Council increases annual stipend to Main Street Medina to $40,000 after presentation

Medina City Council approved an increase in the city's annual stipend to Main Street Medina from $30,000 to $40,000 during its Jan. 27, 2025 meeting, passing Ordinance 1925 by a 7-0 vote.

The measure moves the annual municipal payment closer to the inflation-adjusted level the administration identified as the original starting point for the subsidy. Mayor Hamill asked council to support the increase, saying, "I'd respectfully ask council to pass the increase." The council voted in favor on a roll call that recorded unanimous support.

At the meeting, representatives of Main Street Medina summarized the nonprofit's programs and finances. Presenters described a budget that neared $400,000 in 2024 and projected a 2025 budget exceeding $500,000, driven in part by a $312,012 state grant awarded to the organization. They said Main Street runs 13 sponsored events, 21 farmers markets, a food assistance program that distributed about $25,000 in aid during 2024, and other promotions and design projects aimed at drawing visitors to Medina's downtown and South Town areas.

Main Street representatives told council that about 53.4% of event attendees in the period measured came from outside Medina and presented a calculated local economic impact of roughly $1.68 million tied to their work. The organization also described a recently awarded $150,000 facade grant and rehab loan program and a $60,000 award for a South Town gateway project; staff said the facade program includes a matching component and a $25,000 revolving loan pool.

Councilmembers and the mayor framed the stipend increase as an investment in local economic activity and event programming that benefits downtown businesses and visitors. Councilmembers who spoke at the discussion praised Main Street's volunteer hours and partnerships with the city.

Ordinance 1925 was listed among several items on the evening's consent/expedited list; the council suspended the three-reading rule for multiple ordinances before moving individual votes. The ordinance passed on the night's roll call as Ordinance 1925, authorizing the payment to Main Street Medina for the 2025 membership renewal and related activities.

Main Street Medina names and officers referenced at the meeting included Brad Root (president), Amy Busby (vice chair), Ali Burmeister (secretary), and Becky Mona (treasurer); staff names mentioned included Angela (promotions/operations) and Manfred (special projects). The presenters invited council participation in upcoming programming and assessments conducted by heritage organizations.

The council's action increases the city's direct annual support of Main Street Medina to $40,000 for 2025; the ordinance does not specify additional conditional funding beyond the stipend.

Looking ahead, Main Street representatives said they will present further details on facade grants, the South Town gateway project and associated designs to the city as those programs develop.