Stow city council members discuss road repair and ‘pothole portal’ at council meeting, proposed live streaming idea pushed back
Stow city council members met Thursday evening to discuss and vote on 20 ordinances affecting the city.
After committee and executive meetings ran over by 1 hour, the council members began the meeting at 8 p.m.
The first ordinance passed, Ordinance No. 20-21, involved funding for M Campbell Contracting. The company was asking for more funding for waterline repairs. This was tabled on January 23 and was passed by the council Thursday.
Stow Mayor, John Probonic, asked to create a ‘pothole portal’ for the city. The online portal allows Stow residents to report any severe or problematic potholes in the city. That was approved by the city council with a unanimous vote, with strong agreement from council members.
The council believes the portal will be a way for residents to communicate road issues to city officials easily.
Members of the Stow Fire Department were present at the meeting to ask for parts and repair equipment funding. With a unanimous vote, the council voted for more equipment for the fire department.
Stow council members, Sindi Harrison, Ward 2, Council President, Jeremy McIntire, At-Large, and Mario Fiocca, Ward 4, all said they never hesitate to approve funding for first responders.
Vehicle equipment funding for the Stow Police Department was also approved Thursday.
A local Boy Scout asked for money to repair a front porch of Star House, a historic Stow building. Sindi Harrison, Ward 2 Councilwoman and Council President, stated the city does not give funding for these types of charitable projects. She then held up her own personal check in the amount of $50.00 and offered it to the Boy Scout, who was present at the meeting. Harrison then challenged all council members to match her donation, knowing the scout needed $250.00 to complete the project.
Councilman Mario Fiocca, Ward 4, said he will “definitely” match Harrison’s check donation amount. All other council members seemed as if they would donate to the local Scout.
Councilwoman Christina Shaw, At-Large, proposed her idea of live streaming city council meetings. She stated the council’s goal is to be transparent and informative with the community and live streaming would be an affective way to do so. Shaw gave ways the live-streaming could be possible, describing a local college student’s assistance or her live streaming it with her own cell phone.
Multiple council members pushed back on the idea, including opinionated statements from Councilwoman Harrison and Councilman McIntire. They said while they are not turning down the idea, they needed more information on how it would be possible.
McIntire said Hudson City Council has a full set of video equipment they use to live-stream their meetings. He said financial issues may get in the way of live streaming for the city of Stow.
Harrison said if she had more in-depth information on how Shaw’s idea would come to life, she may not turn it down.
An ordinance that is an increase of $500.00 or 30 days in jail for drivers who pass a stopped school bus will be voted on at the next city council meeting. This idea was proposed by Councilman Mario Fiocca, Ward 4.
Shaw is the only councilwoman who is openly against raising the fine for drivers. She said the current fine of $500.00 is enough punishment for violators.
When asked if McIntire gets along with the other Stow city council members, he said they do, but having political disagreements comes with the job. “If we all agreed on everything, that would not be normal,” said McIntire.
The next city council meeting is on February 27 at 7 p.m. at the Stow City Building.
