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MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING February 17, 2026 – 7:30p.m. Council of the City of Berea, Ohio, met in regular session in the Council Chamber on February 17, 2026 and the meeting was called to order by President of Council Jim Maxwell at 7:30p.m. Present: Erika Coble, Michael A. Kurtz, Chris McManis, Vance Redding, Lisa Weaver and Gene Zacharyasz. Absent: Rick Skoczen. Also present: Assistant Director of Law Danielle Swisher. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. This meeting was held in compliance with all legal requirements including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code and Chapter 109 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Berea. The certificate of compliance is on file in the Clerk’s office. Moved by Mr. McManis, seconded by Mr. Zacharyasz, that the minutes from the February 2, 2026 Public Hearing be approved. Vote on the motion was all ayes and no nays. The motion carried. Moved by Mr. Kurtz, seconded by Mr. McManis, that the minutes from the February 2, 2026 Regular Council Meeting be approved. Vote on the motion was all ayes and no nays. The motion carried. MAYOR'S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT AND COMMENTS Mayor Kleem was not present. REPORT AND COMMENTS BY THE OFFICERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION: Andrea Morris – Director of Finance: Mrs. Morris was not present. Barb Jones – Director of Law & Public Safety: Mrs. Swisher had no report. Tony Armagno – Director of Public Service: Mr. Armagno was not present. Marty Compton – Director of Recreation: Mr. Compton was not present. COMMENDATIONS: None PETITIONS: None AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: 2 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – February 17, 2026 Bruce McLaughlin thanked Mrs. Coble for speaking before the Kiwanis Club this evening, adding that it was really nice to hear directly from the City. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Woodvale Union Cemetery Board of Trustees – Jim Maxwell Mr. Maxwell explained that the Board met with the Mayors of both Cities and provided them updates on the expansion project, as well as the financial state of affairs. He added that the Board hired a new IT specialist, the same man employed by the City of Berea. LEGISLATION – THIRD READING: NONE LEGISLATION – SECOND READING: ORDINANCE NO. 2-2: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SERVICES RELATIVE TO THE CITY SEWERS, AS DETERMINED FROM TIME-TO-TIME, TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE CITY’S SANITARY AND STORM SEWER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING THE FUNDS THEREFORE, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Clerk read the title of the Ordinance. Proposed Ordinance No. 2-2 stands on second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 2-3: AN ORDINANCE ENACTING NEW CHAPTER 139, RECORDS COMMISSION, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BEREA FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF EXERCISING HOME RULE AUTHORITY OVER THE COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS, NOTICE, RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS, AND OTHER RULES FOR THE RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS. The Clerk read the title of the Ordinance. Proposed Ordinance No. 2-3 stands on second reading. LEGISLATION – FIRST READING: ORDINANCE NO. 2-4: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO ACCEPT NORTHEAST OHIO PUBLIC ENERGY COUNCIL (NOPEC) 2026 ENERGIZED COMMUNITY GRANT FUNDS, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Clerk read the title of the Ordinance. Proposed Ordinance No. 2-4 stands on first reading. ORDINANCE NO. 2-5: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA (“CRA”) AGREEMENT WITH WIKLE PROPERTIES, LLC. AND RYCO SPORTS, LLC., AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. 3 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – February 17, 2026 The Clerk read the title of the Ordinance. The owner, Bob Wikle, was present this evening. He explained that his business has grown so much that they require additional space, and he decided he wants to own the building and no longer pay rent. The City has been so great to work with as he attempts this feat, adding that construction should take approximately 4 to 6 months to complete. Mr. Maxwell welcomed Mr. Wikle to Berea! Proposed Ordinance No. 2-5 stands on first reading. ORDINANCE NO. 2-6: AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FROM THE VARIOUS FUNDS TO INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE CURRENT EXPENDITURES AND OTHER EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF BEREA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026, AND EXPRESSLY REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 2025-79. The Clerk read the title of the Ordinance. Mr. Maxwell reminded Members that the exhibit is in the works as the Finance Department puts together the final 2026 budget. Proposed Ordinance No. 2-6 stands on first reading. REPORT AND COMMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL Mr. Maxwell had no report. REPORT AND COMMENTS BY THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL Mr. Redding had no report. Mr. Skoczen was not present. Mrs. Weaver had no report. Mr. Zacharyasz had no report. Mrs. Coble thanked Mr. McLaughlin for coming this evening, as well as for the invite to the Kiwanis Club meeting. Mr. Kurtz stated that inflatable bunnies are being passed around Ward 2, as a way to have a little fun. He added that the Kiwanis Club is helping him put together First Responder comfort bags, and so far the demand is high and the product is being well received. Mr. McManis stated that his house was the recipient of one of the bunnies, adding that Mr. Kurtz is his Ward representative, and he appreciates all of his hard work right off the bat. CORRESPONDENCE 4 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – February 17, 2026 The January 28, 2026 – February 11, 2026 Correspondence is available in the Clerk’s office. OTHER BUSINESS: Mrs. Esson reminded Council Members about their financial disclosures, and updated them on the next meeting of the Charter Review Commission. There being no further business before Council, it was moved by Mr. Zacharyasz, and seconded by Mr. Kurtz, that the Regular Council Meeting be adjourned. Vote on the motion was all ayes and no nays. The motion passed and President Maxwell declared the meeting adjourned at 7:49p.m. ______________________________________ Jim Maxwell President of Council ______________________________________ Alycia Esson Clerk of Council CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE The regular meeting of Council of the City of Berea, Ohio, held on the 17th day of February, 2026, was conducted in compliance with Codified Ordinances Section 109 and Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22. ___________________________________ Alycia Esson Clerk of Council