Meeting Observed: Kent City Council
Date of Meeting: 1/5/2022
Format: In-person
Meeting Summary:
This was a “Committee of the whole” meeting. In that format, items are brought up by committee chairs. Council reviewed what issues are “pending” or needed Council action.
1. Council decided to put Sensible Kent proposed ordinance change on local ballot for November. The proposal leaves criminal charges, but cuts all court costs and fees.
1A. (This was a late debate but as important as above.) New food truck ordinance work to include allowing private citizens to have one day privilege. Commercial trucks downtown have to be 50 feet away from food-serving businesses and stay no more than 8 hours and be permitted ($50); beer truck isn’t a food truck; allows lemonade stands on private property or by permission; continued to allow exemptions for farm markets, personal services. Main Street Kent granted some allowances but must ensure all food trucks are permitted. And no food trucks are allowed on Parks and Rec property without permission.
2. Decided that a “feral cat” discussion had been resolved as far as members could go. Will return to committee if more problems arise;
3. Decided the city should accept a proposed city flag as no other proposals had been made. In the meeting, however, no flag was available to see;
4. Discussed affordable housing/ senior housing committee. No action, but some feel the 43-acre university intergenerational housing project is iffy. City Manager Dave Ruller said city officials have tried to encourage developers.
5. Agreed to take off pedestrian problems downtown from committees agenda - some crosswalks were installed; huge N. Water Street project seems to have helped.
6. Interviewed two candidates for Design and Preservation Committee- Kathleen (Kitty) Endres and Alan Orashan. Vote pending.
7. Keep sustainability discussion on tap, possibly considering a master plan update.
Which members of the board/council were present: Fiala, Amrhein, Ferrara, Kuhar, Shaffer-Bish, Sidoti, Wallach, Turner. Abest was Gwen Rosenberg, illness; DeLeone, ill;
Was there a public notice of the meeting that included the time and place of meeting: Yes
Was an agenda of the meeting or handouts available to visitors: Yes
Are minutes from previous meetings posted/available: Yes
https://www.kentohio.org/AgendaCenter/City-Council-6
Observer: Barb Hipsman Springer