Twinsburg council approves code updates, utility/right-of-way changes, budget and multiple board appointments in unanimous votes

Twinsburg City Council on March 11 passed a series of ordinances and resolutions by unanimous roll-call votes and advanced one ordinance that remains on second reading.

The council adopted code and administrative measures, approved budget and equipment purchases, and confirmed multiple appointments to city boards and commissions. Most items were passed as emergencies so the changes take effect immediately.

The actions collectively update city code, place regulations on public utilities and municipal right-of-way use, allocate special-revenue appropriations, authorize wastewater equipment purchases, and fill seats on several advisory boards and commissions.

Ordinance and code votes

- Ordinance 25 20 25 (amending chapters 901 and 917 of the codified ordinances regarding public utilities and municipal right-of-way): Council moved to suspend the three-reading rule and adopted the ordinance as an emergency; roll call 7-0 in favor. The stated reason for suspension was to update the code “as soon as possible.”

- Ordinance 32 20 25 (recodification and inclusion of certain ordinances into the codified ordinances of Twinsburg): Council suspended the three-reading rule and adopted the recodification measure as an emergency; roll call 7-0. The stated purpose was to accept code updates including planning and zoning code changes previously voted by residents.

- Ordinance 33 20 25 (amending current-year appropriations for various special revenue fund accounts): Council suspended the three-reading rule and adopted the appropriations amendment as an emergency; roll call 7-0.

- Ordinance 34 20 25 (authorizing purchase of vehicles and equipment for the wastewater department as previously approved in the capital improvement budget): Council suspended the three-reading rule and adopted the purchase authorization as an emergency; roll call 7-0. Council members noted the intent to place vehicle orders promptly.

Other ordinance business

- Ordinance 22 20 25 (enacting a new chapter 7.73, recreational marijuana, into the Business Regulations Code) remained on second reading; no final vote was recorded at this meeting.

Appointments, boards and commissions (resolutions)

Council approved a slate of resolutions to appoint residents to multiple city boards and commissions. Each appointment was handled by an amendment naming the proposed appointees, suspension of the three-reading rule, then adoption as an emergency; each measure passed by roll call 7-0.

- Resolution 26 20 25 — Board of Zoning and Building Code Appeals: amended to appoint Tom Brown, Chris Griffith and Rick Pat; adopted 7-0 as an emergency.

- Resolution 27 20 25 — Capital Improvement Board: amended to appoint Shelley Shipley, John Blust and Charles Kane; adopted 7-0 as an emergency.

- Resolution 28 20 25 — Environmental Commission: amended to appoint Jonah Pinchette, Jada Schmidt, Michael Walton and Helen Munnings; adopted 7-0 as an emergency.

- Resolution 29 20 25 — JEDI Committee: amended to appoint Daniel Morton, Nicole Morton and Asia Holt; adopted 7-0 as an emergency.

- Resolution 30 20 25 — Parks and Recreation Commission: amended to appoint Sean Castillo, Mark Munnings and Andrew Dear; adopted 7-0 as an emergency.

- Resolution 31 20 25 — Planning Commission: amended to appoint Craig Shipley and Michael Walker; adopted 7-0 as an emergency.

Procedure and voting details

For each item that council moved to final passage the meeting record shows the three-reading rule was suspended by motion and second, followed by a second motion to adopt the ordinance or resolution as an emergency, with a roll-call vote recorded as seven in favor and none opposed. When amendments adding specific appointee names were proposed they were voted on and carried before the final adoption votes.

Why it matters

The package enacted or advanced administrative code changes, budget adjustments and personnel appointments that affect implementation of city services and the composition of advisory boards that review development, environmental issues and other local policy areas. Because many measures were adopted as emergencies, the council indicated a desire to implement changes without delay.

What did not change at this meeting

The recreational marijuana chapter (Ordinance 22 20 25) remained on second reading and was not adopted; it will return to a future council agenda for further consideration.

Votes at a glance (selected items)

- Ordinance 25 20 25 (utilities/right-of-way): adopted as emergency — passed 7-0. - Ordinance 32 20 25 (recodification): adopted as emergency — passed 7-0. - Ordinance 33 20 25 (special-revenue appropriations): adopted as emergency — passed 7-0. - Ordinance 34 20 25 (wastewater vehicles/equipment): adopted as emergency — passed 7-0. - Resolution 26 20 25 (Zoning Board appointments): adopted as emergency (Tom Brown, Chris Griffith, Rick Pat) — passed 7-0. - Resolution 27 20 25 (Capital Improvement Board appointments): adopted as emergency (Shelley Shipley, John Blust, Charles Kane) — passed 7-0. - Resolution 28 20 25 (Environmental Commission appointments): adopted as emergency (Jonah Pinchette, Jada Schmidt, Michael Walton, Helen Munnings) — passed 7-0. - Resolution 29 20 25 (JEDI Committee appointments): adopted as emergency (Daniel Morton, Nicole Morton, Asia Holt) — passed 7-0. - Resolution 30 20 25 (Parks & Rec appointments): adopted as emergency (Sean Castillo, Mark Munnings, Andrew Dear) — passed 7-0. - Resolution 31 20 25 (Planning Commission appointments): adopted as emergency (Craig Shipley, Michael Walker) — passed 7-0.

Councilmember roll call names used in the meeting record include Mister Post, Mister Bellen, Missus Walker, Mister Furey, Mister Barr, Mister Benacci, and Missus Labbe; clerks identified as Shannon and Janet/Janine called the roll for votes.

Sources: Twinsburg City Council meeting, March 11, 2025 (official meeting transcript).