Stow · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Stow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Maple Tree Contest
17 trees entered so far with entries open through September; members will pair up to measure drip lines starting mid-September.
Fishcreek Elementary holiday tree project
The commission will decorate a tree for Akron Children's Hospital (theme: Urban Woodlands) and is planning supplies for the Fishcreek Elementary holiday tree.
Board Role and Meeting Format
All three committees are advisory with no budgets, and Twinsburg meets only six times a year. Twinsburg's year-long single-use plastic bag ban effort went nowhere because state law keeps bag bans out of cities' hands.
Zoning abatement cost recovery
As code enforcement steps up, the city pays Allscapes up to $49,000 to clean up problem properties — then bills owners through county special assessments, not liens.
Fox Den Golf Course fuel costs
More rounds played at Fox Den mean more fuel use — the committee approved up to $50,000 for gas and diesel from Port Petroleum.
Possible conservation projects with Western Reserve Conservancy
The city has started very early talks with the Western Reserve Conservancy about future conservation projects. Nothing is decided yet, but the planning director promised updates if talks move forward.
Aldi liquor permit at 911 Graham Road
The state notified Stow of a new liquor permit for the Aldi on Graham Road. Council chose not to request a hearing, meaning it raised no objection to the permit.
Fishcreek Road crosswalk near new fire station
Baranek asked about the crosswalk by the new fire station that was being checked for correct angle; McCleary said it was ripped out and is being replaced.
City debt maturities
Council member Cyle Feldman walked through every major city debt and when it ends — most by 2033-2035, though two water-line loans run to 2047 and 2053. It's a picture of how much borrowing capacity the city has for future projects.
Rare Disease Day event presence
A member is helping organize an Akron Children's Rare Disease Day event that may move to Cleveland and grow, possibly with an NFL player speaking. The commission may want a presence there.
City record retention and disposal
Thanks to a charter amendment, the city is updating where ordinances and resolutions get posted: the Library, City Hall, and the Community and Senior Center will replace fire stations as the official notice boards.
2027 Tax Levies Certified
Council adopted the routine resolution accepting Summit County Budget Commission rates and certifying next year's tax levies to the county.
Little free art boxes maintenance
Residents keep mistaking the little free art boxes for book libraries. A new parks staffer now stocks them with craft kits regularly, and the commission wants a rebranding push so people know what they're for.
City Center fence replacement
A deteriorated fence along the City Center complex near Valley Forge gets replaced for up to $40,471.20, with work possibly starting August 10.
Recreation Assistant appointment
Brooke Walburn's appointment as Recreation Assistant in the Parks & Recreation Department was sent forward for council confirmation.
Sign variance for Pretty Nails of Stow
Consigner's Collection can put up a larger, more visible monument sign 3 feet closer to the road than code allows, joining plenty of other signs up Route 91 that already don't meet the setback.
Oak tree slime flux education
Commissioner Tom Klingler explained slime flux — a bacterial oozing on oaks that smells so strong it can be mistaken for a gas leak. His advice: leave it alone; the tree usually heals itself.
Mulching door-hanger campaign
Members are distributing door hangers that show correct mulching so residents can help neighbors avoid tree-damaging 'mulch volcanoes.'
Endorsement letter for new zoning code
The commission wants to send a letter backing the new zoning code it discussed last month, but the member who volunteered to write it didn't show. If he doesn't come through by email, the chair will write it herself.
Fourth of July parade participation
The commission will appear in Stow's July 4 parade on a float featuring a mini amp, fire pit, and music, with a lift available so all members can board. Members can walk alongside or ride.
Electric vehicle community outreach
The commission is working with Clean Fuels Ohio to host an EV ice cream social in mid-to-late July and possibly an EV 101 session at the library this fall.
Community film project proposal
A commissioner pitched making a movie as a community, learning filmmaking together week by week. Copyright, staffing and venue questions are big hurdles, so the idea remains in the exploratory stage.
Warm Up America blanket project
The annual Warm Up America program returns this year, with kits assembled after the June meeting and distributed through city hall, nursing homes, and schools. Lakeview crochet participants will be reminded to keep submissions at the required size.
Community Facility Rental Fee Schedule Update
The council was to adopt an updated rental fee schedule for community facilities effective October 1, with allowed annual increases of up to 10 percent until rates match regional comparables. The item, continued from May 27, did not advance.
Evergreen Park apartments game room for residents with autism
The family of an autistic resident at Evergreen Park apartments wants to create an accessible game/sensory room. The commission chair is connecting the family with Summit DD for design and support help.
Solicitor complaints in neighborhoods
Council members reported complaints about solicitors ignoring the 6 p.m. cutoff, and will put solicitation rules on a future committee agenda.
Community literary anthology project
The commission's first-ever literary event will collect written submissions through a call for writers, without a public reading event in year one. A digital anthology may be produced depending on response — organizers expect anywhere from five to 500 participants.
Tax Auditor II appointment
Out of executive session, council advanced an ordinance confirming Erin Bickar's appointment as Tax Auditor II in the Finance Department.
Retirement of Parks Director Linda Nahrstedt
The board honored Linda Nahrstedt at what appears to be her final meeting, thanking her for years of leadership shaping Stow's parks and recreation.
Sign setback variance at 3781 Darrow Road
Consignor's Collection wants to replace its sign with a monument sign closer to the road than code allows. Council will make the final call after the committee's unanimous endorsement.
AMP pop-up events move to new site
This year's park pop-ups are shifting to the AMP site — six Wednesday-evening events on the reclaimed grassy area, with a backdrop, sand play area, and blue construction fencing around the space.
Adopt-a-Spot City Hall planting
The commission will plant flowers in the six City Hall planters on Saturday, May 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. — plants are provided by the city, and anyone can pitch in.
First-quarter audit and extended tax office hours
Auditors arrive the week of March 23, and the tax department is adding hours on April 11 and April 14–15 to help residents with income tax filing deadlines.
Fox Den Golf Course renovations
The city is hiring GolfSense Inc. to renovate Fox Den, which brought in over $2.5 million in revenue last year — the city wants to keep the course competitive.
Municipal Court magistrate funding
Council amended the 2026 budget to pay for a Municipal Court magistrate.
Fox Den enterprise fund finances
Council Member Coffey probed how the golf course's money works: it's a separate enterprise fund, so course profits can't fund other parks or city needs, and the freed-up driving range payment won't go to roads.
Police Taser 10 Upgrade
Police completed training on new Taser 10 devices, a tech upgrade aimed at making less-lethal force safer for both officers and the public.
Free Smoke Detector Program
The fire department, with the Red Cross, installs up to three free 10-year battery smoke detectors per Stow home. Residents can contact Firefighter Mel through the city website.
Urban Forestry Commission appointments
The Urban Forestry Commission wants faster pruning cycles, GIS-based tree tracking, an updated Tree Management Plan, and possibly an opt-out street tree program. It also flagged invasive Callery/Bradford pears along Route 91 and Route 8 for gradual replacement with native trees.
Cloud-Based Server Funding Transfer
Money moved from the capital improvements fund into the general fund to cover cloud-based server costs for city IT.
Visibility of city commissions
Members agreed many residents don't know the senior commission — or other commissions — exist, and suggested highlighting all commissions in a city newsletter and adding a senior resources link to the city website.
ReWorks sign variance at 1201 Graham Road
The ReWorks recycling facility's buildings sit far back from Graham Road, so a taller 4.5-foot directional sign is proposed so visitors — and emergency responders — can find the entrance. Snow buildup and an elevation drop from the road are why the standard 3-foot cap doesn't work here.
City Website Services Renewal
Stow is renewing its three city websites through CivicPlus for up to $23,824.76 — covering hosting, security, notification systems, and design.
Use of TIF Funds for Water Main Repairs
A resident asked whether tax-increment-financing dollars could pay for water main breaks near TIF districts. The law director said yes in principle, but the TIFs are so new that no revenue has come in yet, and the administration hasn't evaluated the idea.
Solicitor permit fee increase
Commercial solicitors would pay $100 instead of $45, since background checks alone cost the city $75. Residents still get vetted, badged solicitors at the door.
Stow ranked among nation's best for salaries vs. cost of living
Councilman Feldman entered into the record a report ranking Stow ninth nationally for high salaries and low cost of living, crediting collaborative city leadership.
City jail usage questioned
Feldman asked the new police chief to revisit whether Stow's own little-used jail could house prisoners instead of paying Macedonia. Prior studies say running it locally costs more, but she agreed to look again.
Outdated city damage reimbursement cap
A resident whose mailbox was crushed by a city leaf truck found the city's maximum reimbursement is just $86 — far below what his mailbox cost. Officials agreed the cap is outdated, and the claim now goes to the Board of Control with no appeal.
Committee assignments pending
Who sits on which council committee affects what gets attention — roads, safety, finance, and planning work all flow through committees. Assignments wait until Herman hears each member's preferences.