2024 Spring Our Town Newsletter

Preparation is the Key to Enjoying the Solar Eclipse

Green, and much of Ohio, goes dark on Monday, April 8 for about 4 minutes as the moon eclipses the sun. The last time a full eclipse happened in Ohio was in 1806, the next is 2099. While, this fun celestial phenomenon brings a lot of excitement, it will also bring lots of visitors to our community and the State of Ohio. In fact, state agencies predict

that the population of Ohio will double on April 8 due to those flocking to the eclipse path. The City has a few tips for families and businesses, to help you enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime event.

• Plan extra time for travel on April 8. Highways especially will be busier than normal during the hours surrounding the eclipse.

• Plan where you and your family are going to enjoy the eclipse. Make sure you allow plenty of time to reach your destination. Since Green is in the totality window, your backyard may be a great option without the traffic.

• Due to the influx of people, cellphone and internet services may be slow or not available at times.

• Do not park along roadways or highways. Find a safe location to view the eclipse.

• If friends or relatives are visiting, it is recommended that they arrive the day before and plan a late departure or leave the following day.

• Of course, never look at the sun (even when it is dark). Make sure to purchase solar eclipse glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified prior to the event.

Green Goes Dark: A Family Friendly Solar Eclipse Event

Monday, April 8 | 1 pm – 6 pm | Central Park, 1795 Steese Road

Held in collaboration with Green Local Schools, Green Branch Library and the City of Green, come enjoy a “dark” day at Central Park. Food trucks, family-friendly games and activities, solar glasses (while supplies last), and, of course, the main event, the solar eclipse. See complete details at cityofgreen.org/eclipse.

What’s Your Vision for Green? Share Your Feedback: Complete our Comprehensive Plan Survey

After several in-person input sessions, the City of Green Planning Department and the Vision Green Steering Committee are interested in hearing from the broader community via a survey. Available at cityofgreen.org/compplan or by scanning the QR code. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. If you prefer a paper copy, contact the planning department at 330-896-6614.

LETTER FROM THE

I love to hear from residents. Have a great idea for our community? Reach out to my office at 330-896-6602 or mayor@ cityofgreen.org.

Connections matter. It’s connections that build community and make individuals feel welcome. As your new mayor, I look forward to building on ways to connect with our residents and businesses and help all connect with each other. The best way to do this is by getting involved.

So, what are some ways you can get involved?

Become a Park Ambassador. As a Park Ambassador, you’ll have the opportunity to select the type of volunteering you like to do, which can include park litter pick up, event monitor, photographer, and more. Designed for all ages (children under 16 must have a guardian volunteer with them), this program offers flexibility in terms of when and where you’d like to volunteer in the parks.

Join one of our committees:

The Drug Task Force. Since 2016, our Drug Task Force has worked to raise awareness and connect residents with resources to overcome addiction. After the pandemic, our Drug Task Force expanded its scope to raise awareness about mental health and human trafficking. The Drug Task Force is currently looking for volunteers to serve on one of the three committees: addiction recovery, mental health, and human trafficking.

Inclusion Committee. Our Inclusion committee is focused on creating a more inclusive and welcoming Green.

Join one of our Event Advisory Committees. To provide more robust event offerings in our parks, we are seeking residents interested in serving on an advisory committee to help with the planning of our new and existing events. Currently we are looking for members for our Veterans Advisory Committee and will be adding other committees throughout the year and into 2025.

Register to Volunteer. Throughout the year, we have single-day volunteer opportunities such as Clean Green and others. Businesses or organizations who want to volunteer for a day are also welcome.

Adopt-A-Spot. Join as an organization, family or group of friends to adopt a flower bed within our parks and community spaces to plant, water and care for throughout the summer. Details available at cityofgreen. org/adopt-a-spot

Volunteer with a community partner. There are lots of opportunities to give back in Green and the surrounding area. Visit cityofgreen.org/volunteer to see all the organizations looking for assistance.

Share Your Ideas. If you got a great idea, please share it with us. My office door is always open to residents to share you're ideas on how to make Green an even better place to live.

Not sure? Register for our enewsletter at cityofgreen.org/enews to receive the latest information about the City and opportunities to get involved.

To learn more or register for one of these connection opportunities, visit cityofgreen.org/engage.

I look forward to connecting with you.

City of Green Contact Information:

General Information

(330) 896-5500

Mayor’s Office

(330) 896-6602

City Council

(330) 896-6604

Engineering Department

(330) 896-5510

Finance Department

(330) 896-6603

Highway/Stormwater Division (330) 896-6607

Human Resources Division (330) 896-4138

Income Tax Division (330) 896-6622

Law Department (330) 896-6615

Parks & Recreation Division (330) 896-6621

Planning Department (330) 896-6614

Public Service Department (330) 896-4176

Zoning Division (330) 896-6605

9-1-1 Emergency

Fire Division Non-Emergency Number (330) 896-6610

Summit County Sheriff Non-Emergency Number (330) 643-2181

Connect with us @cityofgreenohio @cityofgreenoh /cityofgreenohio

/green-ohio

cityofgreen.org

Introducing your 2024 Green City Council

Congratulations to Rick Miller, our newly appointed Ward 3 council member. Miller was appointed by the 2024 City Council in February to complete the remaining term of Mayor Rocco Yeargin.

On January 4, City Council appointed CJ Meager (Ward 2) and Jeff Noble (Ward 3) as president and vice president, respectively, for the 2024 council year. In addition, Clark DeVitis, Gerard Neugebauer and Justin Speight took the oath of office for their new terms as at-Large council members.

City Council Meetings

2nd and 4th Tuesday of each Month

7 pm; 5 pm Committee meetings

Central Administration Building, 1755 Town Park Blvd

Open to the public. Livestreamed at cityofgreen.org/videos

Public Comments Welcome

At the beginning of each City Council meeting is an open public comments period. Anyone may request to speak up to 3 minutes on the record. Also, residents may send email comments to be read into the record at the next city council meeting. Emails must specify that it is for the public comment period of a specific council meeting date. Emails to council@ cityofgreen.org must be received at a minimum of one week prior to the meeting.

2024 Committee Assignments

Finance

Gerard Neugebauer *

CJ Meager **

Clark DeVitis

Rules & Personnel

Rick Miller

Clark DeVitis

CJ Meager

Environmental & Parks

Justin Speight

Gerard Neugebauer

Jeff Noble

Transportation, Connectivity, & Stormwater

CJ Meager

Jeff Noble

Gerard Neugebauer

City Council

Public Safety Clark DeVitis

Barbara Babbitt

Rick Miller

Intergovernmental & Utilities

Barbara Babbitt

Rick Miller

Justin Speight

CJ Meager, Ward 2, President

Barbara Babbitt, Ward 1

Nichole Messner, Clerk of Council

Clark DeVitis, at-Large

Jeff Noble, Ward 4, Vice President

Rick Miller, Ward 3

Gerard Neugebauer, at-Large

Justin Speight, at-Large

Activity Books Available to Create Your Vision for Green

Got an idea for a new park feature? Perhaps public art installation? Maybe a new City event? We want to hear or see more about it.

“The intent of the Green Visionary Activity Book is to celebrate the history, places, and people of Green, while offering a new and different way to share ideas with city administrators,” said Sarah Haring, community development administrator. “We

Green Leadership Applications Open

The City is accepting applications from March 15 – April 30 for the fourth Green Leadership Initiative for the Fall 2024 cohort. Residents or Green business leaders are invited to apply for the six-session program which provides an inside peek into our community including topics such as education, health and wellness, quality of life, and safety. Up to 20 class members are accepted per class. For more details or to apply, visit cityofgreen.org/leadership.

hope this sparks creativity and enthusiasm for dreaming about what Green can be.”

The process is simple.

1. Download the activity book from cityofgreen.org/create or pick up a printed version at the Central Administration Building, Green Branch Library, Green Family YMCA or Cleveland Clinic Akron General Lifestyles through May.

2. Create and share your ideas in the activity book.

3. Return your creations to us by dropping them in one of the designated drop-off locations. We will scan the pages and return them to the original owner/artist. Residents may also scan or snap a picture of their completed pages and email them to contact@artxlove.com. Our consultant, Art X Love, will produce a final report with key insights, findings and opportunities for future development.

Images may be shared anonymously (all levels of artistic ability encouraged) and books will be returned to the owner (please make sure your address is included). Deadline is June 3.

Increases in Property Value in 2024

Directed by Ohio Department of Taxation

Property values in Summit County and all counties in Ohio are set to rise in 2024 as ordered by the State of Ohio Department of Taxation. The Summit County Fiscal Office, not the City, determines and collects property taxes for real property in Green. If your property value has changed, you should have received a letter from the Summit County Fiscal office in late summer 2023. To view your new property tax, visit www.fiscaloffice.summitoh.net/

Property owners who wish to appeal their new valuation can appeal to the Summit County, Ohio Board of Revision, before April 1, 2024. Call 888-388-5613 for more information.

Want to know where your real estate tax dollars go? Look up your property online at www.fiscaloffice.summitoh.net/, then click on the tax distribution link on the left-hand side.

Green Community Leadership Initiative

abound OPPORTUNITIES

“If you look at successful cities, what do they include? What is it that makes these places special? If you study successful communities, you will find some similarities. Strong cities are connected. They seek opportunities. They are resilient. And strong cities are engaging. Green is a strong city.”

– Rocco Yeargin, Mayor

2023 City of Green Annual Report

2023 Financials

Revenue

• Total revenue for the City was $62.4 million, the highest in our City’s history.

• Income tax revenue was $29.3 million in 2023, slightly better than the prior year.

• Our other revenue in 2023, which includes federal grant funds, hotel tax, a small percentage of property tax, license fees, and the like, topped income tax revenue at $33 million. The reason for this increase is due to the issuance of $14.9 million in income tax revenue bonds for the construction of the Community Courts.

Expenses

• The City spent $37.4 million in expenses between operating and debt service in 2023. This is a 4% increase in expenses over the prior year, which is essentially the cost of inflation.

• In capital expenses, the City spent $10.9 million on infrastructure, park improvements, and equipment expenses.

• Consistent with the policy of our former mayors, our general fund retains just over $23.8 million, or a six-month operating reserve – a responsible savings account for the City. And even after issuing new debt this year, our general obligation bonds remain at the highest rating Green can obtain as a city.

“Connection means a lot of things to people. How we physically connect via roads, sidewalks, trails and other infrastructure. And these physical connectors are ways to build interpersonal connections that make us a community.”

Connection

• Massillon Road South. Late last year, the construction wrapped up on Massillon Road south and we now have two fully working roundabouts at Boettler Road and at Corporate Woods Circle. After supply delays in 2022, the team really came together to revise and modify the construction schedule to deliver on time. Landscaping within the roundabouts will be completed in spring 2024.

• New bridges. After the Summit County Engineer closed two bridges (Christman Road in 2022 and Main Street in 2023), both rebuilt bridges reopened in the second half of 2023.

• Raber Road Trail. A ¾ mile sidewalk was added to Raber Road, which now offers safe pedestrian access from Mayfair Road to Massillon Road. This is a connector – connecting people along a safe, walkable route to our main corridor, Massillon Road, but also key places like our library, Green High School, Central Park, Green Memorial Stadium and all the places in between.

Opportunity

• Direction Home moved to its new location on Town Park Blvd.

• First Watch restaurant began construction and will open this year on Massillon Road.

• Castle Aviation started construction of another airplane hanger as they celebrate their 40th year in business.

• But perhaps the bigger story about business growth is the number of businesses that are moving into our existing buildings. As businesses leave, others backfill. Green is a good location for businesses with quality transportation connectors, easy access to I-77, top-rated schools, and great amenities. In 2023, we have seen the following businesses move to Green:

- Wesco, which is leasing a portion of the former Diebold Building on Mayfair Road

- Hammond Construction, purchased the former Direction Home building on Corporate Woods Parkway

- Assured Partners

- Hi-Way Distributing

- Lenky Priest Construction

- Tomtreyco, a McDonald’s franchise’s corporate office, in the former COMDOC building

- And a number of smaller service businesses, medical and retail

• State and Federal Grants. The City averages $2-3 million in State and Federal grants each year. These are additional funds to build roads and complete projects without tapping into local funds. Without some of these funds – our large improvement projects, like Massillon Road, and small projects like the Raber Road sidewalk, would not be possible.

• In 2023, the City of Green was awarded 80% of total project costs, or $14 million, in Federal grant funds, for the future Arlington Road north of Boettler Road improvement project. Construction for this project is slated to begin in 2026.

• Vision Green. This past year, we launched Vision Green – a year long community engagement planning process – to update the comprehensive plan for the City of Green. The process engages a steering committee made up of a diverse group of community volunteers who provide feedback and drive citywide engagement activities. Their role is to dream and plan for what we want Green to be in the next 5, 10 and 15 years.

Resilience

• Under Fire Chief Jeff Funai’s leadership, we responded to 5,379 calls for service last year, which averages nearly 15 calls per day, a 6% increase over the prior year.

• In late 2023, we took steps to ensure that our Fire Division is staffed appropriately for our community’s needs by reorganizing our Fire Division to add more leadership roles including a second Assistant Fire Chief, Brad Hemphill, and Battalion Chiefs. The reorganization positions us to meet the staffing needs today and gives us the flexibility to add firemedics in the future.

• In 2023, nine residents of Green died of a drug overdose. This is the highest number of deaths in our community, since Summit County began tracking by municipality, instead of zip codes.

If you or a loved one is suffering with an addiction disorder, our Green Fire Quick Response Team is here to help connect you with resources; provide you with free NARCAN, the antidote to reverse an opioid overdose; and support. For more information, call Green Fire 330-896-6609. In the event of an emergency, call 911.

• As a city, we continue to contract with the Summit County Sherrif’s Department for policing service. In December, City Council approved a 14% increase to the Sheriff’s contract, which continues to be a good value for our residents versus adding our own municipal police force.

• In 2023, we engaged an ADA consultant to evaluate our parks to ensure not only compliance, but truly make these spaces welcoming for all. We will continue engaging special needs families to help us decide on those elements that make a visit to the park a bit more enjoyable for their child and easier for them as caregivers.

Engagement

• The Green Visionary Book, a Green activity book, launched and is available at the Central Administration Building and online. As part of our visioning engagement and feedback, we invite residents to share their ideas by drawing a picture or writing down some thoughts and sharing them with us. This is the kind of project that enables us to get input from those who may have been overlooked before.

• In 2023, we had more than 200 volunteers log an estimated 2,000+ volunteer hours for our community.

- Congratulations to our Volunteer-of-the-Year Karol Brown honored in October.

• Last year the Green Community Fund started its inaugural campaign to endow a million dollars. As of January 2024, donations are $125,000 and gaining momentum. Learn more at greencommunityfund.org

• Fourteen community members graduated from the Green Leadership Initiative. Currently this class is completing their class project – A Change of Art: A Day of Wellness, Art, and Mental Health – on May 18, 2024 at Central Park.

Active Senior Events

Planned All Year Long

Our Green Parks and Recreation Division is piling on the social events and fun for our active seniors, residents age 50+, all year long. Check out the details of all the upcoming programs at cityofgreen.org/seniors

Green Active Adults Monthly Lunches

Who doesn’t like food? Come join other seniors each month on the first Tuesday at a local Green restaurant. Reservations are required by calling 330-896-6621 or emailing parks@cityofgreen.org.

Classes, Activities & Fun

Compete with teams of two to five people to complete a 500-piece puzzle the quickest. Meet on March 21 and April 18 at 11 am at the John Torok Community Center, 4224 Massillon Rd. No cost to individuals or teams. Must be registered in advance. Call 330-896-6621 or email parks@cityofgreen.org

Learn to create your own greeting cards with Debbie Bergdorf on the first Wednesday of each month beginning May 1 at the John Torok Community Center, 4224 Massillon Rd, at 11 am. Each class is $10, which includes the materials to

get creative. Prepay and registration is required, call 330-896-6621 or email parks@cityofgreen.org

Game days are the second and fourth Thursday of the month at John Torok Community Center, 4224 Massillon Rd, at 1 pm. All are welcome to attend these free events.

Every Tuesday from 1 - 3 pm, come knit or crochet and socialize at the John Torok Community Center, 4224 Massillon Rd. Yarn provided. Handmade items are donated to Green Good Neighbors.

Tuesday, March 5 @ 35 Brix, 3875 Massillon Rd, 11:30 am

Tuesday, April 2 @ Menches Brothers, 3700 Massillon Rd, 11:30 am

Tuesday, May 7 @ Jerzee's Sports Pub, 1019 East Turkeyfoot Lake Rd, 11:30 am

Tuesday, June 4 @ Sunrise Social, 3875 Massillon Rd, 11:30 am

Mind Challenge Trivia Competition for Green Seniors

The Mind Challenge for the New Majority is inviting Green seniors to participate in its 2024 tournament, held April 15 - May 22. The Mind Challenge, a trivia competition for seniors 50 and older across Northeast Ohio, is designed like the popular NCAA basketball tournament with regions and brackets. Teams compete to win cash prizes for their community senior center.

The Mind Challenge tournament is made up of teams of 4-6 players who combine their knowledge of trivia. Green hopes to send several teams to the finals this year! Practice games will be held in March and April. To register for a Green trivia team, contact the City of Green Parks and Recreation Division at 330-896-6621. For more information, go to www.themindchallenge.com

events

We’re Hiring for the Summer Season

Full and part-time opportunities include parks maintenance, day camp assistansts, splash pad attendants, grounds maintenance, highway workers, communications intern, and more. Will work around college schedules. All ages (16+) are welcome to apply for these temporary positions. Visit cityofgreen.org/jobs for more details.

march april

Seasonal Hiring Party

Thursday, March 14 3 pm – 6 pm

Central Park Community Hall, 1795 Steese Road

Free food. Games. Prizes. Music. Come learn about open summer employment positions and apply.

Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Saturday, March 23 | 9:30 am – 12 pm

New location due to high demand. Queen of Heaven Parish Life Center, 1800 Steese Road

Sensory-Friendly Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast

Egg Hunt | 9:30 am Sensory-Friendly Breakfast* | 10 am

For children with special needs and their caregivers at 9:30 am

General Public Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny

Breakfast* | 10:30 am –12 pm

Easter Egg Hunt | 12 pm

Easter Egg Hunt is FREE! For children up to 10 years old. Limit of six eggs per child until all children have at least 6 eggs.

*Presale breakfast tickets only $6/adult and ages 5+, $4/seniors (50+), children 3 and under free. Purchase tickets at cityofgreen.org/bunny

Green Goes Dark: A Family Friendly Solar Eclipse Event

Monday, April 8 | 1 pm – 6 pm

Central Park, 1795 Steese Road

Food trucks, games and activities, solar glasses (while supplies last), and, of course, the main attraction – the once-in-our-lifetime solar eclipse!

Income Tax filing deadline

Monday, April 15

Forms and information

available at cityofgreen.org/ tax

Clean Green

Saturday April, 20 | 9 am

West side of Nimisila Reservoir Volunteer to pick up litter in our Green parks and public spaces. To learn more and register, visit cityofgreen.org/volunteer

Arbor Day Celebration

Friday, April 26 | TBD

Visit cityofgreen.org/ arborday for more information.

Drug Take Back Day

April 27 | 10 am – 2pm

Fire Station # 2, 393 East Turkeyfoot Lake Road

Hosted by the Summit County Sheriff Department, residents may drop off unwanted, expired or unused medications for safe disposal.

events CITY

may

Fishing Derby

Saturday, May 11 | 9 am - 11 am | FREE

Registration begins at 8:45 am.

Children 12 and under. Age groups include 5 and younger, 6–7-year-olds, 8–9-year-olds and 10–12-year-olds. Younger children may be helped by a parent or guardian.

Bring your own fishing pole and bait (our Boettler Park fish love hot dogs!)

A Change of Art – A Day of Wellness, Art, and Mental Health

Saturday, May 18

10 am - 2 pm | FREE

Central Park, 1755 Town Park Boulevard

Enjoy a morning with relaxing activities, local breakfast vendors, music, silent disco, community art and more. Parking and admission are free.

Memorial Day in Green Monday, May 27

Pancake Breakfast

7:30 am | Pancake Breakfast at Green Fire Station #1

Hosted by our Fire Union Local #2964. Donations accepted for a local nonprofit.

Community Car Show

9 am – 3 pm | Green Veterans Park, 1900 Steese Road

Honor a Veteran with a Banner in Green’s Veterans Park

Purchase a banner to honor a veteran or active military member to be displayed at the Green Veterans Park from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. Banners

Memorial Day Parade

10 am | Parade steps-off from Green High School

Parade route: Boettler Road to Massillon Road south (southbound lanes only) to Steese Road to Green Middle School. Interested in participating in the annual parade, please register your group by May 24. Learn more at cityofgreen.org/memorialday

Memorial Day Ceremony

12 pm | Green Veteran Memorial Park, 1900 Steese Road

Honor those who sacrificed for our freedoms.

Community Picnic

12 pm - 3 pm | John Torok

Community Center, 4224 Massillon Road

FREE, while supplies last. Hot dogs, chips, soft drinks, and ice cream treat!

include the Veteran’s name, photo, branch of service, rank, years of service or war in which they served. Banners are $100 each. Order now at cityofgreen. org/commemorative-items or by calling 330-896-6621.

Saturday, June 29 | FreedomFest

Boettler Park

Friday

Food, fun, inflatables, live music, and, of course, FIREWORKS!

Saturday, August 17 | Art-A-Palooza, a fine arts festival | Boettler Park

More than 70+ artists and food vendors at this fine arts festival.