CITY OF BRUNSWICK, OHIO
MINUTES OF COUNCIL
Monday, March 11, 2024
Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance The regular meeting of Brunswick City Council was called to order by Mayor Ron
Falconi at 7:00 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 Dennis Nevar, Clerk
of Council Laura Timura.
Correspondence Mrs. Timura read correspondence that was received from Lucas Merkel (131 Falmouth Court)
which detailed his concerns about residents and businesses outside of Brunswick receiving a discounted
membership rate for the Recreation Center that is not made available to Brunswick residents.
Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes dated February 26, 2024.
Nicholas Hanek moved to approve the Regular Council Meeting Minutes dated February 26, 2024, 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.
Mayor's Report:
The Mayor's Court Financial Report for the month ending February 2024 will be posted on the website and added
to the minutes for the record.
Proclamation in recognition of the Uncle Crunch Grand Opening:
Mayor Falconi presented a proclamation recognizing the grand opening of Uncle Crunch. Owner, Lena Wilson,
declared that she was a graduate of Brunswick High School. She plans to do fund raising and offer donations to the
schools.
Mr. Delsanter asked about the business and its location. Ms. Wilson explained that they make freeze-dried treats
and novelty candies. She went on to say that the business is strictly e-commerce and does not have a retail
storefront. Customers can pick up orders at her business, which is located in the German business center. Ms.
Wilson informed that items are on her website and social media.
Proclamation in recognition of Tri·C Day:
Mayor Falconi presented a proclamation to Tri-C. He recalled attending the groundbreaking and watching the
college grow. He recognized the important role Tri-C plays in the City of Brunswick.
Tri-C Director, Elizabeth Zeszotek, relayed that each year Tri-C serves over 41,000 students and 85% of those
graduates stay within northeast Ohio. Their goal is to support people in changing their lives and creating better
futures, so they can prosper. They were happy to have offered opportunities to the Brunswick community for
educational growth for over 12 years.
Mr. Delsanter recalled being the Vice Mayor at the time Tri-C was constructed. He noted it was a challenge due to
a levy going on in Cuyahoga County and building a campus outside the county was unique at the time. He was
proud to see the campus grow and felt the campus was indispensable to the community.
Mr. Smith divulged that his son was a graduate of the Career Center and Tri·C. He went on to join the army and
later worked in Washington for the Defense Department. He felt his success started with Tri-C.
Clerk of Council's Report There was none.
CITY OF BRUNSWICK 1
Bn.ulS\\iCk City Council Monday. March 1 I. 2024
Council Committee Reports:
Economic Development Committee....................................................... Mr. Lambert:
Mr. Lambert had no formal reports this evening.
Services, Utilities, Technology & Cable Committee ................................ Mr. Smith:
Mr. Smith had no formal reports this evening.
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.
Planning & Zoning Committee ..............................................................Mr. Delsanter:
Mr. Delsanter had no formal reports this evening.
Parks, Recreation & Community Committee .......................................... Mrs. Piper:
Parks, Recreation, & Community Committee Minutes dated February 26, 2024:
Mrs. Piper moved to approve the Parks, Recreation & Community Committee Minutes dated February 26, 2024, 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.
Building & Building Code Committee ................................................... Mr. Abella:
Building & Building Code Committee Minutes dated February 26, 2024:
Michael Abella, Jr. moved to approve the Building & Building Code Committee Minutes dated February 26, 2024,
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.
Other Committees, Boards and Commissions
Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes dated February 26, 2024:
Nicholas Hanek moved to approve the Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes dated February 26, 2024, 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.
Petitions from the Public on Legislation There were none.
Reading of Legislation and Action on Legislation:
3rd Reading(s)
ORD. NO. 9-2024 - An emergency ordinance extending a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and
processing of applications for zoning, occupancy and/or building permit approvals for establishments that intend
to engage in retail sales and/or distribution of tobacco products, vapor products, alternative nicotine products
and/or electronic smoking devices in all zoning districts of the City and the issuance of such approvals. - 3rd
Reading (Committee-of-the-Whole, Administration/Grant Aungst):
Nicholas Hanek moved to adopt Ordinance Number 9-2024, 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.
CITY OF BRUNSWICK 2
Bmrnm ick Cit) Council Monday. March I L 2024
RES. N0.10-2024 - A resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a five (5) year agreement (with renewal
options of up to four (4) years) with Kimble Recycling & Disposal, Inc. for the collection and disposal of residential
solid waste and recycling. - 3rd Reading (Committee-of-the-Whole, Administration/Paul Magovac):
Joseph Delsanter moved to adopt Resolution Number 10-2024, 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.
ORD. NO. 20-2024 - An ordinance repealing and replacing Section 636.19 of the City of Brunswick Codified
Ordinances. - 3rd Reading (Planning & Zoning Committee, Administration/Grant Aungst) :
Joseph Delsanter moved to adopt Ordinance Number 20-2024, 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.
2nd Reading(s)
RES. NO. 23-2024 -An emergency resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Snider
Recreation, Inc. for the purchase and installation of playground equipment at Pumpkin Ridge Park in an amount
not to exceed $60,000.00. - 2nd Reading (Parks, Recreation & Community Committee, Administration/Taylor
Petkovsek):
Mrs. Piper moved this resolution to third reading.
1st Reading(s)
RES. NO. 24-2024 -An emergency resolution authorizing the City Manager to purchase three (3) 2024 Ford
Explorers and one (1) Ford F-150 Truck with police equipment installed for the Division of Police from Montrose
Ford in an amount not to exceed $246,500.00. -1st Reading (To be brought from Safety & Environment
Committee, Administration/Robert Safran):
Keith Kuczma 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.
Keith Kuczma moved to adopt Resolution Number 24-2024, 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.
ORD. NO. 25-2024 - An ordinance rezoning the 5.6140-acre parcel of real property located at 1406 Congressional
Avenue and further identified as PPN 003-18C-01-080 from the R-M Medium Density Residential District to the R-l
Low-Density Residential District. -1st Reading (To be brought from Planning & Zoning
Committee, Administration/Grant Aungst):
Mr. Delsanter moved this ordinance to second reading.
City Manager's Report Mr. DeForest recognized Finance Director, Todd Fischer, as being instrumental in the
financial well·being of the City. He relayed that he accompanied Mr. Fisher to Moody's in Chicago and the City's
credit rating was raised from Aa2 to Aal. Mr. DeForest credited this achfevement to Mr. Fischer's ability to create
and follow a plan and prioritize the needs of the community. He continued that Mr. Fischer's dedication and long
hours have served the community well.
CITY OF BRUNSWICK
Brunswick City Council Monday. March 11. 2024
The e ~ pay and e-file income tax portal is currently open. Information can be found on the City's website at
www.brunswick.oh.us. City tax assistance will be available on Saturday, April 6, and Saturday, April 13, from
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Senior Fair will be held at the Recreation Center on Wednesday, March 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Open Forum There was none.
Unfinished Business Mr. Hanek commended the Administration and Finance Director, Todd Fischer, for the
incredible financial turnaround of the City and the work that went into improving the City's credit rating. He
was thankful for the remarkable achievement.
He went on to recognize that the Homes not Highways group was in attendance at the Council Meeting.
Mr. Hanek commented that they are standing together with the City of Brunswick to fight the unwanted
imposition of a Boston Road interchange. He felt their efforts to stand up and not back down were
tremendous.
Mr. Lambert commented that the City was in poor financial shape prior to City Manager, Carl DeForest and
Finance Director, Todd Fischer's employment with the City. He noted that the turnaround was remarkable
and that the City is one level away from the highest possible credit rating for a city, which is an outstanding
turnaround.
Mr. Lambert relayed to the Homes not Highways group that primaries are coming up, after which he is
hoping for movement in the State. He then thanked representatives from Uncle Crunch and Tri-C for being
in attendance.
New Business Mrs. Piper announced that there will be a park clean-up event on April 20 at Pumpkin Ridge
Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This coming Saturday there will also be a clean-up occurring at Venus Park.
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, CMC
Clerk of Council
~~Mayor Ron Fal ~
March 25, 2024
Adopted
CITY OF BRUNSWICK