Jerry Blakey

The meeting involved addressing amendments, including an additional travel request for the Commissioners Office and an executive session topic regarding confidential information exchange with another political subdivision concerning an economic development request. Key financial resolutions included appropriations for a kennel project ($30,000.00), additional work on the Mt. Pleasant Basin Project ($200,000.00), and Sheriff's grant funds ($20,000.00). The board approved various journal entries concerning mandated shares, SCOG shares, and RPC invoices for wages, subdivision engineering, storm & water/NPDES, and house numbering. A resolution to advertise for bids for Limestone & Gravel, Asphalt Concrete, and Bituminous Material was passed. Discussions covered approving an amendment to a child placement services agreement with Dimensional Phases, approving change orders for the Sky Trim project, and approving the requisition for a New Freightliner Tandem Axle Cab & Chassis based on ODOT specifications. Other actions included approving an expense for a Law Library publication, approving travel requests, accepting work performed by Elite Excavating Co. of Ohio, Inc. for a sanitary sewer project, releasing a maintenance bond for a private sanitary sewer extension, approving two Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority mortgage lien satisfactions, accepting a Performance Bond and escrow agreement for the Wicker Creek No. 6 Allotment, approving a Subgrant Agreement Amendment with Lighthouse Youth Services for delinquent children services, appointing a second Stark County Apiary Inspector, and indicating no request for a hearing regarding a liquor license transfer in Jackson Township. The session included two executive sessions: one to discuss pending litigation and another to consider confidential information related to economic development negotiations. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

The key discussion topics involved the review of several subdivision and site improvement plans. Under Site Improvement Plan Review, items discussed included Ample Storage, Inc. (Rev), Kingsway Paving, The Fountains at Edgewood Community Center pickleball courts, and The Reserve on Woodlawn (Rev). The Final Plat Review section covered Floradale Acres No. 4, Mount Marie Place No. 8, George E. Pollock's Addition to North Lawrence No. 2, Village Manor No. 3, and Wicker Creek No. 6.

The meeting included extensive discussion and action on financial resolutions, specifically appropriations across several departments including Commissioners, Prosecutor, and Sheriff, totaling significant amounts such as $167,000.00 for HCRP 2024 grant funds and $106,900.00 for a transport van. Budget transfers, county obligations journal entries, and intergovernmental journal entries were approved. Several bids were awarded, including mowing services to Quick Mow Inc. for $115,730.60 and vegetation removal services to Wildfire Pipeline Contractors for $191,637.00. Job and Family Services resolutions addressed agreements for child placement and interpretation services. The Sanitary Engineer secured an agreement with PPI Graphics for mailing sewer bills. Resolutions for Sheriff matters included authorizing the sale of a retired deputy's weapon and declaring excess property for sale. The Engineer section covered proceeding with the Cherry Road NW Bridges project and approving bid specifications for chip seal resurfacing. Regional Planning resolutions involved establishing dates for public hearings on FY 2026 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Programs. Finally, resolutions covered appointments to the Stark County Public Defender Commission and the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority Board.

The meeting addressed several fiscal matters, including the approval of appropriations for E911 Wireless Tax Revenue and the Sheriff's Enforcement & Education fund, as well as several budget transfers and journal entries covering operating costs for EMA, HAZMAT, and LEPC. Prior year journal entries involving various departments and telecommunications billing were approved. The Commissioners authorized advertising for bids for concrete. Resolutions were passed approving a lease for a new vehicle for Adult Probation, authorizing the sale of excess Job and Family Services property, and renewing the contract for Inmate Food Services with Trinity Services Group. The Engineer's office received approval for establishing new capital project funds, accepting work for a chip and seal project, and proceeding with several bridge and intersection improvement projects. The Sanitary Engineer received authorization for revisions to the Metropolitan Sewer District Rules and Regulations. Regional Planning secured approvals for satisfaction of mortgage liens related to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and extensions/final plats for several allotments. Additionally, resolutions were passed concerning a cybersecurity grant agreement, electronic submission of an Equitable Sharing Agreement, architectural services for the Office Building Lobby/Atrium Renovation, and an appointment to the Transportation Improvement District Board. Finally, the Board indicated it would not request hearings regarding two liquor license actions in Lawrence and Jackson Townships.

The meeting commenced with opening remarks, followed by the approval of the minutes from the August 28, 2025 meeting. The primary agenda item involved discussion and a subsequent vote to approve the submitted projects based on presented scores, with some debate on the scoring of "Other Project Factors." In other business, the council discussed time-sensitive concerns regarding the finalization of conservation easements, noting that funding for projects is contingent upon clearing environmental and easement requirements. The ideal target for easement finalization is the end of the current year, with early January considered acceptable. It was also noted that project scores must be entered into WorksWise for approval.