[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6164964,"mediaKeyId","5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383","parentId",5426516,"title","Council debates charter changes on appointment authority; some members call for delay before ballot placement","audioSeconds",828,"startMs",941000,"endMs",1769000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383&start=941&end=1769","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383/thumbnail_941000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164964/New-Franklin/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-debates-charter-changes-on-appointment-authority-some-members-call-for-delay-before-ballot-placement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164964-9f387f0d8820f961eb25d4286ed15bb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775670327&Signature=QvfKqSKyK0ES8DMqXZvz-H3zEyTNAJv4Mg8Rd6I~Z4V7sHHFOgxYzknBgrQIfXwl4GRXS-Bq7OU5MGvMJp-FwYtr8eY1M5zqdj8osyaVP30MjaalqcG-XQy1kIkDZsjs0BmtuW9d9fsJwEgTyey0tK8bPArk894bAcHS-xHs3TAdy-ZN7b3GJMItlTWLG4G8tqJ1EZzSTZrSSQjI2W2kh7dsWDluBCT3j6wlrfYxIRh77DOi~WS3lbn0G-rbTOSfgPzj8W7TW-MpGLQf~iJZ7iywtq4vpR-Ve5jed0yiAUsP9ImF~4zoUtcZrDGc5bvK3i-qjWgdLsB7xJEhSDAAmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of New Franklin, OH ","date","2025-07-18T19:57:03.627Z","article","Council discussed Ordinance 25-003, a proposed charter amendment that would revise appointment authority for several boards and commissions including planning and zoning, board of zoning appeals and the charter commission. The ordinance would move certain appointment powers from the mayor to a split of mayor and council appointments (for example, changing planning and zoning to a 3/2 split between council and the mayor, as described by a presenter).

Council debate was robust. Some members supported putting the question to voters, saying the public should decide; others opposed changing appointment authority and characterized the proposal as unnecessary, expressing concerns about a possible appearance that planning and zoning would become an extension of council if council appoints a majority. Several council members asked for time to solicit public comment and cited the Charter Review Commission’s decision not to advance the change. One council member noted concerns that the ordinance was presented late in the filing cycle; others noted tradition to grant requests for time. The laws and ordinances committee chair said there is a deadline for ballot submission but that the committee has historically granted time when requested.

The committee did not finalize an immediate vote during the meeting. Several members said they preferred to place the measure on a future November ballot rather than in an off-cycle or low-turnout May election; others urged public outreach and additional review before proceeding. Council members also asked for clarity about transitional provisions for current board members, and the presenter said the ordinance contains language allowing current members to serve the remainder of their terms but acknowledged the Board of Elections and Secretary of State would review ballot language.

No final ordinance adoption was recorded at the meeting; council deferred further action pending additional public input, legal review, and scheduling considerations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7-16-2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council members debated an ordinance proposing charter changes that would reallocate appointment authority for several boards and commissions. The measure drew mixed reactions; several council members asked for more time to solicit public input and to avoid crowding the November ballot that will include a fire/EMS levy.","taxTitle","New Franklin, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",52170,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164969,"Council updates fire/EMS levy ballot language after state guidance; plans ballot submission to Board of Elections",392,770000,1162000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383&start=770&end=1162","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383/thumbnail_770000.jpg","/articles/6164969/New-Franklin/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-updates-fireEMS-levy-ballot-language-after-state-guidance-plans-ballot-submission-to-Board-of-Elections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164969-bbabf5de0015a803cd380895579704ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775670327&Signature=jEhJ86DSYrbdBS3-EVwMVkmP2wFmavrciBNE4cejVWHmmS-~plhyjEsuW3JlqkPmFFnmnVfL3YNMSXjdWPQlFJ8B6BRM9fhY1I087bo0wNOx49KoYy95DB5haVmMFKqcybPx38OsH7ZMxUeYq86Zh4kjyRJmVVRsZmGRzdb~~inqQ5VMq1rm6bt8R0asHaE~Mi6aF42VRuMqD-r9JywYZFb2Up0~4Pi9ac367cXQkV4ZXWQDc4YoKkcfKLq693X9xoPMyaewBYV8MZLhcOeTRyD4ZxTV9xBzVInJrzM5ZTYG5TmzctwvuOGYWS6rKlPdJNeU0fzMYafUmMaf6iJZ9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New Franklin’s council amended Resolution 25R34 to clarify the ballot language for a replacement 5.75-mill fire and emergency medical services levy, following guidance from the county Board of Elections and Secretary of State on how to express levy amounts on the ballot.

Staff explained that the Board of Elections raised concerns about the tax-year dates included in earlier drafts and that the Secretary of State recently required that ballot language display the full whole-number amount rather than permitting a rounded representation. The staff member said the levy will produce $3,304,000 and that older language that used rounding (for example, 3,000,003.3) would not satisfy the new requirement. The city attorney said he had reviewed the revised language with the Board of Elections and that the board was “satisfied with the language.” If council approved, staff planned to hand-deliver the corrected resolution to the Board of Elections for inclusion on the November ballot.

Council voted to waive readings and moved forward with the corrected resolution; the staff presenter said the intent was to submit the corrected ballot language promptly. The council discussed timing and whether state-level changes to replacement-levy rules might affect ballot presentation; a state representative who spoke during public comments said pending state action could complicate replacement-levy language and recommended monitoring state legislation that interacts with local replacement levies.

The resolution as presented authorizes submission of a levy to the electors at the November election and includes an emergency clause to meet filing deadlines.","Council amended a previously approved resolution to correct ballot language for a replacement 5.75-mill fire/EMS levy after guidance from the Board of Elections and Secretary of State changed numeric formatting rules; the council signaled intent to submit the corrected language for November ballot placement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164974,"Council delays Sizzler Park trail approval pending school board coordination; discusses package-plant repairs for trail restrooms",515,608000,1123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383&start=608&end=1123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383/thumbnail_608000.jpg","/articles/6164974/New-Franklin/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-delays-Sizzler-Park-trail-approval-pending-school-board-coordination-discusses-package-plant-repairs-for-trail-restrooms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164974-ca605a8edec6b30872b0d6111ba86283/orig.mp4?Expires=1775670327&Signature=VM7nSQTqMnAl8dWo1y7XV7467wNNlZrqdX909rKo9kPH0UsDBcE90rr-Mc2oRmX~GOJyEWyE5clqPPaKunraCW7dcvCbk4TTJO-CFsA6l1ETIt0EWYdO~VOEsoGrzHoep~3Ni0efLUjzjhr1v4KEDDCoWW4eZBvrrEWM05nTgef9CQfz7sXgx4mjEfbIGE2aPY~xTkuUZZ8eE7ycTH3KOXyrya1RA5t6SJcpd~GIfA8yPKWp7w-zmOaXf~ETOvZfXZwSUhokUrAhN2vN6xeaHRSLv9dCU9emSVvs~NdSnn-vdGjkvkajTBBhmK0qGHjrUJUd74Wxt0B9CpbzzgHk1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The community development committee asked for more time on a proposed agreement with OHM Advisors for design of the Sizzler Park trail project after council members asked whether the school board had formally approved the trail alignment where it approaches school property. A council member said she did not want the city to spend about $38,500 on design work if the school board ultimately objected to the trail crossing or approaching the school property. The committee granted time to check with the school board before moving forward with the contract.

At the same meeting the mayor and staff briefed council about an interlocal arrangement tied to trail restrooms. Staff said the trail restroom flow would need to discharge into the Manchester School District’s package plant. During preliminary discussions, the school district identified foundational problems with the package plant that would require approximately $68,000 in repairs. Staff described a proposed split of that cost: the city would contribute roughly $34,000 (about $18,000 cash and $16,000 in labor) and the school would cover the balance. The parks commission has recommended the expenditure. Council said the city and school district will need a memorandum of understanding and likely an Ohio EPA review or permit to accept flow from an additional source; staff said an MOU is drafted and will be presented to council and the school board and then submitted to Ohio EPA for review.

Council put OHM Advisors’ design agreement on hold pending school-board confirmation of the trail alignment and completion of the MOU and EPA clearance. No design contract was approved at the meeting.","Council asked for more time on a designer agreement for the Sizzler Park trail after members requested written approval from the school board. Separately, staff outlined a plan to split roughly $68,000 in package-plant repairs with Manchester schools so trail restrooms can discharge to the school's sewer system.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164979,"Council approves revised finance director job description and salary increase",352,188000,540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383&start=188&end=540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383/thumbnail_188000.jpg","/articles/6164979/New-Franklin/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-approves-revised-finance-director-job-description-and-salary-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164979-87de9fe430cd7e4bb82e3b00c42b6db6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775670327&Signature=IkvUcQVaB04VlG7bu76xjerEjTzi2HVDmsPVATpMkGh9ZzjVZhfewJ-UT9Ky-vEPISQzdD5xz~UUWMY7lqu64xfp8OeH1IgLbQcO0v9TyUGs4RpjkzHSYNDhWfV2JKcSO8H0QYMERqdbGWuoZEFd-KxmyVpRSsdcSjOwu1hqR~btV20Gc4CtvtLW5fKEcQTNa69tIpLzP6tbKnPLtQUuhiFM3FkCyXzI~GbTuegMR1cYnMqC7K~YkaSlTlMUdUMe00MWKSXvPlS1Etd2YjAFse2qrvh4NuCt1ATEdSvYl4YhMoGtJbER7Zro9I2B2Qbvhp73URjxTefqSjmfgssnOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Franklin City Council adopted a resolution amending the finance director job description and granting a salary increase, citing broadened duties and the need for a market-rate adjustment. The resolution passed 6-1.

A council member summarized the changes as a “market rate adjustment” tied to an expanded job description rather than a merit increase, noting the mayor has realigned duties in the department. The updated responsibilities described at the meeting include supervising administrative and finance staff, coordinating work assignments, approving staff schedule changes (subject to the mayor’s final approval), serving as the point of contact for grants and economic development projects, and acting as program administrator for development finance. A council presenter emphasized that some responsibilities are new to the city and that the federal grant process is “extremely complex.”

Committee discussion covered the supervisory elements of the role (approving time off, job descriptions, and staff schedules), cross-training, and redundancy. The ordinance attached the amended job description to the legislation; a council member asked whether duties were taken from any single individual, and the response was that the mayor previously directed those administrative duties and the change formalizes them under the finance director.

Council adopted Resolution 25R38 (vote 6-1); meeting minutes show one recorded no vote. The council said the increase is intended to bring the position to the low end of the market range to reflect additional responsibilities.","Council adopted a resolution updating the city finance director job description and granting a market-rate salary adjustment; the measure passed 6-1 after committee review.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6164983,"Council approves application for federal STP funds to resurface portion of State Route 619",0,632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383&start=632&end=632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5426516-158ff013f0ebe4f8227bf6959d30a383/thumbnail_632000.jpg","/articles/6164983/New-Franklin/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-approves-application-for-federal-STP-funds-to-resurface-portion-of-State-Route-619","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164983-77886ada52e7090c3cea09269431fcd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775670327&Signature=fZoizmcjtf3UExb~BJf7bczlRjBEyiWNvjgXwVdGkWjCiYjcPdnLyfFvyiB~srCNNTwugsWQe8Pg-Kf2vpnjWt1hZkWOvdI5Mg5-qfyRBlhW7PIURbqpnP990Zls5PViP~Oke7J0maCDLa2M7l7Ztlm1B4HKOBhQaTHcKaFOKw~H6IEQLUtjoIDyoQmcp7kBwmQG0wPHWwxSOurIKd1BpDuTjQqnpv5QCfc6krCypJPH3uWMoL28d8FuOTABAp4zymAc1qYmOp49MgBRGvwRleXDR6II6Re84s4XzdfkJwk24SxnEjbZ99gqjjh---RCsV-oMoDmZTYJGtP~BwpEPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New Franklin city council voted to authorize the mayor to apply for federal Surface Transportation Program funds programmed through the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study to resurface a roughly 2,891-foot segment of State Route 619 that runs to the New Franklin corporate limit. The resolution passed 7-0.

The project scope described at the council meeting includes removal of the upper portions of the existing pavement and partial pavement repair followed by full resurfacing. A staff member said the pavement condition index on the segment is 64, below the AMATS threshold of 80 that qualifies a roadway for resurfacing. The staff member also said the average daily traffic on the segment is about 3,178 vehicles.

Estimated total cost for the project is about $639,000, with construction estimated at $625,000. Under the grant arrangement described at the meeting, AMATS would fund 90% of the construction cost — $562,491 — and the city’s local match would be about $62,500 (10%). The staff member said local engineering and right-of-way costs would be paid locally and estimated those at roughly $15,000.

Officials said the design and engineering phase is expected to begin sometime between April and December, with a target construction start of July 2025. The council approved Resolution 25R37, authorizing the mayor to submit the STP application and declaring an emergency.

The discussion was limited to technical details and clarifying questions about the roadway limits and schedule; no additional conditions were attached to the approval. Council members who asked questions were recorded as raising clarifying points about the exact segment and the project timeline.","The council passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to apply for federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds, earmarked via the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS), to resurface a roughly 2,891-foot segment of State Route 619 to the New Franklin corporate limit.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates charter changes on appointment authority; some members call for delay before ballot placement

Council updates fire/EMS levy ballot language after state guidance; plans ballot submission to Board of Elections

Council delays Sizzler Park trail approval pending school board coordination; discusses package-plant repairs for trail restrooms

Council approves revised finance director job description and salary increase

Council approves application for federal STP funds to resurface portion of State Route 619