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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE AVON LAKE CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 26, 2026 The regular meeting of the Avon Lake City Council was called to order on January 26, 2026, at 9:27 p.m. in the Council Chamber with Council President Smith presiding. Law Director Ebert led Council, staff, and the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Councilmembers Jennifer Fenderbosch, Amy Gentry, Kayla Goodwin, David Kos, Matthew Reynolds, Rob Shahmir, and Geoff Smith; Law Director Gary Ebert; Finance Director Beth Krosse; Public Works Director Jon Liskovec; and Clerk of Council Valerie Rosmarin. Absent: Mayor Mark Spaetzel. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the special Council Meeting held January 5, 2025, and the regular Council Meeting held January 12, 2026, were approved as prepared and published. CORRESPONDENCE The following correspondence or communications were received: 1. Mr. Shahmir reported that he had received communications from residents regarding the presence of coyotes in the area and advised them that information regarding coyote management is available on the City’s website. He noted that coyotes cannot be trapped or relocated. He further stated that he had observed coyotes traversing his property between Avon Lake and Bay Village. He emphasized that coyotes are part of the natural environment and recommended that residents remain aware and take appropriate precautions to protect smaller animals. 2. Mrs. Fenderbosch reported that she had received emails from residents regarding the condition of City roads and concerns related to the use of salt. She further noted that Councilmembers received an email from Rob Baker prior to the Council Meeting, regarding the placement of a tax increase on the May ballot. Mr. Baker asked that his email be entered into the Council record. PUBLIC INPUT 1. Gerald Phillips, Avon Lake, addressed Council regarding the proposed income tax increase. He stated that, based on his review of the Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR), the increase in 2022 was not attributable to COVID-19, January 26, 2026, Council Meeting 2 noting that revenues in 2020 were comparable to 2019 and increased by approximately $1.3 million in 2021. He further stated that income tax revenue had increased 77.2% since 2015. He cited a decline in Ford Motor Company’s personal taxable property valuation from $9.9 million in 2015 to $5.3 million in 2024, indicating reduced employment. He noted that the General Obligation Fund had a balance of $2.2 million and the Street Fund had $1.4 million at the end of 2024 and questioned continued allocation percentages and the absence of a clearly identified stormwater fund. He also commented on street conditions in newer developments, modest population growth, and presented calculations suggesting income tax revenue could be approximately $23.7 million. He concluded by noting that approximately 75% of residents work outside the City and questioned how much revenue would be collected from residents’ income taxes. 2. William Zimmerman, Avon Lake, referenced comments made earlier during the Economic Development Committee meeting by Community Development Director Ted Esborn regarding the need to continue paying professional consultants. He stated that he did not understand why consultants should be paid when no activity has occurred at the former power plant site. He also referenced the discussion of a survey of 18 residents, noting concerns expressed about high-rise buildings, apartments, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and data centers, and stated that he believed the term “concerns” understated opposition to those items. He concluded by stating that Council should closely examine the proposed tax increase, which he did not support, and he expressed his belief that the City should not increase taxes to offset what he characterized as frivolous spending. COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S REPORT Council President Smith announced that the next Finance Committee meeting will be held during the Collective Committee Meeting on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT Mr. Reynolds reported on the Human Resources Committee as follows: • The next Committee meeting will be held during the Collective Committee Meeting on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber. PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE REPORT Mr. Kos reported on the Public Safety and Health Committee as follows: January 26, 2026, Council Meeting 3 • Suspension of the rule requiring three readings on an emergency basis will be requested for Ordinance No. 26-8, awarding a contract for fireworks. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE REPORT Mrs. Fenderbosch reported on the Public Service Committee as follows: • The next Committee meeting is Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REPORT Council President Smith reported on the Zoning Board of Appeals as follows: • The next Board meeting is Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REPORT Mrs. Goodwin reported on the Parks and Recreation Commission as follows: • The next Commission meeting is Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room. TREE COMMISSION REPORT Mrs. Fenderbosch reported on the Tree Commission as follows: 1. The next Commission meeting is Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Old Firehouse and Community Center. 2. The Commission is offering a free Fruit Tree Pruning Class to the community and to arborists from other communities on Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Old Firehouse and Community Center. LEGISLATION Second Reading: Resolution No. 26-2R, 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 January 26, 2026, Council Meeting 4 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. Council President Smith moved for passage of Resolution No. 26-2R. 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 a period of five years, beginning January 1, 2027. The additional revenue would be used to fund critical City infrastructure needs, with 65% allocated to the maintenance, repair, and improvement of City streets and 35% allocated to the construction of storm sewers and related drainage improvements, traffic infrastructure, and necessary vehicles and equipment for City operations. Mr. Shahmir stated that he would support the legislation provided a plan is presented prior to the May vote, including a timeline and clarification that road projects would be prioritized over other activities. Council President Smith and Ms. Gentry indicated their agreement with this stipulation. Yes: Goodwin, Kos, Reynolds, Shahmir, Smith, Fenderbosch, Gentry No: None Motion passed. Resolution No. 26-2R adopted. First Readings: Ordinance No. 26-6, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 284: ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD (SECTIONS 284.01, 284.02, 284.03, AND 284.04), CHAPTER 288: TREE COMMISSION (SECTION 288.04), AND CHAPTER 220: COUNCIL (SECTION 220.05), was read by title only. This legislation will rename the Environmental Affairs Advisory Board to the Environmental Advisory Board, as recommended by the Board. Accordingly, amendments will be made to Chapter 284 and to Sections 288.04 and 220.05 of the Code of Ordinances. Ordinance No. 26-7, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND/OR FINANCE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH ZUPKA & ASSOCIATES AND THE AUDITOR OF THE STATE OF OHIO FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF STATUTORY AUDIT SERVICES FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2025, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2029, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, was read by title only. Council President Smith moved for suspension of the rule requiring three readings. January 26, 2026, Council Meeting 5 Yes: Goodwin, Kos, Reynolds, Shahmir, Smith, Fenderbosch, Gentry No: None Motion passed. Council President Smith moved for passage of Ordinance No. 26-7. This legislation will authorize the Mayor and/or Finance Director to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Zupka & Associates, of Seven Hills, Ohio, and the Auditor of the State of Ohio for the performance of statutory audit services for the fiscal period January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029, at a cost not to exceed $183,370. Yes: Goodwin, Kos, Reynolds, Shahmir, Smith, Fenderbosch, Gentry No: None Motion passed. Ordinance No. 26-7 adopted. Ordinance No. 26-8, AN ORDINANCE AWARDING A CONTRACT TO AMERICAN FIREWORKS COMPANY FOR THE 2026 FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, was read by title only. Mr. Kos moved for suspension of the rule requiring three readings. Yes: Goodwin, Kos, Reynolds, Shahmir, Smith, Fenderbosch, Gentry No: None Motion passed. Mr. Kos moved for passage of Ordinance No. 26-8. This legislation will award a contract to American Fireworks Company, of Hudson, Ohio, for the 2026 Fourth of July Fireworks on July 3, 2026, with a rain date of July 6, 2026, for $32,500. Friends of the Park, a non- profit organization, will contribute half of the cost, with the remainder funded through donations from local businesses and sponsors. Yes: Goodwin, Kos, Reynolds, Shahmir, Smith, Fenderbosch, Gentry No: None Motion passed. Ordinance No. 26-8 adopted. Ordinance No. 26-9, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL AGREEMENT FOR THE EASTERN LORAIN COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (“ELCERT”) COMPRISED OF THE CITY OF AVON, CITY OF AVON LAKE, CITY OF NORTH RIDGEVILLE, AND WESTSHORE ENFORCEMENT BUREAU (“WEB”), was read by title only. This legislation authorizes the Mayor to enter into a multi-jurisdictional agreement with the City of Avon and City of North Ridgeville and the Westshore Enforcement Bureau (WEB) for mutual police aid, including the interchange and use of personnel and equipment from each member department. This agreement supplements the original January 26, 2026, Council Meeting 6 multi-jurisdictional agreement that established ELCERT pursuant to Ordinance No. 22- 163. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Shahmir announced that the next Ward I Meeting is Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Avon Lake Public Library. Mr. Kos moved for adjournment. Yes: Goodwin, Kos, Reynolds, Shahmir, Smith, Fenderbosch, Gentry No: None Motion passed. Adjournment: 9:52 p.m. Approved: Attest: Council President Clerk of Council