5/18/2022 - Kent City Council - Observer Corps Report

5/18/2022 - Kent City Council - Observer Corps Report

Type: 
Blog Post

Meeting Observed: Kent City Council

Date of Meeting: 5/18/2022

Format: Virtual

Meeting Summary:

Two Public Hearings: one for the Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program, Application for funding: and Community Development Block Grant (HUD allocation $36,000, lower than last year)


Regular Council Meeting:
Public Comment: Two citizens talk about rescinding the mobile food truck legislation (see 2022-054); Bobby Olinger read a letter sent with regard to House Bills 616 and 454 on behalf of City Council.


Standing Committees & Legislation


Committee of the Whole:
The following were approved for the following commissions/committees:

  • Nasser Matar for Planning
  • Michelle Sahr for Zoning Appeal
  • Melissa Zullo for Board of Health


Both of the follow ordinances were approved with Kuhar against:

  • 2022-048 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF KENT, OHIO EXPRESSING THE CONDEMNATION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF OHIO HOUSE BILL NO. 616, WHICH PROHIBITS AND CENSORS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES AND FAMILIES OF LGBTQ+ OHIOANS IN OUR SCHOOLS FROM GRADES K-12;
  • 2022-049 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF KENT, OHIO EXPRESSING THE CONDEMNATION OHIO HOUSE BILL NO. 454, WHICH PROHIBITS AFFIRMATIVE CARE FOR OHIO TRANSGENDER YOUTH

Community Development:
The following ordinances were approved:

  • 2022-050 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO THE STATE OF OHIO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AGENCY, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PY2022 COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPACT AND PRESERVATION PROGRAM (CHIP) AND UPON AWARDING OF THE GRANT, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
  • 2022-051 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A REQUEST FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ASSISTANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 UNDER TITLE I OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED, INCLUDING THE PY2022 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND FILING OF THE PY2022 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, INCLUDING RELATED CERTIFICATIONS, AND UPON AWARDING OF THE GRANT, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized March, 2022)
  • 2022-052 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER, OR HIS DESIGNEE, TO CONTINUE THE ENTERPRISE ZONE AGREEMENT WITH THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY PROVIDING FOR A PROJECT AND REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE OHIO ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM (EZ), AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Health & Safety Committee
The following ordinances were approved

  • 2022-053 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 509.12 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF KENT TITLED "UNLAWFUL NOISE”, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized) (see May 4 report)
  • 2022-054 AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING AN INDEFINITE MORATORIUM ON THE APPLICABILITY OF ORDINANCE NO. 2022-004 TITLED “MOBILE FOOD UNIT REGULATIONS” AS IT PERTAINS TO REGULATE VENDING, PEDDLING AND SOLICITING IN THE CITY, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Unauthorized)

Finance Committee
The following ordinances were approved.

  • 2022-055 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $80,000 FOR BODY CAMERAS, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (Authorized)
  • 52022-056 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500.00 TO THE CITY OF KENT PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT FROM THE HENRY V. AND FRANCES W. CHRISTENSON FOUNDATION FOR KENT PARKS AND RECREATION BEAUTIFICATION, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.(Unauthorized)

Councilmembers' Comments: Sidoti talked about the Buffalo NY shootings and need for greater acceptance. Turner complained about the Record-Courier story about May 4 meeting with NAACP. He said the article did not portray Council's actions or intent accurately. Kuhar said the doors of City Hall are open to everyone and to all who want to apply for jobsThe City Council then went into executive session

Which members of the board/council were present: Jack Amrhein, Ward 2; John Kuhar, Ward 4; Heidi Shaffer Bish, Ward 5; Tracy Wallach, Ward 6; Michael DeLeone, At Large; Roger Sidoti, At Large; Robin Turner, Ward 3. Absent were Garret Ferrara, Ward 1; Gwen Rosenberg, At Large.

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/737/Agendas-and-Minutes

Observer: Kathleen Endres

League to which this content belongs: 
Kent