Stow · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Stow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Lateral Transfer Police Officer Process
The Commission was set to take up the lateral transfer process, which lets experienced officers from other departments join Stow's force without going through the full entry-level exam. It's a tool departments use to fill vacancies faster.
Twinsburg Prosecution Services Contract
Stow will prosecute Munroe Falls' misdemeanor and traffic cases for $15,000 a year over five years, boosting efficiency at Stow Municipal Court.
Court postage budget increase
Coffey wants to check whether another company could provide courthouse postage before the city locks in another year with Pitney Bowes — the item advanced only as a first reading.
Former bowling alley redevelopment
Council members keep getting asked about the old Stow Kent bowling alley site. Plans are approved and fencing is up, but permitting isn't done and there's no construction start date; the planning director will email members a factsheet to share with residents.
Growth in Senior Programs and Youth Sports
Membership is at 522 for 2026, growing about 100 per month, and a 172-person survey confirms seniors want the current programs plus line dancing. Staff plan multiple simultaneous programs in different rooms this year.
City general insurance renewal (property, casualty, cyber)
The city's insurance premium rose 4% to about $399,000 for 2026-27. This is the last year of the current three-year contract, and the city will seek bids for a new one in 2027.
2027 Employee Health and Benefit Renewals
Stow keeps its partially self-funded health plan through 2027, with MMO handling administration ($170,000 cap) and stop-loss coverage ($630,000 cap) for about 225 employees, plus Guardian life, dental, and vision coverage capped at $68,500.
2026 Annual Staffing Report and 2027 Positions
The city reported 239 full-time-equivalent employees and floated five new or backfill positions for 2027 — including a long-needed second engineering inspector. Council wants more detail on merit raises before the budget moves ahead.
Indoor sports training facility on Hudson Drive
A vacant industrial space would become a 13,680-square-foot soccer and goalkeeping training center. The old 500-foot separation rule from heavy industrial uses turns out to be unenforceable since the code no longer defines heavy industrial — a text amendment is coming.
AMP Entertainment District DORA
The city is getting a liquor license for the amphitheater concession stand — beer, wine, and canned mixed drinks only — and DORA legislation for the venue is expected September 24. This sets up how alcohol will be sold at city events.
Developer attendance at council meetings
Two developer items were tabled partly because the applicants didn't show up. Riehl called it a 'bad habit'; staff admitted a notification error on one item. Developers asking for city approval may now face more pressure to appear in person.
Law Director's departure and Issue 34
Drew Reilly is leaving for the private sector after 4.5 years, and he used his final report to push a ballot issue: Issue 34 would raise the law director's pay, which he says is lower than other attorneys in his own department. Deputy Steve Hooten steps in as acting law director.
Library–Parks Partnership
The library and parks department keep building joint programming — silent book clubs in parks, senior tech help on Tuesdays, and shared events. Library budgets are shrinking, but the Friends and Foundation funds all programming, so residents can keep using it free of charge.
Deer management
Residents — and council members themselves — report deer numbers exploding. Options like sterilization plus culling cost tens of thousands, take five to six years, and are limited to city property. No plan was scheduled.
Moral claim settlement rejected (Ordinance 2026-159)
A resident is claiming $250,000 for vehicle damage he says was caused by city-related debris. The Board of Control recommended denying the claim, but council is moving to settle for the full amount anyway, with a release of all claims required.
Public Information Officer appointment (Ordinance 2026-164)
Ashley Cook was confirmed as the city's new public information officer, effective immediately as an emergency measure.
Fox Den golf shop merchandise budget
The Fox Den pro shop needed more buying power for TaylorMade golf merchandise to finish the season, with unsold stock returnable for credit next year.
Lawsuit
Omni Fiber is taking Stow to federal court to force the city to let them build a fiber internet network. If they win, you could finally get faster, more competitive internet options at home.
Surveillance Technology
Stow police are crediting their new Flock license-plate reading cameras with helping them crack 80 different cases. It's a clear sign that automated tech is becoming a massive part of local policing.
Codified ordinances update
Stow's code book is being updated to match new state law, touching traffic rules, dog provisions, cannabis, fireworks, and more.
Duplex development at former Maple Park pool site
Four duplexes (eight units) are proposed on the vacant parcels at 4386 Maplepark Road. Council could grant the permit as soon as tonight, with engineering conditions — storm sewer easement, drainage lines, sidewalks — to follow before building permits.
Street Department catch basin supplies (2026-158)
Inspecting basins before paving revealed far more decayed ones than usual — up to 71 this year instead of 12–15. The no-bid Migchelbrink contract keeps custom basins flowing so paving projects finish right.
School Levy
Stow voters are heading to the polls this fall to decide on renewing the local school levy, which directly funds education in our community. If it passes, it keeps school funding right where it is without hiking up your current property tax rates.
Recycling costs and education
Stow pays over $7,000 per month for cardboard recycling, and contamination (food and random items in bins) is a big problem. Members agreed recycling education is perpetual and communities should know where their recyclables actually go.
Accessible Ohio partnership opportunity
Members want to offer free disability-awareness and barrier simulation training to local businesses, possibly through the Chamber of Commerce, and position the commission as a citywide resource for accessibility concerns.
EV fast-charging gap in Stow
Stow has just six Level 2 charging stations with 14 stalls, far behind Akron and Kent. The commission is studying whether residents in apartments and condos without home charging are being underserved — and whether zoning should require new development to be charging-ready.
City mascot selection
The Arts Commission narrowed mascot candidates to an owl, a fox, and a billy goat, which will now go to the city's other boards and commissions for the final vote. The mascot will be used at community events with swappable outfits and props representing different city groups.
Drive-thru Safety Regulations
Stow just became the fifth Ohio city to require drive-thru escape lanes after state lawmakers dragged their feet following a tragic 2024 shooting. This new rule forces fast-food spots and banks with drive-thrus to give drivers a way out if things go south.
Fall tree planting and replanting challenges
Residents have been asking why they're charged for trees under the city's planting program. The commission noted the $150 fee was meant as a supplemental option for specific yard requests, not the core program, and residents with complaints are encouraged to raise it with their council representative.
Human Bean coffee drive-thru at 983 Graham Road
A new drive-thru coffee shop is proposed on a vacant half-acre lot next to Taco Bell on Graham Road. Customers would enter via the Taco Bell drive and have multiple exit routes through the shopping center and Rocco's parking lot.
City phone system replacement
The city is ditching its old PBX phone system for RingCentral's cloud-based VoIP service — about $50,000 a year versus $100,000 now, using existing hardware. Staff can take calls remotely and the system supports texting.
Community Reinvestment Area tax incentives
Council accepted the Tax Incentive Review Council's recommendations for Community Reinvestment Area agreements in Areas I and IV — routine oversight of existing tax abatement deals.
Swimming pool enclosure rule change stalls
Councilman Feldman sponsored a change to the pool 'private' enclosure rules at a resident's request, but three colleagues sided with the Planning Commission's safety concerns. It got only a first reading — and Feldman is now asking whether he can withdraw it.
E-bike safety rules
Stow has logged nearly 10 car-versus-e-bike crashes this year, none serious. The city already has age and helmet rules; speed on the county-run Bike and Hike Trail is out of the city's hands. Safety education materials may be shared at community events.
Akron-Silver Lake water agreement
Stow agreed to let Silver Lake's Akron-supplied water flow through Stow's lines. In exchange, Akron credits Stow 110% of the water Silver Lake uses — a small win for Stow's water books.
Tree-related power outages
Willowdale, Crestdale, Marsh Road, and Roses Run keep losing power from trees on lines. FirstEnergy is responsive; council members will compile resident reports for quarterly meetings with the utility.
City building HVAC and window replacements
Aging heating and cooling systems at City Hall, the Community Center, Fox Den Clubhouse, and the Safety Building are being replaced for about $419,000, plus $70,600 for Safety Building windows. The Safety Building boilers are the building's only heat source and parts are obsolete.
2027 Budget Season Begins
Finance staff are wrapping up the capital budget and meeting with department heads on 2027 operating budgets over the next two weeks.
Municipal energy as a service proposal
A vendor pitched a 25-30 year deal to electrify city buildings and fleets with no upfront cost, but members want a small pilot with benchmarks before any commitment — and don't want Stow to be the first city to sign on.
Solar scam warnings and group solar buying
After reports of a solar company signing up a 90-plus-year-old neighbor, the commission drafted a scam-warning newsletter article and approved a Solar 101 session in October, connecting residents to a vetted group-buying program with a November 18 deadline.
Free tree canopy assessment
The Environmental Commission's secretary flagged a free urban canopy assessment from Power Clean Ohio. The commission wants more details before agreeing, and will invite a representative to the next meeting.
Materials management and vendor solicitations
A new ordinance defines the "lowest responsive and responsible bidder" with 20 evaluation factors, including city income tax registration. Supporters say it raises standards; Coffey worries it could shrink the contractor pool and raise project costs.
Walk-and-talk with council and stakeholders
The commission plans an annual neighborhood walk with council members to discuss street trees — pruning and sidewalks likely top topics — targeting September 17 or October 1.
Cost Share Program participation lagging
The commission showed how GIS data reveals the history of the $125 cost-share program, which splits street tree costs with homeowners — data members said should be shown to council.
Heather Hills playground opening
A $130,000 playground replacement came in about $30,000 under budget, with swings, a spinner, a climber, and slides — plus plans for a shade sail and a fun curved pathway inspired by the popular 'Blizzard of Oz' theme.
School Resource Officers
The part-time SRO position remains unfilled after a year of failed searches; the lack of health care benefits for part-timers is the main deterrent, and three candidates will be interviewed next week.
Amphitheater operations funding
Parks and Rec will host seven pop-ups at the AMP construction site to let the public follow the planning and construction. The commission will staff a booth, starting April 12.
Emergency backup generator for senior center
A new generator keeps the community/senior center running during outages, paired with a September 25 event and a Rotary welfare-check program for vulnerable seniors.
Proposed Dutch Bros drive-through at 4249 Kent Road
Developers want to split off part of the Stow Glen nursing home parcel and rezone it commercial for a Dutch Bros coffee drive-through. Commissioners generally liked the rezone but questioned whether the area can support another coffee shop near Starbucks and 7 Brew.
Inclusive children's event at community center
The commission is choosing a first event for residents with disabilities and seniors — sensory movies, bowling, crafts, and games were all pitched, with an 'inclusive night' at the Senior Center emerging as the favorite for May.