CITY OF BRUNSWICK, OHIO
MINUTES OF COUNCIL
Monday, July 10, 2023
Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance: The regular meeting of Brunswick City Council was called to order by Mayor
Ron Falconi at 7:05 p.m. at the Municipal Complex.
Roll Call of Members showed the following Council Members present: Nicholas Hanek, Brandon Lambert,
Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper.
Others Present: Mayor Ron Falconi, City Manager/Safety Director Carl DeForest, Law Director Ken Fisher,
Assistant Clerk of Council Irene Jayapandian.
There was none.
Correspondence:
Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes dated June 26, 2023: Nicholas Hanek moved to approve the
Regular Council Meeting Minutes dated June 26, 2023, as written, seconded by Tim Smith. Roll Call - Ayes - 7,
Nicholas Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy
Piper. Nays - 0. Motion Carried.
Mayorâs Report:
Mayor's Court Financial Report for the month ending June 2023 will be posted on the website and added to
the minutes for the record.
There was none.
Clerk of Councilâs Report:
Council Committee Reports:
Economic Development Committee.....................................................Mr. Lambert:
Mr. Lambert had no formal reports this evening.
Services, Utilities, Technology & Cable Committee................................Mr. Smith:
Services, Utilities, Technology & Cable Committee Minutes dated June 26, 2023:
Tim Smith moved to approve the Services, Utilities, Technology & Cable Committee Minutes dated June 26,
2023, as written, seconded by Keith Kuczma. Roll Call - Ayes - 7, Nicholas Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Michael
Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Motion Carried.
Finance Committee................................................................................Mr. Hanek:
Mr. Hanek had no formal reports this evening.
Safety & Environment Committee.......................................................Mr. Kuczma:
Mr. Kuczma had no formal reports this evening.
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Brunswick City Council Monday, July 10, 2023
Planning & Zoning Committee..............................................................Mr. Delsanter:
Planning & Zoning Committee Minutes dated June 26, 2023:
Joseph Delsanter moved to approve the Planning & Zoning Committee Minutes dated June 26, 2023, as
written, seconded by Kristy Piper. Roll Call - Ayes - 7, Nicholas Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Michael Abella Jr.,
Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Motion Carried.
Parks, Recreation & Community Committee..........................................Mrs. Piper:
Parks, Recreation & Community Committee Minutes dated June 26, 2023:
Kristy Piper moved to approve the Parks, Recreation & Community Committee Minutes dated June 26, 2023,
as written, seconded by Joseph Delsanter. Roll Call - Ayes - 7, Nicholas Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Michael
Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Motion Carried.
Building & Building Code Committee...................................................Mr. Abella:
Mr. Abella had no formal reports this evening.
Other Committees, Boards, and Commissions
Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes dated June 26, 2023:
Nicholas Hanek moved to approve the Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes dated June 26, 2023, as written,
seconded by Brandon Lambert. Roll Call - Ayes - 7, Nicholas Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Michael Abella Jr.,
Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Motion Carried.
Petitions from the Public on Legislation: There were none.
Reading of Legislation and Action on Legislation:
3rd Reading(s)
ORD. NO. 44-2023 - An ordinance establishing Section 432.47 of the City of Brunswick Codified Ordinances
Titled "Distracted Driving." - 3rd Reading (Safety & Environment Committee, Administration/Robert Safran)
Keith Kuczma moved to adopt Ordinance Number 44-2023, seconded by Joseph Delsanter. Roll Call - Ayes -
7, Nicholas Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy
Piper. Nays - 0. Motion Carried.
2nd Reading(s)
RES. NO. 47-2023 - An emergency resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with
HDI-Enterprises to refinish the gymnasium floor at the Brunswick Community Recreation and Fitness Center
in an amount not to exceed $43,000.00. - 2nd Reading (Parks, Recreation & Community Committee,
Administration/Taylor Petkovsek)
Kristy Piper moved this ordinance to third reading.
ORD. NO. 51-2023 - An ordinance amending Section 1072.03 of the City of Brunswick Codified Ordinances by
increasing fees for opening, closing and maintaining graves. - 2nd Reading (Committee-of-the-Whole,
Administration/Paul Barnett)
Mr. Hanek stated that the original ordinance was amended to remove charges for opening and closing graves
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Brunswick City Council Monday, July 10, 2023
for newborns up to three years old. He felt this was a small thing to do for a family who had suffered a great
loss.
Nicholas Hanek moved this ordinance to third reading.
1st Reading(s)
RES. NO. 53-2023 - An emergency resolution authorizing the City Manager and City Engineer to submit a
grant and loan application to the Ohio Public Works Commission Issue 1 Program for the Pepperwood Drive
Reconstruction Phase 1 project. - 1st Reading (To be brought from Services, Utilities, Technology & Cable
Committee, Administration/Matt Jones)
Mr. Smith moved this resolution to second reading.
RES. NO. 54-2023 - An emergency resolution declaring it necessary to renew an existing 1.2-mill tax levy for
the purpose of providing for the general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, and repair of streets,
roads and bridges in the City for a period of ten (10) years, pursuant to Sections 5705.03, 5705.19(G) and
5705.191 of the Revised Code. - 1st Reading (To be brought from Committee-of-the-Whole, Administration,
Ken Fisher)
Nicholas Hanek moved to suspend the rules, seconded by Joseph Delsanter. Roll Call - Ayes - 7, Nicholas
Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays -
0. Motion Carried.
Nicholas Hanek moved to adopt Resolution Number 54-2023, seconded by Tim Smith. Roll Call - Ayes - 7,
Nicholas Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy
Piper. Nays - 0. Motion Carried.
City Manager's Report: Mr. DeForest reminded residents that the Hometown Hero Banner Program is now
open for applications. Banners will be put up in mid-October and taken down around the third week of
November. Active members of the military and veterans are encouraged to get a banner recognizing their
service.
The Veteransâ Breakfast is scheduled this year for Wednesday, October 25 at St. Ambrose which is located at
929 Pearl Road. The breakfast is open to all veterans of any military service. The breakfast is paid by
donations and City employees volunteer to serve. If you are interested in participating, please contact Betsy
Lehky in the City Manager's Office at (330) 558-6826.
Open Forum: There was none.
Unfinished Business: Mr. Lambert noted that the local media has reported on the I-71 issue and appear to
be universally on the side of the City of Brunswick. The general view was that moving forward with this
project without Brunswick's involvement was a serious lapse and a mistake. Awareness has been working.
Mr. Lambert encouraged citizens to continue to write to all organizations and representatives involved. He
expressed thanks for the involvement of the community.
Mr. Hanek observed that Council Chambers was filled with residents concerned about the interchange. He
thanked those that were standing up against the wrongful imposition of one government on another, which
is unprecedented in the State of Ohio. He echoed that the tide was turning because we are standing together
as a community. Additionally, he thanked Mayor Falconi for his work and letters.
Mayor Falconi thanked members of Council and all those in attendance for expressing their concerns and for
their hard work throughout this process. He reiterated that the City is actively rising against the interchange.
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Brunswick City Council Monday, July 10, 2023
Mr. Delsanter updated that the governor has signed the budget and the interchange is still included in the
budget. He explained that some of what must be done cannot be publicly stated. Mr. Delsanter went on to
say that there may be a pall of silence as Council continues to work against this. He emphasized the
importance that residents continue to work to rise against the interchange.
Mr. Smith informed that the fireworks were great this year and he received tons of positive feedback
pertaining to them. The circus was fun, as well as Funkology, which performed inside the Recreation Center.
He was pleased that the City put on a lot of fun activities over the past week.
Mrs. Piper added that there was a very popular family movie night. She thanked Taylor Petkovsek who
planned several events for the community. Mrs. Piper hoped that residents were able to attend and enjoy
the many events that were available.
Mr. Kuczma said that Mrs. Petkovsek planned a great fireworks display. The Parks and Recreation
Committee would like to have many more fun events for residents to participate in next year.
New Business
Notice of submission to City Council of an Application to Designate Property within the City of Brunswick as
an Outdoor Refreshment Area from the City Manager pursuant to Ohio Law.:
Nicholas Hanek acknowledged that an Application to Designate Property within the City of Brunswick as an
Outdoor Refreshment Area has been received from the City Manager pursuant to Ohio law. Mr. Hanek
clarified that the City is looking to establish an Outdoor Refreshment Area where open container laws would
not apply if a beverage is purchased in a specific cup from businesses that are within this district. This is part
of the continued efforts to make Brunswick Lake and Town Center a community center. Mr. Hanek is
pleased as this will encourage more community events and gatherings. This is the first step in the legal
process toward that.
Adjournment: Nicholas Hanek moved to adjourn, seconded by Tim Smith. Roll Call - Ayes - 7, Nicholas
Hanek, Brandon Lambert, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays -
0. Motion Carried.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Timura
Clerk of Council
Mayor Ron Falconi
Adopted
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