos Motion passed. Adjournment: 8:41 p.m. RECONVENING OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL The regular meeting of Council reconvened at 9:35 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Jennifer Fenderbosch, Amy Gentry, Kayla Goodwin, Matthew Reynolds, Rob Shahmir, and Geoff Smith. Absent: Councilmember David Kos. Mrs. Fenderbosch moved for adjournment. Yes: Fenderbosch, Gentry, Goodwin, Reynolds, Shahmir, Smith No: None Absent: Kos Motion passed. Adjournment: 9:36 p.m. Approved: Attest: Council President Clerk of Council
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