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Macedonia Council holds key ordinances at first reading, advances infrastructure bids, and sets summer meeting schedule.
MACEDONIA, Ohio – City Council’s Jan. 22 work session and regular meeting focused on a trio of issues that sparked discussion both inside City Hall and among residents: proposed changes to the city’s animal ordinance, whether Macedonia should prohibit short-term rentals, and a slate of infrastructure and administrative items that moved forward on expedited readings.
According to the city agenda packet, the evening’s legislation included Ordinance 85-2025 (cats and dogs), Ordinance 86-2025 (short-term rentals), Resolutions 4-2026 and 5-2026 (bidding for drainage and parking lot work), and Ordinances 6-2026 and 7-2026 (engineering contract rates and a non-union compensation schedule update). The meeting was held at Macedonia City Center, 9691 Valley View Road.
Ordinance 85-2025: Council Signals Rethink on Cat and Dog Limits
In the work session discussion, Council President Jeff Garvas urged a pause on Ordinance 85-2025—legislation that amends Macedonia Codified Ordinance 505.16 on “KENNELS; CATTERIES; NUMBER OF CATS & DOGS RESTRICTED,” including a combined cap on dogs and cats in residentially zoned areas.
The ordinance text in the city packet specifies a combined maximum of six cats and dogs over the age of three months on a residentially zoned premises, with examples such as “six cats, six dogs, or five cats and one dog,” as long as the combined total does not exceed six.
In the work session, council members discussed community feedback—some of it critical of setting a citywide number that applies across housing types, including apartments. Garvas suggested revisiting the concept entirely, with the idea of focusing less on raw capacity and more on defining and regulating specific activities such as breeding operations or “cat sanctuaries,” potentially with business-style requirements like permitting or inspections.
Law Director Mark Guidetti said council had options procedurally—leaving it at first reading and amending later, voting it down, or tabling it—and indicated it might be “cleaner to start over” with a new approach, depending on council’s preference.
During public comments at the regular meeting, resident Michael Neval spoke on behalf of his wife’s cat rescue, “Jennie’s Gems,” describing years of rescue work, compliance efforts after inspections, and concerns about how enforcement actions have felt to his family. He asked council to consider the role rescues play and said the cats in their care were found healthy by inspectors, while acknowledging improvements were made at the property.
Also during the meeting’s correspondence portion, Clerk of Council Jon Hoover read a resident email from Pete Damon of Iroquois Run opposing an allowance of six pets per household and urging stronger provisions regarding animals staying on the owner’s property, including cats.
Ordinance 86-2025: Short-Term Rental Ban Put on Pause for More Review
Ordinance 86-2025 would create Chapter 783 of the codified ordinances related to short-term rentals. The text in the city packet defines “Short-Term Rental” as renting a room or dwelling for less than 30 consecutive days for compensation (excluding hotels or motels), and states: “Short term rentals are prohibited within the City of Macedonia, Ohio.” The penalty section sets violations as a third-degree misdemeanor, with a separate offense for each day a violation occurs or continues.
During the work session discussion, Councilor Jessica Brandt said she wanted more time to research what other cities have done, and whether Macedonia is trying to solve a problem that does not currently exist locally. Council discussed that online platforms may not notify hosts when listings violate local rules, and that alternative approaches could include requiring the owner to be present, or establishing a licensing system so police can identify responsible parties.
Council agreed to hold the cat and dog at first reading without proceeding to a second reading that night.
Bidding Moves Forward: Iroquois Trail Drainage and City Hall Parking Lot
Council advanced two infrastructure items on expedited readings.
Resolution 4-2026 authorizes the city engineer to prepare plans, bids, and specifications, and authorizes the mayor to advertise for bids for Phase II of the Iroquois Trail Drainage Improvements Project. In discussion, officials described recurring flooding problems in that area and characterized the resolution as a step to advertise for bids.
Resolution 5-2026 authorizes bid preparation and advertising for resurfacing the City Hall parking lot. Officials noted the lot has reached the end of its useful life and would be completed in phases to maintain access around City Hall.
Both resolutions passed.
Ordinance 6-2026: Engineering Rates Adjusted, Retainer Unchanged
Council also passed Ordinance 6-2026, amending the agreement with Chagrin Valley Engineering, Ltd. (CVE) relative to compensation for engineering services.
A letter included as Exhibit A in the packet, signed by City Engineer Joseph L. Gigliotti, P.E., requested updated 2026 hourly rates, citing rising costs such as payroll, insurance, and technology. The exhibit states the annual retainer would remain $41,000 for the 2026 contract renewal.
Ordinance 7-2026: Senior Center Program Assistant Position Moved to Parks and Recreation
Council passed Ordinance 7-2026, which updates the compensation schedule for non-union employees and moves a “Clerk” position within the fire department to the Parks and Recreation Department, updating the title to “Senior Center Program Assistant.”
The packet includes a job description for the Senior Center Program Assistant, describing part-time, non-exempt work supporting senior-oriented programs administered through Parks and Recreation, including assisting with the “Senior Luncheon Program,” registration software, and reports.
Meeting Schedule Changes Approved; Executive Session Held
Council approved adjustments to its 2026 meeting calendar, including shifting and canceling selected summer meetings and canceling the March 12 meeting due to conflicts, with the possibility of adding a March meeting later if needed.
At the end of the regular meeting, council entered executive session “to consider the purchase of property for public purposes” under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G), then later adjourned.
Other Highlights: USPS Proclamation and City Updates
During the regular meeting, the city recognized the U.S. Postal Service’s 250th anniversary with a proclamation read by Clerk Jon Hoover.
Mayor Nicholas Molnar also provided updates on the new service building project, discussed a planned “business of the month” spotlight initiative, and warned residents about winter driving conditions amid a reported road salt shortage.
