Stow Council Debates Water Rates, Rejects Claim Payout and Updates Park Firearms Rule

Stow City Council approved new park firearms language, confirmed a public information officer and bought an ambulance on Oct. 8. Members also rejected a vehicle damage claim. Proposed water rate increases drew the most debate but still await a final vote. Budget and Finance Water Rate Increase Gets Second Reading Council held the second reading of Ordinance 2026-137, which would raise water system fees. Members did not vote on it. Councilman Cyle Feldman laid out the costs of the water system. The city plans to replace 10,003 water meters. Work would start in August 2027 and run 12 to 14 months. The project is estimated at $4.05 million. That figure does not include a potential water tower or about $14 million in water main and line repairs. The city has not raised its water rates since 2011. Councilwoman Kelly Coffey asked for a public hearing on the increase. She said the finance director offered four proposals and the lowest meant a 30% increase. She said the version under discussion reaches 50% by 2030. Her figures were 10% in 2027, 25% in 2028, 40% in 2029 and 50% in 2030. She also asked the city to itemize fees on water bills. The deputy law director said the 2027 change is much smaller. He said a typical user of 4 HCF would pay about $4 more per month. That adds up to about $49 over the year, or roughly 15%. He called that a small price for clean water. The version before council uses a 38 cent figure. Earlier options were 25 cents and 50 cents. Feldman said council could reevaluate after three years. The finance director said the water capital and water operating funds are trending toward negative balances. She said the state is scoring the city’s Ohio Public Works Commission application. The city is about $100,000 behind last September in water user fee revenue. The city budgeted $5.7 million in water capital revenue and will fall short. It ended 2025 near $4.9 million. Councilman John Baranek said inflation has outpaced the city’s flat rates. The law director said consumer prices are up 89.15% since 2001. Council Rejects Vehicle Damage Settlement Council voted down Ordinance 2026-159. It would have paid a settlement on a moral claim for vehicle damage against the city. All seven members voted no. Ambulance Purchase Approved Council approved Ordinance 2026-162 unanimously. It authorizes a contract with Pfund Superior Sales Co Inc for a 2029 Ford Type III ambulance for the fire department. The purchase skips public bidding. Feldman asked that the cost, $298,449, be placed in the record. Most residents do not know what an ambulance costs, he said. 2027 Budget and Bills Ordinance 2026-163, the 2027 annual appropriations, received its first reading. Council also approved the Oct. 8 bill listing. Development and Zoning Maplepark Road Duplex Permit Faces Pushback Council discussed Resolution 2026-154, a conditional use permit for four duplexes on Maplepark Road. Councilwoman Kim Young asked if the permit covers only the conditional use for duplexes. Baranek said it does. Baranek said he would not support suspending the rules. The applicant did not attend council or the planning committee meeting, he said. He noted the same applicant has another project on the agenda. AMP Entertainment District Hearing Set Ordinance 2026-156 would create a designated outdoor refreshment area called the AMP Entertainment District. It received its second reading. A public hearing is set for 5 p.m. Oct. 22. Law Director Drew Reilly recommended a third reading after the hearing. He then suggested tabling the final vote until December. State notice rules and extra time for public feedback drive that advice. Laws and Personnel Park Firearms Rule Rewritten Council passed Ordinance 2026-160 unanimously. It changes Chapter 955 to align Stow’s park rules with Ohio Revised Code 9.68, the state law that limits local gun regulation. The Committee of the Whole heard the background earlier that evening. The deputy law director said the city was not enforcing the old language. A resident brought the conflict to the city’s attention. The new wording bans discharging firearms, air or gas rifles and pistols, slingshots and other projectile devices in parks, shelters and facilities. It allows weapons permitted under state law. Lawful carriers are protected, the deputy law director said. Police can still act when someone carries unlawfully. In response to a question from Feldman, he confirmed that a concealed carry permit holder may carry in Silver Springs Park. A Cuyahoga Falls resident told the committee the conflict first surfaced in 2023. Only signage changed then, the resident said. New Public Information Officer Confirmed Council passed Ordinance 2026-164 unanimously. It confirms the mayor’s appointment of a public information officer for the Department of Community Outreach. It also sets pay. The measure came out of a Committee of the Whole executive session on employment of a public employee. Stow Takes Over Munroe Falls Prosecution R