Twinsburg City Council Meeting: Public Records Dispute, Infrastructure Projects, and New Moratorium

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 aut