Tallmadge council approves sidewalk grant application, concession contract and environmental remediation contracts; all votes 6-0

Tallmadge City Council on April 10, 2025, adopted three ordinances by unanimous 6–0 votes and moved several other zoning and administrative items to later readings or tabled them for further review.

Adopted ordinances

- Ordinance 2025-47: Authorized the director of public service to apply for and accept, if awarded, Ohio Department of Transportation funding to support feasibility and design of a pedestrian sidewalk project. Council discussion said the application could secure about $48,000 for engineering; the ODOT application deadline is May 1. The measure passed 6–0 on a roll call vote.

- Ordinance 2025-49: Authorized the mayor to contract with WJUCNU Holdings Inc. (doing business as BK Root Beer) for concession stand operations at Macapole and the Tallmadge Recreation Center, providing for a one-year term. Under the agreement the city will receive 5% of concession sales. Council cited the approaching pool season as the reason for expedited consideration. The ordinance passed 6–0.

- Ordinance 2025-40: Authorized the mayor to contract with HZW Environmental Consultants for environmental remediation and consulting services at 892 Northwest Avenue ahead of site demolition and redevelopment work. Council records reflected a unanimous 6–0 vote. Council discussion indicated the city’s remaining share of remediation costs was estimated to be in the low tens of percent but the exact local cost was not specified during the meeting.

Other actions

- Ordinance 2025-48 (amending alarm-user responsibilities and penalties) was discussed in the safety committee and moved to second reading; no final vote was taken.

- Ordinance 2025-44 (amendments to accessory/temporary use and outdoor storage rules in the Tallmadge Codified Ordinances) remains at second reading and will have a public hearing on April 24, 2025.

- Several personnel-related ordinances (listed in committee as 2024-75, 2024-76 and 2024-77) were tabled to June 26, 2025, for further fact-finding.

Formal roll-call tallies matched the reported 6–0 outcomes for the three adopted ordinances; council members voting in favor were Christine Cipa, Jessica Epstein, Donald Pavlik, Ted Roy, Nick Rubino and Jonathan Bolas. No “no” votes or abstentions were recorded in the meeting minutes for these items.

No additional financial appropriations were recorded on these items during the meeting; follow-up staff reports were identified as the next steps for grant administration, concession vendor onboarding, and remediation planning.