On the agenda: Monroeville agenda — data center (Aug 26)

Special Council Meeting 8/26/2026

On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., Mayor Joseph Galea opened the Council meeting
with a word of prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was recited by those present.
The special meeting for the Council of the Village of Monroeville was then called to order.
Present at roll call:
Chris Raftery
Mark Miller
Sue Rogers
Tammy Schachter
Andrew Brown
Jim Ehrman

and

Joseph Galea, Mayor
Eunice Collene, Fiscal Officer

Also attending: Dan Bemis, Ted Caldwell, Mark Reams, Max Upton, and Tom Sitterly.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Mayor asked for Council’s approval of the agenda. Ms. Rogers made a motion, seconded by
Ms. Raftery, to approve the agenda. Motion carried with no discussion.
REVIEW OF SPECIAL LEGAL COUNSEL
The mayor provided background on his process and research of legal counsel to guide the
Village in the development of zoning rules and regulations for data centers. He noted the public
encouragement to seek outside or special legal counsel to encompass what the public wants
and to address concerns. Mayor Galea recognized communication and input from Mr. Bemis.
Initially consulting firms were in the search group but with time it became clear that we needed
a law firm that could advise on regulations and the other aspects of that. This would also
prepare the Village in the event of legal action should that be necessary. Mayor Galea started
with approximately eight firms to research. Some firms already represented data centers or had
other conflicts of interest. Three proposals were received from viable firms. Frost, Brown, and
Todd (FBT) out of Columbus and specialize more in litigation more than advising. The firm of
Isaac Wein also from Columbus with a managing partner that is also a solicitor or law director in
two communities that have data centers going in. Mansour Gavin is out of Cleveland with a
well-developed practice in representing communities. There would be three attorneys assisting
us, Tony Coyle, Diane Calta, and Katherine Weber. All three have represented municipalities as
their solicitor or law director or are currently doing so in some cases. All three have extensive
experience in zoning. All three have become very well-versed in data center issues. Mayor
Galea believes they would be the best fit for our needs. They proposed in the agreement an
amount not to exceed $35,000.00. Mr. Andrew Brown presented a lot of good questions in an
email which Diane responded making good points. Mayor Galea mentioned they are not just
here for guidelines or strictly to negotiate, they would cover everything. Discussion ensued
regarding the firm’s role with the Village. Mayor Galea clarified their primary scope will be
regulations the community wants to see and they would start as soon as we sign the contract.
An initial meeting can be scheduled for council to ask questions.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS FOR PASSAGE
The Mayor asked for a motion to suspend the rules for the following legislation. Ms. Raftery made
that motion, seconded by Ms. Schlachter. Motion carried with no discussion.
RES 2026- 10 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND FISCAL OFFICER TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT WITH MONSOUR GAVIN, LPA FOR LEGAL COUNSEL SERVICES TO THE VILLAGE OF
MONROEVILLE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY was presented for passage. Ms. Rogers made a
motion, seconded by Ms. Raftery, to pass Resolution 2026-10 by title only. Motion carried after
clarification of funding this from a designated line in the general fund and that there is a $35,000
cap that will require authorization for additional funding.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The mayor asked Council for a motion to enter into executive session to consider the
appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a
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Special Council Meeting 8/26/2026

public employee or official. Ms. Rogers made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ehrman, to enter into
executive session. Motion carried with no discussion. The special Council meeting adjourned to
executive session at 6:48 p.m., and reconvened on record at 8:59 p.m.
Mayor Galea requested a date and time for a Special Council meeting next week to appoint a
Village Administrator. It was decided to have a special meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 2026
at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to come before them, the Mayor asked Council for a motion to
adjourn. Ms. Schlachter made that motion, seconded by Mr. Miller.
Meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

____________________________________
Eunice A. Collene, Fiscal Officer
________________________________________
Joseph Galea, Mayor
The minutes of this meeting were recorded and reviewed by Fiscal Officer Eunice Collene for both form
and content, subsequently approving them as transcribed.

THIS IS NOT A RATIFIED OR APPROVED COPY

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