Green Council Rejects Flock Camera Renewal, Sends Seven Charter Changes to November Ballot

Council also advances a five year Aqua Ohio rate deal and hears plans for a new $22 million Oak Clinic campus Green City Council covered a full agenda Tuesday night, and three items stood out above the rest. Members voted down a renewal of the city's Flock safety camera contract with the Summit County Sheriff's Office. They also gave initial approval to a five year water rate agreement with Aqua Ohio and heard a presentation on a new Oak Clinic facility planned near Massillon Road. Seven charter amendments will now head to Green voters in November. Council Rejects Flock Camera Contract Renewal The most contested vote of the night involved 2026R26AA, a resolution renewing the city's agreement with the Summit County Sheriff's Office to continue operating 14 Flock safety cameras within Green. The service costs $84,000 over two years. Council members raised concerns about contract terms during weeks of committee discussion. The city had asked for the right to approve any future contract changes and to terminate the agreement if Flock were acquired by another company. The county rejected both requests, though officials said they planned similar language in their own contract with Flock. Council member Meager said his objection centered on the lack of city control over a contract paid for almost entirely by Green taxpayers. Council member Noble and council member DeVitis raised similar concerns, along with worries about recent changes to Flock's data policies. DeVitis cited updated company terms that grant Flock what he described as a permanent license to use customer data even after a city ends its contract. DeVitis quoted Benjamin Franklin during his remarks: "Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither." He also referenced a neighboring community that had recently ended its own Flock contract. Council members Brandenburg and Neugebauer spoke in favor of the cameras, citing their value to the sheriff's office. The resolution failed on a 3 to 4 vote, with Brandenburg and Neugebauer voting yes and Meager, Noble and DeVitis voting no. Aqua Ohio Water Rate Agreement Advances Council held a public hearing on 2026-19, an ordinance setting new water rates for Green residents through Aqua Ohio over the next five years. The proposal calls for a 5.5 percent increase in 2027, followed by 5.75 percent annual increases from 2028 through 2031. Aqua Ohio area manager Sean Smith told council the company will invest an additional $1.5 million in local infrastructure as part of the agreement. He said the increase is driven largely by a planned expansion of the water treatment plant, which is expected to reach peak capacity limits by 2032. The utility currently serves more than 40,000 customers across Green, Massillon, Jackson Township and several other Stark County communities. Council member Brandenburg asked detailed questions about how the proposed rate compares to what the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio would approve. Smith said the negotiated rate keeps Green below the PUCO ceiling while still funding needed upgrades. The ordinance is on second reading, and council granted time before a future vote. Oak Clinic Announces Plans for New Green Campus Sue Arnold, director of development and education for the Oak Clinic, presented council with plans for a new 30,000 square foot facility at 1928 Burgess Drive. The nonprofit multiple sclerosis clinic has operated in Green for more than 20 years and currently serves about 2,000 patients out of leased space at Summa Health Plaza. Arnold said the clinic is in the middle of a $22 million capital campaign and will not take on debt to build the new site. The new building will include a medical clinic, an infusion center, a full pharmacy with a drive through, a gym and an education and community room. The clinic hopes to open in September 2028. Arnold asked council for two infrastructure changes to support the project: removal of a narrow boulevard entrance at Massillon Road and Burgess Drive, and construction of a new access road connecting Burgess Drive to Town Park Boulevard. She said both changes would improve safety for patients arriving by transport van and for emergency vehicles serving the clinic and nearby apartment complexes. Council president Speight and council member Neugebauer both said the requested road improvements had been discussed by the city for years, independent of the clinic project, and called them a longstanding priority for the area. Council Sends Seven Charter Amendments to November Ballot Council member Neugebauer, who chaired the Committee of the Whole overseeing this year's Charter Review Commission process, brought forward eight proposed changes to the city charter. Seven passed and will appear before Green voters in November. The measures headed to the ballot include a proposal to allow email with read receipt as an official method of notifying council members of special meetings, a measure permitting elec