2026.3.16.Reg Minutes

MINUTES OF A REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING March 16, 2026 – 7:30p.m. Council of the City of Berea, Ohio, met in regular session in the Council Chamber on March 16, 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: Director of Public Works Tony Armagno, Director of Law and Public Safety Barb Jones, Director of Finance Andrea Morris and Assistant Director of Finance Andy Palcheff. 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. Mr. Maxwell informed everyone in the Chamber that, likely due to the heavy winds and power outage, the audio equipment is offline, and while attempts have been made to re-establish a connection, a service call will be required. This evening, therefore, the meeting is not being broadcast on Facebook or the radio, but an audio copy will be available. Moved by Mr. McManis, seconded by Mr. Zacharyasz, that the minutes from the March 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 had no report. Barb Jones – Director of Law & Public Safety: Mrs. Jones had no report. Tony Armagno – Director of Public Service: Mr. Armagno referenced the latest round of inclement weather and asked residents to call if they have accumulated brush, as Service crews will collect any placed on treelawns. He continued by stating that the storm took down a couple of City trees, and others on private property that ended up collapsing wires over streets and sidewalks. Mr. Armagno referenced the Merrimak project, explaining that the bid was awarded to Fabrizi Trucking and Paving, but no schedule is available, as of yet.

2 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – March 16, 2026 Mr. Skoczen stated that he was contacted by a resident who is concerned about dead branches on treelawn trees, as heavy winds may bring them down. Mr. Armagno stated that treelawn trees are the responsibility of the homeowner, but the department will assess the situation. Mr. McManis thanked the Service Department for all of their hard work in light of the bad storms, and especially for rapidly being able to assist his Parents with a water issue. Marty Compton – Director of Recreation: Mr. Compton was not present. COMMENDATIONS: NONE PETITIONS: NONE AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Holly Porter was present this evening, and she inquired about the Building Department and whether or not they are fully staff, as there are a lot of exterior maintenance issues not being addressed. Mrs. Jones replied that 3 new inspectors were hired recently, and will begin inspecting soon now that training is done. A new full time Building Inspector has also been hired and will begin in April. A gentleman in the audience alerted the City to some downed trees, and Mr. Armagno thanked him for the information. Anne Graham, a resident on East Bridge, inquired as to whether or not the City conducts rental inspections. Mr. Maxwell informed her that, due to some recent Ohio Supreme Court decisions, the City ended their rental inspection program, and also stopped doing point-of-sale inspections. Mrs. Jones clarified that if a tenant calls and asks for a safety inspection, the City will go in and assess the situation. If the Building Department determines that repairs are necessary, and they are not done, the owner’s rental permit could be revoked. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Court Committee – Chris McManis, Chair Mr. McManis stated that a Court Committee meeting was held earlier this evening, and the Court Officials provided Council with some updates, as well as challenges they are facing. The fact that the Browns developments in Berea and Brook Park will likely affect the Court prompted the Judge to suggest reaching out to other Cities in the Court community to openly discuss what support may look like moving forward. Finance Committee – Rick Skoczen Mr. Skoczen stated that a Finance Committee meeting was also held earlier this evening, and all relevant information was reviewed in great detail with Mrs. Morris and Mr. Palcheff, however, discussion may also occur on third reading this evening.

3 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – March 16, 2026 Woodvale Union Cemetery Board of Trustees – Jim Maxwell Mr. Maxwell stated that the roads for the expansion project are on hold, due to weather, and the transition from Joe to Angelo is progressing nicely. In response to an inquiry from Mr. McManis, Mr. Maxwell stated that raises were given to employees, although they should probably be a bit higher, and additional benefits are being researched, as they currently only offer individual healthcare, not a family plan. LEGISLATION – THIRD 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. The total grant amount to be received is $45,016. Moved by Mr. Skoczen, seconded by Mr. Kurtz, that Ordinance No. 2-4 be adopted. Vote on the motion was ayes: Coble, Kurtz, McManis, Redding, Skoczen, Weaver and Zacharyasz. Nays: None. The motion carried. 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. Moved by Mr. Kurtz, seconded by Mr. Redding, that Ordinance No. 2-5 be adopted. Vote on the motion was ayes: Coble, Kurtz, McManis, Redding, Skoczen, Weaver and Zacharyasz. Nays: None. The motion carried. 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. Skoczen provided some budget highlights for those unable to attend the Finance Committee meeting. The City will be doing over $12,000,000 in capital projects this year, in addition to Police Station renovations. Union employees will receive a 3% pay increase, the City will be taking on no new borrowings, but will continue to pay down governmental debt, and with regard to cash reserves, whereas reserves were about $3,000,000 in 2017, they are projected to be $5,000,000 by the end of 2026. Moved by Mr. Kurtz, seconded by Mr. Skoczen, that Ordinance No. 2-6 be adopted. Vote on the motion was ayes: Coble, Kurtz, McManis, Redding, Skoczen, Weaver and Zacharyasz. Nays: None. The motion carried.

4 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – March 16, 2026 LEGISLATION – SECOND READING: NONE LEGISLATION – FIRST READING: ORDINANCE NO. 3-1: AN ORDINANCE ENACTING NEW CHAPTER 587 TO REGULATE THE BUSINESS OF SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL RENTALS PROPERTIES. The Clerk read the title of the Ordinance. Mr. Maxwell noted that Mrs. Coble and Mrs. Weaver are also sponsoring this legislation. Mrs. Jones explained that short term rentals have been a topic of discussion amongst many for a while now, and it has been determined that restrictions for short term rentals should be separate from those of long term rentals. Two separate licenses will be required, should an owner want to allow both long term and short term rentals at their property. In addition, the consequences for each are different, and more severe for short term rentals, going so far as to impose reinstatement fees in some instances, and providing a process should an owner want to get a revoked license back. Mrs. Jones continued that short term rentals will be limited in density, and will also be required to be a certain distance from parks, playgrounds, schools, and religious institutions, a requirement that has been used multiple other times in the Code. This significantly limits the number of locations short term rentals can exist. Mrs. Jones informed Council that current short term rentals will be grandfathered in, and may continue so long as they operate in accordance with the laws of the City. If, however, there is a change in title to the property, the grandfathered status will be lost, and they will need to conform to the laws on the books. Mrs. Jones concluded by noting that this Ordinance includes a section on host and guest requirements that deals with conduct, providing emergency contact information, trash regulations, and other pertinent things. General discussion commenced on whether or not Council should do a deep dive in to this Ordinance and attempt to address all issues and concerns, but Mrs. Coble complimented the Administration, as well as everyone who has been working hard on this issue and played a part in crafting this Ordinance, and suggested adopting it and then making adjustments. Ms. Graham, a former owner of short term rentals in another City, informed Council that all short term rental owners expect a bed tax, and often times platforms include the fee. In addition, the oversight function is not as time consuming as one may think, as smaller staffs have been able to adequately monitor these types of rentals, at least in her experience. Proposed Ordinance No. 3-1 stands on first reading. ORDINANCE NO. 3-2: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 1331, RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY PERMITS, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Clerk read the title of the Ordinance. Proposed Ordinance No. 3-2 stands on first reading.

5 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – March 16, 2026 RESOLUTION NO. 3-3: A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY FISCAL OFFICER CERTIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION TO THE CITY OF BEREA RELATIVE TO A 4.1 MILL TAX RENEWAL LEVY, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. The Clerk read the title of the Resolution. Mrs. Morris noted that the City is waiting for the Board of Elections to review the Resolution for accuracy, thus she asked that Council allow it to stand on first reading. Proposed Resolution No. 3-3 stands on first reading. REPORT AND COMMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL Mr. Maxwell recognized Berea-Midpark High School wrestler Deionna Borders on her second consecutive State Championship! REPORT AND COMMENTS BY THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL Mrs. Weaver had no report. Mr. Zacharyasz wished his wife a Happy belated Birthday! Mrs. Coble announced that the America250 project is holding a meeting on Wednesday evening at the Historical Society, and that same night, Charter Review is meeting in the Chamber. Mr. Kurtz had no report. Mr. McManis had no report. Mr. Redding stated that his neighborhood is excited for the new Metroparks trail to open, adding that it will hopefully happen before Summer! Mr. Skoczen also congratulated two-time State Champion Deionna Borders! He noted that he is also gathering information regarding e-bike laws from surrounding Cities. CORRESPONDENCE The February 26, 2026 – March 11, 2026 Correspondence is available in the Clerk’s office. OTHER BUSINESS: Mrs. Esson offered her thanks to Amanda Lott from Studio Lott here in Berea, as she took group and head shots of the new Council this evening. Everyone is so excited to see the results, and she was simply wonderful to work with!

6 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING – March 16, 2026 There being no further business before Council, it was moved by Mr. Zacharyasz, and seconded by Mr. McManis, 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 8:48p.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 16th 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