Technology

Move the city in to the future

How can Macedonia use technology to:

• Save Money?
• Bring people together?
• Improve the city's structural assets?
• Make life better for all residents?

Technology is not just computers. It's engineering, architecture, transportation, safety, ecology and beyond. As a computer programmer, it's Jessica's day-to-day job to develop tools that "work smarter, not harder."

Jessica is always looking for new, fresh ideas that can make a positive change in Macedonia. Cities around the world are adding innovation every day to benefit their residents. There's no reason that a good idea in San Francisco or Brussles can't be applied in Macedonia, too.

What has been done? The mayor also recognizes the importance of technology for the city. Macedonia has a strong and knowledgeable IT director, and with Council's blessing the mayor created the Technology Fund which provides for much-needed hardware and software upgrades at all city properties. Jessica was key to FINALLY ushering in a new city web site in 2022, making it easier for the city to connect to residents and provide information. Another major technology upgrade for the city has been the Macedonia Drone Team, which operates out of the fire department and also partners with the police department as well as assists where needed across the region. The use of drones in public safety is a game-changer, and Macedonia is ahead of the curve in this area. Macedonia continues to upgrade technology offerings in all areas, from departmental software to hardware in the safety & service departments, park lighting, digital signage and more. It is an exciting time for technology in Macedonia and Jessica is proud to be a part of the process!

Let's continue to work together to use technology to improve our city!

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Teamwork

A council that works together

Macedonia council members are "at large" - that is, all council members are elected to represent all residents in Macedonia, despite their ward. This does not mean that council members need to be in lock-step with each other, but it is very important that the council work as a cohesive team when making decisions and coming up with new strategy. All opinions and angles should be considered. Council members should show respect to one another, as well as respect to residents.

Council is only one part of what runs our city. The mayor and his/her appointees are the administrators of the city. Department heads have the specialized skills needed to run their departments. Council is there to represent residents when called upon, but ultimately it is the mayor's office and department heads that run the city.

So, it is important for council members to get along with each other, respect each other, and respect the positions of the administrative and municipal staff. Council is a part-time position - it is wise to defer to the knowledge of department heads and staff that are keeping the city running full-time. Jessica firmly believes that there is no room for egos in city council.

What has been done? It's been said that since 2018, City Council has been one of the best, most cohesive councils in recent memory. In 2019 Council came together to appoint a new interim member when Nick Molnar became mayor. In 2019, Council came together to hire a new clerk after the retirement of our clerk of over 30 years. In 2022, Jessica was elected Council President and served in the position until 2024. Again in 2025 Council came together to appoint a new member after long-time councilmember Jan Tulley stepped down. Meetings have been respectful and jovial, and all conversations are civil. The work that needs to get done gets done, and all members of Council have fully collaborated on all decision-making. It has been an absolute joy for Jessica to be a part of a group that is so respectful of each other, of city staff and of the residents. Let's keep it going!

Let's work together as a team to the benefit of every resident!

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Voter Education

Explaining how the city works

In most cases, council is called upon to make decisions on behalf of the residents. In some cases, residents are called upon to vote on an issue. Jessica is extremely familiar with the local voting process, having spent time heading up campaigns for Issues 18, 19 (2016) and 3 (2017).

Jessica learned during this process that a lot of residents had questions about how local taxes work, how decisions are made in the city and how the budget was applied. Even moreso, Jessica found that residents wanted to know how all of this worked, so they can make the best choice with their vote. Jessica didn't know how most of this stuff worked either, until she put a lot of hours in to figuring it out.

In these days of instant information, it should be easier for residents to get answers to their questions and to be more informed as to how their city works. As a council member, Jessica would propose more outreach between council members and residents, department heads and residents and the mayor and residents. Jessica would encourage [civil] discussion about council meetings, and find ways to succinctly describe city processes.

Jessica would hope that this environment of voter education an community involvement would not just come up in a frenzy when there is a ballot issue to be passed, but a continuing process that keeps residents engaged in the workings of their city.

What Has Been Done? Jessica has an active presence on Facebook community groups where many residents (and nearby neighbors) are found. She has been able to help explain things when questions arise, and if she can't come up with an answer right away she is there to help get people in touch with the right people at City Hall. Beginning in 2018, Jessica took on the role of writing the Council portion of the monthly City E-Messenger. Prior to 2018, council has never been a part of this newsletter. In addition to the two other levy campaigns Jessica worked on before being elected to council, she also was a crucial part of the team to pass Issue 20 in 2018, and in 2019 she also assisted the groups working to get the Nordonia Schools Operating levy passed. One of Jessica's biggest online achievements was when the billing process changed for the city's Water Maintenance fund, and every resident got an seemingly ominous letter about it. Residents were outraged but Jessica was able to explain to everyone that the letter was mandatory legalese, rates were not changing, and the billing change would make things easier. Crisis averted!

Thankfully in 2023, with council's blessing, the mayor created the position of Communications Specialist. He asked Jessica to be a part of the hiring process, leaning on her journalism background. Together we were able to fill the position with a qualified candidate who has been doing a great job helping the city communicate with residents via all possible channels. Communication with residents is something that Jessica is very passionate about, and she is so happy to see the city taking this seriously.

Let's work together to become informed!

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Maintenance

Maintain assets and infrastructure

As a part of the Redevelopment & Future Growth Committee, Jessica had an opportunity to dig deep in to the infrastructure of the city and hear direct from city staff and department heads about the dismal and sometimes deplorable state of city assets. From parks to police, and especially service, the city is in dire need of replacements and upgrades. City roads, stormwater mitigation systems and park assets will need to be upgraded with funds from the .25% income tax increase. Money also needs to be allocated to the service department to upgrade its dilapidated buildings and trucks, as well as add much-needed equipment to allow the crew to properly and efficiently do its job.

While it is exciting to add new assets to the city that can serve residents in new ways, Jessica feels it is most important to take care of what we have now and make sure the city has a strong foundation.

What has been done? SO MUCH!! Thanks to the passage of Issue 3 in 2017, Macedonia has been able to pave nearly 80 lane miles roads in the city, which is an unprecedented number of roads for any city, let alone one our size. Thanks to the passage of Issue 20 in 2018, the Fire Department was able to replace a fire engine that was well past its prime. The Rec Center got new locker rooms and new equipment. The Police Department and Service Department has been able to update vehicles and equipment as part of their 5-year plans, before those items become dangerous and/or costly to maintain. Most importantly, the city now has an 800mhz dispatch and radio system for Police & Fire - a project which was years in the making that finally came to fruition. All of these maintenance projects are thanks to the residents voting YES on levies, so we all did this together!

There have also been many improvements to the city's recreation center and parks, thanks to increased revenue from the levies. Playing fields have been improved and expanded. Lighting was added to ballfields and the parking lot has been paved. One BIG project that will be completed in 2025 is the addition of a paved walking/biking trail at Longwood, which will expand recreation opportunities to people of all ages and abilities. This project is something the Parks & Rec Committee (Jessica is the PRC council representative) has been asking for since 2017.

Macedonia's latest large infrastructure project is the creation of a new service building. Having a new buiding on Valley View Road will centralize operations, make teamwork easier, protect our valuable equipment and make the service department more efficient. This project is expected to break ground by the end of 2025. Upgrading and centralizing service department operations is something Jessica has been concerned about since 2015. This project is a game-changer for the service department!

Let's work together to maintain and upgrade the city's basic needs!

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Economic Development

Make Downtown Macedonia a reality

As a part of the Redevelopment & Future Growth Committee, Jessica and the other committee members spent a long time thinking "What's next?" The answer we came up with was a "Downtown Macedonia" concept. As the era of shopping malls comes to a close, almost any city has the opportunity to create a local shopping, dining and entertainment district for the benefit of residents and the enjoyment of all.

The Committee proposed that the city begin taking steps to realize this idea by considering the purchasing of property at the corner of Valley View and Aurora Roads. Jessica has already taken the time to get to know more about the building of a small "downtown" area by attending meetings related to the Hudson First & Main development. This sort of project requires a LOT of work by council and the mayor, as well as dedication from residents in the form of panels, committees and education.

So far, everyone who has read the high-level suggestions of the Redevelopment & Future Growth Committee (you can read the full document here, on the city Web site) has shown excitement for the plan which includes a walkable downtown area with green space, restaurants, small businesses and office space. Jessica is highly motivated to bring something like this to her home town!

What has been done? The Downtown Macedonia idea still seems like a pipe dream. However, the mayor has made it known that he is also dedicated to making a Downtown Macedonia. There have been several properties within the proposed area purchased by the city, with the blessing of council. The possibility of making this dream a reality seems to be getting closer every year.

Every day, Macedonia becomes a more inviting place to live and to start a business. Macedonia's stores and restaurants were absolutely stoic in the face of the covid-19 pandemic and Macedonia residents showed so much love for local business. Jessica is always excited to see new businesses giving Macedonia a chance. As our business footprint grows, Downtown Macedonia can still become a reality!

Let's work together to create Downtown Macedonia!

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Parks & Recreation

Best use of our best asset

As a member of the Parks & Rec committee, Jessica has much interest in the future development of the city's park property and the Family Recreation Center. Maintenance is a high priority for the Rec Center, as is improving the facility in a way that retains and attracts members. If membership rises and funds are available, there are further additions that could be made to the Rec Center to the benefit of all residents. But, money must be spent wisely.

Longwood Park is the largest municipally-owned park in Ohio, but the land seems to be under-used. Longwood and Sugarbush are serving the needs of families with children in sports and those who use the playground, but the adult population seems under-served. Paved bike and walk paths around the property would give more people a way to enjoy the land, and a community garden would serve condo-dwelling and family gardeners alike.

There are many low-cost ideas that could be implemented in the parks, to fit within the department's budget. Jessica hopes to get council thinking about more creative ways to use our land to the benefit of more residents than ever.

What has been done? Jessica transitioned from resident Committee Member to Council Representative for the Parks & Rec Committee at the beginning of her term, and continues to serve. Since 2017 there have been many improvements. Trails at Longwood Park were extended, cleared and set with road grindings. All five city baseball fields, including the one at Sugarbush, were professionally re-done (with included yearly maintenance). Lights were added to two Longwood fields, as well as drainage, bleachers and lighted paths. New locker rooms were added to the Rec Center, the weight equipment was entirely replaced, most of the cardio equipment was replaced, and new lights & flooring were added. In 2020 Jessica was an integral part of the process of hiring the new Parks & Rec Director. With the work of Director Chadock and his staff, and the excellent team of resident volunteers on the Parks & Rec Committee, Jessica is so impressed with how far the department has come in four years!

To the delight of the Parks & Rec Committee, a 1.4 mile paved trail will be added throughout Longwood in 2025. This project has been in the works since 2017, and is an exciting improvement that will bring new year-round recreation opportunities to people of all ages and abilities. Along with Rec Center facility upgrades, this will be the first two major projects for the new Parks & Rec Director and his staff. Jessica looks forward to continuing to work with the new department leaders to pass on her extensive knowledge of the department and its needs.

Let's work together to upgrade our parks for everyone!

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