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Macedonia City Council met Sept. 24 for a packed agenda that included the Northfield Macedonia Cemetery annual board meeting. Members voted to finally tear down a long vacant building on Highland Road. They also moved forward on a drive through safety ordinance tied to an earlier planning commission decision, adopted the cemetery’s 2026 budget and heard from a candidate for the Ohio House.
Watch the entire council meeting video here:
Drive Through Ordinance Moves Toward a Second Vote
Council held a second reading on Ordinance 48, known as Megan’s Way Out. The measure would require a separate bypass lane next to any drive through in the city. Planning consultants recommended expanding the rule beyond banks, pharmacies and food establishments to cover any non residential drive through.
Before the meeting, members debated whether the rule should apply to existing businesses. Mayor Nicholas Molnar asked council to hold off on a final vote so staff can keep refining the language.
“I can’t in good conscience force existing businesses to spend money,” Molnar told council.
Council discussed exempting current locations that cannot physically add a bypass lane, such as landlocked drive throughs at some banks and fast food restaurants. Members named several local examples during the discussion, including a Taco Bell and PNC Bank locations, as businesses that might struggle to comply. Any business that later makes major improvements would likely have to meet the new standard. This story connects to the council’s earlier decision denying a 7-Eleven driver training center and backing the same drive through safety ordinance.
Contractor Permit Affidavit Also Held for More Work
Council held a second reading on Ordinance 61, which would require homeowners pulling their own building permits to sign an affidavit. The form would explain that homeowners take on legal risk when they act as their own contractor, since the city cannot hold a bond against them if work goes wrong.
Mayor Molnar said the change followed a staff meeting where officials described cases where residents lost money after hiring unbonded contractors, including one case where an elderly resident was overcharged for a single concrete step. Council did not vote and expects to revisit the ordinance at its next meeting.
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Occupancy Permit Ordinance Adopted
Council passed Ordinance 62 on all three readings. The change updates the city’s building code so either the building commissioner or the fire chief can sign off on a certificate of occupancy. Previously, only the fire chief held that authority. Assistant Building Commissioner Todd Allen said the update reflects current practice and does not remove any fire department inspection duties.
Council Approves Demolition of Highland Road Building
Council passed Ordinance 63, authorizing demolition of a dangerous building at 311 E. Highland Road. The cost of demolition will be certified and placed on the property’s tax duplicate. Macedonia Hospitality LLC remains the title owner despite a mortgage foreclosure filed against the property by Berkshire Bank through Summit County.
Mayor Molnar called the property one of the most persistent problems of his time in office.
“This is the vein of my existence,” Molnar said.
Molnar said finance and engineering staff spent the day working to secure a grant that would cover most of the upfront demolition cost. The city expects to eventually recover the remaining cost through the tax duplicate once the property sells.
Surplus Equipment Sales Approved
Council also passed two resolutions authorizing the sale of surplus city property through auction. Resolution 64 covers about 20 pieces of service department equipment, including trucks and trailers that have reached the end of their useful life. Resolution 65 authorizes the sale of a 2005 Pierce fire engine that has been out of service for months after developing a hole in its frame. A replacement engine is expected to arrive in 2027.
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Cemetery Board Adopts Flat Budget, Weighs a Columbarium
Before the regular council meeting, members convened as the Northfield Macedonia Cemetery board. Fiscal Officer Jeff Snell presented a flat funding request of $161,000, the same amount received last year. The four member communities split the cost based on taxable property values. Macedonia will contribute $71,592.64, Sagamore Hills Township $52,246.02, Northfield Center Township $26,515.59 and the Village of Northfield $10,645.75.
Snell said the cemetery has cut costs by renegotiating its landscaping contract, which now runs about $23,000 to $24,000 a year, roughly half what the cemetery previously paid. He also said the cemetery is running low on space and is considering adding columbarium units for cremated remains, pointing to a similar project in Chagrin Falls that priced units between $3,500 and $5,500 each. No columbarium has been added to a capital plan yet. The board approved the 2026 budget and its supporting financial documents.
Legislative Candidate Introduces Himself to Council
During public comments, Vik Sandhu introduced himself as a Republican candidate for Ohio House District 35, which includes Macedonia and several surrounding communities. Sandhu currently serves as Richfield Township’s fiscal officer and previously served in the Merchant Navy.
“That’s the kind of mindset I want to bring to Columbus, a business minded approach and my local government experience,” Sandhu told council.
Sandhu said he wants to focus on property tax reform and public education funding if elected.
Historical Society Reports on Restoration Work
Ellen Bertel, representing the Historical Society of Old Northfield, updated council on the Palmer House Museum. She said a June ice cream social drew more than 150 servings and raised about $850 for a furnace replacement. A statewide Open Doors event last weekend brought 35 to 40 visitors despite rain. Bertel said the group is moving ahead with the furnace project even though it fell short of its fundraising goal, financing the gap by cashing out a certificate of deposit. She said the group expects to have heat installed by November.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Molnar said city staff took part in live wire safety training with FirstEnergy this week. He also thanked the finance and engineering departments for their work securing grant funding tied to the Highland Road demolition. Molnar said he has been attending some of the city’s 22 homeowners association meetings and recently visited the Arbor Trails HOA.
Molnar reminded residents that Macedonia’s trick or treat hours will run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 and urged drivers to avoid distracted driving.
Committee and Department Reports
The Parks and Recreation Commission and Finance Committee both delivered updates.
- New restrooms at Sugarbush Park are complete and drawing more visitors, including kids playing basketball there.
- Fall Fest runs Saturday from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Longwood Park, with seven breweries, two wineries, one eatery, eight food trucks, live music from Luke Wiggins, bounce houses and a petting zoo. The event is limited to Nordonia Hills School District residents and guests, Mac Rec members and guests, and school district employees and guests. Anyone under 18 needs an adult with them.
- The Parks and Recreation Commission meets next Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Rec Center.
- The Finance Committee confirmed three union contracts have been settled after ongoing negotiations. The first payroll unaffected by retroactive payouts will be dated Oct. 16.
- The Finance Committee’s next meeting moves to Nov. 12, ahead of the regular work session, when the 2027 budget gets its first reading.
Department heads also gave updates. Fire Chief Brian Ripley said the department will hold a joint police and fire open house Oct. 7, including a swearing in ceremony for officers, dispatchers and firefighters hired in the past year. Police Chief Vince Yakopovich said the department is accepting applications for entry level officers through Oct. 5 and for dispatchers through Oct. 8.
Director of Public Service Daniel Wilson introduced a new fleet supervisor, Brad, who joined the department from Copley and led recent road repairs near the high school following water main breaks. City Engineer Joseph Gigliotti said two infrastructure projects, the Iroquois Trail drainage improvement and the Ledge Road storm sewer enclosure, are both scheduled to begin in late October. Assistant Building Commissioner Allen gave an update on the new service center, saying framing, electrical and plumbing work are progressing and crews expect to begin drywall soon.
Council closed the meeting with the mayor wishing Fire Chief Ripley a happy birthday ahead of Sept. 29.
SHORT VIDEOS FROM THE MEETING
FAQ
What building did Macedonia council vote to demolish?
Council approved demolition of a dangerous building at 311 E. Highland Road, currently owned by Macedonia Hospitality LLC.
What is Megan’s Way Out?
It is a proposed ordinance, Ordinance 48, that would require a separate bypass lane next to drive throughs in Macedonia. Council held a second reading and has not yet scheduled a final vote.
How much will each community pay for the cemetery in 2026?
Macedonia will pay $71,592.64, Sagamore Hills Township $52,246.02, Northfield Center Township $26,515.59 and the Village of Northfield $10,645.75, based on taxable property values.
Who is running for Ohio House District 35?
Vik Sandhu, a Republican and Richfield Township’s fiscal officer, introduced his candidacy during public comments at the meeting.
When is Macedonia’s Fall Fest?
Fall Fest runs Saturday from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Longwood Park and is open to Nordonia Hills School District residents and guests, Mac Rec members and guests, and school district employees and guests.
