New city website, Together Twinsburg, aims to engage community
Council members also call for looking at updating zoning code
TWINSBURG – In an effort to carry out acting Mayor Sam Scaffide’s intentions to reach out to residents and improve transparency, the city is rolling out an online public engagement platform called Together Twinsburg.
When the website is launched, the public can access the new website at TogetherTwinsburg.com.
The city’s senior communications administrator Mark Gutowski outlined the plans at Council’s Oct. 11 meeting. He and clerk of Council Shannon Collins are in charge of the platform.
“It’s a place for the community to share thoughts, ideas, suggestions and join the conversation around key topics of interest,” explained Gutowski. “It doesn’t replace social media or our website, but it’s meant to provide an outlet for discussion and receive feedback.”
He noted the platform will be rolled out in two to three weeks. “It’s based on projects,” he said. “Each project will consist of a background description, a way to get more information and then a call to action.”
Maps, details and sometime photos about each project will be displayed, and a city employee’s name will be listed so residents can contact him or her to obtain further information or make a suggestion.
“I’m super impressed,” said Councilman David Post. “I think it’s a great idea, and I applaud the time and effort that went into developing this.”
However, Post added he doesn’t want to see the platform become a place for residents to attack and get into shouting matches with each other, as happens on many social media sites.
Collins plans to meet with Council reps before the site goes public to fill them in on further details.
ZONING CODE UPDATE
At Council’s caucus session prior to the regular meeting, Councilman Greg Bellan proposed that city officials take a look at updating the zoning code, and his colleagues were in favor.
He noted the code has been called into question several times in recent years, and it has been many years since revisions were made. Councilwoman Daisy Walker agreed, calling the proposed update “long overdue.”
“I want to make sure the code is doing what it is supposed to do,” Bellan said, and Councilman Bill Furey added, “We need to review some things and see where we’re at.”
Law director Matt Vazzana said he could have options for Council ready within four to five weeks, and the acting mayor said hiring a consultant probably would be the first step after Council discusses those options.
“We would welcome feedback from residents,” said Scaffide. “The entire process likely would take a good amount of time.”
OTHER BUSINESS
Assistant Fire Chief Steve Bosso gave a lengthy summary of a recent active shooter exercise which took place at Twinsburg High School, the Reminderville Athletic Club and Cleveland Clinic-Twinsburg.
The city and schools contracted with ARMADA, an industry leader in physical security and preparedness solutions, to provide development, design and evaluation services for the exercise.
Outside evaluators included members of the Summit County Emergency Management Agency, Summit County Public Health, Akron Fire Department and city of Tallmadge.
The exercise focused on student reunification; operational coordination between police, fire, schools and others; public health and warning; and health care and emergency services.
Councilman David Post called the amount of work put in by organizers of the exercise “insane.” He added, “However, it’s sad [in the world climate today] that we have to do these types of exercises.”
Bellan reported income tax revenue for September was $1.84 million, or $117,054 more than the same month last year. Through September, the 2022 revenue was $18.8 million, up $1.2 million from last year.
Fire Chief Tim Morgan reported his crews responded to 298 calls for service in September, bringing the 2022 total to 2,805.
Waste Management representative Bryan Johnson gave an update about recent developments relating to trash and recyclables pickup, including a new state-of-the-art recycling/education center set to open in 2023 at WM’s Oakwood Village facility.
Contact the newspaper at twinsburgbulletin@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: City's new website seeks to bring 'Twinsburg Together'
