Berea City Council elects Chris McManis president pro tempore, reappoints Alycia Esson as clerk and names committee rosters

Jim Maxwell, president of the Berea City Council, called the council to order at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2026, and noted that six members were present and one was absent. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a statement that the session complied with Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22 and Chapter 109 of the Codified Ordinances; the clerk’s certificate of compliance is on file.

President Maxwell opened nominations for president pro tempore. Vance Redding nominated Council Member Chris McManis, seconded by Michael A. Kurtz. Erika Coble nominated Rick Skoczen, seconded by Vance Redding. Council members Coble, Kurtz, McManis, Redding, Weaver and Skoczen voted for McManis; President Maxwell declared Chris McManis duly elected president pro tempore.

Maxwell then opened nominations for clerk of council. Rick Skoczen nominated Alycia Esson and Chris McManis seconded the nomination. The motion carried on a unanimous vote and President Maxwell welcomed Esson back as clerk of council.

President Maxwell announced the council’s committee assignments for the 2026–2028 term, identifying chairs and members for Building and Zoning (Gene Zacharyasz, chair; Erika Coble and Rick Skoczen), Coordinating (Jim Maxwell, chair; all members), Court (Chris McManis, chair; Michael A. Kurtz and Gene Zacharyasz), Economic Development (Chris McManis, chair; Rick Skoczen and Gene Zacharyasz), Facilities (Lisa Weaver, chair; Erika Coble and Vance Redding), Finance (Rick Skoczen, chair; Chris McManis and Gene Zacharyasz), Public Safety & Service (Vance Redding, chair; Rick Skoczen and Lisa Weaver), Senior & Community Services (Erika Coble, chair; Vance Redding and Lisa Weaver), and Utilities (Michael A. Kurtz, chair; Lisa Weaver and Gene Zacharyasz).

He also announced additional appointments to outside boards and councils: Chris McManis to the Southwest Health Care System Board of Directors; Erika Coble and Gene Zacharyasz to the Shade Tree Commission; Jim Maxwell to the Woodvale Union Cemetery Board of Trustees; Rick Skoczen as primary and Chris McManis as alternate to the Southwest Suburban Council of Governments; Erika Coble and Lisa Weaver to the Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council; and members of a mayoral ad hoc water rates committee.

With no further business, Council Member Chris McManis moved to adjourn, Rick Skoczen seconded, and the council voted unanimously to adjourn. President Maxwell declared the meeting adjourned at 1:39 p.m.

The minutes include signature lines for President Jim Maxwell and Clerk Alycia Esson and a certificate confirming compliance with Chapter 109 of the Codified Ordinances and Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22.