Benjamin G. Chojnacki

This document outlines the City Manager's Goals and Priorities for the City of Chardon, Ohio, serving as a roadmap to improve the quality of life, support long-term planning, and ensure responsive, efficient government. The plan focuses on ten key areas: becoming a Complete Small Town, protecting Chardon's Square, ensuring Public Safety, establishing the city as a Center of Services, maintaining Fiscal Health, promoting Transparency, enhancing Efficiency, improving Transportation, addressing Housing, and supporting a Strong Municipal Court.

This performance audit was initiated by the City of Chardon to identify potential expenditure reductions and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to its residents. The audit examines Staffing, Salaries and Benefits; Public Services; Internal Services; Fleet and Facilities; and Revenues. Key findings include potential savings of approximately $463,000 through various recommendations and additional management implications to improve administration and operations, such as adopting more formal operational goals and standards.

This document outlines the Chardon Bikeway and Pedestrian System Plan, serving as a long-range blueprint to establish a comprehensive system for pedestrian and bicycle circulation. The plan's overarching goal is to provide alternatives to vehicular traffic, facilitate direct and convenient access to key destinations, and enhance recreational opportunities, aligning with the City's vision of a 'Complete Small Town.' Key priorities include connecting the Maple Highlands Trail termini via a bikeway and implementing significant sidewalk improvements within residential areas, aiming to improve residents' quality of life and stimulate economic growth.

The Planning Commission addressed several new business items. This included granting Conditional Use Certification for the operation of a funeral home by Marc F. Burr, which requires no on-site cremations and necessitates a future Final Development Plan review. The commission also granted Final Development Approval with special conditions for Sheetz Inc. to construct a new convenience store and gas station, requiring the demolition and restoration of the existing fuel tank site. Furthermore, a variance request for Phase II of a development, specifically allowing a setback of 38 feet from the public right-of-way for Sublot #114, was granted. In other business, a presentation was given on the proposed Pocket Park at Water Street and Cherry Street, detailing plans for signage, landscaping, and site access, with final site plan approval to return after the February Council meeting. The 2026 Planning Commission schedule was accepted, and discussions were held regarding noise control for proposed pickleball courts.

The Service Committee meeting primarily addressed two major topics: a proposed increase to the sidewalk assessment and issues related to drainage and missing sidewalks in the Hidden Glen area. Regarding the sidewalk assessment, the committee discussed the need to increase the annual maintenance portion from $50,000 to $100,000 due to rising construction costs, proposing a $50,000 increase to the assessment overall, with unspent funds to carry forward. The committee also reviewed a drainage issue at 116 Cedar Glen, concluding it appeared to be a private property matter, and staff offered to contact the resident. Finally, the committee discussed enforcing the installation of missing sidewalks in the Hidden Glen development, noting legal review would be required concerning the City's authority to mandate installation on specific parcels.