Council holds first reading of 3-year dispatch agreement; zoning enforcement and rental-registry question raised

Council members on June 8 opened discussion on a proposed three-year dispatch agreement with the Medina County Sheriff’s Office and reviewed multiple zoning and rental-property concerns raised by staff and residents.

Safety lead Tamitha Sorgi reported May emergency-call statistics and noted the resignation of Chief Cavanaugh and the appointment of Rob Haas as interim chief. Sorgi said the sheriff’s department worked 80 hours in May versus 100 requested hours and that staffing levels prevent guaranteed scheduling of deputies in the village. Allan Michelson performed the first reading of Ordinance 918-26, which would adopt a three-year dispatching-services agreement for 2026–2028; no final vote was taken and council asked Solicitor Michelson and Fiscal Officer Gary Harris to provide prior-year dispatch-rate increases and further details before consideration. Public attendee Mark Reuter urged council not to sign the agreement that night, saying more discussion was needed.

On zoning, Zoning Inspector Bud Hardesty reported that the Pain Clinic property on Lake Road appears neglected and that he recommends not renewing the building permit when it expires in September unless the owner responds. Bud also reported friction with an owner who told him he felt singled out for enforcement; Council instructed Bud to include addresses on future zoning reports and to follow up with the County Building Department on permit status. Leslie Burns asked that the Zoning Commission inspect 9 Parkway Path; past demolition estimates for that structure were $14,000–$15,000, and Fiscal Officer Gary Harris said the village could proceed with demolition if updated bids and available funds support it.

During public participation, several residents made announcements: a Cardboard Boat Race on July 4 and installation of Pride Committee flower pots. Alison Weimer asked about creating a registry for rental properties; Zoning Inspector Bud Hardesty and Solicitor Allan Michelson noted legal limits on banning short-term rentals but suggested the village could adopt ordinances to address unruly renters and pursue a registry model similar to neighboring municipalities.

There were no formal votes during the dispatch or zoning discussions; Council directed staff to gather more information and left final decisions for a future meeting.