Major facility project advances while recreational vehicle parking rules, budget changes, and opioid settlement participation move forward
Macedonia City Council tackled a packed agenda during its Sept. 25 meeting, with the most significant action being approval of a design-build contract for a new service department facility that has been years in the making.
Service Building Project Reaches Major Milestone
Council unanimously approved a contract with Beaver Constructors Inc. for the city’s new service building project after an extensive selection process. Mayor Nicholas Molnar emphasized the urgent need for the facility, citing safety concerns with current conditions that have persisted since the project began in 2019.
“This is a safety thing to me and I really want to get this moving,” Molnar said, noting that all council members should tour the existing facilities to understand the need. The selection team reviewed 19 initial submissions, narrowed the field to four finalists, and conducted detailed interviews before choosing Beaver Constructors.
The contractor plans to begin work next week, with equipment expected on site by November or December. Service Director Daniel Wilson stressed that the new facility will significantly improve the department’s ability to serve residents while ensuring employee safety.
Recreational Vehicle Ordinance Draws Mixed Response
Council referred proposed changes to recreational vehicle parking regulations to the planning commission after receiving conflicting public feedback. The proposed ordinance would allow RV parking visible from streets between May 1 and Sept. 30 each year, while requiring vehicles to be screened from view during winter months.
Council President Jeff Garvas received one comment supporting the change and another opposing it, with the opposition citing concerns about enforcement inconsistency. The planning commission will review the proposal at their Oct. 20 meeting, with council extending the typical 30-day review period to 45 days to ensure adequate discussion time.
Budget Amendment Addresses Multiple Needs
Finance Director John Veres presented the second budget amendment for 2025, primarily addressing wage and benefit adjustments across departments. The changes stem from recent hirings in police and fire departments, updated revenue projections from tax increment financing settlements, and various operational adjustments.
The amendment included significant transfers between funds, with the general fund receiving $4.9 million in transfers to support various city operations. Veres noted the TIF funds required adjustment after receiving second-half settlement payments, particularly a $600,000 collection that the city forwards directly to trustees for the Summit Point development.
Police Department Technology Initiative Approved
A major technology initiative for the police department received approval, with Chief Vince Yakopovich explaining the benefits of adopting Lexipol policy management software. The $20,000 annual system will automatically update department policies to reflect changes in state and national laws, while streamlining training and compliance tracking.
“It’s a policy all put together, reviewed by Ohio experts. We just implement it,” Yakopovich said. The system will eliminate much of the manual work currently required for Ohio Collaborative compliance and provide automated testing and record-keeping for policy updates.
The software addresses recent regulatory changes including restraining pregnant females after initial arrest and neck restraint holds. Lexipol pushes updated policies to departments immediately when case law changes occur, with built-in testing and scoring systems to ensure all officers review and understand new requirements.
Opioid Settlement Participation Authorized
Council approved participating in a national opioid litigation settlement involving secondary pharmaceutical manufacturers including Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus. Law Director Mark Guidetti explained the settlement follows similar agreements passed in previous meetings, with the city joining other Ohio municipalities in pursuing funds to address the opioid crisis.
Parks Department Restructures Positions
Council approved restructuring two positions in the Parks and Recreation Department to better distribute workload in the aquatics program. The “Recreation Manager – Aquatics & Fitness” position will be renamed to “Recreation Manager – Aquatics,” focusing solely on pool operations and water programs. The “Aquatics Specialist” role will become “Aquatics & Fitness Specialist,” taking on fitness center duties.
Director Peter Eckendorf explained the change addresses the heavy workload of managing both aquatics and fitness operations, allowing each position to focus more effectively on their specific areas.
Residential Driveway Standards Under Review
Building Commissioner Nino Monaco provided a comprehensive update on development activity throughout Macedonia, highlighting both significant progress and ongoing challenges with infrastructure projects.
The city’s sidewalk replacement program is experiencing delays, with the contractor running behind the original two-month completion timeline. Monaco reported that completed areas include Langston Road, Firestone, Ledge, Bishop, Long, Eden, Springhill, Greasewald, Isabel, and Litton.
Current work is underway on Berkshire, Deepwood, Long, Long Brook, and Ridge View, while areas A, B, E, F, G, and H have not yet begun construction. Monaco anticipates the contractor will request at least a one-month extension to complete the remaining work.
Two significant developments are making substantial progress despite challenging conditions. Divinity Landing and Holiday Inn Express are working to establish proper base materials to prevent mud tracking onto city streets. Both projects have completed most underground utility installation, representing major milestones in their development timelines.
Several new businesses have established operations in Macedonia, contributing to the city’s economic diversification. Hand and Stone Spa is beginning interior buildout at 500 East Aurora Road, directly adjacent to TJ Maxx, bringing wellness and massage services to the retail corridor.
On Highland Road, Floor Scapes, a flooring company, and All Hour Mechanical, specializing in heating and cooling services, are preparing to open at 576 East Highland Road and 483-485 Highland Road respectively. Both businesses are awaiting occupancy permits before beginning operations.
Monaco noted ongoing coordination with developers to address infrastructure impacts from construction activity, with the focus on preventing mud tracking demonstrating the city’s commitment to maintaining road conditions during active development periods.
Public Safety Departments Plan Joint Open House
Fire Chief Brian Ripley and Police Chief Vince Yakopovich announced their departments will host a combined open house on Oct. 8, marking the first time the two agencies have joined forces for the annual community event.
“We can no longer call it the fire department open house. It is for the first time ever combined with the police department,” Ripley said. The event will include swearing-in ceremonies for all new employees hired within the last year, allowing their families and the community to welcome them officially.
Yakopovich expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that while the fire department has maintained this tradition for years, the police department is pleased to participate. “We really would like to see everybody come out,” he said, explaining that visitors can tour the police department, including the popular jail cell walkthrough, and examine police vehicles.
The open house will feature food trucks and activities for children, continuing the fire department’s tradition of community engagement while expanding to showcase both public safety agencies.
Residential Driveway Standards Under Review
Building Commissioner Monaco highlighted ongoing issues with residential driveway permits, noting that current ordinances create enforcement challenges for gravel driveways. The building department currently lacks authority to require permits for gravel installations, leading to problems with maintenance and stormwater management.
The planning commission continues reviewing proposed changes that would require hard surface materials for all new residential driveways and parking areas.
Solicitation Ordinance Requires Clarification
Council held a proposed ordinance updating solicitation regulations at first reading after discovering confusion about fee structures. The legislation needs clarification on whether the $100 application fee applies per person or per organization, with current interpretation requiring individual registration for each solicitor.
Mayor Molnar noted the administrative costs justify the per-person fee structure, but council agreed to refine the language before advancing the ordinance.
Finance Committee Previews 2026 Budget
The finance committee meeting preceding the council session focused on the 2026 operating budget, with discussions about upcoming collective bargaining negotiations. Current three-year agreements expire at the end of 2025, prompting Veres to build cushion into wage and benefit categories rather than speculating on settlement terms.
The committee also addressed health insurance costs, with the city participating in an eight-member consortium that may expand to help control premium increases. The consortium is exploring adding up to eight more communities to spread risk and potentially keep renewal rate increases in single digits, compared to last year’s 19-20 percent increase.
Fall Fest Scheduled for This Weekend
Director Eckendorf promoted Fall Fest scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, at Longwood Park from 4:30-9:30 p.m. The event is limited to Nordonia school district residents, district employees, city employees, MacRec members, and their guests. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The event will feature food trucks, craft beer and wine vendors, college football games on screens, activities for children in a dedicated kids zone, and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Other City Updates
Mayor Molnar announced Halloween trick-or-treat hours for Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. and warned residents about email scams targeting city contractors, emphasizing caution with any electronic requests for money purporting to come from city departments.
The city elevator project at City Hall has been completed, allowing senior programs to return to their regular community room location after temporarily operating in the fire station bays during repairs.
Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 23, with a finance committee meeting 30 minutes before the work session to finalize the 2026 budget proposal.
