Norwood Young America City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Community Events and Programs
Traffic Safety and Vandalism
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Policy and Usage
City Financial Management and Budget
Stormwater Management and Flooding
City Infrastructure Projects
Recognition of Safety Service Director Noah Powers III
Votes (10)
Request to Address Council: Nioka Cope
Dissent: None
Moved by Mrs. Hoover [00:14:46] · Seconded by N/A
Nioka Cope raised serious concerns about dangerous speeding on Lincoln Avenue and Hopkins Avenue, particularly near the school and an intersection. She reported multiple close calls due to drivers running stop signs and excessive speed. Cope also highlighted vandalism issues at the Community Center and expressed terror over a registered tier three sex offender residing next to a school on Lincoln Avenue, despite having reported it to authorities. She requested immediate action on these safety and security issues.
Special Presentation: Chief Klingelhofer - Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Report
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Chief Klingelhofer clarified the Police Department's use of the Flock ALPR system, particularly addressing a controversial 'Nunya' search reason, explaining it as an officer's misguided way to express frustration with the system's data collection, not an attempt to subvert. He detailed Flock's new internal auditing tools (implemented in April 2026), which automatically flag potential misuses and are becoming mandatory. The Chief announced the department is updating its ALPR policy from one to seven pages to enhance accountability and security. Council members raised questions about the previously passed moratorium and whether the cameras would be turned off. Mayor Snyder clarified that while Council makes legislative decisions, the administration manages department operations, indicating ongoing discussions to find a collaborative solution that maintains the ALPR as an effective crime-fighting tool.
Finance, Budget, Audit, and Claims Committee Report (October 14th, 2026)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mrs. Hoover [00:42:37] · Seconded by Mrs. Bowling [00:42:47]
The committee reported on a new monthly financial reporting initiative by the city's finance team, aiming for joint end-of-month reports. They also discussed an updated 2027 draft budget, which shows a 10.5% variance over the current fiscal recovery plan and a $400,000 reduction from the previous draft due to decreased healthcare costs.
Streets, Housing, and Health Committee Report (October 15th, 2026)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Gurton [00:46:17] · Seconded by Mr. Moore [00:46:30]
The committee heard a presentation from the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) regarding stormwater management, sewer backups, and flooding issues in Norwood, attributing them to extreme rainfall, aging infrastructure, and limited drainage. MSD outlined responsibilities (property owners, municipalities, MSD) and potential mitigation strategies. The report also covered MSD's sewer backup programs, high call volumes post-July storms, and a $1.4 billion capital investment program. Additionally, the US Small Business Administration detailed disaster loan assistance for residents affected by August storms.
Ordinance amending sections 919.16, 955.01, and 955.02 of the Norwood Codified Ordinances to address construction dumpsters and storage containers on private property
Dissent: None
Moved by Mrs. Hoover [00:58:34] (for 3rd reading), Mrs. Hoover [00:59:34] (for passage) · Seconded by Mrs. Bowling [00:58:49] (for 3rd reading), Ms. Lickteig [00:59:45] (for passage)
This ordinance amended sections of the Norwood Codified Ordinances to regulate the placement and management of construction dumpsters and storage containers on private property within the city.
Ordinance authorizing the transfer of funds and declaring an emergency
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Gurton [01:00:20] (to suspend rules & 3 readings), Mr. Gurton [01:01:45] (to pass) · Seconded by Mrs. Hoover [01:00:30] (to suspend rules & 3 readings), Mrs. Hoover [01:01:54] (to pass)
This ordinance authorized the transfer of $646,700 from the general fund to the capital projects fund, specifically designated for street improvements to meet current obligations of the City of Norwood. It was passed as an emergency measure.
Ordinance to change appropriations for the year 2026 and declaring an emergency
Dissent: None
Moved by Mrs. Franzen [01:02:15] (to suspend rules & 3 readings), Mrs. Hoover [01:03:00] (to pass) · Seconded by Mr. Gurton [01:02:26] (to suspend rules & 3 readings), Mr. Moore [01:03:09] (to pass)
This emergency ordinance was introduced and passed to adjust the city's appropriations for the year 2026, allowing for necessary financial reallocations.
Resolution accepting the amount and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Gurton [01:03:40] (for 1st reading, then amended to suspend rules & 3 readings), Mr. Gurton [01:05:45] (to pass) · Seconded by Mr. Moore [01:03:55] (for 1st reading), Mrs. Franzen [01:05:15] (to suspend rules & 3 readings), Mrs. Hoover [01:06:05] (to pass)
This resolution was passed as an emergency measure to formally accept and certify the city's tax rates and levies to the Hamilton County Auditor by the November 15th deadline. Council clarified that this resolution does not change current millage rates, but rather affirms the existing rates, including a renewal levy that will be on the upcoming November ballot.
Resolution declaring it to be the desire of council that Halloween trick or treat be celebrated between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31st, 2026
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Gurton [01:06:50] (to suspend rules & 3 readings), Mrs. Bolin [01:08:15] (to pass) · Seconded by Mr. Moore [01:07:00] (to suspend rules & 3 readings), Mrs. Hoover [01:08:24] (to pass)
This resolution formally established the hours for Halloween trick-or-treating for October 31st, 2026. A brief discussion occurred regarding whether this date and time could be made a permanent fixture in the city's code, though no action was taken on that specific point during this meeting.
Resolution recognizing Noah Powers III for his service to the city of Norwood as safety service director and declaring an emergency
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Moore [01:08:55] (to suspend rules & 3 readings with first in entirety), Mrs. Hoover [01:12:12] (to pass) · Seconded by Mrs. Hoover [01:09:10] (to suspend rules & 3 readings with first in entirety), Mr. Gurton [01:12:20] (to pass)
This emergency resolution was introduced and read in its entirety to formally recognize and thank Noah Powers III for his dedicated five years of service as Safety Service Director. The resolution lauded his leadership in significant city projects, his commitment to improving labor relations, and his role in fostering a collaborative environment within city government. It acknowledged his departure in November 2026 for a new professional opportunity.
Notable Quotes (8)
I'm terrified that something's going to happen. And just recently we've had this charger that keeps going up the street and I I know he's doing it like at least 65 miles an hour.
Those children are there at that school and I'm terrified. I will sit on my porch until those kids go home because I don't want anything to happen to them. And something needs to be done.
Nunya. Now, I asked him, 'Why did you put that in there?' And his response was, 'It was foolish and it was complacent. That's on me. But I'll be honest with you, Chief, that's what I've always put in there since we've had it. Never in my wildest imagination, going back 3 years since we've had this, did I ever anticipate that Flock would be under such scrutiny and the audit logs would be under so much public inspection. When I initially put this in, my intention was saying, 'Why does Flock need to know what I'm using this tool for in my investigative purposes? It was none your business.'
Flock is not a perfect tool. It has a human element. And a human element is always going to come with the potential of misuse... Doesn't mean we throw away the whole banking institution. Maybe we put in some more guardrails, protect the data a little bit better, and impose harsher penalties on those that breach the public trust.
Council members are not part of the administration. They're legislators. So, there's some questions on that, but we're going to we're going to try to work together. I think you There was a statement made at the last meeting that this shouldn't be a big brouhaha and a fight. This should be people coming together and working to find a solution that works for everyone.
our administration um bidded out the uh the contractor I guess asked for other bids and our current health care provider came down to a lower bid and it saved us a a significant amount of money for next year.
Just to clarify for those at home, there's not um any changes to the current millage besides what the thing that is on the ballot this November would be a continuation, a renewal of a current levy. If that passes, there would be no change... this doesn't change anything with our tax rates. It's just affirming to the county that, yes, these are the rates that have been determined, and we accept them.
Whereas Noah Powers III was appointed safety service director of the city of Norwood in November 2021 and has served in that role for 5 years overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city. And whereas during his tenure, while working alongside the city's dedicated employees and partners, Mr. Powers led numerous transformational pro- projects including the Elm Avenue sewer project, which ended years of devastating flooding, major street pave repaving projects including Montgomery Road, Smith Road, and more, supporting the redevelopment of long vacant sites such as US Playing Card and the Quality Inn and returning them to productive use, improving labor relations by moving from arbitration toward interest-based bargaining, leveraging his relationships with local and regional partners to secure outside funding for projects that the city otherwise would not have been able to complete. Whereas Mr. Powers is equally recognized for how he carried out the city's business. He built a culture of listening and respect, making himself accessible to employees and elected officials. He fostered collaboration and communication among department heads to promote working toward common goals, and he served as a steadying force with immense professional expertise at a time of significant change in Norwood.
Ordinances & Resolutions (14)
Amended to address construction dumpsters and storage containers on private property.
Proprietary software for Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) used by the Police Department.
A draft budget update showing a 10.5% variance over the current fiscal recovery plan forecast, with a $400,000 reduction due to lower healthcare costs.
The benchmark against which the 2027 draft budget variance is measured.
Programs offered by the Metropolitan Sewer District to address sewer backups and related claims.
A 9-year program by MSD focusing on treatment and system capacity improvements, and neighborhood flooding.
Loan programs from the US Small Business Administration for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits affected by August storms, with applications due December 1st, 2026.
A funding source for the Weir Avenue water main replacement and street reconstruction project, currently stalled but urgently needed.
Legislation authorizing the transfer of $646,700 from the general fund to capital projects for street improvements.
Legislation to modify the city's appropriations for the fiscal year 2026.
Legislation affirming the city's tax rates and levies for the county auditor, related to a renewal levy on the November ballot.
Legislation setting the official date and time for Halloween trick-or-treating in the city.
Legislation expressing gratitude and recognition for Noah Powers III's five years of service as Safety Service Director.
An important tax levy on the November ballot, continuation of an existing tax, critical for city services.