Macedonia City Council addressed several significant items during their November 13 meeting, including failed recreational vehicle ordinances, major infrastructure projects, and authorization for a new service center.
RV Parking Ordinances Fail
Council voted down two related ordinances concerning recreational vehicle parking in residential districts. Ordinance 55-2025, which would have amended section 1171.12, and Ordinance 64-2025, addressing section 351.19, both failed after second and third readings.
Councilor Jeff Garvas explained he had received minimal public feedback despite months of seeking input. After discussion, council members agreed to remove the ordinances from the agenda by voting against them, allowing for potential future reconsideration if needed.
Bond Anticipation Notes Advance
Council moved forward with Ordinance 73-2025 for second reading, authorizing bond anticipation notes not to exceed $2.6 million. The notes will refinance existing 2025 notes for several projects including Highland Road and Valley View Road intersection improvements, the Highland Road and State Route 8 intersection, and Ledge Road resurfacing.
Finance Director John Veres said the city plans to roll over the notes, pay down $120,000 in principal, and eventually bond when long-term interest rates become more favorable. The city anticipates going to market in early January.
Holiday Inn TIF Approved
Council passed Ordinance 74-2025, establishing a tax increment financing agreement for the Holiday Inn property on Girl Scout Way. The 30-year TIF will capture increased property tax revenue to fund public infrastructure improvements in the area, including potential work on North and South Bedford Roads, Girl Scout Way, Lakeview Drive, Shepard Road, Route 82, and Route 8.
Director Veres explained the arrangement will keep the Nordonia Hills City School District and Cuyahoga Valley Career Center whole by ensuring they receive the tax payments they would have received without the exemption.
Major Road Project Moving Forward
Council passed Ordinance 78-2025 through all three readings, authorizing a contract with Chagrin Valley Engineering for design consultant services for the Highland Road/State Route 8 intersection project. The project, designated PID 121067, will add turn lanes, upgrade traffic signals, and construct new sidewalks.
Director Joe Gigliotti outlined the improvements: constructing a westbound turn lane on Highland Road at the SR 8 intersection, replacing the traffic signal, building a right turn lane on South Bedford Road at Highland Road, installing sidewalk connections on South Bedford Road, and upgrading the Highland/South Bedford intersection signal. The project will be bid and managed by ODOT District 4.
The design contract with Chagrin Valley Engineering totals $378,349 for basic services, with an additional budgetary figure of $16,827 for subsurface utility locating if needed.
BP Station Demolition Authorized
Council unanimously passed Ordinance 79-2025, authorizing demolition of the dangerous building located at 316 East Highland Road, the former BP gas station at the top of Highland Road.
Mayor Nicholas Molnar expressed frustration with the property’s condition, stating the city has “had enough” with the building’s appearance. Law Director Mark Guidetti explained the city had reached a settlement agreement with 7-Eleven and other property owners requiring certain criteria to be met within set timeframes. When none of the requirements were completed within the prescribed time or within 14 days of a default notice, the settlement terminated.
The demolition costs will be certified to the Summit County Auditor for placement on the property’s tax duplicate as a lien.
Police Technology Upgrades Approved
Council passed Ordinance 80-2025, authorizing purchase of Axon in-car cameras, licenses and related services for the police department through the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program.
Chief Vince Yakopovich explained the equipment was planned for next year’s capital budget, but Axon is offering 15 percent savings if purchased this year. The invoice won’t arrive until next year, allowing the department to capture the discount while keeping costs within the appropriate fiscal year.
Service Center Financing Advances
Council moved Ordinance 81-2025 to first and second reading, authorizing bond anticipation notes not to exceed $13.4 million for the new service center complex. The ordinance will be combined with Ordinance 73-2025 for simultaneous passage in December to save on issuance costs.
Veres noted the city plans to pay approximately 25 percent of the project costs in cash over the life of the project, with the notes representing the borrowed portion. The city also received federal funding for the project.
Mayor Molnar emphasized the necessity of the new facility, explaining the current buildings have reached the end of their useful life. He plans to present a video at the next council meeting showing the condition of existing structures. The new centralized facility will improve efficiency by consolidating operations currently spread across five locations and allow the city to store a full year’s supply of road salt on-site.
Short-Term Rental Legislation Planned
Councilor Vini Ventura announced plans to develop legislation governing short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO properties. The initiative comes after a shooting incident at a Bath Township short-term rental that resulted in nine people being shot, with one fatality.
Ventura said he has contacted Law Director Guidetti, Chief Yakopovich, Garvas and the mayor to begin work on the project. He requested input from other council members and indicated he hopes to present first reading at the next council meeting.
Public Comments
Resident Karen Bartolozzi addressed council about two ongoing issues on her street. She reported that a streetlight replaced about a month ago on the corner of Berkshire and Shepard Road is now too bright, illuminating her entire house and yard. Service Director Daniel Wilson said he had contacted Ohio Edison but hasn’t received a response. Mayor Molnar said he would follow up with Ohio Edison.
Bartolozzi also raised concerns about speeding on Shepard Road, reporting vehicles traveling 50-60 mph past her home, near Driftwood and Berkshire intersections, the church and school. Chief Yakopovich said speeding complaints are the department’s number one issue. He committed to moving a speed sign to the area, gathering data, and scheduling patrol details to address the problem.
Department Updates
Director Wilson reported the service department has collected about 1,000 cubic yards of leaves so far this season, approximately 50 truckloads. He said the new leaf collection system is working well and crews plan to work overtime over the next two weeks to complete collection before Thanksgiving. The department completed 383 work orders in the past month and is about halfway through installing Christmas lights.
Director Gigliotti announced the new paved trail at Longwood Park is complete. Work continues on the Highland Valley View intersection project, with ODOT’s crew installing storm sewer pipes and catch basins through the end of November before suspending for winter. Storm sewer replacement in the tree lawn in front of Aldi is scheduled to begin November 24.
Parks and Recreation Director Peter Eckendorf thanked everyone who attended the Longwood Park trail grand opening. The recreation center is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week with daily themed events. Winterfest is scheduled for December 5 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Longwood Park, featuring tree lighting, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, outdoor activities and fireworks. The event is open to Nordonia Hills residents and their guests, as well as school district employees and recreation center patrons.
Chief Yakopovich thanked Paul Turlowski of House of Mouse Racing and Walmart for generous donations to the Shop with a Cop program. Donations are still being accepted.
