CITY OF BRUNSWICK, OHIO
MINUTES OF COUNCIL
Monday, May 19, 2025
Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance The regular meeting of Brunswick City Council was called to order by Mayor
Ron Falconi at 7:02 p.m. at the Municipal Complex.
Roll Call of Members showed the following Council Members present: Nicholas Hanek, 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.
Nicholas Hanek moved to excuse Brandon Lambert for just cause, seconded by Kristy Piper. Roll Call - Ayes ~
6, Nicholas Hanek, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0.
Motion Carried.
Correspondence There was none.
Approval of Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Regular Council Meeting Minutes dated May 12, 2025:
Nicholas Hanek moved to approve the Regular Council Minutes dated May 12, 2025, as written, seconded by
Keith Kuczma. Roll Call - Ayes -5, Nicholas Hanek, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Kristy
Piper. Nays - 0. Abstain - 1, Tim Smith. Motion Carried.
Mayor's Report:
Proclamation commending the service of Assistant Fire Chief Russ Merhaut:
Chief Glauner commended Assistant Chief Russ Merhaut for his numerous contributions to the Division of
Fire some of which include: guidance in the planning of the new fire station, training dispatchers, and
implementing an alarm notification redundancy system. Mayor Falconi proclaimed Russ Merhaut to be a
servant-leader in the community. He thanked him on behalf of the City of Brunswick and City Council. He was
then presented with a proclamation. Assistant Chief Russ Merhaut felt a deep sense of gratitude, pride, and
deep respect for the people he had the privilege of working with over his almost 40 years of service.
Clerk of Council's Report Mrs. Timura had not report this evening.
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 May 12, 2025:
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Brunswick City Council Monday. May 19, 2025
Kristy Piper moved to approve the Services, Utilities, Technology & Cable Committee Minutes dated May 12,
2025, as written, seconded by Nicholas Hanek. Roll Call - Ayes - 5, Nicholas Hanek, Michael Abella Jr., Keith
Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Abstain - 1, Tim Smith. Motion Carried.
Finance Committee ................................................................................Mr. Hanek:
Finance Committee Minutes dated May 12, 2025:
Nicholas Hanek moved to approve the Finance Committee Minutes dated May 12, 2025, as written, seconded
by Michael Abella. Roll Call - Ayes - 5, Nicholas Hanek, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter,
Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Abstain - 1, Tim Smith. Motion Carried.
Safety & Environment Committee....................................................... Mr. Kuczma:
Safety & Environment Committee Minutes dated May 12, 2025:
Keith Kuczma moved to approve Safety & Environment Committee Minutes dated May 12, 2025, as written,
seconded by Kristy Piper. Roll Call - Ayes - 5, Nicholas Hanek, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph
Delsanter, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Abstain -1, Tim Smith. Motion Carried.
Planning & Zoning Committee .............................................................. Mr. Delsanter:
Mr. Delsanter had no formal reports this evening.
Parks, Recreation & Community Committee .......................................... Mrs. Piper:
Mrs. Piper had no formal reports this evening.
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 May 12, 2025:
Nicholas Hanek moved to approve the Committee-of-the-Whole Minutes dated May 12, 2025, as written,
seconded by Keith Kuczma. Roll Call - Ayes - 5, Nicholas Hanek, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph
Delsanter, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Abstain - 1, Tim Smith. Motion Carried.
Petitions from the Public on Legislation
Rich Kassow (302 Pearl Road) expressed concerns regarding Ordinance 41-2025. He informed that he is the
owner of a licensed golf cart that had passed atl required inspections at the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Kassow
revealed that he occasionally drives the golf cart on the street as allowed by the State of Ohio. He explained
that a resident had called the City to see if there were any ordinances in place regarding golf carts on City
streets. He felt this call resulted in the City initiating legislation. Mr. Kassow did not see the need for
restrictions to be put into place for something that had not been a problem. He felt that allowing low-speed
vehicles would help home values to stay up and promote fun in the community. Mr. Kassow explained that
the State of Ohio already had restrictions in place, and he supported restrictions that would tailor legislation
to the City of Brunswick. He went on to say that he loved the new businesses in Brunswick.
Reading of Legislation and Action on legislation:
3rd Reading(s)
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Brunswick City Council Monday. May 19, 2025
2nd Reading(s)
ORD. NO. 38-2025 -An ordinance providing for submission to the electors of the City of Brunswick, Ohio, at
the November 4, 2025 General Election, the proposed amendments to the Charter as recommended by the
City of Brunswick Charter Review Commission. - 2nd Reading (Committee-of-the-Whole,
Administration/Dennis Nevar):
Mr. Hanek moved this ordinance to third reading.
ORD. NO. 41-2025 - An emergency ordinance establishing Section 432.49 of the City of Brunswick Codified
Ordinances titled "Prohibited Operation". - 2nd Reading (Safety & Environment Committee,
Administration/Robert Safran):
Mr. Kuczma moved this ordinance to third reading and referred it back to the Safety & Environment
Committee for review.
1st Reading(s)
RES. NO. 43-2025 -An emergency resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with
Independence Cement, LLC for the 2025 Concrete Repair Program in an amount not to exceed $336,100.00.
- 1st Reading (To be brought from Services, Utilities, Technology & Cable Committee, Administration/Paul
Magovac):
Tim Smith moved to suspend the rules, seconded Kristy Piper. Roll Call - Ayes - 6, Nicholas Hanek, Michael
Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays- 0. Motion Carried.
Tim Smith moved to adopt Resolution Number 43-2025, seconded by Keith Kuczma. Roll Call - Ayes - 6,
Nicholas Hanek, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Motion
Carried.
RES. NO. 44-2025 -A resolution commending Assistant Fire Chief Russ Merhaut for his years of service to the
City of Brunswick. -1st Reading (To be brought from Committee-of-the-Whole, Council/Nicholas Hanek):
Nicholas Hanek moved to adopt Resolution Number 44-2025, seconded by Kristy Piper. Roll Call - Ayes - 6,
Nicholas Hanek, Michael Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Motion
Carried.
City Manager's Report
Mr. DeForest announced that the VFW and American Legion would hold a Memorial Day program at
Brunswick Middle School at 9 a.m. on May 26. He stated that trash and recycling collection would be delayed
by one day. Mr. DeForest mentioned that the Recreation Center would be closed in observance of Memorial
Day on Monday, May 26.
Open Forum There was none.
Unfinished Business
Mr. Delsanter responded to the concern regarding Ordinance 41-2025. He acknowledged that there was an
inquiry that triggered a response from the Administration which caused the issue to be looked into. He
reported that the City was gaining knowledge about this type of transportation being incorporated into the
City. Mr. Delsanter disclosed that further details would be examined to allow an informed decision to be
made. He pointed out that the intent was not to be Draconian and restrict peoples' freedom. It would be
logical to review current policies. He communicated that misunderstandings were presented online. He
CITY OF BRUNSWICK
Brunswick City Council Monday, May 19, 2025
expressed that the City was doing their job and this was the right way to proceed. He thanked Mr. Kassow for
speaking out for his fellow residents.
New Business
Mr. Smith shared that Bike Medina County would be starting their Slo Roll cycling rides in June. The first ride
will go from Plum Creek to Brunswick Lake and back. These rides would be 8-10 miles long. They meet at
6:15 p.m. with the ride beginning at 6:30 p.m. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult; riders
must wear helmets and bright clothes. Front and rear blinking lights were highly recommended. A list of rides
will be available on the Facebook page. Rides occur every two weeks throughout the summer all over the
county.
Mr. Kuczma announced that on June 4 the summer concert series would begin at the Recreation Center. The
Chardon Polka Band would be the opening band.
Adjournment
Nicholas Hanek moved to adjourn, seconded by Joseph Delsanter. Roll Call-Ayes- 6, Nicholas Hanek, Michael
Abella Jr., Keith Kuczma, Joseph Delsanter, Tim Smith, Kristy Piper. Nays - 0. Motion Carried.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Timura, CMC
Clerk of Council
-;;?~cJ e~
Mayor Ron Falconi
June 9, 2025
Adopted
CITY OF BRUNSWICK