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Brooklyn committee recommends emergency adoption of senior grass-cutting pilot, corrects housing job classification and backs preliminary ODOT bridge agreement
Summary
At a Committee of the Whole meeting, members recommended that council adopt under suspension a revived senior grass-cutting pilot with corrected income limits, approved a corrected housing-manager job description to fix an FLSA classification error, and recommended preliminary approval of an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for Tedan Road bridge work.
The Brooklyn City Council Committee of the Whole voted unanimously to recommend that full council adopt several items under suspension at its next meeting, including a reinstated senior grass-cutting pilot program, a corrected housing-manager position description, and preliminary approval to enter an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for bridge maintenance and aesthetic improvements.
The committee first reviewed Resolution 2026-02, which restores the senior grass-cutting pilot for 2026 and updates income-eligibility limits. Councilwoman Kathy Poochie told the committee the corrected thresholds "increase it several thousand dollars" from last year so more residents can participate. The administration read the updated income bands aloud (transcription of one figure is unclear); the committee moved to recommend adoption under suspension and recorded unanimous support.
On human-resources matters, the committee considered Resolution 2026-04 to correct a typographical error in the housing manager job description that had labeled the position "non-exempt" under the Fair Labor Standards Act. A city staff member explained the position was intended to be exempt based on duties and salary and that the department would "make things right with the employee" for any past confusion. The committee moved to recommend suspension and adoption of the corrected description.
The committee also recommended preliminary approval of Resolution 2026-05, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Tedan Road bridge maintenance and aesthetics project over Interstate Route 480. The mayor told the committee the city has increased its contribution and that ODOT’s schedule requires timely approval; officials said if the city does not adopt the measure under emergency it likely would have to wait until next year and face higher costs.
Other actions: the committee amended Exhibit A of Ordinance 2026-01 (second reading) to remove an unnecessary $5,000 line item for the MDTS and to carry forward a previously approved $100,000 emergency allocation for the Tedan Bridge project; members confirmed that no new capital is being added and that remaining expenditures require the full three readings. The committee also introduced Ordinance 2026-4 (first reading) to update 2026 capital improvements — staff flagged an additional $500 cost for portable radios — and recommended adoption under suspension of a resolution honoring Briant, the library system social-work manager recognized by the National Association of Social Workers.
Votes at a glance (committee recommendation to council): minutes approved; resolution 2026-02 (senior grass-cutting pilot) — recommend adopt under suspension (unanimous); resolution 2026-03 (honor) — recommend adopt under suspension (unanimous); resolution 2026-04 (housing-manager correction) — recommend adopt under suspension (unanimous); resolution 2026-05 (ODOT preliminary agreement) — recommend adopt under suspension (unanimous). The committee noted the county planning commission presentation on the master plan will be moved to March 9 due to county staff availability. The meeting adjourned following the roll-call assent.
The committee’s recommendations are advisory; formal adoption or final action will occur at a subsequent Brooklyn City Council meeting.
