Stow City Council meets, honors youth, advances public safety, capital projects.

Stow City Council convened on August 6 for a meeting featuring community recognition, policy updates and legislative action, with six members presiding after Councilwoman Kim Young was excused. The session highlighted honors for local youth and new leadership, alongside discussions on public safety initiatives, technology, zoning and capital projects, reflecting the city’s ongoing efforts in governance and community engagement. Stow City Council convened on August 6 for a meeting marked by a mix of community recognition, policy updates and legislative action. Councilwoman Kim Young was excused, leaving the remaining six members — Matt Riehl, Kelly Coffey, John Baranek, Mario Fiocca, Kyle Herman and Cyle Feldman — to deliberate on a full agenda. The session opened with a proclamation and introductions, setting the tone for a day of both local honors and practical governance. Community Recognition and New Leadership Mayor John Pribonic highlighted the city’s commitment to community engagement by presenting a Certificate of Recognition to Conor McCleary, a 15-year-old Eagle Scout. McCleary, the son of LTC Erikson McCleary and Stefanie McCleary, earned the distinction through 44 merit badges and a project building four benches for an immersion tank at Fort Carson’s rail yard. Now a sophomore at Stow Munroe Falls High School, McCleary plans to continue with Troop 270. Missy Littell, the newly appointed director of the Stow Munroe Falls Public Library, addressed the council for the first time. With nearly 30 years of library experience and a master’s degree in library science from Kent State University, Littell described the role as a “homecoming.” Her leadership will guide the library through its next chapter. Policy Updates and Public Safety Mayor Pribonic previewed upcoming fall events, including a ribbon cutting for a new first responders memorial on October 1 and the hiring of Stow’s first two school resource officers, a project Coffey championed. The mayor praised the police department’s recent handling of a missing persons case, calling it a model of community policing. The council also reflected on the second anniversary of Megan Keleman’s death, which led to the adoption of the “Megan’s Way Out” ordinance requiring bypass lanes at drive-throughs. The policy, now adopted in other Northeast Ohio cities, was credited by Mayor Pribonic to former Planning Director Zack Cowan and Law Director Drew Reilly. While Stow did not win this year’s All America City award, the National Civic League acknowledged the ordinance as a civic achievement. Free legal help is coming to Stow next month. The Akron Bar Association, Community Legal Aid, and the Summit County Legal Defender's Office will hold a free expungement clinic on September 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at Stow Municipal Court. Residents with eligible items on their record, or anyone who knows someone who does, can get help filing to have those records cleared. Technology, Zoning and Fiscal Matters Feldman referenced a Beacon Journal report on Summit Metro Parks’ use of Flock license plate cameras, citing an 80% reduction in incidents. Mayor Pribonic and Coffey confirmed they met with Flock’s CEO, who assured them data is not shared with external agencies and that cameras only read license plates. The council also addressed property reappraisal, with Feldman noting a Summit County session at Stow City Hall on August 11. Baranek and Mayor Pribonic emphasized that recent valuation increases stem from state mandates, not local decisions. Zoning updates, including Ordinance 2026 118, received a second reading. Feldman raised concerns about data center development in Amherst, Ohio, but Reilly expressed confidence in the legislation’s current form. The item will return for a third reading. Capital Projects and Rejected Claims Council approved several capital projects, including a 2027 capital improvement plan and a storm water detention study. Ordinance 2026 131, establishing a special fund for the city’s amphitheater, also passed unanimously. However, the council rejected Ordinance 2026 133, which would have authorized a settlement payment to Rob and Belinda Boucher for a water damage claim. Mayor Pribonic called the claim “excessive,” and Coffey noted insufficient information to proceed. The ordinance failed 6 to 0. The meeting closed with the approval of Ordinance 2026 134, authorizing Stow to provide prosecution services to Munroe Falls. Munroe Falls Mayor Allen Mavrides praised the agreement as “a good deal.” The ordinance takes effect immediately. Watch summary video here:  https://youtu.be/t_TvNkKg64s