TWINSBURG – Twinsburg City Council members worked through an extensive legislative agenda May 27, passing emergency insurance authorizations and moving forward with controversial parking restrictions that will reshape residential street regulations.
Municipal Business
Emergency Insurance Actions Two insurance-related emergency ordinances gained unanimous approval. The council authorized Mayor Sam Scaffidi to execute a renewal agreement with Love Insurance Agency for liability and property coverage through the Ohio Plan (Ordinance 54-2025).
A separate measure (Ordinance 55-2025) approved cyber security and crime insurance through Travelers Insurance. Finance Director Christina Conway noted the property insurance upgrade includes replacement cost coverage for city vehicles rather than depreciated actual cash value, offering better financial protection.
Both policies required emergency passage to prevent coverage lapses when current agreements expire June 1.
Budget Planning The 2026 tax budget received initial consideration through Ordinance 56-2025. Conway highlighted the addition of two newly approved Tax Increment Financing districts that must appear as separate line items, with additional TIF areas potentially forthcoming.
Land Use Decisions
Industrial Rezoning Request A rezoning proposal for 9392 Ravenna Road advanced to second reading. Ordinance 49-2025 seeks to change the parcel from C-2 commercial to I-1 intensive commercial and light industrial designation. The Planning Commission endorsed the change at their May 21 session.
The complementary ballot language (Ordinance 57-2025) started first reading, positioning the rezoning question for the November 4 general election after a required public hearing June 10.
Housing Program Revisions Updates to the Twinsburg Occupancy Program moved forward through Ordinance 50-2025. The 21-year-old program will see revised eligibility criteria, modified grant structures and updated administrative procedures.
Service Changes
Utility Rate Adjustments Sewer rate increases outlined in Ordinance 47-2025 will implement a 4% annual escalation starting July 1 and continuing through 2030. The rate structure follows recommendations from a comprehensive system study addressing maintenance and operational costs.
Post indicated final calculations may yield slightly lower rates after accounting for compound interest effects.
Department Restructuring Administrative changes continue following voter-approved charter modifications. Ordinance 48-2025 formally changes the “public works director” title to “director of wastewater treatment,” reflecting the department’s 2023 reorganization.
Street Parking Overhaul Extensive discussion surrounded Ordinance 53-2025’s proposed parking restrictions. The comprehensive changes would prohibit overnight residential street parking, ban parking on fire hydrant sides of streets, and eliminate parking during snow emergencies.
Law Director Mark Batdorff added language specifically targeting cul-de-sac turnaround areas after council input. Fire department officials reviewed emergency access provisions and expressed approval.
Council members emphasized education and warning periods before enforcement begins, acknowledging residents have parked legally under current rules for years.
Administrative Updates
Economic Development Changes The Community Improvement Corporation will lose annual funding streams under Ordinance 52-2025, which also transfers application processing and monitoring duties for community reinvestment and occupancy programs away from the CIC.
Code Enforcement Modifications Councilman Bill Furey’s request led to Ordinance 58-2025, which reduces temporary yard sign display periods from 120 days back to 40 days. Furey noted the longer timeframe resulted from unintended changes during recent code revisions.
Review Process Streamlining Ordinance 59-2025 consolidates Architectural Review Board procedures in the administrative code while standardizing the 20% project threshold that triggers design review requirements.
Ordinance 60-2025 aligns the Community Reinvestment Area program with state statutes and corrects position titles following organizational changes.
Community Highlights
Multiple officials praised the Memorial Day observance held May 26, noting the venue change to accommodate downtown construction created better crowd dynamics. The ceremony honored military service members and featured VFW coordination.
Council recognized recent high school graduates and celebrated Sandy Pensak’s retirement after extensive city hall service.
Mayor Scaffidi reported on senior citizen engagement through quarterly “Muffins with the Mayor” sessions and highlighted the Home Appliance grand opening in the renovated former Gander Mountain space.
Councilman Greg Bellan received an excused absence to attend graduation festivities.
Following public business, council entered executive session for personnel discussions and litigation consultation.
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