Brecksville City Council Meeting Highlights Key Budget, Safety And Connectivity Moves

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Brecksville Council meeting reviews recreation rates, public safety staffing, sidewalks and fiscal policy heading into 2026.

The November 18, 2025 Brecksville City Council meeting and its committee sessions delivered a dense agenda of fiscal, safety and infrastructure decisions, all aimed at positioning the city for 2026. From updated recreation and contractor fees to advancing sidewalk connectivity and swearing in firefighters, council members moved efficiently through a long list of business while pausing to explain the impact on residents.

Committees Set The Stage: Minutes, Money And Memberships

The evening began with the Buildings and Grounds Committee, chaired by Councilmember Mark Jantzen, which quickly approved its November 4 minutes and adjourned with no new building items requiring action.

Most of the substantive work occurred in the Finance Committee, chaired by Council Vice President Beth Savage.

Recreation And Human Services Program Rates For 2026

Recreation Director Rachel Engel presented proposed rate changes for 2026 Recreation and Human Services programs.

Key points:

• Youth sports (baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer) will see modest rate adjustments:

  • Driven largely by rising officials’ fees and general cost increases.
  • Participation has remained “decently consistent,” though some age groups are phasing out while others grow.
  • Engel offered to provide more detailed revenue projections if requested.

• Artistic swimming:

  • The program is being restructured to better reflect how it actually operates.
  • More emphasis on classroom and dryland work in addition to pool time.
  • The rate structure is being updated accordingly.

• Taekwondo:

  • This marks the first fee increase in four years.
  • Engel met with the instructor, Jason, who teaches every class.
  • Even with the increase, she noted Brecksville remains at a “very very fair rate compared to other programs in the vicinity of our community center.”

Human Services rates were included in the same package, covering senior and adult offerings as needed, with department staff available for follow-up questions.

Community Center Memberships: New Non-Resident High School Option

Council also approved a change to Community Center membership categories, adding a non-resident high school student pass for ages 14 and up.

Engel explained the rationale:

• The Brecksville-Broadview Heights school district is shared, so many teens have teammates and friends who do not live in the city but are part of the same school community.
• Teens 14 and older generally come to the center with a purpose: to lift, shoot baskets, run, or work out together.
• Past behavior concerns have tended to focus more on younger middle-school-aged kids (10–12) than on high school students.

Engel reported that membership levels remain strong even after last year’s adjustments:

• Around 5,600 resident members.
• Approximately 800–850 non-resident members, approaching the city’s long-standing target of 1,000.
• Corporate memberships in the range of 55–65.

Mayor Daryl Kingston highlighted the financial impact, noting that expanded non-resident memberships rolled out a few years ago have generated nearly $300,000 in additional revenue, helping to sustain Community Center operations.

Theater And General Programming: Purchase Order Increase

With the Brecksville theater program drawing strong interest—recent performances of Grease were described as “very successful”—Engel requested an $8,000 increase to purchase order 202-59617.

• The increase allows the Recreation Department to pay independent contractors and instructors who support Community Center programming.
• Funding comes from program revenues already collected.

Council approved the increase.

Contractor Registration Fees Updated After 19 Years

Council amended Section 1131.08 of the building code, which governs contractor registration fees.

Highlights:

• Fees had not been updated in nearly 19 years.
• The new schedule better reflects current administrative, permitting, and inspection costs.
• A single registration covers a contractor for multiple projects in Brecksville; they do not register separately for each job.

The update was described as a long-overdue modernization rather than a dramatic policy shift.

Appropriations Adjusted For 2025

Finance Director Monica Berkowitz presented an amendment to Ordinance 5758, the city’s main 2025 appropriations ordinance.

• The update adjusts appropriations and revenue estimates for the remainder of the year.
• The goal is to align the budget with actual spending needs and revenues.
• Council passed the amendment as an emergency measure, ensuring continued compliance and flexibility heading into year-end.

Central School Demolition Grant: Sub-Recipient Agreement

Berkowitz also explained a required sub-recipient agreement with the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation (land bank) related to the former Central School site.

Background:

• Council previously authorized the city to apply for state Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program funds.
• The state now requires a formal sub-recipient agreement between Brecksville and the land bank so the land bank can submit the city’s application to the Ohio Department of Development.

Key details:

• The state’s current agreement with the land bank is set to expire at year-end, but the land bank is seeking a time extension to June 30.
• If the extension is granted and timelines shift, the city may need to revisit the agreement for an amendment.
• The sub-recipient agreement itself does not bind the city to any demolition decisions beyond the scope of the grant; it sets the legal framework for applying and, if awarded, administering funds.

Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into the agreement.

Blanket And Super Blanket Purchase Orders

To comply with Ohio Revised Code 5705.41(D), Berkowitz brought forward legislation to set dollar limits for:

• Blanket purchase orders, and
• Super blanket purchase orders (used for recurring payments to certain vendors, such as utilities and fuel).

Brecksville’s approach:

• A general $50,000 limit for both blanket and super blanket POs.
• Higher limits allowed in specific categories (such as utilities) where it is practical and cost-effective.
• A consolidation of the city’s existing blanket POs from 187 down to 128, streamlining purchasing and oversight.

Instead of bringing a detailed list to council each December via motion, the city will now follow these codified limits and categories.

Gasoline And Diesel Fuel Contract

Berkowitz reported that a multi-city fuel purchasing consortium recently opened bids for gasoline and diesel supply.

• Petroleum Traders submitted the lowest and best bid for both fuels.
• The company already supplies Brecksville’s fuel needs.
• While prices will continue to move with the market, the per-gallon differential to the market index is more favorable than the city’s current contract.

Council adopted an ordinance authorizing a new agreement with Petroleum Traders, positioning the city for better long-term fuel pricing.

IT Upgrades: UPS Units And Workstations

The Information Technology Department sought approval to purchase:

• 21 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units, and
• 8 workstations,

for a total cost slightly above $26,000, with a $30,000 requisition including contingency.

Berkowitz noted:

• All items are already budgeted in the capital plan.
• IT maintains an internal inventory and staggered replacement cycle, swapping out aging machines and UPS units as reliability and performance require.

Council approved the requisition, authorizing purchase from various vendors based on best pricing.

Sidewalks And Safe Routes: Oaks Road Project Moves Forward

The Streets and Sidewalks Committee, chaired by Councilmember Brian Stuckey, turned to pedestrian safety and school access.

City Engineer Jerry Wise presented the Oaks Road sidewalk project, funded in part through the Safe Routes to School program in fiscal year 2026.

Project overview:

• New sidewalk will extend:
  • From the Blossom Hill complex entrance
  • To Bar Road along Oaks Road.
• Estimated construction cost is about $300,000.
• The city expects up to $268,000 in state grant funding, with remaining or ineligible costs covered by Brecksville.

Wise described this as one of the simpler sidewalk segments the city could tackle:

• The entire route lies on city-owned land.
• There are minimal conflicts with utilities.
• The city has already:
  • Videotaped the sewer line,
  • Completed localized repairs at street crossings, and
  • Coordinated separate sewer lining work with the county.

The project also highlights how long such efforts can take:

• The sidewalk concept dates back several years as part of a broader connectivity plan.
• The Safe Routes grant application was submitted around four years ago.
• The grant was awarded two years in advance of the 2026 construction year.
• Design work, grant administration and ODOT review collectively add years to the timeline, even when the land is already in city hands.

Despite the time involved, council members emphasized the benefits:

• The sidewalk will strengthen the connection between Blossom Hill, nearby schools, and State Route 82.
• It supports longer-term plans for trail and sidewalk links throughout the community and into regional park systems.

The committee recommended, and council later approved, authorizing the purchasing director to advertise for bids, with a target schedule to:

• Advertise the project before year-end,
• Open bids around the end of the year, and
• Aim for award at the first 2026 council meeting, contingent on bid results and state procedures.

Fire Department Staffing: One Promotion, One New Hire

Public safety took center stage when Fire Chief Tom Bender and Mayor Daryl Kingston recommended:

• Michael J. Toussaint II – Appointment as full-time firefighter/paramedic

  • Served 19 years as a part-time firefighter/paramedic with Brecksville.
  • Experience with Seven Hills and Newburgh Heights fire departments, both part-time and full-time.
  • Member of the Southwest Emergency Response Team (SERT) as a diver and swift water rescue technician.
  • Certified fire safety inspector and licensed drone pilot, bringing advanced technical and rescue skills.
  • Fills an opening in the full-time ranks, restoring the department to 13 firefighters and 3 lieutenants.

• Saif “Safe” Shatawi – Appointment as part-time firefighter/paramedic

  • 2018 graduate of North Royalton High School.
  • Completed firefighter certification at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri‑C) in 2018.
  • Finished Tri‑C’s paramedic program in 2023.
  • Previously worked part-time for Brunswick Hills Fire Department and Donald Martin & Sons Ambulance Service.
  • A resident of North Royalton beginning his fire service career with Brecksville.

Council passed Resolution 5725 (Toussaint) and Resolution 5726 (Shatawi) as emergency measures. Both firefighters were formally sworn in, with family members participating in the pinning ceremonies as fellow firefighters and city officials looked on.

Planning Commission Actions: Signs, Solar And Site Plans

Council also acted on several recommendations from the Planning Commission.

Downtown And Neighborhood Signs

• Wow Workshop of Wishes – 23 Public Square

  • Approved an externally illuminated 18-square-foot wall sign.
  • Granted a deviation to allow two wall signs where only one is typically permitted.

• Deer Path Estates – 5901 Fawn Lane

  • Approved an 8.33-square-foot single-sided ground identification sign at the subdivision entrance.
  • Granted a setback deviation to locate the sign 5 feet from the right-of-way instead of the standard 10 feet.
  • Final placement remains subject to engineering approval.

Residential Solar

• 6560 Mill Road
  • Granted final approval for a solar photovoltaic system on a residence.
  • Approved a deviation allowing panels on a side-yard-facing roof plane, under Section 1186.03(C)(1).

Water’s Edge Restaurant Improvements

• Water’s Edge – 7014 Mill Road
  • Approved preliminary and final plans for:
    • Parking lot improvements,
    • Exterior façade updates, and
    • An ADA-accessible ramp.
  • Finalization is contingent on the approval of the City Engineer and City Council, marking continued reinvestment in a key local dining site.

Woodlands Development – Phases 2 And 3

• Phase 2

  • Final approval for revised improvement plans permitting additional clearing and storm sewer modifications.

• Phase 3

  • Final approval for clearing, mass grading, and stormwater pollution prevention (SWPPP) measures.

Some council members recused themselves due to conflicts of interest, but both phases received approval from the remaining members.

Flour Signage At Independence Drive

Another notable Planning Commission item involved Flour, the restaurant at 5720 Independence Drive.

Council approved:

• An 18-square-foot face-lit channel letter wall identification sign.
• A height deviation allowing the sign to reach 3.83 feet where the code typically limits wall signs to 3 feet.
• A deviation permitting internally illuminated wall signage, which is normally reserved for ground signs.

These approvals formalize the branding and visibility of Flour as it prepares to open.

Zoning Appeals: Setbacks For Home Additions

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) brought forward several items, which council approved. In accordance with our reporting standards, names and house numbers are not included in this summary.

• Property on East Sprague Road

  • Front-yard and total side-yard setback variances to accommodate an addition on the rear of a nonconforming home.

• Property on a side street off Oakes Road (Oprah’s Drive area)

  • Minimum side-yard and total side-yard setback variances for an addition to another existing nonconforming residence.

Both were described as modest variances to allow homeowners to reinvest in and improve long-standing homes in established neighborhoods.

Mayor’s Update: Flour, Holiday Events And Leaf Collection

In his mayor’s report, Mayor Daryl Kingston highlighted several items of community interest.

Flour Restaurant Opening

The mayor noted that orientation activities for Flour had recently taken place and that the restaurant is scheduled to open on Tuesday, November 25, at 5720 Independence Drive, adding to the growing mix of dining options in and around Valor Acres.

(You can explore the broader Valor Acres development and restaurant mix in a separate feature article.)

Shop With A First Responder

Kingston also discussed the city’s Shop With a First Responder program:

• Children are nominated through school referrals based on social and economic need.
• Police, fire, and other first responders take them on a holiday shopping trip, followed by lunch and gift wrapping.
• The program builds positive relationships between youth and public safety personnel while offering practical help to families.

Leaf Collection

The mayor reminded residents that the Service Department planned to continue leaf collection through November 28, weather permitting, and encouraged residents to get remaining leaves to the curb within that window.

Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting And Fireworks

Kingston previewed Brecksville’s annual holiday parade, tree lighting, and fireworks on Sunday, November 30:

• Parade step-off is set for 4:30 p.m., beginning at City Hall and proceeding to Public Square.
• Fireworks will follow once it is “sufficiently dark,” giving the city flexibility to adjust timing based on weather and attendance, especially if there are cold temperatures or wind chills.

Closing And Executive Session

Council concluded the public portion of the meeting with committee wrap-ups and then moved into executive session to discuss real estate matters. The regular meeting adjourned shortly thereafter, with officials offering Thanksgiving greetings as the city heads into the holiday season and the close of the 2025 budget year.