Green City Council: Dunkin Donuts TIF, $13.5M Road Contract and a Packed Summer Ahead

GREEN, Ohio — Green City Council approved a major road construction contract, moved forward on two tax incentive agreements and previewed an event-packed summer during its May 12, 2026 meeting.

Council Honors Fifth Leadership Class

Green City Council opened its May 12 meeting by recognizing the fifth graduating class of the Green Community Leadership Initiative, a program designed to connect residents and local professionals with the people, services and decisions that shape the community.

With the fifth class completing the program, 75 residents and business leaders have now gone through the initiative since it launched roughly nine years ago. Approximately 30% of graduates go on to serve the city in some capacity through task forces, boards, commissions or volunteer roles.

Kyle Moore, a 12-year Green resident, father of four children in Green Local Schools, general manager and director of operations for Aspire Energy of Ohio, and a lieutenant colonel in the Ohio Army National Guard, was elected class president. He will serve as the liaison to the city for the class project.

Moore told council the cohort is still in a discovery phase on their class project but has landed on three nonprofit partners: Green Good Neighbors, Lydia’s House and Blessings in a Backpack. The group plans to provide hands-on volunteer support rather than fundraising, with a priority focus on helping Blessings in a Backpack move into its new permanent home.

The mayor noted the city also runs a student municipal representative program pairing high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with boards and commissions, calling increased civic participation the defining measure of a strong community.

Finance Committee

City Switches Investment Advisor to US Bank. Council voted 7-0 to adopt Resolution 2026-R21, authorizing an investment advisory agreement with US Bank for the investment of public funds. The Finance Committee, chaired by council member Chris Humphrey, reported that the city’s former investment advisor at UBS has moved to US Bank. Finance Director Goodrich indicated she has been satisfied with his services and noted he specializes in schools and government clients. The move also allowed the city to negotiate a reduction in fees from 20 basis points to 18 basis points. All assets previously held at UBS will transfer to US Bank.

Non-Bargaining Employee Pay Adjustment Advances. A resolution authorizing salary adjustments for non-bargaining city employees, Resolution 2026-R23, remained on second reading without a passage request from the administration. Council granted additional time on the item. The total cost-of-living adjustment is $113,100, an amount already budgeted to match what was previously granted under the city’s AFSCME contract.

Public Safety Committee

Dockside Grille Liquor License Transfer Clears Council. Council voted 7-0 not to request a state hearing on TMP-5344, a D-5 liquor license transfer for The Bickleigh Group LLC, doing business as Dockside Grille at 3717 S. Main St. The location is the former Ramp restaurant on Main Street, just south of the bridge at Portage Lakes. The committee noted no concerns were raised by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office or any council member. The business has been closed for several years, and council members expressed enthusiasm about a new restaurant opening on the lakes.

Planning, Community and Economic Development

Southwood Drive Plat Approved. Council approved Resolution 2026-R16 on a 7-0 vote, formally approving the dedication plat for Southwood Drive Phase 2. The right-of-way plat covers the extension of Southwood Drive on the northern limits of Jacobs Ridge, which will complete a connection road from Southwood over to Tabs Drive.

Akron’s Finest Mulch Receives 30-Year Tax Exemption. Ordinance 2026-07 was adopted 7-0, granting a 30-year Tax Increment Financing agreement to Halasa Properties LLC, doing business as Akron’s Finest Mulch. The property is located on the western side of Massillon Road between Steese and Greensburg roads. The TIF exempts 100% of the value of improvements to the parcel from real property taxation for 30 years.

Dunkin Donuts TIF on First Reading. A new ordinance, 2026-09, was introduced on first reading and referred to the Planning and Economic Development Committee. The legislation would grant a 30-year, 100% property tax exemption on improvements to a parcel owned by SLW Development LLC, doing business as Dunkin Donuts.

Greensburg Meadow Rezoning Heads to Public Hearing. Ordinance 2026-08, which would rezone approximately 31 acres at the northeast corner of Greensburg Road and Winning Way from R-1 single family residential to Planned Development, remains on second reading pending a public hearing. The property is known locally as the horse farm on the east side of I-77 near the airport. The developer is proposing approximately 101 lots under a Planned Development designation. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.

The committee also discussed a public comment requesting a moratorium on new storage unit development within the city, though no formal action was taken.

Transportation, Connectivity and Stormwater

$13.5 Million Arlington Road Contract Awarded. Council voted 7-0 to adopt Resolution 2026-R17, awarding a contract to Xtreme Elements LLC for the Arlington Road Corridor Improvements Project. The winning bid came in at $13,543,261.70, below the engineer’s estimate of $13,886,050.67. A contingency fund for the project is already built into the city budget separately from this award. City Engineer Paul Pickett noted that the project is expected to kick off shortly, with utility work already underway. It is projected to be a two-year project. Residents can expect updates from the administration, including Director Donna Wilford, on construction schedules and detours as work progresses.

Southwood Drive Phase 2 Construction Contract Approved Early. Council bypassed the three-reading rule and adopted Resolution 2026-R20 on second reading, awarding a contract to Cavanaugh Building Corporation for the Southwood Drive Phase 2 roadway construction. Cavanaugh’s base bid of $1,227,596 came in well below the engineer’s estimate of $1,729,507.76. Early passage was requested to get construction started ahead of the Arlington Road project. The Southwood extension will connect Tabs Drive and Corporate Woods Parkway to Fortuna and Arlington Road. The project is expected to be completed later this fall.

Intergovernmental and Utilities

City to Accept NOPEC Energy Grant. Resolution 2026-R22, authorizing the mayor to accept a $20,000 grant from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council through its 2026 Early Access New Member program, advanced on second reading with additional time granted. The grant funds are designated for energy efficiency or energy infrastructure projects. Council member Richard Brandenburg reported that additional details about eligible uses were provided by a city staff member who also reviewed how similar grant funds have been used through the city’s gas aggregation membership.

Mayor’s Report

Arlington Road Public Meetings Planned. The mayor announced that the city will host several public information meetings about the Arlington Road construction project. An open house is scheduled for June 4 at Reagan Chiropractic on Arlington Road, aimed at residents in the immediate construction area. Additional meetings will be held for residents in the Park View, Brier Creek, St. Edwards and Spring Hill developments. Residents are encouraged to register for text emergency alerts at cityofgreen.org/alerts.

Summer Events Calendar

The city has secured more than $39,000 in sponsorships from 12 local businesses to support summer programming. Upcoming events include:

• A Day of Wellness, Art and Mental Health — Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. New this year is a Strides for Hope one-mile walk stepping off at 9:30 a.m. in memory of those lost to suicide and in support of reducing the stigma of mental health.

• Memorial Day Parade — Monday, May 25. Registration is open through Friday, May 15, on the city website.

• Mayor’s Morning Meet-Up — May 29 at the Willowdale Trail, meeting at the Frida Banks Pavilion at 9 a.m.

• Green High School Junior ROTC Raider Run — May 30 at Butler Park and Southgate Park, featuring obstacles and a soaped-up sliding hill finish.

• Central Park Splash Pad opens May 23, running daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Free Yoga in Central Park begins June 3, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m.

• Movie in the Park returns June 6 at 7 p.m. with a screening of “Wicked.”

• Summer Celebration Concert — June 12, presented by Sara Auto Parts, featuring Chris Castanova at 5:30 p.m. and The Shootouts headlining at 7 p.m., with food trucks starting at 5 p.m.

• Freedom Fest — Saturday, June 27, at Butler Park from noon to 11 p.m., featuring food, inflatables, live music and fireworks.

MAPS Named Summit County’s Top Destination

The mayor reported that the Military Air Preservation Society museum was selected as the number one destination not to be missed in Summit County at the Summit County Visitors Bureau’s Zenith Awards. MAPS beat out nominees including the Akron Art Museum, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Stan Hywet Hall and the Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree.

Service Department Rodeo Wraps Up

The city’s annual Service Department Rodeo was held last week, giving employees a chance to review the winter season and practice CDL skills. Winners advancing to the area rodeo in New Franklin included first place Tommy Frank, second place Mike Props and third place Doug Kissimore. The mayor noted he participated and finished last, though no equipment was harmed.