Macedonia Honors Lifesavers and Backs Community Giving

The Macedonia City Council celebrates local safety forces and dispatchers with powerful life‑saving commendations and new contracts, while spotlighting the Community Christmas Connection’s growing impact on families. Council also advances historic preservation, expands green space protection, and boosts support for the local historical society. 27mins

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Original Meeting

Thursday, July 23rd, 2026
6903.0
City of Macedonia July 23, 2026 Council Work Session + Meeting
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

City of Macedonia July 23, 2026 Council Work Session + Meeting

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In This Video
  • A representative of the Historical Society of Old Northfield and the Palmer House Museum thanked the township for a delayed $500 donation that was allocated to a furnace fund, described ongoing fundraising efforts, and was informed that an additional $1,000 appropriation for the furnace would be voted on that night.
  • A representative from the United Methodist Church of Macedonia described launching the Community Christmas Connection, a community-wide event where parents and guardians could shop for Christmas gifts for their children, including bicycles, trees, and gift cards, under the slogan “by the community for the community.”
  • A speaker reported that the Community Christmas Connection served 55 families and 118 children with hundreds of gifts and stocking stuffers, outlined plans to double participation by partnering with schools and the emergency assistance center, and encouraged donations to support expanding the program.
  • A councilmember suggested expanding the Community Christmas Connection to serve isolated elders in assisted living and nursing homes, and council then thanked the organizers for their efforts and impact.
  • A speaker thanked township staff and the mayor for installing “no truck turn” signs at the South Bedford entrance, discussed concerns about the placement and visibility of one sign near the railroad and Dunkin' Donuts, and expressed hope that the signs would help reduce truck traffic.
  • Law Director Guidetti read a commendation letter honoring Officer Chad Redburn for investigative work that uncovered serious additional crimes in a stolen vehicle case and shared personal thanks to a dispatcher and EMS crew for their response to an emergency at Guidetti’s home.
  • Law Director Guidetti read a commendation letter recognizing Officer Control for life‑saving CPR at a severe pedestrian‑vehicle crash and shared a resident’s letter praising two paramedics for rapid treatment that saved a spouse during a heart attack.
  • Law Director Guidetti read a commendation describing how Dispatcher Elias used careful questioning about an autistic child’s interests and nearby water to guide a panicked parent to check a neighbor’s pool, a response credited with saving the child’s life.
  • The Mayor reflected on the recent commendations to praise the city’s safety forces as highly trained, reliable lifesavers and expressed deep personal appreciation and renewed commitment to staying in the community because of their service.
  • Council adopted an emergency ordinance ratifying a new 2026–2028 collective bargaining agreement for the police dispatcher unit, with officials highlighting the difficult negotiations and the contract as recognition of dispatchers’ service.
  • Council adopted an emergency ordinance ratifying the 2026–2028 collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police for patrol officer and sergeant units, with officials briefly echoing earlier praise and moving to approve the contract without further discussion.
  • Law Director Guidetti explained an emergency resolution for the mayor to join a national opioid settlement with Discount Drug Mart that would provide about $5,500 to the city under the same restricted-use terms as prior opioid settlements, noting an August participation deadline.
  • A councilmember explained that legislation was designed to alleviate wage compression by raising subordinate staff pay ranges and then moved to amend it by increasing the maximum salaries for pay grades 12 and 14 by 8% and 6%, respectively.
  • A councilmember introduced Ordinance 43 to end future council eligibility for city healthcare and other benefits, with Law Director Guidetti clarifying that the change would apply only to subsequently elected members and the sponsor arguing that the perk had become excessive since it was first adopted.
  • Speakers emphasized the importance of preserving the historic Longwood Manor by replacing its costly slate roof as planned in the capital budget, noting that a watertight roof would protect the structure and support the Longwood Manor Society’s ongoing work.
  • Law Director Guidetti and other speakers described an ordinance enabling the city to accept a donation of about 115.6 acres of largely wetland property for conservancy purposes, explaining that it would preserve visible green space near Route 8 and Highland and could potentially be used as parkland consistent with conservation restrictions.
  • Law Director Guidetti introduced an ordinance to appropriate $1,000 to the Historical Society of Old Northfield for preserving historical items and helping fund a needed furnace and water restoration, with a speaker explaining the society’s role in preserving Macedonia’s history.
  • Council considered a resolution allowing the Parks and Recreation Director to sell 12 heavily used treadmills from the recreation center via GovDeals so the proceeds could help fund their replacement.
  • A councilmember moved to accept a $50 donation from Michael Carnahan to support Senior Center activities.
  • The mayor briefly reiterated praise for Dispatcher Elias’s life‑saving work and then explained how, after a gas line strike in Twinsburg, the city had imposed and later lifted a drilling moratorium while instituting strict internal review of all digging projects to prioritize public safety.
  • City leaders acknowledged frustrations over dilapidated buildings, including the former BP site, while Law Director Guidetti outlined how the city was pursuing local nuisance‑demolition authority despite repeated court injunctions and expected to seek renewed council authorization once legal requirements were met.
  • The mayor described how a power line on Freeway Drive was struck by a truck for the third time in a month, detailed coordination with FirstEnergy to replace 40‑foot poles with 50‑foot poles, and reported that all lines were restored to a safe clearance height above truck traffic.
  • The mayor offered condolences on the recent passing of community member Bill Klingenberg, asking residents to keep the family in their thoughts, and closed with a reminder not to drive distracted and to put phones away while driving.
  • A speaker announced that the Parks and Recreation Commission’s August meeting was planned for August 19 at 6:00 PM, noted possible scheduling changes, and invited anyone interested to contact the city or recreation center for updated details.
  • Director of Public Service Wilson reported that crews had replaced nine culverts with more planned, shared positive resident feedback about Route 8 cleanup work, and described efforts to map and track mailbox repairs using GIS technology.
  • A speaker announced the hiring of a new recreation manager and outlined upcoming parks and recreation projects, including ballfield netting at Longwood Park, installation of a permanent restroom at Sugarbush, and scheduled late‑August closures to resurface the lap pool, deep clean the facility, and install new treadmills.
  • A speaker reminded residents that July 15 was the deadline for Macedonia resident tax refunds unless an extension with RITA had been granted and noted that some refunds had been processed that week.
  • Assistant Building Commissioner Allen reported that the Divinity Landing project on Valley View was nearing completion with a widened, improved entrance and then publicly praised the building and related departments for their hard work, responsiveness to complaints, and mentorship over Allen’s first year on staff.
  • Law Director Guidetti and another speaker reminded everyone that HR was holding its annual employee health fair on August 20 from 7:00 to 10:00 AM for internal staff only.
  • Police Chief Yakopovich reported that the Macedonia Fire Department and city were now represented on every Summit County firefighter team, noting they had just filled the final spot on the incident management assistance team after several years of heavy use of these county resources.
  • Law Director Guidetti thanked council for ratifying the employee contracts and announced that former full‑time dispatcher Bruce Genovese had returned to serve the city as a part‑time dispatcher.
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