Vice President of Council (Ward 3)· January 2, 2026 - January 1, 2028
John Baranek
Stow
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 26
- Total speaking time
- 50:32
- Avg per meeting
- 1:57
- Segments
- 817
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Top issues during term (20)
AMP Entertainment District drink-and-walk zone (Ordinance 2026-156)
Indirect economic benefit expected from attracting restaurants to the AMP district.
Water rate increase (Ordinance 2026-137)
Typical bills would rise about $2.76 per month under the Feldman plan; Coffey's rejected alternative would have raised bills roughly 20% over two years.
Municipal electrification feasibility study
A pilot program would cost money up front but could lower long-term fuel and maintenance costs.
2027 City Budget Appropriations
Sets the city's entire 2027 spending plan across all funds.
Data-center zoning code amendments adopted
No direct fiscal cost is stated; a future data center could bring tax revenue but also potential utility and infrastructure strains.
Moral claim settlement rejected (Ordinance 2026-159)
$250,000 out of city funds to settle the claim.
2027 city budget first reading (Ordinance 2026-163)
Sets city spending for 2027; no final figures voted yet.
2026 Road Maintenance and Improvement Plan
The road program is funded through the 2026 budget, but delays could push some work into next year.
Townhome Development at 2815 & 2845 Graham Road
No direct city cost, though future road, utility, and drainage improvements would fall on the developer at site-plan review.
Growth in Senior Programs and Youth Sports
The commission operates within the city's general fund under Parks and Recreation, with no separate line item.
City mascot selection
Costs will come later with mascot production and event appearances; not yet determined.
Former bowling alley redevelopment
2027 Capital Improvement Plan adoption
Version 3 totals roughly $16.9 million across departments, about $518,000 less than the prior draft.
AMP Entertainment District DORA
Revenue from concession alcohol sales would flow to the city once the license is active.
Duplex and townhome housing permits
A larger tax base from new residents and businesses, but residents worry about school and infrastructure costs.
Community Reinvestment Area tax incentives
Affects revenue forgone under existing CRA abatement agreements; specific amounts not stated.
Food waste reduction and composting
The city passed on a $75,000 grant opportunity this cycle, but the October event is low-cost with community partners.
Flock surveillance cameras removal request
Costs $48,000 a year with no grant money currently available to offset it.
Rooftop solar at city buildings
$200,000 total in capital budget requests for the solar project.
Ambulance Replacement Purchase (Ordinance 2026-162)
Costs the city $298,449 from EMS Transport funds.
Decisions during term (418)
Recorded while Baranek was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Minutes from October 10, 2026
2026-161 Conditional Use Permit — Townhomes, 2815 & 2845 Graham Road
2026-170 Conditional Zoning Certificate — Indoor Sports Training Facility, 4670 Allen Road
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn
Adjournment
Approval of Minutes from October 8, 2026
Hire one full-time firefighter to replace a resignation
Recess into executive session (employment and property)
Ordinance 2026-171 — appointment of Alison Skilton as receptionist
Ordinance 2026-172 — sale of land to EnviroScience Inc.
Adjournment
Approval of Minutes
Approval of Minutes — October 8, 2026 Meeting
Ordinance 2026-165 — General Insurance (Wichert and Love)
Ordinance 2026-166 — Guardian Life, Vision, and Dental Renewal
Ordinance 2026-167 — Partially Self-Funded Health Insurance Continuation
Ordinance 2026-168 — MMO Stop-Loss and Organ Transplant Insurance
Ordinance 2026-169 — MMO Health Plan Administrative Services
October 8, 2026 Meeting
Voting record (984)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
adjourn
assign a number and forward to new business on this evening's regular council meeting
excuse the absence of Councilman Mario Fiocca
to approve
suspend the rules
suspend the rules
suspend the rules
adopt 2026-168 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO MAKE AND ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH AND THROUGH MEDICAL MUTUAL OF OHIO (MMO) TO SECURE AGGREGATE AND SPECIFIC STOP/LOSS INSURANCE AND ORGAN TRANSPLA
table
suspend the rules
to approve
approve
to forward to this evening's regular council meeting
suspend the rules
adopt 2026-171 AN ORDINANCE CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF ALISON SKILTON AS RECEPTIONIST FOR THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF THE CITY OF STOW, ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR SAID APPOINTEE, AND DECLARING
adopt 2026-167 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF STOW TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM OF PARTIALLY SELF FUNDED INSURANCE, FOR PURPOSES OF PROVIDING HEALTH INSURANCE/HOSPITALIZATION COVERAGE, VISION AND DEN
approve
suspend the rules
table
adjourn
approve to Hire one (1) full-time firefighter in the Fire Department to replace a vacancy due to a resignation
recess into executive session
assign a number and forward to new business on this evening's regular council meeting
suspend the rules
to forward to this evening's regular council meeting History: 2025-205
to forward to this evening's regular council meeting
approve
adopt 2026-172 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO MAKE AND ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND RELATED DOCUMENTS, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF STOW, WITH ENVIROSCIENCE INC, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING A
table
adopt 2026-165 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO MAKE AND ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH WICHERT INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. AND LOVE INSURANCE AGENCY FOR GENERAL INSURANCE COVERAGE, AND DECLARING AN EMER
to forward to this evening's regular council meeting
to forward to this evening's regular council meeting
Ordinance 2026-137 — Water rate increase adopted 4-2
Resolution 2026-154 — Duplex conditional use permit at 4386 Maplepark Road tabled
Developer absent and unable to answer council's questions.