Barberton City Council adopts series of emergency ordinances; moves ADA coordination to Human Resources and approves equipment purchase and appropriations

Barberton City Council met Oct. 13, 2025, in council chambers and adopted a package of emergency ordinances and a resolution affecting city administration, public safety dispatch equipment, and several small appropriations.

The council adopted Resolution 146-2025 to amend an existing ordinance implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act and to move the role of the ADA coordinator into the Department of Human Resources. Councilman Harris moved for suspension of rules and adoption; the motion was seconded and carried by roll call. The adoption was recorded by roll call with members voting in favor and some members noted absent during the roll calls.

Council also approved Ordinance 147-2025, authorizing a lease-to-purchase agreement with NCL Government Capital on behalf of the Southwest Summit Council of Governments to acquire Zetron Max dispatch equipment. A related ordinance (listed in the agenda as Ordinance 149-2025) authorizes the City of Barberton to enter a direct contract with Zetron for the Zetron Max dispatch equipment; the ordinance text listed a purchase amount (the transcript contains two very similar amounts, discussed below). Both measures were presented with emergency language, motions to suspend the rules were made and seconded, and each ordinance was adopted by roll call.

Smaller budget appropriations adopted on suspension included: - Ordinance 148-2025: appropriation of $17,000 from the unappropriated item of the street operating fund to the operations and maintenance budget of that fund (emergency language; adopted on suspension). - Ordinance 152-2025: appropriation to the clerk of courts postage fund (the ordinance as presented at adoption lists $50,000 and was adopted on suspension; see clarifying details below about inconsistent earlier references).

The council also adopted Ordinance 151-2025, which repeals the current Chapter 6.70 of the codified ordinances (Trees, Weeds and Grass) and replaces it with an updated Chapter 6.70 titled "Trees, shrubs, bushes, grasses, and weeds," with emergency language. Council members thanked staff and others who worked on the update during remarks prior to the vote; the ordinance was adopted by roll call.

The finance department presented the September financial report in committee and the council accepted the finance department report for August at the meeting; finance presenter Flaker summarized month-to-date revenues and expenditures for several funds and noted transfers between funds and the effect of encumbrance closings on fund balances. Flaker said, "the revenues were just over 436,000; expenditures were just shy of 447,000," and described transfers from the income tax fund to the general fund and to capital projects.

Committee-level items discussed during earlier committee meetings included a request from Service Director Todd Shreve to donate a parcel of land (assessed at $700 in the request) to Summit County to allow widening work on the county-owned bridge on Snyder Avenue; the City Properties, Parks and Recreation committee moved and approved that request at the committee meeting. The parks director (Patterson) requested emergency appropriations totaling $9,927.87 from the unappropriated item of the general fund to the parks administrative capital account to repair fencing at Edgewood Park pickleball courts and a dugout at the community sports complex; the committee approved forwarding that request to finance for inclusion in city appropriations.

Council confirmed an appointment to the Civil Service Commission: Laurie A. Hockman was appointed to a six-year term beginning 07/01/2026 and ending 12/31/2031; the motion to appoint was moved and seconded and the vote carried.

Mayor's communications noted ongoing city projects, school partnership activity and upcoming events; the mayor said Barberton City Schools is operating a new polymer course at the high school and that the city continues coordination with area organizations and regional planning meetings. The mayor told council members the city is working to complete street and infrastructure repairs before winter.

Votes at a glance (formal council adoption): - Resolution 146-2025 (move ADA coordinator to Human Resources): adopted (motion and second on record; roll call adoption carried). - Ordinance 147-2025 (lease/purchase with NCL Government Capital for Zetron Max equipment): adopted on suspension. - Ordinance 149-2025 (contract with Zetron to purchase Zetron Max dispatch equipment): adopted on suspension. - Ordinance 148-2025 ($17,000 appropriation to street operating fund): adopted on suspension. - Ordinance 150-2025 (renewal contract with Summit County Health Connection program): adopted on suspension. - Ordinance 151-2025 (repeal/replace Chapter 6.70—trees, weeds and grass): adopted on suspension. - Ordinance 152-2025 (appropriation to clerk of courts postage fund): adopted on suspension (ordinance text at adoption lists $50,000; see clarifying details). - Appointment: Laurie A. Hockman to Civil Service Commission: adopted (appointment carried).

The council adjourned at approximately 6:42 p.m.