The Macedonia City Council announced the cancellation of Summer Fest 2025 during their April 10th meeting, citing safety concerns and infrastructure limitations. Mayor Nick Molnar explained that the decision came after “countless hours talking about safety” following previous incidents, with plans to resume the festival in 2026 once necessary infrastructure is in place.
“We initially were going to have it and change the location,” Molnar stated. “Because we’re changing the location in the park, there’s infrastructure that’s not there to support it.”
Samatha Edgar from the Macedonia Recreation Department, later elaborated that moving the event would actually benefit safety measures: “Part of the idea behind moving the location is safety. The location that we’ve chosen is going to be easier to control people coming in, people going out.” She assured residents that despite the relocation, the size would be comparable to the current Mac Rec plot location, allowing for the same quality of vendors and activities in future years.
Spring Cleanup and Mulch Services
Service Department Director Wilson provided detailed information about the highly anticipated spring cleanup services. “Spring cleanup, we’ll have the dumpsters there in the same place at 9000 Valley View Road,” Wilson explained. The cleanup will begin April 19th and run for three consecutive Saturdays, plus weekday access from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Wilson noted that the city would be providing double-processed mulch this year, offering a higher quality product than in previous years. “We’re having it double processed so it will be a lot nicer mulch. It’s actually probably what you would call mulch, like it’s not just long sticks and stuff like that,” Wilson said, encouraging residents to take advantage of this free service.
Mayor Molnar emphasized that the mulch services are exclusively for Macedonia residents, not contractors. He added that restricting services to residents only has significantly reduced the mulch pile size compared to previous years. The mulch will be available starting April 19th at the same Valley View Road location.
Director Wilson referred residents to the city website for detailed information about acceptable materials for the dumpsters, noting the department has received numerous questions about what can and cannot be disposed of during the cleanup.
Director Gigliotti provided updates on the city’s 2025 road paving schedule. North Freeway Drive is scheduled for paving during the week of April 28th. The remainder of roads in the standard road program, including Hampton, Sherwood, Ashford, Highland Point Parkway, Bobolink, and Starlight, are scheduled for paving the week of June 2nd. More info here.
Gigliotti also mentioned that details about the much-anticipated Ledge Road paving project would be presented at the next council meeting, noting significant public interest in this particular improvement.
Key Legislation Passed
The council made substantial progress on several legislative fronts during the meeting:
Petty Cash Update: Resolution 21-2025 amended petty cash fund locations and amounts for various city departments for the first time since 2000. Finance Director Veres noted the 25-year gap, saying “it could use an update” given inflation over that period.
Insurance Renewal: Ordinance 22-2025 authorized a one-year renewal contract with Ohio Plan Risk Management for the city’s insurance coverage beginning April 1, 2025.
Sidewalk Program: Ordinance 24-2025 approved a contract with Fike Developing & Excavating for the 2025 Sidewalk Program after receiving bids from 13 contractors. The $395,000 project will handle sidewalk repairs throughout the entire city, with $75,000 allocated for inspection services.
Commissioner Monaco highlighted significant cost savings for residents: “Last year they paid $13.80 per square foot, this year the cost is going to be $10.80, for a saving of $2.82 per square foot.” For a typical 4×5 slab, homeowners will save approximately $56 compared to 2024 rates.
Mayor Molnar emphasized the program’s importance: “What spurred this was a lawsuit… a neighbor was walking, tripped on the other neighbor’s sidewalk, was in the hospital for an extended period of time.” He noted that seniors under certain income thresholds qualify for city-covered repairs, similar to existing programs for gutter cleaning, snow plowing, and trash pickup.
Employee Classification: Council passed Ordinance 25-2025, which formally defines “seasonal employees” as those working no more than 29 hours weekly for up to six months per year. Director Guidetti explained this creates clarity: “In the past the city has had an implicit definition of seasonal employees. We kind of define seasonals by looking at okay they don’t fit the other employee definition categories. This just makes it very clean.”
Senior Living Project: Resolution 26-2025 confirmed deed restrictions for the NCR Senior Independent Living Project at the corner or Rt 8 and Valley View Road, next to North Woods Lanes, ensuring each unit will have at least one resident 55 years or older.
Pending Legislation
Ordinance 23-2025, appropriating $500 for the Historical Society of Old Northfield to preserve Macedonia artifacts, was held at first reading. Councilor Brandt explained they’re waiting for written documentation on previous fund usage from the society’s representative Ellen Bartell, who has been out of town.
Public Comments and Concerns
Two residents requested modification of the city’s dog leash ordinance, which currently only requires females in heat to be leashed. One resident explained, “This woman walks with the dogs not leashed, both of them, and they can be a house or two houses behind, so we’re requesting what needs to be done to get this ordinance changed that all dogs, whether you have one, two, three, or four dogs that you’re walking, they all need to be on a leash.”
Police Chief Yakopovich clarified the current ordinance doesn’t require any dogs to be leashed unless they’re females in heat, only that they be “in control.” Council member Brandt committed to looking into ordinance changes with the law director.
Tributes and Recognitions
The meeting began with a proclamation honoring the Manta Rays Swim Team for their outstanding season, including their highest-ever third-place finish out of 30 teams at the 11-14 USA Championship meet and setting 19 new team records at that event alone. There are 103 swimmers on the Manta Rays Swim Team. This season, they had the largest group of qualifiers for the 10 & under championship meet, with 14 swimmers delivering standout performances.
Mayor Molnar paid tribute to former councilman Nick Molnar (no relation), who recently passed away after serving 20 years on council before retiring in 2005. Chief Ripley noted the former councilman had been heavily involved with the Nordonia Hills Athletic Association for decades.
Department Reports
Fire Department: Chief Ripley reported EMS collections remain above budget projections but noted increased call volume: “Last month was no different, we had another month of over 400 calls, so we are currently 200 calls above where we were last year. I hope that doesn’t continue because that would put us 800 calls over last year and that’s just too much.”
Police Department: Chief Yakopovich announced Macedonia received $62,000 in body camera funding awards, covering the first two years of the program with plans to reapply in late 2026 for additional funding.
Building Department: Commissioner Monaco delivered an extensive report on development projects throughout the city, including details on the Holiday Inn Express, Divinity Landing senior housing, Peak Nano’s massive facility, and numerous other commercial and residential projects. More details from his report here.
The meeting concluded with council approving cancellation of summer recess meetings o
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