On the agenda: Middlefield 07.09.2026 — data center (Jul 9)

Village of Middlefield Council Minutes
July 9, 2026

Council met in regular session Mayor Garlich called the meeting to order by roll call at
7:00 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Garlich, Mr. Scott Klein, Mr. Carl
Hornung, Ms. Kaitlyn Arganti, Mr. Sam Morrow, Mr. Bill Blue, and Mr. Kyle Kaplan.
Also present: Ms. Leslie McCoy- Village Administrator, Ms. Jessica Giardina- Fiscal
Office, Chief Tucholski, Mr. Nick Giardina- Fiscal Officer, Mr. Luke McConville- Village
Solicitor, Lt. Graley, Mr. Alex Duncan, Ms. Kim Breyley, Mr. John Boksansky- Zoning
Inspector, Ms. Sabine Weizer, Mr. Joe Svete, Ms. Jackie Janke, Lou Champney- Youth
Running Program Coordinator, 14U Softball Team & Parents, and Mr. Ben Reed- Fire
Department.
1. Opening Ceremony: Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. Agenda: No additions/deletions.
3. Approval of Minutes: June 11, 2026. Mr. Hornung made a motion to approve
June 11, 2026 minutes, motion seconded by Ms. Arganti. Roll Call. All in favor:
Yeas (6).
4. Payment of Bills: Mr. Klein moved to authorize payments totaling $1,062,787.71,
motion seconded by Mr. Hornung. Roll Call. All in favor: Yeas (6).
5. FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT: Income Tax and Financials – The report is included
in the packet. Mayor Garlich stated the Village finances continue to improve and
everything is growing.
6. AMBULANCE REPORT – Report is included in the packet.
7. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT – Report is included in the packet. Mr. Reed stated
June was a busy month. There is an Amish Safety meeting coming up and the
department has been participating in live fire trainings and education training with
University Hospitals.
8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Ms. McCoy stated she has been communicating with
local businesses on current needs and opportunities as well as monitoring available
properties. Ms. McCoy stated she has a request for a sign for the storefront renovation
program and it exceeds the balance that the program currently has. Ms. Arganti made a
motion to add funds to the Storefront Renovation Program Fund, motion
seconded by Mr. Kaplan. Roll Call. All in favor: Yeas (6).
9. ZONING REPORT: Report is included in packet. Mr. Boksansky stated he was able to
issue 11 zoning permits for the month of June.

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Village of Middlefield Council Minutes
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10. STREETS, SIDEWALKS & UTILITIES REPORT – Report is included in the packet.
Chief Tucholski stated there has been a lot of grass mowing, park maintenance, Eagle
Park work, cemetery maintenance, street sweeping, equipment repair, and more.
11. POLICE REPORT – Report is included in the packet. Chief Tucholski stated there
was 655 calls for service in the month of June. Chief Tucholski stated CPT training is
almost done and there are more trainings scheduled for Officers. Fishing with Cops is
this Saturday 9am-12pm at Mineral Lake Pond.
12. PARKS & RECREATION REPORT – Report is included in the packet. Ms. McCoy
stated Fall Sports registration is currently open and the last day to register to save is July
13, 2026. Mayor Garlich stated they are working on getting quotes to get lights installed
at the pickleball court.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
1. Public Hearing July 9, 2026
a. 7:30PM 2027 Tax Budget
Mayor Garlich opened the Public Hearing at 7:42PM.
Ms. Giardina stated she met with all the department heads and went
through the budgets with them and what is expected as far as
numbers for next year. Ms. Giardina stated the budget will be taken to
the county to be approved by them.
Mayor Garlich closed the Public Hearing at 7:44PM.
b. 7:40PM Ordinance 26-136 & Ordinance 26-140
Mayor Garlich opened the Public Hearing for Ordinance 26-136 at
7:44PM.
Mr. McConville stated this is the ordinance that will prevent any
permits being issued or applications being accepted for data centers
in the Village. Mr. McConville stated the House Bill regulated
legislative that requires they pay higher utility rates than the normal
consumers. The law did not pass because of the tax exemption so it is
in summer recess.
Mayor Garlich closed the Public Hearing for Ordinance 26-136 at
7:51PM.
Mayor Garlich opened the Public Hearing for Ordinance 26-140 at
7:51PM. Mayor Garlich stated this is for the Briar Hill project at the old
Jordak school building.
Mayor Garlich closed the Public Hearing for Ordinance 26-140 at
7:53PM.
2. Sports Team Recognition
a. Softball 14U- League Champions: Mayor Garlich recognized the
14U Softball team for their amazing season and presented each
player with an achievement certificate. Coach Danny Grant stated
they lost 3 games and they were to the Concord team and actually
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Village of Middlefield Council Minutes
July 9, 2026
ended up playing them in the Championship game and won that
game.
3. Pocket Park Design Presentation:
4. Youth Running Program: Mayor Garlich stated Lou Champney is running the
program and is doing a great job. Mr. Champney is present and stated that he is
working with kids to learn how to correctly run and run efficiently.
5. Senior Trash Pickup Day - August 13, 2026
(Register with Geauga Dept. on Aging by 8/10/26 at 440-279-2130)
FIRST READING –
1. RESOLUTION 26-07 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A TAX BUDGET FOR THE
2027 FISCAL YEAR AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY Mayor Garlich
introduced Resolution 26-07 by title only. Mr. Hornung made a motion to place
Resolution 26-07 on first reading as an emergency and waive the required
readings, motion seconded by Ms. Arganti. Roll Call. All in favor: Yeas (6).
Mr. Kaplan made a motion to PASS Resolution 26-07, motion seconded by
Mr. Morrow. Roll Call. All in favor: Yeas (6).
2. ORDINANCE 26-145 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
ENTER INTO AMENDMENT NO. 1 AND AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE
STANDARD AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH ARCADIS
U.S., INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES IN CONNECTION
WITH THE WWTP TERTIARY FILTER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, AND
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Mayor Garlich introduced Ordinance 26-145 by
title only. Ms. Arganti made a motion to place Ordinance 26-145 on first
reading as an emergency and waive the required readings, motion
seconded by Mr. Morrow. Roll Call. All in favor: Yeas (6). Mr. Hornung made
a motion to PASS Ordinance 26-145, motion seconded by Mr. Kaplan. Roll
Call. All in favor: Yeas (6).
3. ORDINANCE 26-146 AN ORDINANCE INCREASING CERTAIN CEMETERY
FEES IMPOSED BY THE VILLAGE, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Mayor Garlich introduced Ordinance 26-146 by title only. Mr. Klein made a
motion to place Ordinance 26-146 on first reading as an emergency and
waive the required readings, motion seconded by Ms. Arganti. Roll Call. All
in favor: Yeas (6). Mr. Hornung made a motion to PASS Ordinance 26-146,
motion seconded by Mr. Morrow. Roll Call. All in favor: Yeas (6).
SECOND READING
THIRD READING
1. ORDINANCE 26-136 AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A TWELVE-MONTH
MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ANY ZONING APPLICATION FOR
DATA CENTERS WITHIN THE VILLAGE, AND DECLARING AN
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Village of Middlefield Council Minutes
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EMERGENCY. Mayor Garlich introduced Ordinance 26-136 by title only. Mr.
Morrow made a motion to PASS Ordinance 26-136, motion seconded by Mr.
Hornung. Roll Call. All in favor: Yeas (6).
2. ORDINANCE 26-140 AN ORDINANCE REZONING GEAUGA COUNTY
PERMANENT PARCEL NO. 19-702900 ON PIERCE STREET FROM “GC,
GENERAL COMMERCIAL” TO “R-PUD 1153.09 (3) SENIOR HOUSING”
Mayor Garlich introduced Ordinance 26-140 by title only. Mr. Morrow made a
motion to PASS Ordinance 26-140, motion seconded by Mr. Hornung. Roll
Call. All in favor: Yeas (6).
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1. Web Site Report – Kim Breyley: Included in the packet.
COMMITTEE REPORTS and COMMUNICATIONS
Planning & Zoning (Mayor Garlich/Mr. Klein/Mr. Linberg/Mr. Dietrich/Ms. Shaffer) –
June meeting minutes included in the packet. Mr. Klein gave a brief recap of the
Planning and Zoning meeting that was held on Tuesday 7/7.
Streets, Sidewalks, & Utilities (Mr. Morrow/ Mr. Blue/ Ms. Arganti/ Ben Garlich) –
June meeting minutes included in the packet.
Economic Development Committee (Ms. McCoy, Mr. Klein, Ms. Arganti, Mr.
Michalakes, Mr. Dietrich, Ms. Breyley, Ms. Martin) – No meeting in June.
Parks & Recreation (Mr. Blue/ Mr. Morrow/ Ms. Arganti/ Mayor Garlich/ Ms. Bean/
Mr. Soltis) – June meeting minutes included in the packet.
Finance & Ordinance (Ms. Arganti/ Mr. Morrow/ Mr. Klein) – June meeting minutes
included in the packet.
Public Safety (Mr. Hornung/ Mr. Blue/Mr. Kaplan/ Mayor Garlich) – June meeting
minutes included in the packet.
VILLAGE CALENDAR: (ALL MEETING DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

July- (Subject to Change)
July 1, 2026 Brush Chipping
July 3, 2026 Village Hall Closed – in Observance of Independence Day
July 4, 2026 Independence Day – America 250th Anniversary
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Village of Middlefield Council Minutes
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July 6, 2026 Eagle Splash Pad Closed for Maintenance until 2PM
July 7, 2026 5:15pm STREETS COMMITTEE
July 7, 2026 6:00pm PLANNING COMMISSION
July 9, 2026 5:30pm RECREATION COMMITTEE
July 9, 2026 6:00pm FINANCE COMMITTEE
July 9, 2026 6:30pm SAFETY COMMITTEE
July 9, 2026 7:00pm COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST- (Subject to Change)
August 3, 2026 Eagle Splash Pad Closed for Maint. Until 2pm
August 5, 2026 Brush Chipping
August 11, 2026 5:15pm STREETS COMMITTEE
August 11, 2026 6:00pm PLANNING COMMISSION
August 13, 2026 Senior Trash Pickup Day (Register with Dept. on Aging by 8/10 440-

279-2130)

August 13, 2026 5:30pm RECREATION COMMITTEE
August 13, 2026 6:00pm FINANCE COMMITTEE
August 13, 2026 6:30pm SAFETY COMMITTEE
August 13, 2026 7:00pm COUNCIL MEETING
August 29, 2026 Shred Day (9a-12p at Village Hall)
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Kaplan motioned to adjourn the Council meeting at 8:00PM, motion seconded
by Mr. Blue. Roll Call. All in favor: Yeas (6).
These Council Meeting Minutes are to be supplemented by any audio recording of the
Meeting, to the extent any such audio recording exists and is kept by the Village.
Approved: ______________________________________
MAYOR
Attest: __________________________________________
FISCAL OFFICER

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