The Twinsburg City Council convened for its first regular meeting of 2026 on January 13, addressing a contentious settlement agreement with former police officers, major infrastructure investments, and a temporary moratorium on vape and CBD shops. Council President Greg Bellan presided over the session, which also featured a pointed public comment regarding ongoing litigation and transparency concerns.
Settlement Agreement With Former Officers
In one of the evening’s most significant actions, council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-09, authorizing Mayor Sam Scaffide to enter into a settlement agreement and release with former employees Daniel Fidoe and Olivia Bartulovic. The resolution was passed as an emergency measure after council suspended the three-reading rule.
Law Director Matt Vazzana explained that the city and the former officers had been negotiating a settlement for some time. He noted that both parties signed the agreement as recently as the day before the meeting, settling and releasing two mandamus actions pending against the city. Vazzana emphasized that the city is not admitting any liability as part of the settlement.
The settlement comes amid a backdrop of ongoing litigation. During the caucus meeting held earlier that evening, council entered executive session under Ohio Revised Code § 121.22(G)(3) to discuss pending litigation and conference with the city attorney.
Public Comment on Litigation
Resident Neil Rubin addressed council during the caucus meeting’s audience participation, urging members to review sworn deposition testimony related to the case and avoid making public predictions about litigation outcomes. Rubin referenced ongoing arbitration proceedings and warned that a federal civil rights lawsuit may be forthcoming, stating that “every delay, every misstatement, and every failure to address these issues increases that exposure and the cost to taxpayers.”
According to previous reporting by Ideastream Public Media, Fidoe and Bartulovic were terminated in May 2024 after filing a lawsuit against the city alleging sexual harassment, records tampering, and retaliation.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements
Council advanced a comprehensive package of resolutions related to major upgrades at the city’s wastewater treatment plant:
- Resolution 2026-01: Accepted the bid of A.P. O’Horo for the wastewater treatment plant improvement project in the amount of $11,150,000. The resolution will be placed on an emergency after its second reading to maintain the project timeline.
- Resolution 2026-02: Authorized a professional services agreement with Burgess & Niple, Inc. to provide engineering services during construction for $1,599,900. The agreement is contingent upon loan authorization, which will fund 100% of the cost with a 20-year term.
- Resolution 2026-03: Established repayment contingencies with Summit County, including a 11.2% cost-sharing arrangement for the wastewater treatment plant improvement project.
- Resolution 2026-04: Authorized a one-year renewable general engineering services contract with Burgess & Niple, Inc. for the wastewater department.
- Resolution 2026-05: Approved a contract for inspection services with Quality Control Inspection, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $70,000. The agreement serves as a safeguard due to demands of the upcoming construction season and potential staffing shortages.
- Resolution 2026-06: Authorized a license agreement for underground sewer pipe crossing with Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Company. The agreement addresses a sanitary sewer installed in the railroad right-of-way without proper permission, dating back to December 1985 Meadowwood trunk sewer plans.
12-Month Moratorium on Vape and CBD Shops
Council unanimously passed Ordinance 2026-07 as an emergency measure, establishing a 12-month moratorium on accepting and issuing zoning or occupancy permits for vape and CBD sales establishments. Councilman Chuck Bonacci was credited with bringing the issue to the attention of city leadership several months ago.
Law Director Vazzana explained that the city currently has minimal regulations for these businesses—only a 1,100-foot setback from residences in the zoning code. The moratorium will allow city planning and economic development staff to study potential regulations, similar to moratoriums recently enacted in neighboring communities like Stow.
Vazzana noted that the moratorium does not affect existing shops, which can continue operating. However, if an existing shop closes during the moratorium period, it cannot reopen. The moratorium also prevents any expansion of existing operations into neighboring storefronts.
Council members asked whether the moratorium would prevent existing shops from adding new products to their inventory. Vazzana clarified that the moratorium operates at the business-use level, not the inventory level, and does not regulate what products are stocked on shelves beyond existing law enforcement authority.
Typographical Error Correction
Council also addressed Ordinance 2026-08, which corrects a typographical error in Section 147 of the city’s codified ordinances regarding employee vacation time. The error involved a vacation schedule that incorrectly stated “10 to 16 years” instead of the intended “10 to 17 years,” which was meant to mirror the city’s union contracts.
After initially placing the ordinance on first reading, council reconsidered and suspended the three-reading rule to pass it as an emergency. Finance Director Christina Conway explained that the corrected vacation schedule took effect January 1, 2026, and the city wanted to avoid any employees with anniversary dates falling in the affected period receiving incorrect vacation accruals.
Public Records Request Discussion
During audience participation at the regular council meeting, resident Karen Clinton addressed council regarding a public records request she submitted in September 2025. Clinton requested police dispatch audio covering a 24-hour period in June 2025 and access to review the complete personnel file of a former police dispatcher.
Law Director Vazzana responded, explaining that the city denied the request for 24 hours of continuous radio traffic because it was “overly broad and vague” under Ohio law. He stated that the city requires more specific context—such as incident numbers, subject matter, or officers involved—to fulfill such requests without performing a “complete duplication” of files, which municipalities are not legally required to provide.
Vazzana noted that the city’s response included suggestions for how Clinton could refine her request and invited her to provide additional information. He also stated he would follow up on the personnel file request, which he was not immediately familiar with.
Councilman David Post expressed confidence in Vazzana’s handling of public records requests, noting the law director spends considerable time ensuring compliance with Ohio’s public records law. Vazzana added that the city received the request on September 22, 2025, and provided a response by October 7, 2025—approximately two weeks later.
Community Updates and Announcements
JEDI Committee: Councilwoman Daisy Walker and Councilwoman Karen Labbe reported on the recent Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) committee meeting. Walker shared that Trent Thomas from Destiny Church proposed starting a conversation club for local immigrants. She also noted that Twinsburg City Schools Superintendent Steve Marlow expressed interest in replicating the city’s JEDI model in Columbus, Ohio, where he will relocate in four to six months.
Financial Excellence: Finance Director Christina Conway announced that the city’s 2024 audit was released by the Ohio Auditor of State with no findings, no recommendations, and no management letter—the first time in three or four years. The city also received four stars for public records compliance, the highest accolade from the state auditor.
Waterford Park Pond Project: Councilman Bill Furey provided an update on the pond dredging project near the golf course between Timothy Drive and Glennwood Drive. The work, designed to increase water retention and alleviate flooding issues in the Ward 4 area, is expected to be completed by the end of February.
Planning Commission Resignation: Councilwoman Labbe announced that Michael Walker, who has served on the planning commission for the past couple of years, submitted his resignation after receiving orders as a Coast Guard member to report for a year-long assignment. The next planning commission meeting scheduled for January 20 was cancelled due to lack of agenda items.
Upcoming Events: The Twinsburg Fire Department will host a “Night at the Races” fundraiser on February 7 from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. Tickets are $65, and attendees can purchase horses. More information is available at www.twinsburgfire.com or by calling Joe at 216-854-7568.
Fourth of July Celebration: Councilman Shaun Castillo announced plans to discuss establishing a community-led Fourth of July celebration in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary at an upcoming council meeting.
December Meeting Schedule: Council voted 7-0 to hold regular meetings on December 1 and December 8, 2026, allowing for a holiday break later in the month.
Boards and Commissions: Several board and commission positions are currently open for applications, including terms ending for current members on the Architectural Review Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, JEDI Committee, Parks and Recreation, Planning Commission, and Capital Improvements. Applications are available on the city’s website at mytwinsburg.com and are due by the second week of February.
Absences
Mayor Sam Scaffide was absent from both the caucus and regular council meetings due to illness. Council President Bellan announced he will be absent from the January 27 council meeting due to work travel.