Norwood Young America City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
SBA Disaster Assistance Program
Youth Leadership and Community Engagement
Norwood Fire Department Swearing-in
2027 Draft Budget Review
City Administration and Project Updates
Real Estate Option Agreement with Love City Church
Moratorium on Fixed Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
Regulation of Construction Dumpsters and Storage Containers
Fire Chief Compensation Restructuring
Parks Capital Improvement Funding
Donation for Senior Lunches
Community Initiatives and City Services
Votes (12)
SBA Disaster Assistance Program Presentation
Arly Green, representing the SBA, presented details on disaster loan programs for survivors of recent severe storms. Two main programs were outlined: one for physical damages to homes/rentals with a December 1, 2026 deadline, and another for economic injury to businesses/nonprofits with an October 16, 2026 application deadline. Application methods via Hamilton County campus, SBA website, or phone were provided.
Youth Civic Engagement and Community Call to Action
Bishop Sunny James introduced his 14-year-old daughter, Sunny Renee James, highlighting her academic achievements and future political aspirations. He promoted her upcoming 'Come Together' event at Lower Miller Crest, calling for community-wide support from residents and city departments. Sunny Renee emphasized the event's focus on collective action to address street violence and foster change among youth, stating the issue is 'about we' not 'me'.
Norwood Fire Department Swearing-in Ceremony
Fire Chief McCabe conducted a brief but formal ceremony to swear in five members of the Norwood Fire Department. The individuals taking their oaths included one new Lieutenant, two Drivers, and two new Recruits, officially recognizing their roles and responsibilities.
Finance Committee Report on 2027 Draft Budget
Moved by Mrs. Hoover [0:23:01] · Seconded by Mr. Moore [0:23:04]
The Finance Committee submitted a report detailing their meeting with the Safety Service Director and Budget Director to review the initial 2027 draft budget. The report noted an 11.6% variance over the current fiscal recovery plan forecast, primarily due to grants, unfinished carryover projects, and a significant increase in healthcare costs. The committee anticipates continuing budget discussions once more specific healthcare cost figures are available.
Ordinance Authorizing Real Estate Option Agreement with Love City Church
Moved by Mr. Girtton [0:38:39] · Seconded by Mrs. Bowling [0:38:46]
This ordinance was presented for its third reading and subsequent passage, authorizing the Safety Service Director to finalize a real estate option agreement with Love City Church concerning the purchase of real property located at 2100 Elm Avenue. The ordinance also permitted the expenditure of necessary funds and was declared an emergency.
Ordinance Establishing Moratorium on Fixed Automatic License Plate Readers
Dissent: Mayor Schneider stated he would veto the ordinance.
Moved by Mrs. Bowling [0:44:03] · Seconded by Mrs. Hoover [0:44:09]
Councilmember Bowling moved to suspend rules and pass an emergency ordinance for a moratorium on fixed automatic license plate readers. She presented research indicating potential misuse, including 95 searches by one officer with 'Nuna' as the reason and 94% of public searches lacking case numbers. Mayor Schneider expressed his intention to veto the ordinance, citing a lack of prior discussion with the Chief and questioning the data's source. Councilmember Hoover voiced disappointment that the issue became adversarial rather than collaborative. Councilmember Bowling reiterated that overwhelming resident feedback opposed the cameras.
Ordinance Amending Regulations for Construction Dumpsters and Storage Containers on Private Property
Moved by Mr. Girtton [0:47:06] · Seconded by Mrs. Hoover [0:47:11]
This ordinance was presented for its second reading, aiming to address issues with construction dumpsters and storage containers left on private property for extended periods. Councilmember Hoover noted that Trent Zimmerman, the Public Health Inspector, identified this regulatory gap. The amendment seeks to establish a time limit (e.g., 14 days without building department approval) to balance property rehabilitation needs with neighborly respect. The ordinance would take effect 30 days after passage.
Ordinance to Change Appropriations for the Year 2026
Moved by Mr. Girtton [0:52:13] · Seconded by Mr. Moore [0:52:17]
An ordinance was introduced, and all three readings were suspended to allow for immediate passage due to its emergency declaration. This ordinance authorizes necessary changes to the city's financial appropriations for the year 2026, ensuring that the budget remains aligned with current financial needs and obligations.
Ordinance Repealing Ordinance 17-2020 (Fire Chief Compensation)
Moved by Mrs. Hoover [0:56:56] · Seconded by Mrs. Bowling [0:57:00]
This ordinance was rapidly advanced and passed to repeal Ordinance 17-2020, which previously governed Fire Chief Thomas McCabe's compensation. The Safety Service Director explained that this action transitions Chief McCabe into the standard salary ordinance for appointed personnel, ensuring equitable treatment and resolving a unique, pre-existing compensation agreement. Councilmember Moore noted this action helps 'close the books' on past obligations.
Ordinance Authorizing Early Payment of Amounts Due under Ordinance 17-2020 and Inclusion of Fire Chief in Salary Ordinance
Moved by Mr. Moore [0:58:08] · Seconded by Mrs. Franen [0:58:19]
This ordinance, passed under emergency conditions, directly complements the repeal of Ordinance 17-2020. It formally authorizes the early payment of any outstanding amounts owed to Fire Chief Thomas McCabe under the previous agreement and officially incorporates his position into the city's general salary ordinance. This ensures a seamless transition to the new, standardized compensation framework.
Ordinance Amending Cooperative Agreement with Lindner Foundation for Parks Capital Improvement Projects
Moved by Mr. Girtton [1:03:52] · Seconded by Miss Licky [1:03:57]
The council passed an emergency ordinance to amend a cooperative agreement, accepting a significant donation from the Carl H. and Edith B. Lindner Foundation for parks capital improvements. The Safety Service Director detailed projects at Linder Park, McCulla Estate (new shelter, bathroom roof), and Waterworks Park (new lights, court upgrades, parking). Councilmember Franen highlighted the immense generosity, with approximately $850,000 for both the current and next year, freeing up city funds and benefiting thousands of residents.
Resolution Accepting Donation from American Legion Post 123 for Senior Lunches
Moved by Mr. Girtton [1:06:51] · Seconded by Mrs. Hoover [1:06:58]
A resolution was passed to accept a $3,500 donation from the American Legion Post 123. Councilmember Hoover praised the 'phenomenal gift,' noting it would fund senior lunches at the Community/Senior Center and significantly bolster the program run by April Maloney, benefiting many seniors in the community.
Notable Quotes (10)
This isn't about me. It's about we. And I say that because so many people can take something, an organization, and they can turn it into something about themselves instead of about the youth or instead about the cause that they're fighting for.
It is time to change. We can't keep having guns out in the streets, random people being shot when they don't deserve it. No one deserves that death. No one deserves death. But this is the life we live. This is the reality we live in and I want that to change for the better.
I am concerned that we are potentially having misuse. I will say that these did not come from our records being public. These come from the over 6,000 networks that we search through becoming public.
I'm I'm probably will veto this. So, you guys will be coming back to override that veto and I will look at how other communities handled that in the future and we'll make decisions based on that.
If we're getting overwhelming feedback from our residents that they are not interested in this, we it is our responsibility to honor that.
Trent Zimmerman who is our um uh with our public health uh inspector. He is the one who brought this to my attention that this is something that we did not currently have an ordinance for. And so some residents are having uh the experience of folks having a dumpster in their driveway or front yard or wherever for long periods of time.
So this would pay him some of the payments that he is due under that agreement. he will therefore go into the salary ordinance for future years. So it's bringing him into the same system that everybody else is but treating him equitably as we get him there.
In a way it's almost closing the books on sort of that past obligation and then ushering him into um sort of the same department head pay structure that everyone else is subject to.
This will support a number of projects at two different parks. Uh the first one is uh Linder Park and McCulla estate. So it will support a new shelter uh work done [clears throat] to the uh bathroom uh facilities uh primarily the roof. Um it will do new lights at Waterworks Park. Um in addition to uh helping improve basketball courts, tennis courts or pickle ball courts um parking lot.
I think um looking at the budget, a total of about $850,000 worth of investment in the parks, which uh the lenders have been so generous over the years, and this is a hugely generous gift that will make a huge difference for thousands and thousands of people that enjoy our park.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Ordinance previously authorizing the Mayor or Safety Service Director to enter a letter agreement for Fire Chief Thomas McCabe's compensation, now repealed.
Sections being amended to address construction dumpsters and storage containers on private property.
Initial draft budget for 2027, discussed by the Finance Committee.
Plan being updated by the Safety Service Director and a working group.
Plan being worked on by the Budget Director.
Agreement with Love City Church regarding the purchase of property at 2100 Elm Avenue.
Agreement between the City of Norwood and the Carl H. and Edith B. Lindner Foundation, being amended to support parks capital improvement projects.
Resolution accepting funds from American Legion Post 123 for senior lunches.
Ordinance to adjust the city's financial appropriations for the current year.
Ordinance passed by council to halt the use of ALPRs.