Macedonia council resolution honors Police Chief Jon Golden, who retires Feb. 3
MACEDONIA – City Council adopted a resolution of appreciation Jan. 26 for Police Chief Jon Golden, who is retiring after nearly 33 years of employment with the city.
Golden’s official retirement date is Feb. 3. He began his career with the city on April 30, 1990, as a full-time patrolman, was promoted to sergeant in mid-1998 and has served as chief since Feb. 1, 2002.
“During his tenure, he has worked closely with the mayor’s office, department heads and various city staff to ensure that the department provides the professional and courteous policing services that residents and businesses have come to expect, rely on and appreciate,” said the resolution.
It goes on to say that Golden plans “to spend time enjoying his favorite hobbies of fishing and traveling around the country with his family.”
“Councilwoman Jan Tulley credited Golden with instituting 12-hour shifts and community policing, updating equipment and computers and being instrumental in bringing the Nixle alert system to the city.
“We are going to miss him,” added Fire Chief Brian Riley.
“Thirty-three years is a long time,” Golden said. “It’s been an adventure, and there were so many people who got me here. I owe a lot of people a lot of things. I’m very lucky. Our dispatchers especially have done a great job.”
And speaking of dispatchers, council ratified a collective bargaining agreement for those represented by the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. It is effective through Dec. 31, 2025.
The contract provides for pay hikes of 4% in 2023 and 3% each in 2024 and 2025, with hourly rates ranging from $23.16 to $28.82 in the first year and $24.57 to $30.37 in the third year.
One-time payments of between $500 and $1,000 are offered for dispatchers who complete a college degree, and longevity payments of between $400 and $2,000 are offered for those who have worked between three years and 30-plus years, respectively.
Each member of the bargaining unit is entitled to an annual allowance of $900 for necessary uniforms or parts thereof. Other parts of agreement cover insurance, sick and bereavement leave, overtime, vacations, grievances, seniority and pensions.
Other business
The following were appointed to the charter review commission: Councilman Jeff Garvas, Vincent Milianta, Paul Bender, Luis Gonzalez, Julie Nicholson, Linda Biber and Tom Dirmyer. The city’s charter calls for such a body to be convened every five years.
Council also added Independence Bank to be a public depository for city funds, with active and interim deposit limits of $25 million each.
Heading to second reading is an ordinance to accept the donation of 5.8 acres at 9150 Valley View Road from 9150 Group LLC for future public purposes.
It was noted the former Aerosol Systems property has sat largely dormant for an extended period with little to no beneficial use made of it. Aerosol Systems, which made degreasers and cleaners, closed in 2002.
Law Director Mark Guidetti said the city would assume some continuing obligations with the Ohio EPA. Most site cleanup work has been done. Additional work may be necessary, and Guidetti said he will try to provide an estimated cost before council acts on the donation.
Sent to third reading was an ordinance to purchase a 2023 Endurance CC1L electric pickup truck for the service department from Lordstown EV Corp. The cost would be $65,235. Residents can provide input about the purchase by emailing clerk Jon Hoover at jhoover@macedona,oh.us.
Council President Jessica Brandt reported that former Councilman Mike Menhart died recently. He served in the 1990s and early 2000s and also was on the civil service commission. “He will be missed; our thoughts are with his family,” said Brandt.
Finance Director John Veres announced July 17 will be the deadline for residents to apply for 2022 city income tax refunds.
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Macedonia council resolution honors retiring Police Chief Jon Golden
