Canton City Council approves downtown police substation lease over public objections

Council voted to adopt Ordinance 18 on the lease for a downtown police substation, approving a five‑year agreement for the first floor of 309 Court Avenue NW despite sustained public opposition about timing, cost and transparency. Leader Mariel moved to adopt the ordinance; the roll-call vote recorded nine ayes and two nays and the ordinance was declared adopted.

Supporters described the lease as a hub for foot and bike patrols and outreach work that would connect people experiencing homelessness with services. A presenter summarized the financial terms provided to council: rent for 2025 of $27,156.25, with an expected 3 percent annual increase and a total lease cost cited in discussion as approximately $151,000 over five years; utilities were stated to be included in the rent.

The measure drew immediate criticism during council discussion and in public comment. Council members asked whether the figure matched earlier documents and whether the substation, located a short distance from police headquarters, provided a clear public benefit. One council member asked why the city would pay roughly $2,200 a month to place officers only a “two‑tenths of a mile” move from existing headquarters.

Several residents who addressed the council urged rejection or greater transparency. Skylark Bruce said announcing the lease publicly within about 24 hours of a vote and treating it as an emergency “smells like no transparency” and “reeks of avoiding public comment.” Justin Nisley said, “it’s a hell no on the substation 3 blocks away from your actual police station,” and said he had served formal records requests that he expects to be answered. Roger Gates urged a focus on living‑wage jobs and neighborhood needs rather than downtown development, saying longtime residents are being priced out. Eric Resnick said he was not persuaded by arguments about homeless outreach and suggested the city could instead use funds to house people.

The ordinance was moved and adopted during the meeting’s business block. Council members recorded as voting Aye on the final roll call included Mariel, Babcock, Giovasis, Crystal Smith, Kimbrell, Scaglione, Fisher, Cooks and Sacco; Chris Smith and Morris were recorded as No. The transcript records the motion carrying and the ordinance adopted.

The council also heard a presentation on related ordinances and other city business at the same meeting; committee meetings were announced for 02/03/2025. The ordinance authorizes the mayor or director of public service to enter the lease and declares the measure an emergency, which was part of the rationale for proceeding immediately. The council did not record additional conditions or a mandated follow‑up report in the ordinance language as read at the meeting.

Next procedural steps: Ordinance 18 was adopted as an emergency ordinance at the meeting, authorizing the city to finalize the lease. Public commenters and at least two council members flagged concerns about transparency and neighborhood priorities; no subsequent council direction or explicit implementation timeline was announced on the record during the meeting.