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MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING March 2, 2026 – 7:30p.m. Council of the City of Berea, Ohio, met in regular session in the Council Chamber on March 2, 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, Rick Skoczen, Lisa Weaver and Gene Zacharyasz. Also present: Mayor Cyril M. Kleem, Director of Public Works Tony Armagno and Director of Finance Andrea Morris. 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. Kurtz, that the minutes from the February 17, 2026 Public Hearing be approved. Vote on the motion was all ayes and no nays. The motion carried. Moved by Mrs. Weaver, seconded by Mr. McManis, that the minutes from the February 17, 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 had no report. REPORT AND COMMENTS BY THE OFFICERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION: Andrea Morris – Director of Finance: Mrs. Morris thanked everyone who stepped in to help while she was out. Mrs. Morris also informed Council that the 2026 budget documents should be available by March 12, 2026. Barb Jones – Director of Law & Public Safety: Mrs. Jones was not present. Mr. Skoczen stated that two residents have complained about speed violations on Whitehall, and asked if the area could be put on high alert. Tony Armagno – Director of Public Service: Mr. Armagno informed Council that, with regard to the Jaqueline sewer project, excavation is done and sewer lining work has begun. With regard to Adrian, Phase 2 is slightly delayed because of the winter weather, and will likely start in April and still be completed in October, but residents will be kept informed of the situation. 2 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – March 2, 2026 Mr. Armagno continued that the Bagley Road resurfacing project, from Lindbergh to Beech, that is being done in partnership with the County, is budgeted for Fiscal Year 2027. Last Friday, the City was informed of an additional $1.8 million grant, awarded from the Ohio Public Works Commission, which means, depending on how bids come in, the project will be mostly funded and perhaps fully funded by grants. While traffic will certainly be affected as work is being conducted, the City will remain in communication with the contractor and address any issues while trying to make traffic flow as seamless as possible. In response to inquiries from Council Members, Mr. Armagno stated that the Bagley Road medians will be repaired as needed, bridge work will be included, new concrete will have asphalt overlays, work will be conducted on audio buttons at some pedestrian crosswalks, ADA ramps will be replaced, as needed, the island at Prospect will be removed, and the remaining portion of Bagley Road from Beech into Middleburg Heights and from Lindbergh to Lewis will simply be patched, as the area from Lindbergh to Beech is what was targeted with federal money. Marty Compton – Director of Recreation: Mr. Compton was not present. COMMENDATIONS: NONE PETITIONS: NONE AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: NONE COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Court Committee – Chris McManis, Chair Mr. McManis stated that he and Mr. Skoczen have been in communication with regard to the pending budget discussion and agreed that the Court Committee will meet at 6:00pm on March 16, 2026, with the Finance Committee meeting at 6:30pm that same evening. Mr. Skoczen asked that anyone with questions get them to the Administration ahead of time so that Directors are prepared with answers that night. LEGISLATION – THIRD 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. Moved by Mr. McManis, seconded by Mr. Zacharyasz, that Ordinance No. 2-2 be adopted. Vote on the motion was ayes: Coble, Kurtz, McManis, Redding, Skoczen, Weaver and Zacharyasz. Nays: None. The motion carried. 3 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – March 2, 2026 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. Moved by Mr. Kurtz, seconded by Mr. Redding, that Ordinance No. 2-3 be adopted. Vote on the motion was ayes: Coble, Kurtz, McManis, Redding, Skoczen, Weaver and Zacharyasz. Nays: None. The motion carried. LEGISLATION – SECOND 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. Mrs. Morris noted that the total grant amount to be received is $45,016. Proposed Ordinance No. 2-4 stands on second 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. The Clerk read the title of the Ordinance. Proposed Ordinance No. 2-5 stands on second 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. Proposed Ordinance No. 2-6 stands on second reading. LEGISLATION – FIRST READING: NONE 4 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – March 2, 2026 REPORT AND COMMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL Mr. Maxwell had no report. REPORT AND COMMENTS BY THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL Mr. Skoczen informed Council that he is going to be working with the Clerk to gather information regarding e-bike laws in surrounding Cities, as he can see a serious safety issue emerging and wants to address it promptly and before anyone is hurt. Mrs. Weaver had no report. Mr. Zacharyasz had no report. Mrs. Coble thanked Mayor Kleem, Linda Kramer and the Mayor’s Office for the nice flyer they created regarding the America250 project, announcing that the speaker series is beginning, apparel is available and volunteers are working hard as there is a lot going on with regard to the celebration. Mr. Kurtz announced that he will be hosting a Ward 2 meeting in the Council Chamber on March 30, 2026 at 6:00p.m. Mr. McManis had no report. Mr. Redding referenced the parking spot by 126 Front Street, noting that a car was sticking out of the spot last time it snowed, and suggesting that the parking space be reserved for small cars only. CORRESPONDENCE The February 12, 2026 – February 25, 2026 Correspondence is available in the Clerk’s office. OTHER BUSINESS: Mrs. Esson reminded Council Members about their financial disclosures, and informed Mr. Skoczen that Chief Clark will put Whitehall on high alert with regard to the speeding issues he referenced this evening. Moved by Mr. Zacharyasz, seconded by Mr. Skoczen, that the March 9, 2026 Work Session be cancelled. Vote on the motion was all ayes and no nays. The motion carried. 5 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – March 2, 2026 There being no further business before Council, it was moved by Mr. Zacharyasz, and seconded by Mr. Skoczen, 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 8:03p.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 2nd day of March, 2026, was conducted in compliance with Codified Ordinances Section 109 and Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22. ___________________________________ Alycia Esson Clerk of Council