Fairport Harbor council approves personnel appointments, several resolutions and hears residents press for road repairs

Fairport Harbor’s Village Council completed a packed agenda that included swearing in a new police officer, appointing a firefighter, approving multiple resolutions and ordinances, and taking public comment on local road damage and tax abatements.

Mayor Timothy Manros administered the oath of office to Gavin John Cooney after the council adopted Resolution 2026-35 to appoint him as a regular police officer and declared the appointment an emergency. Later in the meeting the council adopted Resolution 2026-43 appointing Aaron Tennant as Firefighter 1.

Council approved a slate of routine measures on a single agenda, including:

- Resolution 2026-34: adoption of amended 2026 permanent appropriations. - Ordinance 2026-36: naming the coneflower the official village flower. - Ordinance 2026-37: amending penalty provisions for uniformity and enforceability (declared an emergency). - Resolution 2026-38: declaring one vehicle surplus and authorizing internet auction sale. - Resolution 2026-39: supporting fair housing (declared an emergency). - Resolution 2026-40: authorizing application for a 2026 Community Development Block Grant (declared an emergency). - Resolution 2026-41: authorizing participation in an Ohio Department of Transportation sodium chloride purchase agreement for winter 2026–2027. - Resolution 2026-42: amending the personnel policies to address foreign travel and social media use (declared an emergency). - Resolution 2026-46: authorizing execution of the OEPA Recycle Ohio grant agreement to fund a new water fountain and public recycling bins.

Most of the measures were moved, rules were suspended when required, and each passed on roll-call votes recorded at the meeting.

Public comment: Residents urged action on local roads and sought clarity about tax abatements. Kurt E. Lu (1274 Hidden Harbor Drive) asked whether the village is responsible for repairing High Street, describing the condition and heavy-truck damage. “Are we responsible to repair that road? … The road is a disaster,” Lu said, asking whether the village could limit access or pursue tonnage restrictions.

A resident identified as David answered questions about tax abatements and explained the purpose of community reinvestment/CRA-type tools and how tax abatement periods can shift some long-term fiscal burdens; his remarks were explanatory rather than a formal challenge to council policy. A petitioner presented signatures for an initiative to place an anti-tax measure on the ballot and was told a June 1 deadline applies for signature thresholds.

Later in the meeting council moved into executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(3) to consult with the solicitor about disputes involving the public body; after reconvening the council approved a settlement with Great Lakes Crushing and authorized the mayor or administrator to sign the necessary paperwork.

The meeting also included routine administrative updates: Administrator Lucas reported an OEPA Recycle Ohio grant of $8,000 for park improvements; the service department purchased approximately 130 stop signs and will install replacements; and a committee-of-the-whole was scheduled to discuss the water-rate analysis on May 19.

The council adjourned after approving the consent items and the settlement motion.